Laboratory

Laboratory of Digital Agriculture

The Laboratory of Digital Agriculture is a modern research and teaching unit dedicated to developing and applying innovative technologies for smart, precision and sustainable agriculture. Its activities focus on integrating digital tools and data-driven solutions to support the management of natural resources, raise productivity and strengthen the resilience of agricultural production to climate change.

Institute: Institute of Environment
Field: Economics and digital agriculture, Soil and plant nutrition

The laboratory carries out teaching, research and applied work in precision agriculture, irrigation and fertigation management, soil and crop monitoring, remote sensing, the Internet of Things (IoT), geographic information systems (GIS), the automation of production processes and decision support systems. Its research focuses on developing and testing climate-smart technologies and digital solutions for a more efficient use of water and other natural resources in agricultural production.

Infrastructure

For its work, the laboratory has modern research and teaching infrastructure, including 10 computer workstations equipped with specialised GIS and software packages for analysing and processing spatial and agronomic data, 3D printers for developing and prototyping technical solutions, and an interactive smart board for teaching and presentations. It also has unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with thermal and multispectral cameras, together with software for processing and analysing remote sensing data and for the precision mapping of agricultural land.

Monitoring and automation

The laboratory has set up systems for monitoring and managing agricultural production, comprising various types of automatic weather stations with different sensors for different purposes, soil moisture sensors, humidity sensors with data loggers developed in the laboratory, sensors for monitoring pH and electrical conductivity (EC), CRNS sensors for estimating soil moisture over large areas, and ET (evapotranspiration) sensors that support irrigation management. The laboratory also has various controllers, automatic water meters, solenoid valves and control units for the automated management of irrigation and fertigation systems.

Renewable energy

In renewable energy and the sustainable use of water resources, the laboratory is equipped with solar panels, inverters and pumping systems for drawing and distributing water, which serve as a platform for research on and demonstration of energy-efficient solutions in agriculture.

Trials and demonstrations

Practical and demonstration work is carried out together with the Laboratory of Water, Irrigation and Fertigation in an experimental greenhouse, and on experimental and demonstration plots with various crops, where up-to-date technologies for precision and climate-smart agriculture are tested and validated. These facilities make it possible to run scientific experiments, practical classes for students and demonstrations of innovative solutions, and to transfer knowledge to farmers, institutions and other stakeholders.

Through its infrastructure and activities, the Laboratory of Digital Agriculture is a modern centre for research, education and innovation in the digital transformation of agriculture and the sustainable management of natural resources.