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The role of precision farming in crop production’s adaptation to climate change
Views:15As a result of climate change, agricultural production is facing ever-greater challenges, including rising temperatures, changes in the distribution and quantity of precipitation, and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. The aim of this study is to outline the role of precision farming in adapting to climate change, with a particular focus on remote sensing, drone-based data collection, water and soil management, and the application of vegetation indices. The methodological basis of the research is a comprehensive review of relevant domestic and international literature. The study carries out a comparative assessment of the climate adaptation technologies and practical applications of precision farming, drawing on scientific publications, book chapters, doctoral theses, as well as statistical and specialist data sources. Following a review of the literature, it can be concluded that precision technologies contribute to the continuous monitoring of cropland, the implementation of site-specific interventions and the more efficient use of resources. Vegetation indices – in particular the NDVI, GNDVI, NDRE, NGRDI (VIGreen) and the leaf area index (LAI) – have proved to be particularly important in practical application, as they provide objective information on the current condition of the crop and support evidence-based decision-making regarding cultivation techniques. When combined with an appropriate agronomic approach and state-of-the-art digital technologies, precision farming can significantly increase the adaptability of agriculture, thereby contributing to the realisation of sustainable crop production. From a practical perspective, the findings of this review can facilitate the more targeted selection and application of precision technologies and vegetation indices, thereby directly supporting farmers’ data-driven decision-making, increasing resource efficiency, and mitigating production risks arising from climate change.
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The role of sensor technology in sustainable and efficient agricultural production - Review
Views:231Agricultural sensor technology has become a cornerstone of modern precision farming over the past two decades. Our research focused on the applications of remote and proximal sensing technologies, with an emphasis on satellite, drone-based, soil-embedded, and plant-mounted sensors. The study analyzed the presence of sensors in scientific publications and the evolution of research trends. The results showed that the number of scientific publications on sensor technology has grown exponentially, particularly in the last decade, reflecting increasing scientific and practical interest in the field. It was found that modern advancements, such as nanotechnology, have significantly contributed to reducing sensor size and enhancing their sensitivity, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Sensor applications enable the optimization of water, nutrient, and energy use, contributing to agricultural sustainability. Our research highlighted the importance of sensor technology in improving production efficiency and addressing global agricultural challenges.
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Evaluation of the yield and quality of maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) with different genotypes
Views:20The nutritional values of maize – protein, starch and oil content – play a decisive role in its use in industry, animal feed and the food industry. The development of these nutritional characteristics is influenced by numerous factors, including genetic background, crop year, agronomic factors and the ecological environment. By selecting the appropriate hybrid and applying appropriate cultivation techniques, these nutritional parameters can be tailored to different objectives, thereby ensuring economical and sustainable use. Precision technologies enable sustainable, climate-responsive farming and help farmers make faster, real-time, data-driven decisions. In these long-term field trials, smart machinery and tools are used and smart irrigation management ensures an optimal water supply, whilst sensor data supports the reliability of smart decisions. The analyses were aimed at reliably assessing the yield and yield quality of maize hybrids with different genotypes and growth periods (FAO 300, 400, 480) across two different growing seasons. In 2024 and 2025, in an experiment designed to assess field yield potential, the maize hybrids achieved varying but outstanding yields. Based on an analysis of the effects of the growing seasons, it was found that the average yield achieved in the more favourable year of 2024 (19.96 t/ha) significantly exceeded the yield achieved in 2025 (18.44 t/ha) by 1.52 tonnes per hectare. The genotypes studied achieved different yield and nutritional composition results in the years under investigation (2024, 2025). The greatest difference was observed in the FAO 300 hybrid, where, in the favourable growing season (2024), the yield was reliably 3.27 tonnes per hectare higher. The FAO 400 hybrid demonstrates good adaptability; its yield was reliably 1.07 tonnes per hectare higher in 2024 compared with the 2025 result. The FAO 480 hybrid produced an excellent yield, but this did not differ significantly between the two years studied. From a feed perspective, the nutritional values of maize kernels are very important. The starch content of the maize hybrids of different genotypes and maturity stages under investigation was very stable across the two crop years examined (62.18–63.42%). In the favourable growing season (2024), the starch content of the FAO 480 hybrid was favourable (63.15%), but did not differ significantly from that of the shorter-maturing hybrids. In the more favourable growing season (2025), a significant difference was observed only between the starch content of the FAO 300 and FAO 480 hybrids. The starch content of the FAO 300 hybrid was 1.24% higher than that of the FAO 480 hybrid. Protein content is a key characteristic of maize genotypes, and crop years also have a significant effect on it. Analysing the values for the two different crop years examined, it was found that the crop year has a significant effect on the protein content of maize kernels. The oil content of maize kernels is important in animal feed, but is of particular value in industrial processing. The oil content, averaged across the maize hybrids, showed a significant difference between the two crop years.