Development of a dynamic monitoring and precision management system for soybean-maize compound planting using integrated satellite-airborne-ground-network data

• Grant number: 24/15456-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Durval Dourado Neto
• Grantee: Durval Dourado Neto
• Principal researcher abroad: Hong Sun
• Institution abroad: China Agricultural University, China
• Host Institution: CENTRO AGRICULTURA TROPICAL SUSTENTAVEL/USP
• Pesquisadores principais: Luiz Gustavo Nussio ; Paulo Guilherme Molin
• Associated researchers: Émerson Borghi ; Evaldo Ferreira Vilela ; Feng Yang ; Gerd Sparovek ; Guilherme Busi de Carvalho ; Marcela Almeida de Araujo ; Minzan Li ; Pedro Takao Yamamoto ; Renan Caldas Umburanas ; Rodrigo Fernando Maule ; Sergio Paganini Martins ; XiaochuangYao ; YeluZeng
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/13969-7 - The agronomic performance of mechanized intercropping with second-crop maize in soybean rows versus a soybean-maize succession., BP.DD; 25/15695-1 - Agronomic performance of mechanized intercropping of second crop maize between soybean rows compared to soybean-maize succession, BP.IC; 25/11173-0 - Agronomic performance of mechanized intercropping of second crop maize between soybean rows compared to soybean-maize succession, BP.IC; 25/04640-1 - Decision-making models for regulating population growth in soybean-maize rotation, BP.PD

Abstract

As important food and feed crops, maize and soybean occupy an important position in global food security and agricultural production. Optimizing soybean and maize cultivation patterns and strategies in China and Brazil, major producers, is of scientific and practical importance. This project aims to collaboratively and rapidly acquire data on canopy distribution, unit coverage, plant height, spectral reflectance, and vegetation indices during the growth stages of different maize and soybean crops under a crop rotation system based on platforms such as Satellite, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Ground handheld devices, and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). Through this research, we expect to contribute new theoretical and practical foundations for sustainable agricultural development and food security in both countries and globally. Through the establishment of a crop monitoring and management system based on an 'airborne-ground' network, it is possible to realize the whole process of crop growth management and real-time control. Precision management includes not only the monitoring of crop growth stages, but also the adjustment of management measures, such as irrigation, fertilizer application and pest control, according to crop growth status and environmental conditions. Through precision management, crop output can be maximized while minimizing environmental impacts, promoting efficient use of agricultural resources and ecosystem health. Ultimately, the development of a soybean-maize rotation planting precision management decision-making system, which integrates heterogeneous data from the "Satellite-Airborne-Ground-Network" will provide scientific decision-making support for precision nutrient management and harvesting operations. It will also provide methodological and systemic support for precise management of these crops in China and Brazil. (AU)