Smart Sensing Technologies for Agriculture

In recent years, agriculture has been transformed from a relatively conservative set of cultural practices to a dynamic industry producing food and other biomaterials in a highly competitive market. Unpredictable weather patterns and public concerns pertaining to the sustainability of food supply and the environment motivate farmers and other agri-businesses to consider various technological advancements. Thus, developments in precision agriculture and related scientific research lead to new means of managing crops and livestock in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Many emerging practices rely on new sensors and new sensor applications to make this aim feasible and economically viable. This Special Issue presents 14 papers discussing cutting-edge research on smart sensing technologies applied to diverse agricultural challenges. Whereas some sensor systems generate data essential for decision support, others become part of closed-loop control systems that automate specific operations and processes.