KWS uses drone surveying solutions from Microdrones to control the growth behavior of seed
As a seed specialist, KWS strives to contribute to greater sustainability in the agriculture industry. The international company optimizes its research and development activities using drone surveying equipment from Microdrones. The objective is to cultivate high-performance seed that contributes to environmentally conservative, sustenance solutions for a steadily growing world population.
In the video below, which is subtitled in English, Nora Sophie Eichhorn, from KWS Phenotyping Technology, investigates new varieties of winter rapeseed. Her team has planted 45 varieties of the seed in a field where they will measure and evaluate growth using the mdMapper1000DG aaS. The drone will be used in an agricultural survey, flying over the entire rapeseed field to record the growth of the plants.
High-quality seed for healthy plants
KWS is one of the world’s leading growers and seed producers with a wide range of products including high-performance seeds for corn, sugar beets, cereals, rapeseed, sunflowers, soybeans, and catch crops. With around 5,700 employees in more than 70 counties, they have generated sales of $1.5 billion in the 2019/2020 fiscal year.
Research teams rely on modern technologies
KWS is constantly looking for ways to improve genetic potential through advanced research programs and new technology. Drone surveying equipment from Microdrones helps support this endeavor. “We use professional survey drones to investigate the growth of our different types of seed more precisely,” says Nora Sophie Eichhorn, Phenotyping Technology / KWS.
“To monitor and analyze the growth behavior of our products, we rely on our drone surveying solutions, from Microdrones, like the mdMapper1000 DG aaS.” This complete UAV mapping solution covers large agricultural surveying projects much more efficiently. The mdMapper1000DG aaS also helps us collect more accurate and precise data when we are out in the field.
Eichhorn is currently investigating new varieties of winter rapeseed. Her team has planted 45 varieties of the seed in a field where they will measure and evaluate growth using the mdMapper1000DG aaS. The drone will be used in an agricultural survey, flying over the entire rapeseed field to record the growth of the plants.
“We are able to determine the degree of ground coverage not only quickly, but also precisely and cross crop culturally, giving us the ability to compare the varieties exactly,” explains Nora Sophie Eichhorn. “The data recorded by the mdMapper1000DG will be processed automatically and I can forward the results of the evaluation by email to my team, making the process very fast and simple.”
More productivity through optimized breeding
Not only is just the growth behavior of the different plants being analyzed by the aerial photos, but the condition of the plants is being determined as well, making it possible to determine if there is any kind of disease or drought. The drone surveying solutions from Microdrones are able to help KWS to discover very quickly if the seed meets their expectations and will make the breeding process much easier and effective – a great advantage for the agriculture industry.
If you would like more information on using drone surveying equipment from Microdrones for agricultural applications, CLICK HERE to speak with one of our professionals