LIDAR Solutions from the Compact Laser

I h e efficiency of US agricultural production has increased through the use of machinery, biotechnology, and chemicals so that one farmer is now able to feed 100 Americans. During this past decade, however, many people, including those in the agricultural industry, have felt that more attention must be directed toward the preservation of the environment. Because agricultural practices such as overuse of fertilizers create nonpointsource pollution of waterways and airways, we are developing new technologies, both physical and biological, to reduce the use of chemicals and conserve natural resources. Optical-sensor development, control systems, and machinery designs are addressing these issues to provide site-specific or spatially variable farming techniques. Opticalbased sensors used in agriculture represent one area in which stides are being made to analyze and improve our environment.