By Blake Jackson
Agricultural research often involves collecting data from various sources, such as plants, soil, and air. This process can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially when using multiple sensors with individual data logging systems.
The Cornell Agricultural Testbed and Demonstration Site (CAST) is working to address these challenges by developing innovative technologies and techniques for 21st-century agriculture.
One such project involves creating an integrated sensor system to monitor the microenvironment of crops.
“CAST is a framework for the development and testing of data-driven solutions to today’s most pressing farm challenges,” said Dr. Julio Giordano, professor of animal science and CAST director. “Along with that, CAST also facilitates solving technological issues associated with digital agriculture research.”
Louis Longchamps, an assistant professor at Cornell, recognized the need for a more efficient way to monitor crops. His graduate student, Alexander Yore, took on the challenge of combining multiple sensors into a single system.
Yore and his colleague, Siddhant Ahlawat, developed the Crop Health Integrated Micro-Environment Sensor (CHIMES).
This system combines three types of sensors to measure photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil parameters. PAR sensors measure sunlight, while the soil sensor measures moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity.
CHIMES simplifies data collection by gathering data from all sensors simultaneously. The data is then sent to the cloud for easy access and analysis.
This technology can be valuable for researchers and farmers alike, providing insights into crop health and informing decisions about weed control, interseeding, and other agricultural practices.
The researchers intend to make CHIMES an open-source technology, sharing the design and code online. This will allow others to create and use their own CHIMES systems.
CAST played a crucial role in the development of this integrated sensor system. The collaboration between electrical engineers and agroecologists at CAST enabled them to create a practical and innovative solution to a common agricultural challenge.
Photo Credit: cornell-university
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