The document discusses the application of geospatial technologies in agriculture. It provides examples of how remote sensing, GIS, and GPS technologies can be used to map soil variability, detect crop health issues, monitor pests and diseases, and enable precision farming. These tools provide spatial data and analysis that can improve decision making around irrigation, fertilizer application, pest management, and more. When integrated, geospatial technologies provide valuable information to farmers and agricultural managers.

1. DOCTORAL SEMINAR
ON
Geo-spatial technology and it’s application in
agriculture
Presented by:
MADHO SINGH
Ph.D Reseach Scholar
CCSHAU, Hisar (Haryana)

2. INTRODUCTION:-
Geospatial technology is a rapidly growing and changing field.
The term geospatial technology (GST) refers to geographical information systems
(GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and remote sensing (RS), all emerging
technologies that assist the user in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of spatial
data.
It deals with the relationship and condition of manmade and natural objects within
space, be it on Earth, or beyond (Bolstad, 2005).
Geospatial technology has made inroads across various sectors in the public as well
as private domain in India. The major sectors using geospatial technology in India are:
agriculture, telecommunications, oil & gas, environmental management, forestry,
public safety, infrastructure, logistics etc.
As stakeholders across sectors realise the utility and long term cost effectiveness of
using geospatial tools and technologies, the geospatial industry is set to progress by
leaps and bounds in the coming years.
GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

3. GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES IN INDIA
The GDP in India is expected to approach $9-10 trillion by 2025 and the
Indian economy would be characterised by its transformation to being
highly industrialised and technologically advanced.
India will therefore require an efficient and advanced information and
knowledge regime to arm itself for the envisaged economic growth.
Geospatial technologies would be central to information management in
India in future and the applications of this technology can have great social
as well as national relevance. It can support governance, help prepare
sustainable development strategies, enable better management of business
process and make geographical knowledge available to the citizens. In India,
the market for GIS based technologies has been expanding at such a
substantial pace that it is estimated to touch the figure of USD 10 billion by
2019 (Indian Geospatial Market Report 2009).
 Several Indian states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan and
Tamil Nadu are now using geospatial technology for good governance and
efficient management.

4. Role of geospatial technology in agriculture
The application of new and contemporary information, geospatial and
communication technologies (ICTs) for rural and agricultural development in
the Asia-Pacific region has been advancing quite rapidly over the last
decade.
Geospatial technology is used mostly for surveying and mapping of
plantation crops. Mapping of rice is the major activity in countries like
Malaysia and Indonesia.
Australia is among the major users of geospatial technologies, whereas
technologies like remote sensing and GIS are most widely used for mapping
of crops like sugarcane and oil palms.
At the micro level implementation of geospatial tools is mainly used for
mapping of ground water resources, drainage patterns, variable rate
application and management of fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides.
Geospatial technologies play an influential role in the agriculture sector by
increasing yields, managing of resources, prediction of outcomes and
improving farm practices.

10. CS is the process of transfer and secure storage of atmospheric CO2
into other long-lived carbon pools that would otherwise be emitted or
remain in the atmosphere (Lal, 2007).
The strength of integrated RS-GIS rests on its ability to perform advanced
spatial and/or temporal analysis on multiple layers of high resolution
information. This facilitates research efforts directed at managing the global
carbon cycle, mainly by providing value-added information and assisting
implementation procedures. Integrated RS-GIS can act as a Decision Support
System (DSS) tool in CS management and monitoring.
Integrated RS-GIS enables quantification of spatial and temporal
variability of climate and soil conditions across a region (Niu and Duiker,
2006).
Geo-Spatial Technologies for Carbon Sequestration Monitoring
and Management

11. RS tools such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Light Detection and Ranging
(LiDaR) and satellite sensors such as Landsat, SPOT and Ikonos have been used to
map carbon stocks (Goetz et al., 2009).
It was found that the total soil CS potential in the area, double cropped with
wheat-corn under a conventional tillage system, would range from 0.16-0.43 Pg of
C without any significant impact on crop yields (Thomson et al., 2006).
This study showed that recovery of vegetation increases CS potential of eroded
soils. Regional-scale GIS has been used as the operating platform in the
development of C-Lock, a new system that standardizes estimation of agricultural
carbon sequestration credits
In a recent investigation to model soil CS potential in eroded areas, the
relationship of soil CS potential with soil erosion type, altitude, soil type and soil
parent material were explored using a GIS (Shi et al., 2009).
This study showed that recovery of vegetation increases CS potential of eroded
soils. Regional-scale GIS has been used as the operating platform in the
development of C-Lock, a new system that standardizes estimation of agricultural
carbon sequestration credits. This system incorporates century, a biogeochemical
model that simulates carbon, nutrient and water dynamics for different types of
ecosystems. Such a system facilitates precision carbon management, an emerging
frontier of applied science.
Cont……

12. The synergistic role of RS and GIS technologies in CS management
was synthesized.
Numerous literature reports suggest that the integrated RS-GIS
approach can aid CS management and monitoring strategies.
In climate change mitigation, this approach can provide an efficient
and cost-effective means of estimating above and below-ground
biomass, delineating spatial variability, predicting potential carbon
stocks and revenues and outlining appropriate management strategies
for localized and regional scale.
In the near future, the deployment of an integrated RS-GIS approach
for precision carbon management will become more visible.
Cont……

13. •“is the measurement or acquisition of information of some
property of an object or phenomena by a recording device that is
not in physical or intimate contact with the object or phenomena
under study”
What is remote sensing:
Remote sensing has been found to be a valuable tool in
evaluation, monitoring and management of land, water and
crop resources
Applications of remote sensing in
Agriculture

14. Remote sensing applications in agriculture
1. Crop identification
2. Crop acreage estimation
3. Crop condition assessment and stress detection
4. Identification of planting and harvesting dates
5. Crop yield modeling and estimation
6. Identification of pest and disease infestation
7. Irrigation monitoring and management
8. Soil mapping
9. Monitoring of droughts
10. Land cover and land degradation mapping
11. Identification of problematic soils

15.  nutrient deficiencies,
 diseases,
 water deficiency or surplus,
 weed infestations,
 insect damage,
 hail damage,
 wind damage,
 herbicide damage, and
 plant populations
Remotely sensed images can be used to identify
Remote Sensing... How You Can Use It on Your Farm

16. THE IMAGES ABOVE WERE ACQUIRED BY THE DAEDALUS SENSOR ABOARD A NASA AIRCRAFT FLYING
OVER THE MARICOPA AGRICULTURAL CENTER IN ARIZONA ON JANUARY 30, 2001.

17. Geoinformatics and its application in
soil science

18. Cropping system map generated through integrated use of temporal digital
satellite data and GIS. (Nizamabad district, Andhra Pradesh)
Saha and Pande,1996

19. Soil fertility variability maps generated from remote sensing
data (CPRS, Jalandhar).
a) Organic matter per cent
(0.23, dark –0.26,light)
b) Available nitrogen in ppm
(100.0,dark – 120.0, light)
Ray et al., 200119

20. QUANTITATIVE MAPPING OF SOIL ORGANIC MATERIAL USING FIELD
SPECTROMETER AND HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING. (Shanxi
province, China)
Luo et al. 2008
%
Continuous map of soil organic matter content

21. 1
. 2.
3. 4.
5. 6
.
Singh, K.N. et al., 2010
Soil fertility mapping using GIS and GPS in hoshangabad district in MP

22. GIS based soil fertility maps of N, P and K of Uttarakhand. (AICRP
on STCR, 2011)
Nitrogen Phosphorus
Potassium

23. Micronutrient Fertility Mapping For Uttaranchal (AICRP of Micro and Secondary
Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants, 2008)

24. Remote sensing to detect nitrogen deficiency in
corn.
Shanahan et al., 2001

25. Monitoring Pest And Diseases of Crops Using
Geospatial Technology

26. Case Study 1
Characterizing and Estimating Fungal
Disease Severity of Rice Brown
Spot with Hyperspectral Reflectance Data
1. Institute of Agricultural Remote Sensing & Information System
Application, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China;
2. Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of
Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China

27. Rice Crop Infected with brown spot

28. Spectral reflectance properties of healthy and
infected rice at the leaf level
Average reflectance spectra of rice leaves infected by
brown spot fungus at different disease severities

29. Average spectral reflectance of rice
DS-Disease severity; SR-The spectral reflectance;
IR-The increment rate of spectral reflectance in the infected leaves compared
with the
healthy ones.

30. Case Study 2
Using hyperspectral remote sensing as a
tool for early detection of leaf rust in
blueberries
1School of Environmental and Rural Science,
University of New England, Armidale-2351, New
South Wales, Australia

31. Early Symptoms Late Symptoms

32. CASE STUDY 3
Analysis of Economic Crop Reflectance by Field
Spectral Signature: Case Study Sugarcane
Kridsakron Auynirundronkool, Kampanat Deeudomchan, and Amornchai
Prakobya, Varinthon Jarnkoon, Manuwat Tintarasara na ratchasema and Mayura
Seechan
1 Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public
Organization) 196 Phahonyothin Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand 10900

33. The Reflectance of Sugarcane White Leaf Disease

34. HYPER-SPECTRAL DATA FOR THE DETECTION OF RICE BACTERIAL
LEAF BLIGHT (BLB) DISEASE
Singh, B., et al., (2012)

35. Singh, B., et al., (2012)

36. Singh, B., et al., (2012)

38. Uses of Remote Sensing in IPM programme
Remote sensing technologies provide
diagnostic tool for site specific management of
crops.
Entomologist find remote sensory techniques
most valuable when are used at critical period of
stress in crop.

39. Remote-sensing applications for desert-locust monitoring
and forecasting
 FAO - locusts watch
 Desert Locusts ( Schistocerca gregaria, Forskl) form a serious problem for
many of the ACP countries, and timely information is of critical importance.
 The major plague of 1985-89 prompted the world acridologists to improve the
forecasting tools and methodologies in order to maximize the effectiveness of
pesticides and reduce the toxicity in aquatic environment.
 FAO has set up several web based information services in relation to locust
prevention.

40. Contd..
 Remote Sensing contributes important information on areas where locust
outbreaks can occur, and on the areas likely to be hit.
 early and reliable detection of areas.
 rainfall and vegetation conditions are suitable for egg laying and hatching and
for development.
 Satellite data provides high-frequency information on these parameters and data
is operationally available through the FAO ARTEMIS system.
 as standard products, such as
 cold cloud duration
 vegetation index maps covering the recession area.

41. PROBLEMS ON REMOTE SENSING FOR INDIAN CONDITION
 SMALL SIZE OF PLOTS
 DIVERSITY OF CROPS SOWN IN A PARTICULAR AREA
VARIABILITY OF SOWING & HARVESTING DATES IN DIFFERENT FIELDS
 INTER CROPPING & MIXED CROPPING PRACTICES
DIVERSED GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS HENCE MORE CLOUDINESS

42. Application of GIS in Agriculture

43. What is a GIS?
 Geographic Information System
 A GIS is a computer system capable of capturing, storing,
analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced
information; that is, data identified according to location.
 A GIS makes it possible to link, or integrate, information
that is difficult to associate through any other means.
 can use combinations of mapped variables to build and
analyze new variables.
 GIS is most useful when used to perform data analysis

44. Why Use GIS?
 Improve organizational integration
 Make better decisions
 Analyze landscape trends & patterns
 Make maps
GIS tools provide the “big picture” about
the resources under your care and assist you
in developing long-term supply strategies,
forecasting silvicultural stock, determining
harvesting system options, etc. Layer concept

45. GIS
Soil & water
data
Soil
conservation
practice
Cultivation /
Tillage
Crop
selection
Planning
scheduling
Irrigation
managemen
t
Fertilizer
application
Pest
scouting/Pesti
cide
application
Crop growth
Harvest
schedule
Yield
records/map
s
Precision
farming
Crop
rotation
Financial
records
Market
information
Site
characters
Fig: Application of GIS in various farm operations

46. … putting the precision in ...

47. GPS - Global Positioning System
GPS is composed of a constellation of
orbiting satellites which in conjunction
with ground equipment enable users to
determine their exact position anywhere
on the surface of the earth at any time.
GPS and remote sensing imagery are
primary GIS data sources.
GPS data creates points (positions),
polylines, or polygons
47

48. GPS Applications
 Field preparation, Planting and Cultivation
 Fertilizing and Crop Protection
 Mapping, Scouting, and Sampling
 Harvesting
 Planning and Analysis

49. GPS Use in Agriculture:
 Tractor Guidance:
 Crop duster Targeting:
 Tracking Livestock:
 Yield monitoring :
 Soil sampling :

50. “Precision farming is a series of tools that allow farm managers to make
decisions based on needs of specific areas. In essence, it is the ‘art’ of
tailoring soil and crop management applications to fit varying conditions
in the field”.
“... changing the traditional process of farming by the square mile to
farming by the square meter…”
What is Precision Farming?

51.  Computerized GIS maps and databases that analyze data from the
following:
 Crop, soil, and positioning sensors
 Machine controls that guide field equipment
We will concentrate on how GPS technology
affects each of these areas...
Precision Farming tools can be divided into three categories:

52.  Base map: This is any
geographically accurate depiction
of the area in question.
 Site specific data: Soil analysis,
soil compaction, weed density, etc.
Each collected with its own specific
geographic coordinates (via GPS).
 Layers: Individual drawings based
on types of data collected, inserted
and overlaid based upon a
geographic coordinate system.
52
Weed zones
Soil
Topograph
yGeo-referenced
photos
GIS…the management center for GPS collected data...

53.  Soil sampling: provides the necessary
data to accurately determine soil
variability.
 Method: usually done on a 2.5 acre
grid with 4 to 6 samples taken in each
grid.
 Accuracy: each sample taken is
numbered and then geographically
referenced using a GPS receiver.
Attribute data is stored/referenced
geographically.
 Result: an accurate base map detailing
zones of varying soil types, depths and
nutrient levels, allowing farm managers
to determine appropriate fertilization
applications for each zone.
Mapping the Soil...

54. Controlling Weeds...
 Weed locating: using linear sampling
techniques, weed patches are found
and identified. The borders of the
weed patches are surveyed using a
GPS receiver
 Accuracy: weed data is input into
the GIS system based on geographic
coordinates determined by GPS.
 Result: herbicides are applied as a
result of weed zones rather than a
blanket application. This is achieved
by attaching a GPS receiver to the
sprayer and tracking its location over
these predetermined zones. When
the sprayer enters/exits a weed zone,
valves are adjusted by the on-board
computer to meet the needs of each
zone.

55. Accurate Planting...
 Performance: Each type of seed has a
specific depth and spacing, dependant on
soil type, that allows it to germinate and
grow to its fullest.
 Planning: Geo-referenced data is
analyzed to determine the appropriate
planting ratios. Then a planting layer is
made in the GIS system, based on these
ratios.
 Planting: A GPS receiver is attached to
the planter and connected through the on-
board computer to the GIS map. As the
planter moves into different geographic
regions, the GIS system controls the
depth of the planter as well as the
spacing of the seeds. This approach
optimizes the growth and production of
each seed.

56. Creating Yield Maps...
Typical Yield Map
Legend: Low Yield Low/Moderate
Yield
Moderate/High Yield High Yield
 Harvesting: Once the final step in farming,
it has become another in a series of cyclical
procedures that makeup Precision Farming.
 Yield Monitors: are counters that take
volume measurements on harvested
material.
 Location: The location of measured yield is
obtained by mounting a GPS receiver to a
combine.
 Yield map: Volume measurements
combined with their exact geographic
locations, and input into a GIS package,
produce a Yield Map providing a picture of
the results based on earlier decisions. This
is a powerful tool for forecasting future
needs, which will lead to increased quality
and quantity of yield.

57. . The following challenges need to be addressed in the application of these technologies.
1) Identification of crops and estimation of area and production of short duration crops
grown in fragmented land holdings, in particular during kharif season.
2) Forecasting of droughts/floods.
3) Detection of crop stress due to nutrients, pests and diseases and quantification of their
effects on crop yield.
4) Information on sub-surface soil horizons.
5) Extending precision farming database to smaller farm size and /or diverse crops/cropping
systems.
6) Developing decision support systems for management of biotic and abiotic stresses at
the farm level.
Challenges for using Geospatial technology

58. Conclusion:
 Recent developments in remote sensing and GIS hold much promise to
enhance integrated management of all available information and the
extraction of desired information to promote sustainable agriculture and
development.
 GIS is considered one of the important tools for decision making in
problem solving environment dealing with geo-information.
 Remotely sensed images can be used to identify nutrient deficiencies,
diseases, water deficiency or surplus, weed infestations, insect damage,
hail damage, wind damage, herbicide damage, and plant populations.
 Sustainable utilization of land resources.
 Remote Sensing and GIS technology is very effective tool for suggesting
action plans /management strategies for agricultural sustainability of any
region.