Chapter 5

Global Navigation Satellite System in Precision Agriculture

(book excerpts)

The successful application of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in precision agriculture (PA) has revolutionized farming practices, offering significant benefits in improved efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is the standard generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. GNSS technologies, such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, have been widely adopted in PA applications worldwide. In conjunction with geographic information systems (GIS), GNSS receivers allow for exact field boundary determination and accurate mapping of field features such as roadways, irrigation systems, and drainage networks. This data provides the foundation for further precision agricultural activities such as variable rate technology (VRT), yield monitoring, and crop scouting. Map-based VRT systems utilize GNSS positioning to deliver site-specific applications of inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water. Yield monitoring has been significantly improved through the use of GNSS in PA. GNSS are used in crop scouting to help farmers monitor and assess the health of their crops. GNSS-enabled devices can provide precise location data, which helps farmers identify and address issues in their fields. A thorough understanding of the field’s characteristics and spatial variability allows for optimizing input utilization, customizing management strategies, and waste minimization, resulting in enhanced resource efficiency and cost savings.

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