How does a plant sensor work? What are the advantages of the sensor compared to satellite maps?
Climate change, fertilizer regulations, scarcity of resources, and pests and diseases are just a few factors that pose challenges to farmers in crop production and have an impact on productivity, profitability and sustainability. These challenges require continuous adaptation and innovation, which is why smart farming is becoming increasingly important.
In this area, plant sensors are an important tool for applying application agents and fertilisers in a site-specific and needs-based manner, or to save expensive seeds when reseeding and still achieve maximum yields.
Plant sensors were specially developed to capture data on the condition of plants by reflecting light when driving across the field. In general, a distinction is made between active and passive sensors. Active sensors, such as the ISARIA PRO Active, have their own light source, which makes them suitable for use day and night. Passive sensors, such as the ISARIA PRO Compact, have no active light source and require daylight to measure data. ISARIA plant sensors measure the nitrogen supply and biomass index of the individual plants and transmit this information to the attachment in real time. In this way, plants are supplied as needed without wasting application agents or reducing yield potential.
Compared to satellite maps, plant sensors measure the condition of plants directly on site. This makes it possible to precisely adapt crop applications to the specific needs of plants in a specific area, regardless of external influences. Frequent cloudiness, especially during the fertilization season, does not allow current satellite images of the inventory. Rows of trees, field edges or neighboring crops lead to so-called marginal influences, which can falsify an entire satellite image of a blow.
Plant sensors therefore offer a precise and high-resolution way to monitor and control plant development in real time, which helps to maximize yields, increase efficiency and promote sustainability in agriculture.
