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In recent years, dramatic evolution of precision agriculture technology has been driven by technologies such as sensors and controllers, telematics, and UAV. An intriguing area in the field of precision agriculture and UAV is big volume of data and its analysis that have not been dealt with in depth. The main objective of this project is proposed to develop a digital data processing tool and deliver them in a useful format to the end users. This involves three faceted methodical approach: 1) collection of large amounts of UAV images with regards to combinations of in-field sensors and UAV imagery 2) analyze and validate the combination of data with geospatial tools 3) Develop a web-based computer data processing program to analyze the big data and assess pant condition. The validation and correlation analysis results showed that UAV assessed NDVI are good indicator of crop nutrition along with the ground-based crop sensors.

Cover crops are often planted during the fallow periods of cash crop harvests to cover the soil and reduce erosion but also to provide other ecosystem benefits including capturing residual nutrients and thus, reducing environmental losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in agroecosystems. Among these cover crops, winter rye (Secale cereale) is popular due to its winter hardiness and relatively cheap seed costs. However, growers in the Midwest, USA are reluctant to use winter rye prior to corn (Zea mays L.) due to the potential yield penalty in corn. This thesis introduces two strategies that could minimize winter rye’s effect on corn while providing nutrient loss reduction benefits are precision planting and reducing the seeding rate of winter rye ahead of corn. One study evaluates whether precision planting (planting winter rye strategically to avoid intersecting zones with corn) of winter rye at low seeding rate (37.5 kg ha-1) could produce similar cover crop biomass and quality to normal planted winter rye (50 kg ha-1) and if precision planting can improve performance and N requirement of corn (Chapter 1). The study was conducted in central Indiana during 2020-2021 (CIN21), and southern Illinois during 2021-2022 (SIL22), and 2022-2023 (SIL23) growing seasons. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with split plot arrangement. Main plots were three cover crops (a no-cover crop control (NoCC), conventional planted winter rye (CR), and precision planted winter rye (PR). Subplots were six rates of N fertilizer that ranged from 0-280 kg ha-1 for the CIN21 and 0-359 kg ha-1 for SIL22 and SIL23. Our results indicated that shifting from normal planting to precision planting resulted in similar cover crop biomass production with limited effect on winter rye quality [N concentration, Carbon (C):N ratio] and N and C accumulation. In CIN21, the no-cover crop control had higher yield and lower N requirements which was consistent with those of SIL22. The economic optimum rate of N (EORN) was below the typical recommended range for central Indiana and was above the recommended range for southern Illinois. Precision planting resulted in a slight increase in corn yield and N requirement, but overall was more profitable than normal planting due to a reduction in the number of seeds required and higher corn to fertilizer prices. Therefore, we recommend that (i) decision support tools for N management in corn should be revised for addition of cover crops in the Midwest, and (ii) precision planting should be implemented instead of normal planting for greater economic benefit. Future research should evaluate ecosystem services of precision vs. normal planting of winter rye over time. The other study evaluates whether planting method of winter rye (precision vs. conventional) at medium and low seeding rates of winter rye influence cover crop biomass production, N and C concentrations and accumulations, and corn performance (Chapter 2). A trial was conducted in 7 site-yrs in Indiana and Illinois during 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 growing seasons. The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Cover crops [conventional planting (CR) and precision planting (PR)] were factorially arranged with two seeding rates (18.75 vs. 37.5 kg ha-1) for PR and (25 vs. 50 kg ha-1) for CR. Two extra treatments were included as control which were no-cover crop with zero-N and a 224 kg N ha-1 addition to corn. Cover crop biomass, C, N, their uptake, and C:N ratio were evaluated along with corn plant population, and corn grain yield. Our results indicated that winter rye had similar aboveground biomass, N uptake, and C accumulation regardless of planting method and seeding rate suggesting a precision planting at low seeding rate is most economical for cover crop establishment. Corn plant population was only affected by winter rye in one site-yr (CIL23) in which precision planting did not help with minimizing the negative effect of winter rye on corn population. In this study, lack of N fertilization did not decrease corn population but significantly reduced corn grain yield in all site-yrs. Corn grain yield was similar among cover crop treatments (with exception of no cover crop no N) but in one of the site-yrs, precision planting at 18.75 kg ha-1 resulted in greater corn yield than the no-cover crop with 224 N ha-1. We concluded that growers that plant winter rye prior to corn could use precision planting at a seeding rate of 18.75 kg ha-1 to take up residual soil N with limited interference with corn production at a reduced cost compared to conventional winter rye management.

Greater projected demand for food, fuel, and fiber will require substantial increases in global agricultural production over the next three decades. Climate change is also forecasted to make weather events more extreme and variable. Efficiency will become more important as demand for food products increases and the availability of fertilizer and land decreases. Technology may be of paramount importance for pushing the boundaries of production while remaining sustainable for generations to come. The first chapter of this dissertation investigated the importance of rate and timing of the plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl to malting barley in Virginia. Plant growth regulators can help plants remain upright during strong winds, thereby preserving grain quality and yield. However, this study demonstrated that risks of plant injury also exist. Application should be restricted to fields with greater risk of lodging and made only after the barley crop has broken dormancy and a substantial increase in air temperature is not forecasted in the week following application. Chapter two compared the efficacy of eight vegetation indices calculated from three satellites (Landsat 8, Sentinel 2, and Planet) for estimating cover crop biomass. Cover crops can have beneficial effects on agricultural land as well as groundwater and surface water, but only when adequate biomass is established to reduce erosion and nutrient leaching. Satellite imagery was able to estimate multi-species cover crop biomass more accurately than field-based sensors, although the most accurate vegetation index was dependent upon which satellite was being tested. Chapter three investigated the potential of Arabidopsis thaliana ipk1-, a loss-of-function mutant which exhibits decreased growth at elevated phosphorus concentration, for serving as in indicator of plant available phosphorus. An indicator crop could provide greater spatial resolution compared to soil testing, as well as represent plant available nutrients as opposed to chemically extracted nutrient estimations. Plant response exhibited a quadratic relationship with media P concentration in the range of fertilizer decision making for maize, providing valuable insight for potential yield response in agricultural fields below 'very high' phosphorus concentration. / Doctor of Philosophy / Climate change, increased demand for locally sourced ingredients, and elevated pressure for environmentally responsible practices will make meeting the growing demand for food difficult for farmers to achieve over the next few decades. Similar to many other industries, implementation of advanced technology may be necessary to keep up with agricultural demand. Plant growth regulators are one such technology which when applied to plants can cause them to remain short, decreasing the chance of blowing over during windstorms. However, chapter one of this dissertation concluded that risks of plant injury also exist when applying plant growth regulator on malting barley (for brewing or distilling). Application should be restricted to fields with greater risk of wind damage (e.g. taller barley) and made only after the barley crop begins spring growth and a decrease in air temperature is not forecasted in the week following application. Chapter two compared eight spectral vegetation indices across three satellites with different image resolution for their ability to estimate cover crop biomass. Cover crops protect groundwater and surface water quality, but only when adequate growth is achieved. Satellite imagery was able to estimate multi-species cover crop biomass more accurately than field-based sensors, although the most accurate vegetation index was dependent upon which satellite was being tested. Chapter three investigated the potential of Arabidopsis thaliana ipk1-, a loss-of-function mutant which exhibits decreased growth at elevated phosphorus concentration, as in indicator of plant available phosphorus in soil. An indicator crop could help determine which areas of a field are likely to have increased crop yield if fertilized and which are not. The mutant tested could be useful as an indicator crop given its response to phosphorus concentration, warranting further research with other plant species more appropriate for field use.