Radiometric Calibration & Geospatial Accuracy

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) now provide ultra-high-resolution data, but the accuracy of these datasets depends on careful radiometric and geometric calibration. Studies comparing empirical vs. manufacturer-based methods for multispectral cameras found that both can yield reliable reflectance data when ground control or RTK positioning is properly used. Such calibrations are especially crucial for deriving accurate vegetation indices and enabling near-real-time agronomic decision-making.
(References: Multispectral UAS Data Accuracy for Different Radiometric Calibration Methods; Assessing the Geospatial Accuracy of Aerial Imagery Collected with Various UAS Platforms)

Seeding Depth & Variable-Rate Planting

Varying soil textures, topographies, and moisture levels can drastically affect optimal seeding depth for corn and other row crops. Research confirmed that uniform seedling emergence—and ultimately yield—depends on tailoring planting depth to local conditions. Future precision planters, equipped with real-time soil measurements, could enable site-specific depth adjustments that address spatial heterogeneity in the field.
(References: Effect of Heterogeneous Field Conditions on Corn Seeding Depth Accuracy and Uniformity; Spatial assessment of the correlation of seeding depth with emergence and yield of corn)

Software Tools

Site-specific experimentation on large fields requires practical tools for trial layout and data logging. Custom software developed at Hohenheim, for instance, streamlines the design and documentation of field trials, automating complex layouts and facilitating deeper analysis of soil moisture, seeding depth, and yield data. These digital tools help researchers and farmers alike integrate real-time sensing into day-to-day crop management.
(References: Hohenheim Software for Plotting Field Experiments; Opportunities and Challenges of a Real-time Control of Seeding Depth; Soil Moisture Measurement: An Additional Input for Precision Farming)