Integration of Science and Technology in the Agriculture Sector: An Agronomist’s Outlook

By Renan Tosin, Research Assistant at the Centre for Robotics in Industry and Intelligent Systems (CRIIS)

The Day of the Agricultural Engineer is observed on October 12; it’s a day to acknowledge and value the impact of this profession on societies worldwide. Agronomy – with a rich history and significance – remains a vital sector in providing food and advancing communities. From the earliest aqueducts created by the predecessors of agricultural engineers to modern technological solutions, the agricultural engineers have been the driving force behind the vital mission of sustaining humanity. 

My journey in agronomy began in 2011, when I joined the Agronomy course at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Botucatu, Brazil. Driven by an intrinsic scientific curiosity and a desire to make a significant impact on agricultural science, I immersed myself in research projects from the early years of my academic path. I collaborated on a ground-breaking project dedicated to study the impact of planting densities and geometry on soybean growth; this endeavour increased my interest in scientific research in this field. 

In 2013, my academic career took me to the University of Adelaide, in Australia, where I explored new agricultural and cultural practices, different from those in Brazil. During this time, I was introduced to the fascinating world of viticulture – which ignited in me a particular passion for the intricacies of grapevines and their nuances. 

In 2015, I moved to Portugal, to advance my research and explore the wine sector. I completed my degree in Agronomic Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, an experience that significantly improved my knowledge of various agricultural practices and further strengthened my bond with viticulture. 

As I continued with my studies, in the city of Porto, I obtained my master’s degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. During this period, I had the privilege of collaborating with Mário Cunha, whose guidance and experience allowed me to explore optical sensors and precision agriculture. Actively participating in projects like WineSpectra and VineSpec further solidified my conviction about the importance of implementing innovative technologies to improve water use efficiency and sustainability in the wine sector. 

As part of my PhD in Agricultural Sciences – currently taking place at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto -, I remain deeply involved as an active member of the CRIIS team, more specifically the TRIBE LAB. In this sense, I focus on the development of innovative technologies aimed at a more sustainable agriculture. My participation in projects such as Metbots and SpecTOM translated into a substantial contribution to the advancement of cutting-edge technological solutions, including the development of low-cost spectral sensors and tomography systems for plant disease detection and maturation of internal grape tissues. 

As part of the Metbots project, I was directly involved in carrying out measurements of the basic water potential in the vineyards, an extremely time-consuming task. Moreover, I was also in charge of collecting leaf and grape spectra for analysis and modelling, to study biophysical variables like the vines’ water status and sugar content in grapes (based on the spectral data collected). The team also integrated a sensor developed by CRIIS into a robotic arm to automate the sampling of this spectral information. Our goal is to map the wine-growing areas with high precision to promote a more thorough control in the management of cultural practices, i.e., irrigation and pruning, thus ensuring a more efficient management of natural resources. 

Regarding the SpecTOM project, we have further expanded the frontiers of technology application. We use optical sensors for early detection of bacteria in tomato leaves and for a detailed study of the internal tissues of the grapes. Under the leadership of Rui Martins, our team developed a patent stemming from our work. The SpecTOM project provided a new insight into the phenotyping of crops, allowing us to prevent the development of pathogens at an earlier stage, and obtain accurate data on the maturation of the different grape tissues. In addition, we closely monitor how edaphoclimatic properties influence grape ripeness, which in turn allows us to manage cultural practices more effectively, including pruning, watering and harvesting. 

As to the Omicbots project, which focuses on applying the outcomes of the previous projects, we collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to integrate multiomics, smart photonics, and robotics in systems biology, enabling the viticulture industry to incorporate advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) into cultivation systems. This process is vital to increase crop productivity and nutritional quality, ensuring efficient water use, and making crops more resilient in the face of changing environmental conditions – while accurately and efficiently monitoring biotic and abiotic stress. 

The projects I am involved in represent just the beginning of a new era in precision agriculture. While it is an ever-evolving area, it is vital to keep exploring and improving these techniques, ensuring they are viable and affordable for the agricultural industry. I strongly encourage young people to take an interest in this promising and challenging field as the demand for innovative and sustainable solutions will continue to grow. 

Looking ahead, I expect an even greater integration of cutting-edge technologies – advances in AI, nanotechnology, and biotechnology – in agriculture. These breakthrough innovations will allow us to tackle even more complex challenges like extreme climate change, resource scarcity, and growing demands for food. I firmly believe that agronomists will play a major role in this process, leading the implementation of sustainable practices and the application of cutting-edge technologies to ensure global food production and environmental balance. Like the aqueducts of the past, these technological advances will be remembered as crucial milestones in the history of agriculture and the development of humanity.