Precision agriculture applications in horticultural crops in greece and worldwide

Abstract

Precision agriculture is the management of spatial and temporal variability of the fields using ICT. The application in horticultural crops was developed in the last ten years. Data are collected from different sources (yield and quality, soil properties, remote sensing), stored to GIS data bases, analysed using geostatistical methods to develop management zones and decision support systems are used to assist farmers to the management. Variable rate application systems were developed to apply inputs according to the real requirements of the plants in the management zones. Although variability is a well established fact, farmers' adoption is rather slower than expected because the system is complicated and in many cases profitability is not well demonstrated. Additionally, environmental benefits cannot take direct monetary values for the farmer. PA has a wider application impact like precise movement and management of farm machinery, development of efficient mechanization and fleet management as well development of farm management information systems.