With the Institutions free webinar on Autonomous Tractors coming up shortly, we thought this related article would be of interest.
Utilizing autonomous farming robots, researchers have explored the potential to amplify the benefits of plant interactions and consequently, biodiversity in farming fields. Traditional strip cropping, which assigns different plants to narrow field bands, is being innovated upon by using autonomous robots, capable of planting and harvesting multiple crops in close proximity through GPS guidance. This technological advancement allows for the placement of crops closer together than has been possible historically.
In recent trials, the robots were equipped to deposit seeds in precise rows and to harvest mature plants independently. The approach tested included different crops, such as wheat, barley, and beans, planted in alternating strips, leveraging their mutually beneficial properties. For example, beans draw nitrogen into the soil, which is advantageous for the growth of wheat and barley, essentially feeding the latter crops and reducing the need for artificial fertilizers. This, in turn, could diminish the overall carbon footprint and complexity of farming processes.
Planting diverse crops, which have varying heights and are harvested at distinct times, can enhance sunlight exposure, promoting further growth. The technology also encountered challenges, like managing weeds in variable weather but was deemed successful overall. While the method shows promise in optimizing the diversity and efficiency of a single field, questions remain regarding the scalability of this approach to larger farming operations. Critics argue that the transition from small-scale experiments to large-scale industrial farming remains unproven. Future efforts aim to expand the range of plants used and maximize the efficiency and biodiversity of the farming areas.
