Location: Crop Production Systems Research
Project Number: 6066-30500-002-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Feb 18, 2025
End Date: Feb 17, 2030
Objective:
1. Develop novel methods that incorporate advanced technologies for detecting and mapping weeds in crop production systems. 1.A. Assess a fixed-winged UAV, Red-Green-Blue (RGB), multispectral, and thermal camera payloads, and machine learning technologies for detecting broadleaf and grassy weeds in corn production systems in the SEA. 1.B. Evaluate a fixed-winged UAV, RGB, multispectral, and thermal camera imaging payloads, and machine learning tools for characterizing weeds in cover crops (Austrian winter pea, crimson clover, and hairy vetch cover crops) and in measuring the efficacy of those cover crops to suppress weeds during the off-peak growing season in corn production systems in the SEA.
2. Develop climate-smart protocols and internet-based dashboards for spray drone applicators that will improve herbicide deposition while minimizing spray drift in crop production systems. 2.A. Design climate-positive protocols for spray drone applicators to improve herbicide deposition while reducing spray drift in terminating the cover crop Austrian winter pea in agricultural systems in the SEA. 2.B. Design climate-positive protocols for spray drone applicators to improve herbicide deposition while reducing spray drift in terminating the cover crop crimson clover in agricultural systems in the SEA.
3. Develop ecology-based approaches to manage weeds with herbicide-susceptible versus herbicide-resistant characteristics. 3.A. Develop ecology-based approaches to manage velvetleaf with herbicide-susceptible versus herbicide-resistant characteristics. 3.B. Differentiate herbicide-resistant and susceptible weeds in Mississippi cropping systems using in-situ approaches. More specifically, differentiate Palmer amaranth resistance to different herbicide modes of action such as 5-enolypyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), acetolactate synthase (ALS), auxin, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), etc. 3.C. Evaluate the response of glyphosate-resistant (GR) and susceptible (GS) C3 and C4 pathway weeds to changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature regimes under controlled environmental conditions. Specifically, this objective will focus on Italian ryegrass (C3), redroot pigweed (C4), and junglerice (C4).
Approach:
Efficient tools and methods are needed to control weeds while preserving the environment for current and future generations. Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming one of the fastest-growing green technologies used as a decision support tool. More research is needed on UASs manufactured in the United States (U.S.) and non-adversary countries to detect, map, and control weeds in agriculture production systems. The chemical and physical characteristics of herbicide-resistant weeds must be understood for better management decisions. This study will focus on a combined approach for integrated weed management in the Southeast Area (SEA): (1) develop novel methods that incorporate advanced technologies for detecting and mapping weeds in crop production systems, (2) develop climate-smart protocols and internet-based dashboards for spray drone applicators that will improve herbicide deposition while minimizing spray drift in crop production systems, and (3) develop ecology-based approaches to manage weeds with herbicide-susceptible versus herbicide-resistant characteristics. The findings will explain the advantages and disadvantages of using fixed-wing UASs with different camera payloads and rotary UASs for integrated weed management. The discoveries will advance spray application techniques and increase the knowledge of what AI tools may be appropriate for weed detection. The weed ecology studies will provide in-depth information on how resistant weeds are affected by changes in climate and what future industries must prepare for in combating them. Our research will be conducted on small and medium-sized research farms and in greenhouses; however, the final products will be scalable to large-scale farming systems. Stakeholders of the proposed project include federal government agencies, private industry, and the farming community.
