Autonomous farm robots guided by GPS have the potential to transform agriculture by planting and harvesting multiple crops in close proximity. This new technology allows for strip cropping, which involves partitioning fields into narrow bands of different plants, to be taken to a whole new level. With the use of autonomous machinery, commercial farms can now abandon the practice of planting vast, non-biodiverse fields and instead reap the benefits of mingling plants with different needs and mutually beneficial habits, according to Kit Franklin at Harper Adams University.
Preliminary results from experiments conducted at the Hands Free Farm at Harper Adams University in the UK were presented by Franklin at New Scientist Live in London. The autonomous robots used in the trial were equipped with a seed drill for planting crops and a combine harvester for collecting them. The university ran a trial with repeating rows of wheat, barley, and beans, and successfully planted, tended, and harvested them as separate crops.
This approach has numerous benefits. The crops have a positive impact on each other, with beans drawing nitrogen down into the soil, which is required for the growth of wheat and barley. By planting crops of varying heights that are harvested at different times of the year, the amount of sunlight each row receives is also increased, thereby boosting growth.
Furthermore, this method reduces the need for artificial fertilizers, decreasing the carbon footprint and complexity of farming. The increased biodiversity on farms can also reduce pest pressure, as pests may have a harder time detecting specific crops.
However, experts have raised concerns about scalability. Felicity Crotty at the Royal Agricultural University in the UK believes that while these small-scale experiments are promising, it remains to be seen if they can be applied to larger fields or farms. Further research and development are needed to determine the feasibility of implementing this technology on a larger scale.
Overall, the use of autonomous farm robots for close-proximity crop planting and harvesting shows promise in boosting biodiversity, crop growth, and sustainability in agriculture. Further advancements in this field could have a significant impact on the future of farming.
Sources:
– New Scientist: [Insert URL]
– Harper Adams University: [Insert URL]
– Royal Agricultural University: [Insert URL]
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2023-10-08 15:07:42
#Autonomous #Farm #Robots #Boost #Biodiversity #Crop #Growth
