Simulation Modelling for Precision Agriculture
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
To choose, implement and evaluate solutions to prepare prescription maps for fertilisation, soil amendment and weed control. The work will be carried out in the case study of the integrated laboratory "Precision agriculture".
Expected learning outcomes
To use site-specific data of soil and crop status in precision agriculture. To choose and to implement with computer tools (e.g. spreadsheets, programming languages, and statistical packages) simple algorithms to prepare prescription maps for fertilisation, soil amendment and weed control.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Dear students, during 2022/2022 lessons and practicals are planned in presence.
If needed, lessons will be delivered synchronously using Microsoft Teams platform. The lessons will be recorded and made available on the Teams channel of the course for asynchronous consultations.
Exercises will be conducted remotely too.
Any further indications will be communicated to you by the teachers according to the evolution of the situation.
Whatever the teaching methods will be, no changes will be made to the programme, the references and the exam type.
If needed, lessons will be delivered synchronously using Microsoft Teams platform. The lessons will be recorded and made available on the Teams channel of the course for asynchronous consultations.
Exercises will be conducted remotely too.
Any further indications will be communicated to you by the teachers according to the evolution of the situation.
Whatever the teaching methods will be, no changes will be made to the programme, the references and the exam type.
Course syllabus
First part (first semester)
· Introduction to GIS and tools for preparing maps derived from soil and vegetaion sensors.
· Identification of homogeneous management areas
· Implementation of algorithms for fertilisation prescription maps
Second part (second semester)
Preparation of the fertilization prescription map through the integrated use of crop models and remote sensing images
- Setting of simulation scenarios based on historical series of meteorological data
- Analysis of simulation results to evaluate the effect of limiting factors on potential yields
- Application of crop models for the identification of expected nitrogen removals through the study of the crop response to different levels of nitrogen fertilization and as a function of variable soil characteristics
- Calculation of the optimal dose of N
- Development in QGIS of algorithms based on simulation data vegetation indices for the production of prescription maps of nitrogen fertilization according to alternative scenarios
- Scenario analysis
- Preparation of project presentations
· Introduction to GIS and tools for preparing maps derived from soil and vegetaion sensors.
· Identification of homogeneous management areas
· Implementation of algorithms for fertilisation prescription maps
Second part (second semester)
Preparation of the fertilization prescription map through the integrated use of crop models and remote sensing images
- Setting of simulation scenarios based on historical series of meteorological data
- Analysis of simulation results to evaluate the effect of limiting factors on potential yields
- Application of crop models for the identification of expected nitrogen removals through the study of the crop response to different levels of nitrogen fertilization and as a function of variable soil characteristics
- Calculation of the optimal dose of N
- Development in QGIS of algorithms based on simulation data vegetation indices for the production of prescription maps of nitrogen fertilization according to alternative scenarios
- Scenario analysis
- Preparation of project presentations
Prerequisites for admission
- Geomatics in agriculture
- Statistics
- Agronomy
- Management practices of the most important arable crops
- Use of a spreadsheet
- Statistics
- Agronomy
- Management practices of the most important arable crops
- Use of a spreadsheet
Teaching methods
These classes are given in the first and second semester.
- In the first semester: 1.0 CFU lessons + 1.0 CFU computer practical
- In the second semester: 0.5 CFU lessons + 2.0 CFU computer practical + 0.5 CFU fieldwork
(a) Lessons will be used to present the contents
(b) Computer practical will be used to implement in a GIS the algorithms for site-specific crop and soil management
(c) During fieldwork, data will be acquired to be used during computer practical
(d) Team work for the realization of a demonstration project for variable rate nitrogen fertilization
(e) Analysis and discussion of the results obtained from group projects and preparation of presentations
On ARIEL you can find: lecture slides; data and text of computer practical; additional teaching material (e.g. videos, articles).
Attending these classes is strongly encouraged.
- In the first semester: 1.0 CFU lessons + 1.0 CFU computer practical
- In the second semester: 0.5 CFU lessons + 2.0 CFU computer practical + 0.5 CFU fieldwork
(a) Lessons will be used to present the contents
(b) Computer practical will be used to implement in a GIS the algorithms for site-specific crop and soil management
(c) During fieldwork, data will be acquired to be used during computer practical
(d) Team work for the realization of a demonstration project for variable rate nitrogen fertilization
(e) Analysis and discussion of the results obtained from group projects and preparation of presentations
On ARIEL you can find: lecture slides; data and text of computer practical; additional teaching material (e.g. videos, articles).
Attending these classes is strongly encouraged.
Teaching Resources
- Casa, R., 2016. Agricoltura di precisione, Collana Edagricole Università e Formazione. Edagricole-New Business Media, Milano, Italy.
- Heege, H.J. (Ed.), 2013. Precision in Crop Farming. Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6760-7
- Documents and articles provided by the professors.
- Heege, H.J. (Ed.), 2013. Precision in Crop Farming. Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6760-7
- Documents and articles provided by the professors.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written examination with questions (open or with multiple predefined answers), and exercises for the first part of the course.
Oral presentation of team projects developed during the second part of the course.
Oral presentation of team projects developed during the second part of the course.
AGR/02 - AGRONOMY AND FIELD CROPS - University credits: 5
Field activity: 8 hours
Computer room practicals: 48 hours
Lessons: 12 hours
Computer room practicals: 48 hours
Lessons: 12 hours
Professors:
Corti Martina, Ragaglini Giorgio
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)