Precision Farming

Precision or smart farming is defined as the usage of modern technologies in agriculture to more ecofriendly and more efficient cultivation- and harvesting methods. This also includes using agrochemicals as selectively as possible, exactly where they are needed and in the optimum quantity. As a result, exposure patterns can change for many applications from complete fields to partials areas. This, in turn, can influence the environmental risk assessments for agrochemical registration procedures.

We integrate different measures into study concepts and develop new designs. Hence, we use drone-based remote sensing to assess actual ground coverage of crops at any growth stage from a bird’s-eye view. We monitor various animal species and their behaviour by thermal image cameras also to detect and monitor nest sites in farmland or support development of application reducing devices. Have you heard about eDNA sampling as monitoring method? Have a look!

We will further gain more knowledge and will investigate how collembola or springtails, respectively, react to different application patterns. Like earthworms, collembola are equally relevant in current registration schemes but they form a larger community of soil organisms with more functional groups and ecotypes. For more information please contact us.