Precision Agriculture in Urban Spaces

Precision agriculture utilizes new technologies to enhance and improve management decisions within urban food production, nursery, greenhouse, and landscape settings. Precision agriculture in urban settings takes a systems approach and can be used to improve production and plant health by matching resource inputs to plant needs.

Some precision agriculture technology utilized for turfgrass and landscape management and in ornamental horticulture production includes Smart Irrigation systems, autonomous mowers, and stress detection sensors.

Precision agriculture technology for urban farm and food production is crucial for improved crop yields and crop quality, enhanced plant vigor, optimized input rates, lowered environmental impact, and improved profitability. Some technologies utilized include soil sensors (moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity) used to determine irrigation timing and volume, environmental sensors (radiation, air temperature, rainfall) to track weather impacts on crop and pest development, insect and disease smart traps for biotic stress detection, drones and satellites for remote sensing of crop vigor, and robotics for sensing and conducting management practices like planting, weeding, and harvesting.

Precision agriculture in urban forests and cities focuses on monitoring plant health and age, tree counts, and tree care and management. Some technologies utilized include visible imagery, remote sensing, and resistographs.