Final report on research project PS2010, proof of concept of automated mapping of weeds in arable fields

Many weeds occur in patches but farmers frequently spray whole fields to control the weeds in these patches. Given a geo-referenced weed map, technology exists to confine spraying to these patches. Adoption of patch spraying by arable farmers has, however, been negligible partly due to the difficulty of constructing weed maps. Building on previous DEFRA and HGCA projects, this proposal aims to develop and evaluate a machine vision system to automate the weed mapping process. The project thereby addresses the principal technical stumbling block to widespread adoption of site specific weed management (SSWM). The accuracy of weed identification by machine vision based on a single field survey may be inadequate to create herbicide application maps. We therefore propose to test the hypothesis that sufficiently accurate weed maps can be constructed by integrating information from geo-referenced images captured automatically at different times of the year during normal field activities. Accuracy of identification will also be increased by utilising a priori knowledge of weeds present in fields. To prove this concept, images will be captured from arable fields on two farms and processed offline to identify and map the weeds, focussing especially on black-grass, wild oats, barren brome, couch grass and cleavers. As advocated by Lutman et al. (2002), the approach uncouples the weed mapping and treatment processes and builds on the observation that patches of these weeds are quite stable in arable fields. There are three main aspects to the project. 1) Machine vision hardware. Hardware component parts of the system are one or more cameras connected to a single board computer (Concurrent Solutions LLC) and interfaced with an accurate Global Positioning System (GPS) supplied by Patchwork Technology. The camera(s) will take separate measurements for each of the three primary colours of visible light (red, green and blue) in each pixel. The basic proof of concept can be achieved in principle using a single camera system, but in practice systems with more than one camera may need to be installed so that larger fractions of each field can be photographed. Hardware will be reviewed regularly during the project in response to feedback from other work packages and updated as required. 2) Image capture and weed identification software. The machine vision system will be attached to toolbars of farm machinery so that images can be collected during different field operations. Images will be captured at different ground speeds, in different directions and at different crop growth stages as well as in different crop backgrounds. Having captured geo-referenced images in the field, image analysis software will be developed to identify weed species by Murray State and Reading Universities with advice from The Arable Group. A wide range of pattern recognition and in particular Bayesian Networks will be used to advance the state of the art in machine vision-based weed identification and mapping. Weed identification algorithms used by others are inadequate for this project as we intend to collect and correlate images collected at different growth stages. Plants grown for this purpose by Herbiseed will be used in the first instance. In addition, our image capture and analysis system will include plant characteristics such as leaf shape, size, vein structure, colour and textural pattern, some of which are not detectable by other machine vision systems or are omitted by their algorithms. Using such a list of features observable using our machine vision system, we will determine those that can be used to distinguish weed species of interest. 3) Weed mapping. Geo-referenced maps of weeds in arable fields (Reading University and Syngenta) will be produced with advice from The Arable Group and Patchwork Technology. Natural infestations will be mapped in the fields but we will also introduce specimen plants in pots to facilitate more rigorous system evaluation and testing. Manual weed maps of the same fields will be generated by Reading University, Syngenta and Peter Lutman so that the accuracy of automated mapping can be assessed. The principal hypothesis and concept to be tested is that by combining maps from several surveys, a weed map with acceptable accuracy for endusers can be produced. If the concept is proved and can be commercialised, systems could be retrofitted at low cost onto existing farm machinery. The outputs of the weed mapping software would then link with the precision farming options already built into many commercial sprayers, allowing their use for targeted, site-specific herbicide applications. Immediate economic benefits would, therefore, arise directly from reducing herbicide costs. SSWM will also reduce the overall pesticide load on the crop and so may reduce pesticide residues in food and drinking water, and reduce adverse impacts of pesticides on non-target species and beneficials. Farmers may even choose to leave unsprayed some non-injurious, environmentally-beneficial, low density weed infestations. These benefits fit very well with the anticipated legislation emerging in the new EU Thematic Strategy for Pesticides which will encourage more targeted use of pesticides and greater uptake of Integrated Crop (Pest) Management approaches, and also with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to reduce levels of pesticides in water bodies. The greater precision of weed management offered by SSWM is therefore a key element in preparing arable farming systems for the future, where policy makers and consumers want to minimise pesticide use and the carbon footprint of farming while maintaining food production and security. The mapping technology could also be used on organic farms to identify areas of fields needing mechanical weed control thereby reducing both carbon footprints and also damage to crops by, for example, spring tines. Objective i. To develop a prototype machine vision system for automated image capture during agricultural field operations; ii. To prove the concept that images captured by the machine vision system over a series of field operations can be processed to identify and geo-reference specific weeds in the field; iii. To generate weed maps from the geo-referenced, weed plants/patches identified in objective (ii).

Normative, systemic and procedural aspects: a review of indicator-based sustainability assessments in agriculture

Methods for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems do often not fully (i) take into account the multifunctionality of agriculture, (ii) include multidimensionality, (iii) utilize and implement the assessment knowledge and (iv) identify conflicting goals and trade-offs. This chapter reviews seven recently developed multidisciplinary indicator-based assessment methods with respect to their contribution to these shortcomings. All approaches include (1) normative aspects such as goal setting, (2) systemic aspects such as a specification of scale of analysis and (3) a reproducible structure of the approach. The approaches can be categorized into three typologies: first, top-down farm assessments, which focus on field or farm assessment; second, top-down regional assessments, which assess the on-farm and the regional effects; and third, bottom-up, integrated participatory or transdisciplinary approaches, which focus on a regional scale. Our analysis shows that the bottom-up, integrated participatory or transdisciplinary approaches seem to better overcome the four shortcomings mentioned above.

Novel management to enhance spider biodiversity in existing grass buffer strips

Grass buffer strips have been widely sown to mitigate against intensive agricultural management practices that have negatively impacted on invertebrate and plant biodiversity in arable farming systems. Typically, such strips are floristically species poor and are dominated by grasses. In the present study, we developed management practices to enhance the floristic and structural diversity of these existing strips for the benefit of spiders, a key provider of natural pest control in crops. Across three UK arable farms, we investigated the benefits of: (i) scarification to create germination niches into which wildflower seeds were sown and (ii) the effect of graminicide applications to suppress grass dominance. Spiders were sampled twice per year (July and September) during 2008 and 2009. The combination of scarification with wildflower seeds, as well as graminicide, resulted in the greatest wildflower cover and lowest grass cover, with a general trend of increased abundance of adult and juvenile spiders. The abundance of Pachygnatha degeeri, Bathyphantes gracilis and juvenile wolf spiders of the genus Pardosa was positively correlated with wildflower cover, probably reflecting increased prey availability. Sward structure was negatively correlated with Erigone atra, Oedothorax fuscus and juvenile Pardosa abundance. Management that utilizes existing commonly adopted agri-environment options, such as grass buffer strips, represents a potentially important conservation tool for increasing the quantity and quality of invertebrate habitats. This can maximize opportunities for the provision of multiple ecosystem services, including pest regulation by predators such as spiders. These management practices have the potential to be incorporated into existing U.K. and European agri-environment schemes.

Evaluating the sustainable intensification of arable farms

Sustainable Intensification (SI) of agriculture has recently received widespread political attention, in both the UK and internationally. The concept recognises the need to simultaneously raise yields, increase input use efficiency and reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming systems to secure future food production and to sustainably use the limited resources for agriculture. The objective of this paper is to outline a policy-making tool to assess SI at a farm level. Based on the method introduced by Kuosmanen and Kortelainen (2005), we use an adapted Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to consider the substitution possibilities between economic value and environmental pressures generated by farming systems in an aggregated index of Eco-Efficiency. Farm level data, specifically General Cropping Farms (GCFs) from the East Anglian River Basin Catchment (EARBC), UK were used as the basis for this analysis. The assignment of weights to environmental pressures through linear programming techniques, when optimising the relative Eco-Efficiency score, allows the identification of appropriate production technologies and practices (integrating pest management, conservation farming, precision agriculture, etc.) for each farm and therefore indicates specific improvements that can be undertaken towards SI. Results are used to suggest strategies for the integration of farming practices and environmental policies in the framework of SI of agriculture. Paths for improving the index of Eco-Efficiency and therefore reducing environmental pressures are also outlined.

Organic and conventional fertilizer effects on a tritrophic interaction: parasitism, performance and preference of Cotesia vestalis

Interest in sustainable farming methods that rely on alternatives to conventional synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is increasing. Sustainable farming methods often utilize natural populations of predatory and parasitic species to control populations of herbivores, which may be potential pest species. We investigated the effects of several types of fertilizer, including those typical of sustainable and conventional farming systems, on the interaction between a herbivore and parasitoid. The effects of fertilizer type on percentage parasitism, parasitoid performance, parasitoid attack behaviour and responses to plant volatiles were examined using a model Brassica system, consisting of Brassica oleracea var capitata, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera) larvae and Cotesia vestalis (parasitoid). Percentage parasitism was greatest for P. xylostella larvae feeding on plants that had received either a synthetic ammonium nitrate fertilizer or were unfertilized, in comparison to those receiving a composite fertilizer containing hoof and horn. Parasitism was intermediate on plants fertilized with an organically produced animal manure. Male parasitoid tibia length showed the same pattern as percentage parasitism, an indication that offspring performance was maximized on the treatments preferred by female parasitoids for oviposition. Percentage parasitism and parasitoid size were not correlated with foliar nitrogen concentration. The parasitoids did not discriminate between hosts feeding on plants in the four fertilizer treatments in parasitoid behaviour assays, but showed a preference for unfertilized plants in olfactometer experiments. The percentage parasitism and tibia length results provide support for the preference–performance hypothesis

Uptake of agri-environmental schemes in the Less-Favoured Areas of Greece: The role of corruption and farmers' responses to the financial crisis

Vine-growing in the Less-Favoured Areas of Greece is facing multiple challenges that might lead to its abandonment. In an attempt to maintain rural populations, Rural Development Schemes have been created that offer the opportunity to rural households to maintain or expand their farming businesses including vine-growing. This paper stems from a study that used data from a cross-sectional survey of 204 farmers to investigate how farming systems and farmers’ perception of corruption, amongst other socio-economic factors, affected their decisions to continue vine-growing through participation in Rural Development Schemes, in three remote Less-Favoured Areas of Greece. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used to frame the research problem with the assumption being that an individual’s intention to participate in a Scheme is based on their prior beliefs about it. Data from the survey were reduced and simplified by the use of non-linear principal component analysis. The ensuing variables were used in selectivity corrected ordered probit models to reveal farmers’ attitudes towards viticulture and rural development. It was found that economic factors, perceived corruption and farmers’ attitudes were significant determinants on whether to participate in the Schemes. The research findings highlight the important role of perceived corruption and the need for policies that facilitate farmers’ access to decision making centres.

Variation in nutritionally relevant components in retail Jersey and Guernsey whole milk

This study investigates the quality of retail milk labelled as Jersey & Guernsey (JG) when compared with milk without breed specifications (NS) and repeatability of differences over seasons and years. 16 different brands of milk (4 Jersey & Guernsey, 12 non specified breed) were sampled over 2 years on 4 occasions. JG milk was associated with both favourable traits for human health, such as the higher total protein, total casein, α-casein, β-casein, κ-casein and α-tocopherol contents, and unfavourable traits, such as the higher concentrations of saturated fat, C12:0, C14:0 and lower concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids. In summer, JG milk had a higher omega-3:omega-6 ratio than had NS milk. Also, the relative increase in omega-3 fatty acids and α-tocopherol, from winter to summer, was greater in JG milk. The latter characteristic could be of use in breeding schemes and farming systems producing niche dairy products. Seasonality had a more marked impact on the fatty acid composition of JG milk than had NS milk, while the opposite was found for protein composition. Potential implication for the findings in human health, producers, industry and consumers are considered.

Eutrofização e qualidade da água na piscicultura: consequências e recomendações

The eutrophication (cultural or anthropogenic) is induced by man and can have different origins, such as domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural activities, including the effluent still breeding systems of aquatic organisms. The expansion of aquaculture, with production of biomass and increase of nutrients in water may cause acceleration of productivity of algae, changing the ecology of aquatic systems. In addition, these waste water may present a risk to health through the transfer of pathogens from manure, plant residues, composted material, among others that are major sources of organic waste in some farming systems. Depending on the trophic level of fish ponds, which are dynamic environments, different planktonic species with short reproductive cycle and adapted to the changes contained in these systems can appear in high abundance. Water quality in the systems for raising fish is related to several factors, such as water source, management (liming, fertilizing, cleaning), cultivated species and quantity and composition of exogenous food. In order to minimize environmental impacts, there are techniques to improve the quality of water in fish farming systems and thus satisfactory answers can be obtained through the application of management practices. This paper aims to review the subject that deals with changes in water quality resulting from the activity of freshwater fish culture in Brazil. Search also recommend techniques of good management practices to minimize the impact generated by the activity.

Ruminal methane emission by dairy cattle in Southeast Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Variabilidade da produtividade da soja em função de atributos físicos de um latossolo vermelho distroférrico sob plantio direto

Atualmente, no cenário nacional, a cultura da soja em plantio direto é muito utilizada na integração agricultura-pecuária. No ano agrícola de 2006/2007, no município de Selvíria (MS), entre as latitudes de 20 ° 18 ' 05S e 20 ° 18 ' 28S e as longitudes de 52 ° 39 ' 02W e 52 ° 40 ' 28W, foi analisada a produtividade da soja, em plantio direto, em função de alguns atributos físicos de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. O objetivo foi selecionar, entre os atributos do solo pesquisados, aquele que melhor se apresentasse para explicar a variabilidade espacial da produtividade agrícola. Para isso, foi instalada a malha geoestatística para a coleta dos dados do solo e da planta, contendo 120 pontos amostrais, numa área de 4.068 m² e declive homogêneo de 0,025 m m-1. do ponto de vista linear e espacial, a elevada produtividade de grãos de soja pôde ser explicada em função da densidade do solo e da umidade volumétrica. A baixa variabilidade da maioria dos atributos do solo indicou que o plantio direto é um sistema que proporciona a homogeneização do ambiente físico do solo.

Adubação organomineral e biofertilização líquida na produção de frutos de pinheira ( Annona squamosa L.) no submédio São Francisco, Brasil

The organic production systems based on natural processes do not allow the use of synthetic fertilizers with a high solubility, so it is required the use of technologies in accordance with the organic production legislation in order to make the technical, economical and environmental sustainable activities viable. To evaluate the effects of the usage of mineral and organic natural fertilizers, associated with liquid biofertilizers (BLE= enriched liquid biofertilizer and BF= leaf biofertilizers) on the production of the sugar apple fruit crop Annona squamosa L., replacing totally the chemical fertilizers, used by conventional farming systems, a nine year old orchard was driven in the irrigated plot n degrees 1295, irrigated project Nilo Coelho, district of Petrolina - PE. The experiment was carried out from September 2005 to February 2006. The experimental design was done through randomized blocks with eight treatments and four replications in plots of three plants each, with 96 plants in total. The treatments were the following: T(1) - plants with no fertilizer; T(2) - 60 g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O; T(3) - 90g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O; T(4) - 30 g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 15 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(5) - 60g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 30 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(6)- 90g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 45 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(7) - 120g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 60 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(8) - 150 g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 75 L de BLE + BF a 5 % The fruit growth analyses (diameter and average length), total yield, productivity, average fruit weight, average number of fruits, fresh weight of the skin and pulp and dry weight of the fruits were used to evaluate the experiment. The results were relevant to the total production, fresh weight of the skin and dry weight of the fruits. The use of organominerals associated with liquid fertilizers increased significantly the productivity in values ranging from 10.44% (T(5) = 1.98 t ha(-1)) to 24.52 % (T(7) = 12.34 %). The treatment T(3) stood out (90g de N + 32g de P(2)O(5) + 48g de K(2)O) with a higher production than the control. The fruit weight increased in the fertilized treatments, with values increasing from treatment (T(2) = 5.26 %) to the treatment (T(7) = 12.34 %) in relation to the control. The fruit development was characterized by an average growth increase of 82 % in length and 84 % in diameter until the 56(th) day, with a sigmoidal growth pattern.

Utilização de componentes principais para analisar o comportamento do cafeeiro a pleno sol e sombreado

The aim of this work is to describe the behavior of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) grown for nine years under organic management systems in full sun and shaded by banana trees (Musa sp.) and Erythrina verna Vell., in Valença, RJ. We performed a joint evaluation of vegetative characteristics, nutritional content and yield, with the aid of a principal component analysis. Twelve treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications in a split plot. The plots evaluated farming systems in full sun and shade, and the subplots consisted of the following varieties of coffee: Tupi IAC 1669-33, MG 6851, IAC 3282 Icatu, Catucaí 2SL, Obatã IAC 1669-20; lineage IAC IAC 144. After five years we assessed the following variables, height, stem and canopy diameter, leaf area, number of branches, number of nodes per branch, number of leaves present, the distance between nodes, the percentage of green,ripe and dried fruit, number of dead plants, number of plants with death of the apical bud, coffee yield, and foliar concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg. A multivariate analysis efficiently discriminates the variables in full sun and shaded cropping systems. Shading increases the percentage of green fruit, leaf area, height, diameter, distance between nodes, number of leaves on the branches, number of branches and leaf N content, but does not reduce the level of productivity when the shade is adequate.

Comportamento de poedeiras criadas a diferentes densidades e tamanhos de grupo em ambiente enriquecido

The objective of this work was to determine the behavioral differences among laying hens reared at different densities and group sizes, in an enriched environment. Isa Brownlaying hens with ages from 30 to 32-week-old, in small-sized and deformed pens, were used. Hens were raised during 28 days in bays with shavings bedding, perch and nest. Two group sizes were evaluated (6 and 12 fowls) and at two rearing densities (774 and 1,440 cm2 by fowl) in a factorial arrangement with three replicates. In fifteen-minute video footages, it was recorded the frequency and the expression period for the following behavior were recorded: feather scratching, sand bath, wing beating, drinking water, pecking, head scratching, earth scratching, eating, perching, leg stretching, pursuing, sitting, and nest visiting. The treatments and the interaction between them had significant effects. The six-hen group increased the frequency of behavior types that indicate fowl frustration, regardless of density. The group size is the most important factor for hen well-being.

Interference of cage fish farm on diet, condition factor and numeric abundance on wild fish in a Neotropical reservoir

Historically, the ichthyofauna of large Brazilian rivers has been subject to anthropogenic interference, such as impoundments. Currently, cage fish farming systems are a new source of impact on aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this study was to characterise the impact of freshwater fish farms on the feeding of five species of Neotropical freshwater fish. Specimens of Astyanax altiparanae, Galeocharax knerii, Iheringicthys labrosus, Pimelodus maculatus and Plagioscion squamosissimus were sampled in areas around two systems of cage fish farming (CF), and two control areas (CT) that were not influenced by this activity. Results show that there were significant changes in the diet of trophic generalist species (A. altiparanae, P. maculatus and I. labrosus) accompanied by a related increase in the condition factor values of these species in cage areas. Trophic specialist species, such as the carnivorous fish species G. knerii and P. squamosissimus, presented small differences between the CF and CT areas with regard to diet and showed no differences in other analyses performed. In conclusion, cage fish farms can affect the natural diet of trophic generalist fish species, directly affecting the nutritional status (condition factor), where food wastes was found to be one of the principal items consumed by this trophic guild. Results indicate that these species are responsible for recycling a great quantity of organic matter transferred by this type of activity, which, along with local fishery activities, contribute to mitigation of associated processes of eutrophication. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.