Source: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
IMPROVING THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF TART CHERRY PRODUCTION THROUGH PRECISION MANAGEMENT
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027528
Grant No.
2021-51181-35868
Cumulative Award Amt.
$1,969,318.00
Proposal No.
2021-07754
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2026
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[SCRI]- Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Recipient Organization
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
LOGAN,UT 84322
Performing Department
Plants Soils & Climate
Non Technical Summary
The overall aim of this project is to adapt precision management strategies to tart cherry production in order to improve economic, environmental and social sustainability of the industry. These strategies include using in-orchard sensors as well as remote sensing such as aerial imagery to direct management practices from irrigation scheduling, to fertilizer and pesticide management to harvest prediction to scheduling orchard replacement and renewal.Economic sustainability requires that growers improve their overall farm efficiency and profitability. Implementing map-based management strategies based on sound scientific principles will improve the efficient use of purchased inputs such as fertilizer, irrigation water and crop protectants, as well as labor and management inputs related to pruning and orchard for maximized yield potential and for decisions regarding orchard renewal/removal potential.Environmental sustainability is improved when growers become more efficient and effective in the judicious use of crop protectants, fertilizers and irrigation water. Being able to manage chemical inputs in a more site-specific manner will also reduce the risk of non-target exposure, particularly on the highly variable soils typical of tart cherry orchards.Social sustainability is benefitted by preserving the domestic production of a fruit that is highly nutritious and that has a high degree of mechanization in its production. Mechanization reduces overall labor requirements, at the same time shifting labor needs to highly technical skills with higher pay.
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
70%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2051112106040%
2161112116030%
4041112202030%
Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 404 - Instrumentation and Control Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1112 - Cherry;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1160 - Pathology;
Goals / Objectives
Project objectives include the following:1. Assess and implement technology for mapping tart cherry orchards2. Conduct spatial correlation analysis among mapped parameters, and determine action thresholds3. Test variable rate fertilizer and irrigation practices to find potential efficiencies.4. Economic analysis of approaches to determine feasibility and costs vs. benefits.5. Outreach through field days, on-farm demonstration plantings, publications and decision support tools.
Project Methods
Map commercial orchard: Generate high-resolution spatial information that describes soil and orchard characteristics representing multiple critical phenological stages, multiple seasons, and multiple production regions. Mapping parameters will include spatial variability in (a) soil properties (texture and EC) using a commercial electromagnetic probe; (b) canopy properties (volume and density) using 3-D reconstructions from UAV imagery as well as a ground based ceptometer; (c) root volume and distribution using multielectrode resistivity imaging; and (d) orchard yield stability (areas of high and stable, low and stable and unstable productivity).Explore spatial relationships among map characteristics with specific focus on correlations: (a) of ground-based canopy (ceptometry) to UAV and satellite imaging; (b) of soil type to root distribution and canopy characteristics; and (3) of yield to soil, root and canopy characteristics.Pest management: Implement intensive disease and insect scouting and develop maps of pest frequency. Use these maps to (a) determine spatial relationships between pest hotspots and orchard characteristics defined in objective 1; (b) develop tools for spatial pest management recommendations.Action thresholds: Develop action thresholds based on spatial information, and correlations among data. These may include: (a) determining threshold canopy density and volume for optimum yield, and identify thresholds for intensifying inputs on low vigor sites to achieve uniform canopies; (b) determine super-optimum canopy density for pest and disease outbreaks to develop management thresholds for both targeted pesticide application, and targeted increases in pruning severity and frequency to improve overall IPM; (c) use spatial analysis of canopy volume/density and yield, to develop thresholds for partial or complete orchard removal/renewal.Water and nutrient management: Develop variable rate fertilizer and irrigation regimes based on yield stability maps and in-season imagery to be compared with paired comparisons of industry-standard constant rate management. Results will be compared based on water and fertilizer use, targeted plant tissue analysis, tree growth and yield.EconomicsAs we develop the technologies described above, we plan to carry out a cost-benefit analysis. However, the technologies we are exploring as part of this project are relatively new, and therefore still expensive. Further, the potential benefits to the farmer are not yet quantifiable. The first part of this project is to conduct "proof-of-concept" research on how these technologies might be employed to improve crop management. Once these benefits have been identified, we can then explore costs vs. benefits. These calculations will include implementation at the individual orchard and the regional scale.Outreach. Distribute research findings to commercial growers and to crop consultants, and provide tools and recommendations for implementation. (a) Dissemination will include traditional Extension methods such as fact sheets posted on existing websites, articles in commercial trade publications, presentations at annual grower meetings, field days and farm tours. (b) Research carried out on commercial farms results in network of early adopters that get hands-on experience with emerging technology and serve as resources to neighboring farms. (c) We will also develop a web-based toolbox for utilizing remote data as well as on-site spatial data into farm management plans, and then (c) develop video tutorials on use of the technology which can be posted to Extension YouTube channels and Extension websites.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for this reporting period is commercial growers, crop consultants and representatives of allied industries in both the Great Lakes and the Intermountain West regions. The secondary audience is the broader horticultural research community, both in the U.S. and internationally. The advisory committee for this grant has representation from growers, processors, irrigation suppliers and academics from Michigan, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, New York and Indiana. Changes/Problems:As part of this project, we've developed a multi-sensor mapping system to simultaneously measure canopy density (ceptometry), canopy size (LiDAR) and tree size (stereo camera). One of the major limitations to this system is the lack of precision in geolocation using existing GPS technology under the orchard canopy. Rather than relying on GPS, we are developing a method to use time and speed data to calculate distance traveled to precisely place measurements throughout the orchard. This will link our existing data collection to a purpose-built digital speedometer. This approach allows us to position measurements more accurately by directly calculating distance traveled, helping to avoid the issues caused by GPS drift under orchard canopies. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate Students: One student in Michigan (Einhorn lab) was trained in field-plot techniques and helped to conduct frequent measures of vegetative growth. Three Utah-based students were trained in field sampling techniques and assisted with sample collection in conjunction with the precision fertility portion of the project. Three additional students helped with soil and plant sample processing and were trained in laboratory techniques including: soil particle size, salinity, and organic matter analysis. Five Utah undergraduate students were employed to develop yield monitor technology (hardware integration, software implementation and field test). These students have learned about edge computing development, computer vision data generation. In addition, the students have participated in a custom dendrometer solution for cherry trees. Graduate Students: One graduate student at MSU was trained in plant physiological measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration (IRGA), stem water potential (pressure bomb) and with collaboration from the USU group ceptometry measurement and data processing. Additionally, the student attended a USDA NRCS workshop on soil mapping using electrical conductivity instrumentation and later mapped soils of research plots. One additional MSU graduate student participated in a regional research meeting to enhance professional development. Three USU graduate students are involved in this project, two funded by this grant and a third from a separate training grant. All are FAA-licensed drone pilots and are receiving advanced training in GIS techniques and spatial data analysis. One is focusing on the pest management aspects of the project and has been trained in pest scouting and sampling. One has an engineering focus and has received training in electronics with regards to designing and building prototype sensors, and is currently receiving advanced training in image processing software and machine learning protocols. The third is working with private industry cooperators on principles of developing variable rate prescriptions, and how these might be adapted to a perennial crop. This student has also received training in computer vision and remote sensing electronics. All of the USU students have been given multiple opportunities to present their findings to both research and grower audiences, participating in winter grower meetings in both Utah and Michigan, and presenting results at two international meetings in Australia and Hawaii, USA. Technicians: One USU research technician has been involved in this project and received training in field plot techniques and in instrumentation related to orchard maintenance. Postdoctoral and Professional: With funding from this project, one postdoctoral fellow (MSU) participated in national and international research meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project team members (Black, Lilligren, Einhorn, Wedegaertner, Torres, Price and Rothwell) presented a half-day session at the Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show in Traverse City, Michigan (15 Jan 2024: audience from 90 to 110 at each talk). This is the largest gathering of tart cherry producers in the U.S. with attendance representing producers from Michigan, Utah, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Immediately after this half-day session we hosted a meeting of the industry advisory committee with some members joining by Zoom to discuss progress and priorities. Presentations were also made at the Great Lakes Expo: Fruit, Vegetables & Farm Market, Grand Rapids, Michigan. (December 2023). This is the largest gathering of commercial fruit growers in the Eastern U.S., with some growers from the Intermountain West also attending. Cherry growers in the Intermountain West Region (Utah and Idaho) gather at the Utah State Horticulture Association winter meetings. Two of the students working on this project gave progress reports to these growers on January 25, 2024 (audience of 98). Results were also presented at Michigan State University Extension's IPM Spring Kick-off meeting. (17 April; audience of 40 growers). Presenters included Michigan-based team members as well as two students from USU (Lilligren, Safre) that traveled to present. MSU Extension hosts a weekly meeting of cherry growers in Northwest Michigan throughout the growing season. Regular updates were provided to this group. Two fruit packing grower co-ops in Utah County host a twice-monthly meeting during the growing season. Regular updates were presented at this meeting, and some of the mapping equipment and technologies were demonstrated at one of these meetings (7 May 2024) Utah State University Extension organizes several sessions on crop irrigation technology at the Utah Water User's Conference. A presentation on remote sensing of evapotranspiration in cherry orchards was presented on 18 March 2024. The Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents hosts an annual summer conference that features in-service training sessions. The project leader (Black) was invited to present results from this research and give county and regional Extension faculty updates on available precision orchard management technology. (21 May 2024). The project was also featured in three popular press articles during the reporting period. Two of these were written by staff writers for the respective publications (Good Fruit Grower, and Northern Express). The third was solicited by a European journal (Cherry Times) and was written by a graduate student on the project. The 2nd International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards was held in Tatura, Australia in December of 2024. Three graduate students on this project (Lilligren, Safre, Wedegaertner) traveled to the meetings and presented their research findings to a large international research audience. The 10th International Symposium on Plant Nutrition in Fruit Crops was held in Wenatchee, WA, with researchers primarily from North America and Europe (25 June, 2024) A presentation was given featuring our work on precision fertility management. Two team members (Black and Wedegaertner) each presented findings to an international research audience at the American Society for Horticultural Sciences annual Conference in Honolulu, HI on 27 September 2024. Results were also presented to USU campus research audiences at a Plants, Soils and Climate Department research seminar (Wedegaertner) and at the College of Engineering research showcase (Safre). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Field data collection will continue as in previous years. These include assessing soil characteristics, canopy light/volume on canopy infill and cropping levels across sites in Michigan and Utah. Experiments will continue on variable rate irrigation (Michigan) and fertility (Utah) as well as techniques for remote sensing of tree water status (both locations). A major shift in focus for the coming year will be to summarize data and publish results in peer-reviewed journals. Two publications were recently submitted and data collection for four additional manuscripts is now complete, with manuscript preparation underway. Presentations are already scheduled for grower meetings in both Michigan and Utah. We are currently planning on applying for a one-year no-cost extension as the major focus on outreach will extend beyond the end date of September 2025.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This project addresses new technology to improve the sustainability of the U.S. tart cherry industry through improving efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. Technology for monitoring production fields is evolving extremely rapidly. Tart cherry has a relatively lower value than other orchard crops which requires a different scale of implementation relative to other crops. Major goals represent sequential steps towards implementation. The work will directly benefit the tart cherry industry, including growers and allied industries. This technology will also benefit management of other temperate tree fruits (apple, peach, sweet cherry). The end results are intended to impact the general cherry-consuming public. Goal 1 Mapping technology for tart cherry orchards Baseline soil maps for selected Michigan orchards was carried out using a Geonics EM-38, with canopy density mapped at full canopy using an ATV-mounted ceptometer (Apogee Instruments). Several Utah orchards that were initially mapped in 2023 were mapped at multiple growth stages during the 2024 season using a multi-sensor platform that measures canopy density (ceptometry) and size (LiDAR: height, width and volume). This was the first year that ground-based LiDAR was used. A new ground-based mapping tool was developed and tested (depth camera) to measure trunk diameter. This metric is closely correlated with above-ground growth and will improve tree vigor measurements for precision management. Yield mapping. In 2024 a second version of the yield monitor was redesigned, built and tested in Utah, Idaho and Michigan tart cherry blocks. This latest version was to address technical challenges. USU has started the intellectual property application for this technology. Goal 2. Spatial correlations and action thresholds Ground based observations of disease and insect outbreaks, and associated canopy characteristics were mapped in Utah orchards during a previous reporting period. Preliminary analysis indicates a correlation between vegetation index and disease incidence, but detection is likely past action thresholds. We are still analyzing data with regards to the relationship between disease incidence and canopy density, with the hope that this can predict where outbreaks are most likely to occur. In Michigan, observations of disease incidence (leaf spot) along with aerial images were collected in 2024. Analysis of these data is still ongoing. As with the previous season, there are strong correlations between soil maps and tree growth as quantified by both ceptometry and LiDAR. Evaluation of growth trends over time is still underway, but results suggest the potential of tracking shoot elongation within a season using readily available ground-based technology. Optical (R, G, B and NIR) and thermal image data were collected over several orchards again in 2024. The fields were equipped with soil water content sensors, and stem water potential data were collected in the vicinity of the sensors. Results indicate the potential for remote sensing of evapotranspiration (ET). A manuscript that explores this potential has been submitted for journal publication and is currently under review. UAV data (visible and multispectral) were collected over research orchards in NW Michigan, and results were analyzed to evaluate spatial variability in tree health and vigor. Additional imagery was collected on almost 3,000 acres encompassing 241 individual orchardsnear Traverse City, MI using a commercial satellite service (Planet Labs®). A composite image stability map of each orchard was created to identify areas with low-, medium- and high vigor, and stable vs. unstable conditions. Low-stable zones likely indicated poor growth or non-grass alleyways. Medium and high-stable zones were associated with average to high-performing cherry trees. Unstable zones exhibited reflectance that varied significantly, changing across zones for more than 1 standard deviation.By filtering the image to effectively remove the grass alleys in the orchard, a much more detailed analysis of tree-by-tree variability is possible. This filtered stability map provides an alternative visualization of individual tree performance throughout the growing season.These analyses, supported by verified measurement of tree-by-tree tart cherry yields, provide a comprehensive picture of orchard yields from imagery. In addition to tree yields, process-based simulation modeling of soil water and nutrient dynamics will be added in the next phase of the project to understand the factors affecting these changes within space and time. Goal 3. Variable rate fertilizer and irrigation practices. Variable rate (VR) fertilizer treatments in Utah orchards continued for a second year in 2024. Pre- and post-harvest tissue samples were collected and analyzed. Results indicated larger differences in leaf nutrient content among experimental fields than across soil types within a specific field. The effects of fertilizer treatments within an orchard were minor or not apparent. Considering that leaf tissue nutrient levels are typically the cumulative result of multiple years of fertilizer inputs, this result is not too surprising. Treatments will be repeated in 2025, and trees again monitored for growth and leaf nutrient content. VR irrigation. A one-acre deficit irrigation experiment was continued for a third year in MI to evaluate the interaction among soil moisture, plant stress and canopy volume on vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality. For a third year, deficit irrigation (weekly partial replacement of ET) resulted in late-season water stress (reduced water potential but not photosynthesis); however, significant differences in stress had only minimal effects on vegetative growth, and no effects on fruit set, yield or quality. Variation in yield, however, continues to be well-correlated to canopy volume. These findings illustrate the need for precision management to optimize tree vigor and uniformity over a wide range of conditions A new 1-acre orchard was planted in 2024 and treated with differential irrigation regimes (3 levels of ET replacement and two different irrigation frequencies). Based on differences of growth among trees, variable rate irrigation treatments will be applied in '25 to improve canopy/tree uniformity. By testing each of these irrigation methods on young trees, we hope to quantify stress and non-stress effects during the critical orchard establishment period, providing data for when and where to conserve irrigation water without harming establishing orchards. Goal 4. Economic analysis: feasibility and costs vs. benefits. Technology costs and labor requirements for these mapping approaches are being collected and documented. The costs of the electronic components for building the new sensing equipment has been documented, along with labor requirements for collecting map data. The cost-benefit analysis for these technologies will be a major focus in the next phase of this project. Goal 5. Outreach. Outreach activities, both to commercial growers and to the research community were significant in 2024. Details of these activities are included in a different section of this progress report. Attendance data and feedback survey are being used to document the reach in terms of growers and acreage.

Publications

  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2025 Citation: Safre, A.L.S., Torres-Rua, A., Black, B., Cardon, G., Wedegartner, K. (2024) Development of a low-cost yield monitoring system for tart cherry mechanical harvest. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2025 Citation: Black, B., K. Wedegaertner, A. Safre, G. Cardon, M. Yost. Comparing methods for varying fertilizer rate in tart cherry orchard management. X International Symposium on Plant Nutrition of Fruit Crops, Wenatchee, WA. June 2024. Acta Horticulturae.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Safre, A., A. Torres-Rua, B. Black, B. Shaffer, G. Cardon. 2024. Advanced methods for yield mapping in tart cherries: Tank change tracking and YOLO-DeepSort Fruit counting. Acta Hort. 1395: 289-296.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Wedegaertner, K., B. Black, A. Safre, C. Lilligren, G. Cardon and A. Torres-Rua. 2024. Assessing the relationship between soil variability, canopy density, and yield in Utah tart cherry orchards. Acta Hort. 1395: 157-162.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Lilligren, C., M. Murray, K. Wedegaertner, B. Black. 2024. Precision Agriculture Techniques for Evaluating Tart Cherry Tree Health. Acta Hort. 1395: 197-200
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Anderson Safre Advanced methods for yield mapping in tart cherries: tank change tracking and YOLO-DeepSort Fruit Counting. II International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards, Tatura, Australia. December 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Wedegaertner, K., Assessing relationships between soil variability, canopy density, and yield in Utah tart cherry orchards. II International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards, Tatura, Australia. December 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Christina Lilligren Precision agriculture techniques for evaluating tart cherry tree health. II International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards, Tatura, Australia. December 2023.
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2025 Citation: Safre, A.L.S., Torres-Rua, A., Black, B. (2024) Modeling stem water potential using high resolution UAV optical and thermal imagery combined with meteorological data in Tart Cherry Orchards. Agricultural Water Management.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Wedegaertner, K. and B. Black. A mobile cartographer system to measure tree growth within tart cherry orchards. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Honolulu, HI. 24-27 Sept, 2024.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Wedegaertner, K. and B. Black, B. Shaffer and G. Cardon. Enhancing uniformity in tart cherry orchards through precision management and variable rate fertilization. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Honolulu, HI. 24-27 Sept, 2024.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Black, B., Wedegaertner, K., A. Safre, G. Cardon and M. Yost. Comparing methods for varying fertilizer rate in tart cherry orchard management. X International Symposium on Plant Nutrition of Fruit Crops, Wenatchee, WA. 24-27 June, 2024.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Wedegaertner, K. Orchard trunk width estimation using stereovision and deep learning. USU Plants, Soils and Climate Department Seminar. 21 October, 2024
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Safre, Anderson Development of a Low-Cost Yield Monitor System for Tart Cherry Mechanical Harvesting Receivers USU College of Engineering Research Week. 4 April, 2024
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Popular Press Article featuring this research: Bukowski, A. The High-Tech Future of Farming. Northern Express. (2024, August 10). https://www.northernexpress.com/news/feature/the-high-tech-future-of-farming/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Popular Press Article featuring this research: Milkovich, M. Tech for measuring tart yields: Researchers study yield variability monitors in tart cherries. Good Fruit Grower (May 20, 2024). https://www.goodfruit.com/tech-for-measuring-tart-yields/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Popular Press Article featuring this research: Safre, A. 2024. The Utah State University (USA) proposes a technological model for monitoring tart cherry yields during harvesting. Cherry Times: The taste of Knowledge online newsletter published by NCX Drahorad, Spilamberto, Italy. 29 May, 2024. https://cherrytimes.it/en/news/The-Utah-State-University-USA-proposes-a-technological-model-for-monitoring-tart-cherry-yields-during-harvesting


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for this reporting period is commercial growers, crop consultants and representatives of allied industries in the Great Lakes region and Utah. The second audience is the broader horticultural research community, both in the U.S. and internationally. The advisory committee for this grant has representation from growers, processors, irrigation suppliers and academics from Michigan, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, New York and Indiana. Changes/Problems:Technology/equipment Through supplemental funding from a regional drought initiative project, we are expanding the work on orchard water use from what was proposed in our initial plan of work. This funding has allowed us to add additional sensor capabilities for Utah, including a ground-based LIDAR system as well as project-dedicated thermal imaging capabilities to allow more frequent data collection than what was scheduled and budgeted for in our original plan of work. For the proximity yield monitor devices, a significant upgrade involves the installation of 4G modems to enable data upload to the cloud. This upgrade aims to streamline data sharing and processing, facilitating the generation of yield maps and enabling real-time data visualization. Additionally, it enhances the ability to promptly identify and address potential malfunctions. For the computer vision yield monitor, planned optimizations involve the incorporation of a digital gimbal to reduce the influence of machine vibration and prevent image blur. Another strategy includes deploying a camera with a higher shutter speed to minimize motion blur, which will significantly improve the accuracy of the object detection models. Pest/disease scouting At the Michigan locations, we could not find correlation between pests/disease incidence and predictions based on drone imagery. We found that drone output anomalies directed us to missing trees, in-row locations, and other outliers rather than locating differences based on diseases or insects. We have worked with the Utah-based team to refine our scouting techniques to best align with current drone-IPM scouting practices. Additionally, we will also reduce the number of orchards for scouting in 2024 from eight to three, which is in accordance with the scouting conducted in Utah. This change will allow for more in-depth scouting that will likely provide better overall information. VR Irrigation Because the 10-year-old orchard selected and implemented for the irrigation experiment in MI does not accrue significant stress to alter growth or yield, we will add a new orchard with younger trees (i.e., in the first 3 years from planting) to study the effects of irrigation on early-season tree growth and tree-to-tree uniformity. This new site will facilitate variably rate treatments and be linked with our MI remote sensing team's activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate Students Two undergraduate student interns were employed in the Utah pest-management portion of the project, primarily to help with weekly field scouting and in identifying insect pest and plant disease incidence. Both students were trained in pest identification and scouting techniques. One undergraduate student intern was employed in the Michigan portion of the project, primarily to help with field scouting and pest and disease mapping. This student was trained in pest ID and scouting techniques used in integrated pest management practices. This student was also trained in scouting orchards based on remotely sensed imagery from airborne sensors, including UAVs, that were collected across multiple orchards over the growing season. These images were georeferenced using a geographical information software called ArcGIS to correct for subtle differences in GPS locations. Zones of high, medium, and low reflectance of plant health from vegetation indices were calculated from these images, and these areas were further investigated by ground truth observations taken by this student at these points. Two additional Utah undergraduate students were employed to help with soil sampling and lab analysis. Both students were trained on sampling techniques and lab procedures such as soil particle size, salinity, and organic matter analysis. Graduate Students Three USU graduate students are involved in this project, two funded by this grant and a third from a separate training grant. All are FAA-licensed drone pilots and are receiving advanced training in GIS techniques and spatial data analysis. One is focusing on the pest management aspects of the project and has been trained in pest scouting and sampling. One has an engineering focus and has received training in electronics with regards to designing and building prototype sensors, and is currently receiving advanced training in image processing software and machine learning protocols . The third is working with private industry cooperators on principles of developing variable rate prescriptions, and how these might be adapted to a perennial crop. Two of the three USU students had the opportunity to give outreach presentations to a national gathering of tart cherry growers and industry representatives. The third student coauthored a presentation for the same audience that was presented by the PI. This third student also attneded part of the USU Extension Annual Conference and present a broad overview of precision orchard techniques as part of the Extension In-service training provided to county and regional faculty. All three have had opportunities to present at field days and workshops. One of the three attended the national meeting of the American Society of Horticulture Science and presented project findings to research peers. During the upcoming reporting period, all three will be presenting at an international symposium on precision orchard management, sponsored by the International Society for Horticulture Science. In preparation for this upcoming opportunity, all three were required to draft research papers during the current reporting period, that are currently under peer review. One visiting international scholar at MSU (Einhorn) was trained in plant physiological measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration (IRGA), stem water potential (pressure bomb) and PAR (ceptometers) and statistical processing and expression of data. Funding for the visiting scholar was supplied by alternative sources. One MSU graduate student (Salako) successfully completed their MS degree during the reporting period, and also had the opportunity to give two technical presentations at regional research symposia. Technicians No training or in-service during this reporting period. Postdoctoral and Professional None at USU. One at MSU (Einhorn) conducted measures and trained and assisted an international visiting scholar in plant physiological and PAR measurements. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach to the commercial industry included presentations at the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Grand Rapids Michigan (7 Dec 2022, audience: 86); at the Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show in Traverse City, Michigan (17 Jan 2023: audience from 83 to 90 at each talk); and at the annual winter meeting (26 Jan 2023, 84 participants, 74 live and 10 virtual) and summer field day (11 July 2023, attendance: 28) of the Utah State Horticulture Association. Demonstrations were also made at an invitation-only research farm open house (11 participants) at the USU Kaysville Research farm and to the Michigan State University Fruit Team meeting at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center (16 Aug. 2023, 23 participants including 11 MSU Extension educators, 5 specialists, and 7 growers). The audience at these respective presentations represent cherry orchards in Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Utah and Idaho. Results of mapping efforts were also reported directly to managers for cooperating orchards used in these experiments. For example, 3 Utah orchards received weekly updates on pest populations as a result of providing their orchard blocks for monitoring and mapping. Three research and technical presentations were made to the scientific community, including one presentation to an international community at the national meeting of the American Society for Horticulture Science, and two to regional research symposia. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The issue that this project seeks to address is the implementation of technology to improve the sustainability of the U.S. tart cherry industry through improving efficiencies in management and minimizing environmental impacts. Technology for monitoring production fields is evolving extremely rapidly. For high-value orchard crops (ex. apples), precision management is geared to the scale of individual tree branch or spur. Tart cherry has a relatively lower value, and so implementation may be more appropriate at the whole-tree or multi-tree level. Our major goals represent sequential steps toward this overall aim. The primary intended beneficiary of our work is the tart cherry industry in general. However, the end results are intended to impact the general cherry-consuming public through a vibrant and sustainable domestic industry. Goal 1 Mapping technology for tart cherry orchards Soil and plant growth variability. Baseline electromagnetic mapping of soil characteristics was carried out in 6 additional orchard blocks in Utah and Idaho. Soil sampling for EM map calibration was also carried out for these or chards and the 8 Utah orchards that had EM maps from the previous year. A subset of these orchards was repeatedly mapped using ceptometery (Apogee Instruments); UAV-mounted visible, near infra-red and thermal cameras; as well as satellite imagery. Soil samples indicated that electromagnetic data are strongly correlated with soil texture, validating their use as a foundation for precision management. Analysis across multiple orchards also produced useful contrasts. Our maps show significant correlations between soil characteristics and relative tree vigor. However, the nature of this relationship changes from one orchard block to another, indicating that constant rate management (fertility and irrigation) may be affecting the strength of orchard growth, where a strong soil under one management regime may not be strong under different management. We are still analyzing data to further determine the basis for these differences. For Michigan, 8 orchard blocks totaling 311 acres were mapped using both UAV imaging (6 dates, 9 May - 27 July) and Aerial (8 dates, 9 May - 16 Aug). Image classification from aerial remote sensing platforms is used to describe the spatial variability of plant growth throughout the growing season. Plant reflectance of light collected by sensors in the air leads to an understanding of the different growth patterns occurring in the orchard. Point cloud maps from UAV image provide 3D representations of the orchard. Image classification algorithms overestimate tree density as some smaller trees are left out. A refined ISO cluster is a better representation of the orchard but requires manually drawing boundaries to include smaller tress missed using the previous algorithm. Yield mapping. During the reporting period, a completely new unit-based prototype system, (proximity yield monitor) was designed and built using sonar-based sensors. Five devices were field tested during 2023 on 7 different harvesters, mapping yield variability across 9 tart cherry blocks in Utah. A second yield mapping technology based on computer vision was also developed and tested. It combines object detection and object tracking to attempt to count the number of fruits harvested per tree. A camera is deployed to capture videos of fruit moving through the harvester, as precise harvester position is tracked by GPS. The captured videos are currently being analyzed to refine image detection/classification algorithms. Root mapping. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) data were collected around the tart cherry tree using grid methodology. The results were processed and interpolated, and the result of the interpolation is a 3D image shows the location of the tart cherry tree roots in the soil. Further processes were performed using artificial intelligence algorithms to extract the roots further and present the roots in 3D as presented in the publication (Salako, 2023). Goal 2. Spatial correlation among mapped parameters, and action thresholds Data from '22 and '23, along with additional remote sensing sources (Landsat, Sentinel-2, Planet), are currently being evaluated, analyzed, and compared both between methods as well as to ground-based data collection, with several examples described below Insect pest and disease scouting. Three of the Utah orchards were transect sampled for powdery mildew and spider mite infestations, with two of these orchards also sampled in 2022. Disease and mite incidence are being related to both ground- and UAV-based maps. Early results indicate only weak correlations between multi-spectral aerial images and pest incidence. However, stronger correlations exist between disease incidence and ground-based canopy maps (ex. ceptometry). This confirms the possibility of using mapping technology to set action thresholds for pruning, for example to decrease the probability for severe pest outbreaks. Mapped orchards in Michigan were also scouted for pest and disease incidence and these data are currently being analyzed. Irrigation requirements. In 2023, UAV flights were conducted to generate Evapotranspiration (ET) maps and assess the water consumption of tart cherry orchards. Optical (R, G, B and NIR) and thermal image data were collected on 10 dates from a commercial UT orchard; and 8 dates from a USU research orchard. The fields were equipped with soil water content sensors, and stem water potential data were collected in the vicinity of the sensors. This sampling strategy is designed to develop a comprehensive assessment of the water dynamics within these orchards, combing ET maps, soil moisture, water potential and meteorological data. Data are now being analyzed. Goal 3. Variable rate fertilizer and irrigation practices. Soil map data from 2022, along with satellite data from several previous seasons were used to generate prescriptions for VR fertilizer treatments that were applied for the 2023 season in four different commercial orchards in Utah. VR treatments were based on both soil and satellite-based maps (tree vigor variability) and compared to the grower standard uniform application. Leaf samples were taken throughout the 2023 growing season and are currently being analyzed for nutrient content. Tree growth (shoot elongation) will be compared using 2023 and 2024 UAV and satellite images. Irrigation - A one-acre deficit irrigation experiment was continued in 2023 for a second year in MI to evaluate the interaction among soil moisture, plant stress and canopy volume on vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality. Canopy measures are being correlated with aerial canopy maps to inform VR treatment applications in '24. Goal 4. Economic analysis: feasibility and costs vs. benefits. Technology costs and labor requirements for these mapping approaches are being collected and documented. The costs of the electronic components for building the two yield monitor prototypes have been compiled for comparison. For both systems, the cost is below $400 per unit. Labor requirements for construction and data processing of both systems is still being collected. The cost-benefit analysis will require more data on determining the value of potential benefits and will come alter in this project. Goal 5. Outreach. Outreach activities are detailed in a different section of this progress report. Briefly, activities during this reporting period included a half-day seminar presented at the largest national gathering of tart cherry growers (Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show), as well as presentations at several other regional grower meetings and field days. Attendance data and feedback survey are being used to document the reach in terms of growers and acreage.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Salako, John O. Assessing Roots Distribution of Tart Cherry Tree using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Artificial Intelligence, Michigan State University, United States -- Michigan, 2023. ProQuest, https://ezproxy.msu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/assessing-roots-distribution-tart-cherry-tree/docview/2808159867/se-2.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2024 Citation: Safre, A., A. Torres-Rua, B. Black, B. Shaffer. Advanced methods for yield estimation in tart cherries: Tank change tracking and YOLO-DeepSort Fruit counting. II International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards, Tatura, Australia. December 2023. Acta Horticulturae.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2024 Citation: Wedegaertner, K., B. Black, A. Safre, C. Lilligren, G. Cardon and A. Torres-Rua. Assessing the relationship between soil variability, canopy density, and yield in Utah tart cherry orchards. II International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards, Tatura, Australia. December 2023. Acta Horticulturae.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2024 Citation: Lilligren, C., M. Murray, K. Wedegaertner, B. Black. Precision Agriculture Techniques for Evaluating Tart Cherry Tree Health. II International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards, Tatura, Australia. December 2023. Acta Horticulturae.


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period is commercial growers, crop consultants and representatives of allied industries in the Great Lakes region and Utah. The overall objectives and preliminary results were presented to the Cherry Marketing Institute board (6 December 2021, attendance 20), with representation from Michigan, New York, Wisconsin and Utah. Precision technology was also featured at a grower field day in Utah (5 July, att. 45). The work was also featured in the August 9, 2022 issue of the Good Fruit Grower, a national grower magazine with a national readership. The advisory committee for this grant hasrepresentation from growers, processors, irrigation suppliers and academics from Michigan, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, New York and Indiana. Changes/Problems:As outlined above, the unit-based yield monitor that we were hoping to use in the 2022 growing season needed additional work. We plan to have multiple units of the revised prototype up and running in time for the coming season. Unfortunately, we will have one less season of yield data than what we had expected. One change in our plan is to do more of the UAV-based data collection in house. The original plan was to collect red-edge and multi-spectral images through an agreement with the USU AggieAir service lab. We have since realized that we could get more frequent data if we purchased our own sensor. We recently requested a change in the budget to allow some of the funds that were budgeted for the AggieAir service contract to go to the purchase of an appropriate camera, which has been approved and we are moving forward with that change. The data collected from PAR/light mapping of orchards in MI was not of sufficient quality due to a combination of software and programming issues. Training in the necessary programming will be completed before spring 2023. An updated software license will be purchased. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate Students: Two undergraduate student interns were employed in the Utah portion of the project, primarily to help with field scouting and pest and disease mapping. Both students were trained in pest ID and scouting techniques used in integrated pest management practices. An additional student was involved in pest scouting at the Michigan locations. Two students were hired in MI (Einhorn) to conduct frequent measures of vegetative growth and assist graduate student and postdoc. Graduate Students: Three USU graduate students are involved in this project, two funded by this grant and a third from a separate training grant. All became FAA-licensed drone pilots and are receiving advanced training in GIS techniques and spatial data analysis. One is focusing on the pest management aspects of the project and has been trained in pest scouting and sampling. One has an engineering focus and has received additional training in electronics with regards to designing and building prototype sensors. The third is working with private industry cooperators on principles of developing variable rate prescriptions, and how these might be adapted to a perennial crop. One visiting international scholar at MSU (Einhorn) was trained in plant physiological measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration (IRGA), stem water potential (pressure bomb) and PAR (ceptometers) and statistical processing and expression of data. Funding for the visiting scholar was supplied by alternative sources. One MSU graduate student (Basso) has been mapping cherry root systems with ground-penetrating radar, and another has been mapping the corresponding tree canopies using UAV-based imaging. Technicians: One USU technician received training in UAV operation and become an FAA-licensed operator. Postdoctoral and Professional: None at USU. One at MSU (Einhorn) conducted measures and trained and assisted an international visiting scholar in plant physiological and PAR measurements. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?As outlined above, presentations were made at three grower meetings and to one scientific audience. The presentation to the CIAB research committee and the USHA (winter meeting) consisted of an overview of what precision and variable-rate management entails, and a discussion of a list of potential management applications as they relate to tart cherry orchards. These were followed by a survey where respondents ranked seven potential applications in their order of perceived importance. Ranking of priorities differed by where the respondent farmed. Among Northwest MI growers, the highest priorities were predicting pest outbreaks, and decision support related to pruning severity. Among Utah growers, pest detection and yield prediction were the highest priorities. There were not enough respondents from other growing regions such as Southwest MI, West central MI or WI to provide reliable survey data. A presentation made at the USHA summer farm tour included demonstrations of mapping technology, including the soil EM probe, the ATV-mounted ceptometer and one of the UAV-based imaging systems. Our root and canopy mapping efforts were published in a leading national tree fruit trade magazine, Good Fruit Grower, which has a large national and international stakeholder membership. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Major Activities completed: Goal 1. Mapping technology. Efforts during this reporting period focused on baseline mapping of selected orchards in both Utah and Michigan. Eight different Utah orchard blocks were mapped for soil conditions (Geonics EM-38) and canopy characteristics. Canopy mapping was by an ATV-mounted ceptometer (Apogee Instruments); UAV-mounted visible light (DJI Mavic 2) and red-edge camera (MicaSense on Matrice 600); and satellite imagery (Pleiades). Four of these orchards were grid-sampled for powdery mildew and spider mite infestations, to test for correlations between pest incidence and other mapped parameters. The remaining orchards will be used for variable rate fertilizer inputs starting with the winter 2022-23 applications. Four Michigan orchards were scouted for cherry leaf spot and spotted wing drosophila in summer 2022. These scouting reports will be compared with UAV flight information to determine if UAV payloads correlate or improve human monitoring for a key pest and disease in Michigan tart cherry orchards. The prototype unit-based yield monitor we had previously tested proved too problematic. We have now redesigned this system to be more robust and reliable, including replacing moving parts with sonar sensors, and have tested and refined the first prototype. Additional units are being constructed for deployment in the '23 season. An engineering student working on this project is now collaborating with a commercial company (Juniper Systems) to adapt a load cell-based system originally designed from potato to cherry harvesters, for higher resolution results than the unit-based system. Goal 2. Spatial parameters. These mapping activities generated a massive quantity of data that requires significant computational time. Data from '22 mapping activities, along with additional remote sensing sources (Landsat, Sentinel-2, Planet), are currently being evaluated and analyzed. Goal 3. VR management. Data analyzed from '22 are currently being used to generate prescriptions for VR treatments to be applied for the '23 and subsequent seasons in Utah. A one-acre deficit irrigation experiment was initiated in MI to evaluate the interaction among soil moisture, plant stress and canopy volume on vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality. Canopy measures will serve to ground truth canopy maps taken from aerial images and inform VR treatment applications in '23. Goal 4. Economics. Technology costs and labor requirements for these mapping approaches are being collected and documented. Goal 5. Outreach. Presentations to two grower meetings and one field day with attendees from UT, MI, WI, NY, PA, with total attendance of 95. A summary presentation at the annual meeting of the ASHS reached an audience of 30 scientists Key Results/Findings: Orchard managers refer to "strong" and "weak" orchard soils as related to relative tree vigor. Although analysis of our map data is in the early stages, we are seeing significant correlations between soil characteristics and relative tree vigor. However, the nature of this relationship changes from one farm to another, indicating that constant rate management (fertility and irrigation) may be affecting the strength of orchard growth, where a "strong" soil under one management regime may not be strong under different management. Deficit irrigation resulted in late-season water stress but significant levels of stress did not affect vegetative growth nor were detrimental to fruit yield or quality. Variation in yield, however, was related to canopy volume. These findings further illustrate the need for precision management to optimize tree vigor over a wide range of conditions. Outcomes/Impacts: Industry representatives that have learned about this project have quickly grasped the potential benefits of the work and have expressed strong support and enthusiasm for the potential benefits. This has led to being able to identify collaborators and potential early adopters.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Black B, Einhorn T, Torres A, Basso B, Yost M, Cardon G, Rothwell N, Murray M, Papenfuss K and Geary B. 2022. Are there opportunities for precision orchard management of tart cherry (P. cerasus Montmorency)? https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2022/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/38048
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Milkovich, M. 2022. Tart cherry roots and canopies. Good Fruit Grower, August 15th Issue: pp. 16-19. (Popular Press Article