A Web application was developed to estimate the effects of climate change on agriculture. We chose the northeast and north of Thailand as the target areas of this application, although most countries in the Asian monsoon region are agricultural areas. Northeastern Thailand is a rainfed farming area where rice and drought-tolerant crops are cultivated. Northern Thailand is a mountainous area where several types of vegetables are cultivated. The application identifies and recommends crops that can be grown based on the simulation results of a crop model DSSAT. The DSSAT was executed 365 times; the start date was moved forward one day each time. The effects of climate change were estimated by inputting meteorological data that reflects the influence of climate change. The most favorable start date and the yield are summarized and displayed as output. Application of this system to grid meteorological data required the shortening of execution time and handling a huge volume of data. These problems were solved using multithreading, StAX and Hadoop. The Web application with witch output data were presented was designed based on the assumption that it would be used by a farmer in the field with a 7-inch tablet.

The data observed by a FieldServer is output by one XML file per day. The list of image files taken by a FieldServer is output by one HTML file in which an array of image file names of JavaScript for showing images as animation is written per day. Therefore, it was difficult to process data and images as long-term sequential data. We developed the preprocessor program for solving this problem, and developed the data and image viewer for a FieldServer using preprocessor's result. The preprocessor program uses SAX to analyze a lot of XML files. SAX has merits of less memory consumption and higher speed processing compared with using DOM. We developed two viewer programs, Java Applet version and Java Servlet version. The former is easy to develop, but it takes several seconds to start up. The latter has a restriction in operability, but it can be executed without Java plug-in on a Web browser

A research project, “Climatic Changes and the Evaluation of Their Effects on Agriculture in the Asian Monsoon Region (CAAM)” is progressing. The purposes of this project are to improve the reliability of climate prediction, and to develop the necessary information platform to design adaptation and mitigation strategies in agriculture against the predicted climatic changes in the Asia monsoon region. Sixty percent or more of the world’s population lives in the Asia monsoon region, and the effects of the predicted climate changes on the region are expected to be quite serious, since most of the countries in the region are agrarian. Our team’s central goal is to elucidate the effects of climatic changes on major crops in the Asian monsoon region by constructing an evaluation system using meteorological data and crop models. In particular, we take charge of development of a system that can simulate the cultivation under various conditions (e.g., cultivar, weather, and management). We first surveyed the major crop models in Thailand to decide which crop model to adopt for the system. We found that the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) was applied to several crops in Thailand. Next, we developed a prototype system to optimize the double cropping of rice and cassava in Thailand. This system was implemented using the Java Agricultural Model Framework (JAMF), and includes rice and cassava module of the DSSAT. As the input data for the system, solar radiation, air temperature and precipitation of 0.05 degree grid data in northeastern Thailand were prepared. This data was generated from actual data using a space interpolation method developed by Japan’s National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences. Each crop model was executed 365 times while the transplanting date was moved by one day each time, and the maximum yield of each crop was saved in XML files and displayed on Google Earth. The results of this system cannot be discussed yet because there are no local field data to compare and to verify the results. The comparison and verification between the results and the observation data are tasks for the coming years. The field data will be prepared by the cooperating institutes.

フィールドサーバは，野外における情報収集，灌水等の制御，センサ等新デバイスの実験を行うためのセンサネットワーク用プラットフォームである．そのためには多機能かつ十分な拡張性を備えると同時に，機械作業や栽培ステージに応じて手軽に移設でき作業者等の安全性にも配慮したオールインワン化及びワンユニット化が必要とされる．また，半導体技術の進歩やCPU等LSIの世代交代にあわせてハードウェア及びファームウェアの更新と機能向上を迅速に行う必要がある．ところが，大量生産ができない段階では低コスト化と高機能化を両立させることは困難であり，しかもそのような初期段階においては低コストで高機能な試用機がないとアプリケーション開発ができず市場が拡大しないというジレンマがある．これらの問題を解決するための制作手法としてオープンソース・ハードウェアを用いる方法を考案し，オープンソースのフィールドサーバ（Open-FS）を開発した．さらに，Open-FSを用いて測定したデータを低コストに収集・閲覧・共有するための方法として，既存のクラウドサービス（Twitter等）とHTML5で記述した閲覧用ソフトウェアからなる“センサクラウド・システム”を提案し，試作及びインドと日本における長期現地実験によってその有効性を評価した．

The objective of this study was to compare two different rice simulation models--standalone (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer [DSSAT]) and web based (SImulation Model for RIce-Weather relations [SIMRIW])--with agrometeorological data and agronomic parameters for estimation of rice crop production in southern semi-arid tropics of India. Studies were carried out on the BPT5204 rice variety to evaluate two crop simulation models. Long-term experiments were conducted in a research farm of Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Hyderabad, India. Initially, the results were obtained using 4 years (1994-1997) of data with weather parameters from a local weather station to evaluate DSSAT simulated results with observed values. Linear regression models used for the purpose showed a close relationship between DSSAT and observed yield. Subsequently, yield comparisons were also carried out with SIMRIW and DSSAT, and validated with actual observed values. Realizing the correlation coefficient values of SIMRIW simulation values in acceptable limits, further rice experiments in monsoon (Kharif) and post-monsoon (Rabi) agricultural seasons (2009, 2010 and 2011) were carried out with a location-specific distributed sensor network system. These proximal systems help to simulate dry weight, leaf area index and potential yield by the Java based SIMRIW on a daily/weekly/monthly/seasonal basis. These dynamic parameters are useful to the farming community for necessary decision making in a ubiquitous manner. However, SIMRIW requires fine tuning for better results/decision making.

水稲生育予測モデルSIMRIWを利用した水稲栽培可能性予測ツールを開発した．このツールは，SIMRIWを全球に適用して，栽培可能地域，最適移植日，最大収量を地図上に表示するWebアプリケーションである．研究者向けのモデルであったSIMRIWを，政策決定者や農家向けの意思決定支援ツールとして利用できるようにした．すでにSIMRIWは作物モデル開発フレームワークを利用して，Webアプリケーションとして実装されていた．全球を対象としたシミュレーションにおいて，条件を変えて大量にモデルの繰り返し実行を行うための，モデル実行エンジンの改良が行われた．また，モデルの気象データ取得元であるMetBrokerが全球の1度グリッドの気象データを新たに扱えるようにした．栽培可能性は水稲生育モデルの移植日を365日間すべてで計算し，収量を得られるかで判定される．同時に8品種（ジャポニカ米5品種，インディカ米3品種），気候変動に対応したCO2濃度2パターンと気温加算値3パターンで計算を行った．モデルの計算結果はXML形式のファイルで記録され，Flash版やGoogle Earth版のデータビューワで閲覧できる．

MetBroker, virtually integrates meteorological data from different sources and access methods, was extended a web ontology (metbroker.owl) to provide flexible data retrieval at the primary stage, and then to utilize the OWL for data integration itself. As the first trial, we used MetBroker to integrate meteorological data part from the field sensing data by Field Servers, and found that we successfully integrate Field Server data with other meteorological data. We expected that we can integrate meteorological data from other field sensing data sources to MetBroker. But we found that there is no OWL for other data obtained from field sensing data and observation data. To solve this issue, we start the second trial integration, to identify the relationships between terms used in metadata, create an extended XML schema for data exchange based on existed standard. The details of our trials are described.

Architecture of sustainable, robust and scalable sensor networks is proposed. To monitor environmental condition and ecosystems for many years in open fields, Web-based Sensor network can be employed. Agents control them by using purely HTTP. Functions of the sensor nodes can be reduced as much as the agent can assist the sensor nodes. Applications for the sensor networks are distributed Web services. All devices in the sensor nodes are Web servers such as data acquisition Web-server card and IP camera, and they are connected by Ethernet. That is, all devices are only Web servers. Power supplies for all devices in the sensor nodes are controlled by the agent, which can restart the freezing devices automatically. The Web-based sensor networks were tested at many sites, and rationality of the proposed architecture was examined.

近年,GoogleマップやGoogle Earthの登場により,Web地図サービスの機能と利便性が著しく向上している.既存のデータには地点と結びつけられるものも多いため,マッシュアップと呼ばれる地図とデータを結びつけることによる相乗効果により,データの価値を向上させるWebアプリケーションが短期間に多数出現した.農業モデルにおいても地点と関連づけられたデータを扱うことが多く,ユーザによる地点選択操作や,データ表示のためのインタフェースとして地図が多用されている.筆者らはWeb上で実行可能な農業モデルを開発して公開しており,Googleマップ以前からChizuBrokerを利用した地図インタフェースを備えていた.しかし,ChizuBrokerの維持及び機能向上には人的コストがかかるため,Googleマップを利用した地図インタフェースの再実装を行い,実装と機能面においてChizuBrokerとGoogleマップの比較を行った.また,地図上で時系列データを表示したり,データの重ね合わせに利用したりするなど,GoogleマップやGoogle Earthの農業モデルやデータを統合するモデルベースの構成要素としての利用法を提示した.

Conventional Field Servers can only monitor environmental information such as air temperature and CO2 concentration. We developed real-time monitoring system to observe insects by using Field Severs. Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) was monitored by an insect counting system and a Field Server. The insect counting system employed a commercial home-use insect killer, in which a bar coated by pheromone attracting a specific insect is installed instead of a fluorescent light. Conventional Field Server has a camera equipped in its case. Casing of Field Server provides special functions of waterproof and cooling inside parts such as a Wi-Fi communication card. However, power consumption of camera is low and it works for only short time to capture an image every hour or a few minutes. Therefore only camera can be packed in water-proofed case. Combining the Web service developed for image surveillance system and the image monitoring system, we could reveal an unknown ecological phenomenon that what is predator of weed seeds on arable lands, and it was crickets (Teleogyllus emma).

Field Server is a kind of wireless sensor node based on Web server (HTTP) and Wi-Fi wireless-LAN. On 2001, The first Field Server was developed as a multifunctional sensor node to monitor environment and eco-systems. So far, functions of the Field Server have been extended to solve diverse problems mainly in agricultural fields. Since 2005, we have been investigating advanced Field Servers adapting also for urban areas. The advanced Field Servers (AFS) are equipped with remarkably new functions such as Wi-Fi mesh-network, multiple sensors, serial/USB interfaces, network streaming music and image projection. The distinctive functions are image monitoring such as high-resolution imaging, infra-red imaging and real-time pattern recognition. The AFSs are redesigned to be platform to mount these devices easily. The AFSs ubiquitously fixed in open fields such as streets, parks and gardens will be able to provide pedestrians and residents rich information services as stewards.

Nowadays, we can use several meteorological databases through the Internet. They are, however, heterogeneous in access methods, data formats, available items etc., so that clients applications are generally tightly linked to particular databases. This causes inefficiency in developing client applications. To solve this issue, we developed a data broker named MetBroker that provides client applications consistent accesses to such heterogeneous databases, hiding the heterogeneity and virtually integrating distributed databases. The basic idea was to provide a remote wrapper application to each database that translates the heterogeneity to a standardized format. This paper describes the basic functions of MetBroker and seamless integration of legacy weather database with sensor network by MetBroker

To achieve a smart sensor network with Web-based sensor nodes such as field servers, we propose a hierarchical agent system that manages sensor nodes autonomously and flexibly, and acts as an intelligent module of the sensor network. Our agent can treat Web applications in addition to sensor nodes and is a Web application itself; thus, it can control other agents hierarchically. This hierarchical structure provides the Web-based sensor network with high scalability and robustness. The leaf node of our agent system, called the field server agent box, is equipped with an agent system, a Web interface, a storage function, and data viewers. It can be used with Web-based sensor nodes at sites where an Internet connection is not available. In this study, we also examine the leaf node's scalability

農薬適正使用ナビゲーションシステム (農薬ナビ) の研究開発にもとづき, 農薬使用の事前判定・履歴記帳を携帯電話単独でインターネット接続せずに可能にするべく, NTTドコモの携帯電話FOMA端末上で作動するアプリケーション (iアプリ) として「農薬ナビ誤用防止君」 (以下, 誤用防止アプリ) を開発した. 全体的なアプリケーション構成はクライアント・サーバ型システムであり, クライアント側アプリケーションである誤用防止アプリと, 作物・品種, 農薬使用基準等のマスタデータと農薬使用履歴データを管理するサーバ側アプリケーション (以下, サーバアプリ) からなる. これにより, 個々の生産者が携帯電話上で使用する誤用防止アプリでは農薬使用の適正判定・履歴入力を行い, サーバアプリではマスタデータの送信および農薬使用履歴データの受信・表示を一括して行うことができる. 生産者が誤用防止アプリを利用するには, その栽培作物や使用農薬にあわせて, サーバアプリのデータベースにおけるマスタデータ, 特に農薬使用基準を事前に登録する必要がある.長野県JA長野八ヶ岳野辺山営農センターとその管内の野菜生産者5名の協力により, 本アプリケーションによる農薬使用の適正判定・履歴入力および履歴データ収集の評価試験を2005年6～10月に実施した. 営農センター職員からは, サーバアプリの農薬使用履歴表示機能について, 生産者および圃場作付け区画ごとの収穫可能日が事前に確認できる点でプラスの評価が得られた. 一方, 誤用防止アプリを使用した生産者からは, 利点を感じない旨の意見もあったが, 農薬使用に慣れていない者には有用かもしれないとの評価が得られた. 誤用防止アプリについては, 操作がやや面倒であることのほか, 収穫予定日が変更になる際に随時その修正を行う必要がある点が指摘された. また, 改良要望として, 区画や農薬の選択入力の際にそれぞれの収穫予定日や収穫前日数を表示すること, 農薬使用履歴の表示をより見やすくすること, 生産者ごとに使用農薬をマスタデータに登録することなどが挙げられた.

作物生育モデル・病害虫発生予測モデル開発には, 主要部であるモデルの計算部分以外に, データベースアクセスや, 結果表示画面のためのプログラム開発が必要であり, 全体の作業量のうち後者がほとんどを占めることも珍しくはない. いくつかのモデルをJavaで開発した経験から, モデル開発のためのフレームワークがあれば, モデル共通の機能部分のためのプログラミング作業を減らすことができ, モデルの計算部分の開発に集中することによる, 開発効率の向上が期待できる. 本研究で提案するフレームワークでは以下の機能が提供されている. モデルのデータとして日時や時系列データを扱うための機能. データ取得部のために様々なデータベースを統一的手法で扱えるようにするMetBrokerを利用したり, ユーザのテキストデータを処理したりするための機能. 結果データを表, グラフ, 地図で表示するためのGUIコンポーネント群などである. モデルが利用するデータを設定することにより, これらは自動的に利用できるようになる.例として, 葉いもち感染好適日推定モデルであるMetBLASTAMのプログラムを取り上げ, その行数 (コメント行を除く) を集計した. フレームワークを利用して新規に開発した行数は960行であった. それに対し, モデルが呼び出したフレームワークに含まれるプログラムの行数は17361行であった. 約17000行開発工程を省けた, またはプログラムの再利用が行われたとみなせ, 提案したフレームワークの有効性を示している.

We developed several plant growth models and disease forecasting models using Java. The programs shared by the models were packaged as Java interfaces and classes. These results increased not only productivity of model development, but also flexibility for improvement of programs and addition of new functions. The above knowledge was summarized as a framework for constructing agricultural models using Java.

We developed several plant growth models and disease forecasting models using Java. The programs shared by the models were packaged as Java interfaces and classes. These results increased not only productivity of model development, but also flexibility for improvement of programs and addition of new functions. The above knowledge was summarized as a framework for constructing agricultural models using Java.