EE420 LASER ENGINEERING

RECENT STUDIES ON THE USE OF

LASERS IN AGRICULTURE
YUNUS EMRE TOKU – 18050211036
BURAK GÜNİNDİ – 18050211034
ATAKAN KUTLAY YAVUZ – 180502110
YUSUF GENİŞ – 19050211042
SAİD MUZAFFER UBAYDULLOEV - 15050541008
As the world's population continues to grow, we face the challenge of
producing more food with fewer resources. This is where laser technology
comes in - it has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce food by
increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impact.
In this presentation, we'll explore the various applications of laser technology
in agriculture, including soil analysis, weed control, crop management, and
harvesting. We'll also discuss the potential for future development in this field.
HISTORY OF LASER TECHNOLOGY IN
AGRICULTURE
• The use of laser technology in agriculture is a relatively recent development, with the first laser-
based systems appearing in the 1980s. Initially, lasers were used primarily for crop mapping and
yield analysis. However, as laser technology continued to advance, its potential applications in
agriculture expanded to include soil analysis, weed control, crop management, and harvesting.
• One of the earliest uses of lasers in agriculture was for crop mapping, which involved using
lasers to measure the height and density of crops in a field. This information could then be used
to create yield maps, which helped farmers identify areas of their fields that were more or less
productive. In the years that followed, laser technology continued to improve, and new
applications were developed to meet the needs of farmers and growers.
LASER-BASED SOIL
ANALYSIS

Laser technology is used for soil analysis to

measure soil moisture, nutrient content, and
texture. Laser-based sensors provide more
accurate and efficient measurements than
traditional methods. Laser-induced breakdown
spectroscopy (LIBS) measures the chemical
composition of soil for optimized fertilizer
application. Laser diffraction measures particle
size distribution for understanding soil texture.
Laser-based soil analysis helps farmers make
informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization,
and management practices.
BENEFITS OF LASER-BASED SOIL ANALYSIS

Laser-based soil analysis provides more precise measurements than traditional

methods, is faster and more efficient, and is non-destructive. This helps
farmers optimize their management practices and improve the productivity and
sustainability of their farms.
LASER-BASED WEED
CONTROL
Laser technology is being used for weed control in agriculture as an
alternative to herbicides. The technology involves using lasers to selectively
target and heat the leaves of weeds, causing them to dry out and die. This
process is known as thermal weed control.
One of the main benefits of laser-based weed control is that it is more
environmentally friendly than traditional herbicide-based methods. Laser-
based weed control does not rely on chemicals, which can be harmful to the
environment and human health. Additionally, laser-based weed control is
more targeted, which means that it only affects the weeds and not the
surrounding crops, reducing the risk of damage to the desired plants.
However, there are also some challenges associated with laser-based weed
control, such as the need for precise targeting to avoid damaging desirable
plants and the high cost of the technology. Nonetheless, the technology
shows promise as an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional
herbicide-based weed control methods.
LASER-BASED CROP
MANAGEMENT
Laser technology is used in crop management for
mapping, monitoring, and precision agriculture.
Laser-based sensors provide valuable information
about crop health and growth, enabling farmers to
optimize management practices and improve
productivity and efficiency. Overall, laser
technology is a promising tool for improving crop
yields and reducing waste.
LASER CONTROLLED LAND LEVELING
SYSTEM

• Laser controlled land leveling system is used in

highway, railway, air port, mine, tunnel, bridge,
building, water conservancy, agriculture, stock
raising and so on. This advanced technology in
Agriculture is generally useful for laser controlled
land leveling System, farmland spaceflight photo
management, remote sensing measure and data
analysis, agriculture and stock raising management.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE, YIELD MAPPING,
AND PLANT STRESS MONITORING

Precision agriculture uses technology to optimize crop management practices,

including yield mapping and plant stress monitoring. Laser technology is
increasingly used for crop mapping, monitoring, and targeted input application,
providing farmers with valuable information to optimize management practices
and increase productivity.
LASER-BASED
HARVESTING

Laser technology is used in agriculture for

more efficient and precise harvesting. Laser-
based sensors can detect ripeness of crops and
enable precision harvesting, reducing damage
and waste. Laser-based sorting and grading can
detect defects and attributes such as size and
color, improving efficiency and reducing
waste. Overall, laser technology can improve
profitability and sustainability in agriculture.
FUTURE OF LASER TECHNOLOGY IN
AGRICULTURE

In the future, laser technology may be used for plant breeding, real-time
monitoring of plant growth, and development of autonomous farming systems.
These applications have the potential to improve crop yields, optimize
management practices, and reduce labor costs. Overall, laser technology has
the potential to transform agriculture in numerous ways, improving efficiency
and sustainability.
BENEFITS OF USING LASER TECHNOLOGY IN
AGRICULTURE
Laser technology offers numerous benefits for agriculture, including increased efficiency
and accuracy, reduced environmental impact, and improved crop yields. Laser-based soil
analysis, weed control, and crop management enable farmers to make more informed
decisions and optimize their management practices, resulting in higher yields and reduced
costs. Laser-based harvesting improves efficiency and reduces waste, while also improving
the quality of crops. Future applications of laser technology have the potential to
revolutionize agriculture, improving sustainability and profitability. Overall, laser
technology has the potential to transform the way crops are grown, managed, and harvested,
resulting in a more sustainable and efficient agriculture industry.
CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS OF USING
LASER TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE
While laser technology has numerous potential benefits for agriculture, there are also some challenges
and limitations to its use. One major limitation is the cost of laser-based equipment, which may be
prohibitive for some farmers. Additionally, laser technology requires specialized equipment and
training, which may be a barrier for some farmers who lack the necessary expertise or resources.
Another potential limitation is the need for a reliable power supply, which may be an issue in some
rural areas where access to electricity is limited. Furthermore, laser-based systems may not be suitable
for all types of crops or farming operations, and may not be effective in all environmental conditions.
Overall, while laser technology has the potential to transform agriculture in numerous ways, there are
also some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. However, as the technology continues
to evolve and become more accessible, it has the potential to revolutionize the way crops are grown,
managed, and harvested, resulting in a more sustainable and efficient agriculture industry.
IMPORTANCE OF LASER TECHNOLOGY IN
AGRICULTURE AND POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT
Laser technology is an important tool for improving efficiency, accuracy, and
sustainability in agriculture. Despite some challenges and limitations, it has
significant potential to revolutionize the way crops are grown, managed, and
harvested. Further development of laser technology in agriculture could lead to
advancements in precision agriculture, autonomous farming systems, and real-
time monitoring of plant growth. Overall, laser technology has the potential to
transform agriculture, making it more efficient, sustainable, and profitable for
farmers and society as a whole.
REFERENCES:
• https://www.laserag.com/technology/
• https://www.country-guide.ca/crops/soil-testing-by-laser-beam/
• https://modernfarmer.com/2021/12/laser-weeding-robots-laserweeder/
• https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/08/12/633065620/growers-are-bea
ming-over-the-success-of-lasers-to-stave-off-thieving-birds
• https://ethz.ch/en/industry/industry/news/data/2022/03/laser-based-weeding-r
obot.html
• https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture/special_issues/74GJ29SKKE
• https://news.trust.org/item/20150525123449-gmlon