Precision Agricultural Systems: A Model of Integrative Science and Technology.

In the world of science research, long gone are the days when investigations are done in isolation.  More often than not, science funding starts with one or more well-defined challenges or problems, judged by society as high-priority and needing immediate attention. As such, problems are not defined through a specific scientific discipline. Problems emerge out of complex interactions between humans and the environment, expressed at all types of temporal and spatial scales. New and evolving organizations that recognize and respond to the need to integrate are positioned to contribute to humanity into the future. The science of precision agriculture and technologies is one that embraces multiple aspects of basic to applied crop and soil sciences.  As a system, precision agriculture principles encompass temporal and spatial assessment, diagnostics, targeting, mass balance, diversity, timing, automation, enhanced input efficiency, and promoting ecosystem function.  Importantly, precision agriculture relies on teams of diversely-trained individuals to evaluate the problem and develop solutions. Experience has shown that precision agriculture increases in value when problem definition, data collection and processing, and management actions integrate the knowledge and skills of engineering, earth, and biological sciences.  The new order of organization instituted by the American Society of Agronomy in 2011 better allows for the growth of integrated science centered on specific problems, such as often found with those working in precision agricultural systems.