In the context of current global changes, assuring the supply of fresh produce and increasing economic viability are priority targets within plantation management. In the cultivation of tree crops, water is a critical input factor and irrigation is necessary in all European countries. As a matter of fact, input requirements in an orchard vary in space and time due to the variability of climate, soil and plant growth. Spatial patterns of soil and plant properties can be regarded as a 3D mosaic. Thus, an optimum orchard management has to address seasonal and spatial variability in soil and micro-climate that affect plant growth and fruit development. However, irrigation today is commonly managed at the orchard level and not at the tree level. Uniform irrigation frequently creates sub-optimum conditions with some parts of the orchard having insufficient water while other parts suffer from water logging and subsequent oxygen shortage. Consequently, water is wasted and/or yield and fruit quality are reduced.
Tree-scale leaf area index and fruit load and individual fruit-scale size, water content, and maturity-related pigmentation represent information vital for orchard management/irrigation decision making. Until now, these parameters have been underutilized due to lack of automation of their monitoring.
The target of 3D-Mosaic is to promote precision management of orchards by means of a decision support system (DSS) aiming to optimize efficiency of inputs including water and to diminish the environmental footprint of fruit production. The DSS will apply information and communication technologies (ICT) for precision management of the most economically relevant tree crops, apple and citrus. For this purpose, sensors, monitoring strategies, information processing and decision support systems will be developed. Together, these will produce maps for orchard management including irrigation.
The project is structured into six work packages:
1. Adaptation of an autonomous platform for transport of the mobile sensors and for implementation of efficient monitoring strategies
2. Development of a mobile image analysis system for detection of trees and fruits
3. Development of mobile fruit sensors for non-invasive fruit quality determination on the tree
4. Field trials for testing the system and data acquisition
5. Geographical information system for 3D data management
6. Development of a decision support system to generate management maps
3D-Mosaic will employ a horizontal approach bringing together work groups with multidisciplinary expertise, facilities, and infrastructure. Cooperative field tests and exchanges between partners of each work package will be conducted.
Field trials will be performed in Turkey (citrus) and Germany (apple). Orchards will be subjected to measurements throughout the season regarding climate, soil variability and induced irrigation differences as well as variability in plant parameters on tree and organ levels. Yield will be quantified and fruit quality evaluated.
During the harvest season two field tests of all partners are scheduled. Sensors based on multispectral, 2D and 3D photogrammetric techniques will be operated by an unmanned, autonomous platform for monitoring diagnostic plant parameters. Tree and fruit parameters will be measured and feasibility of sensor operation will be tested. Mosaic structure of soil and plants will be determined using the collected data.
Data management will be achieved with geographic information system (GIS). Management zones and irrigation maps considering LAI, yield, and fruit data will be determined and the DSS concept will be verified.
Results of 3D-Mosaic will be communicated by appropriate media to stakeholders from agri business, scientific community (technical papers, conference presentations), politics (presentations in committees), and general public (homepage, booth on agricultural fair). A workshop will be held to demonstrate the concept and realization. Fruit sensors as well as specific GIS can be commercialized by the participating SME.
Collaborate supervision of young scientists; establishment of links with the research community and industry through ICT-AGRI will enhance the intensity of networks in the field of precision horticulture.
