Advances in precise fruit production

The concept of Precision Horticulture follows the knowledge achieved in site-specific farming over the last decades. In fruit production, the target is to optimize production processes by means of adapted treatment of individual trees. Prerequisite to precision horticultural management are spatially organized data that might include soil maps and information on plant growth. Such data are used to produce maps guiding growers to appropriately manage zones within fields. Ultimately, the objective is to promote automation of fruit production and to achieve sustainable production through the site-specific management.