Bark beetles, such as the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) and the six-toothed spruce bark beetle (Pityogenes chalcographus L.), cause extreme economic and environmental damage in forests, especially in areas dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.). Fast detection and containment of bark beetle outbreaks are crucial in the battle against bark beetles, but unfortunately, the infestation detection system in Slovenia is somewhat outdated. As part of a research project, an experiment was conducted using a drone and a multispectral camera to search for bark beetle infestations. The experiment covered a forested area of 21.02 hectares, which was surveyed by the drone to capture images with the multispectral camera. By processing the collected data, an orthomosaic and NDVI index were created. Based on the analysis of the NDVI index, potential locations of bark beetle infestations were identified. The actual conditions in nature were verified through physical inspection of the area. The results of the experiment revealed that in all three areas where bark beetle infestations were predicted, Norway spruce trees showed signs of attack by the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle were present.

The spraying of plant protection products (hereafter PPPs) in orchards is widespread as it is considered a powerful and effective approach to treat the plants in order to achieve high yields and better crop quality. However, despite some benefits that PPPs bring, such as increased economic potential in terms of increased food production, they can also have serious health consequences for people and possible negative effects on the environment. This paper describes an approach to reduce the use of PPPs but preserve the same effect, which is possible with precise localization of the spraying system and accurate estimation of the plat canopy properties. The presented system works on the principle of electromagnetic valve triggering control, which has been upgraded and tested in the framework of the TRANSFARM 4.0 project (Interreg CE). The paper includes an evaluation of the system in a cherry orchard. The obtained data was processed with the help of the IBM SPSS Statistics package, where descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, normal distribution analysis, and non-parametric statistical hypothesis test (The Wilcoxon signed-rank test) were calculated. The trial performed in cherry orchard show that the adaptive system brings a statistically significant saving of PPPs in range of 30%. It has been shown that the opening and closing of the valves is consistent with the coverage at the points where the leaf mass is present or absent. The system has proven to a very reliable and efficient way of precise application of PPPs and represents an important step towards more precision and reduced environmental impact.

In the presented study the efficiency methods of weed control in the vineyard under 'Sauvignon' vines were investigated. The purpose of the experiment was to test mechanical systems for controlling weeds in the vineyard with the aim of reducing the use of glyphosate in viticulture. The aim was also finding the most effective weed control combination and compared it with fuel consumption and carbon footprint. The experiment took place at vineyard producer Mr. Vinko Serbinek, Svecina. Interexport d.o.o. lent Tractor Fendt 211 F Vario (82 kW) with the mechanical systems of a manufacturer Braun Machinenbau GmbH. Mechanical systems included a grass cutter ('Lama') and a combination of a rotating star hoe (roll hoe, RH) and a vine trunk cleaner (finger hoe, FH). Processing time and the current fuel consumption during work in l/h while driving up and down of the slope was measured. At the end of the row in the vineyard, the tractor records the average consumption in l/h and calculates the total amount of fuel used in l/ha. Footprint and CO2 emissions was calculated with the help of the program SPI on Web. Statistical analysis was made for calculation between the evaluated parameters of fuel consumption and a processing time. Mechanical treatments resulted in lower weed cover, when using a grass cutter ('Lama') and a combination of rotary hoe + finger hoe. A grass cutter ('Lama') was found to be less efficient in comparison with a combination of rotary hoe (RH) and finger hoe (FH), but on the other hand it has lover footprint. Fuel consumption is slightly lower when using 'Lama'. The measurements and the data suggest that a combination of rotary hoe and finger hoe for weed control in the vineyard could be recommended.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the alternative methods of weed control in the vineyard under 'Sauvignon' vines to reduce ecological footprint in vineyard production. Weed control was performed at the experimental site with the mechanical weed control under vines with a grass cutter, a rotating star hoe (roll hoe) and a vine trunk cleaner, while at the same time additional mulching was carried out in the belts between the rows. The ecological footprint of each production operation was estimated by including environmental impacts related to fossil-C (kg CO2/hm2 ), air, water, soil, nonrenewable, renewable, and area resources. While carrying out the mechanical control, we analysed the weed coverage, grape yield and yield loss. Grape yield was highest for weedfree control plots, followed by plots where ploughshare was used. Yield loss was lowest when using ploughshare. In addition to the weed-free plot, weed coverage was lowest when glyphosate was used. The maximum amount of CO2 is released while using rotating star hoe. At the grass cutter and vine trunk cleaner less CO2 was released. The same is with global warming potential (GWP).

In the process of applying the plant protection product mixed with water (spray mixture) with conventional Air Blast Sprayers to the grapevine in the prescribed concentration for chemical protection, standard models are used to express plant protection product dosage rate, which are not taken into account characteristic properties of the green leaf wall area of the grapevine. The result of such models is uncontrolled amount of the spray mixture through individual nozzles to the leaf wall area. In the research work, we present an automated modular system, which enables controlled spray mixture dosage rate through the nozzles onto different segments of the leaf wall area and was tested in May 2022. An automated axial Air Blast Sprayer prototype was equipped with an automated modular system, which enabled pulse width control of the spray mixture. The autonomous (continuous duty cycle control (DC: from 0 to 100%) and conventional (nozzle fully open all the time) operation mode was tested at a constant Air Blast Sprayer operating travel speed of 5.5 km h(-1). The amount of spray mixture, expressed as a percentage between autonomous and conventional Air Blast Sprayer operation mode was evaluated. The maximum saving of spray mixture through an individual nozzle (68.00 %) was estimated in the phenological phase BBCH 16.

: Precision agriculture (PA) through the use and utilization of innovative technologies is a concept in agricultural management that enables long-term efficiency gains, control of unforeseen changes, and a reduction of negative impacts on the environment. However, there are even more reasons and benefits to using precision agriculture technologies (PATs) on farms, but the actual use on small farms is often questionable. The main objective of this research was to evaluate and analyze the current state of PA and its potential on a set of small farms. In addition, a comparison was made between small farms located in less favored areas (LFAs) and more favored areas (MFAs) to find if specific characteristics of the surrounding environment affect the (non-) implementation of these technologies by farm owners, with respect to the given regional possibilities. The result shows that 57.5% of respondents on these farms have never implemented PATs before and 20% are beginners in their respective fields. It was found that there were no statistically significant differences in the integration between fewer LFAs and MFAs technologies and their use in this study. The majority of respondents believe that the main changes need to occur on the level of politics. The results show that the level of cost or initial investment is the main reason and the main obstacle in the implementation of PATs on the surveyed farms.

In the presented study we investigated alternative methods of weed control in the vineyard under 'Sauvignon' vines and compared them with conventional herbicides. Weed control was performed at the experimental site with the following treatments: 1) conventional chemical control using herbicide glyphosate and herbicide flumioxazine (pre- and post-em.) in two different dosages; 2) alternative chemical control based on pelargonic acid, citrus essential oil, vinegar and 3) weed control by flame burning. In addition, 4) mechanical weed control under vines was carried out with a grass cutter (llama), a rotating star hoe (roll hoe) and a vine trunk cleaner, while at the same time additional mulching was carried out in the belts between the rows. While carrying out the chemical and mechanical control, we analysed the weed coverage, grape yield, yield loss, total soluble sugars and titratable acids. Pearson's correlations coefficient was calculated between the evaluated parameters and the results showed moderate negative correlations between weed coverage and grape yield, whereas the correlations between weed coverage and yield loss were significantly positive. Grape yield was highest for weed-free control plots, followed by plots where ploughshare llama and glyphosate were used. Yield loss was lowest when using ploughshare llama and burning, while the highest loss was observed when using fluomixazine regardless of concentration. In addition to the weed-free plot, weed coverage was lowest when glyphosate was used. Among the alternative chemical treatments, pelargonic acid was most effective, while mechanical treatments resulted in significantly lower weed cover with llama ploughshare and rotary hoe.

Precision agriculture (PA) technologies (PATs) represent tools and strategies that help to use resources more efficiently, reduce costs, increase sustainability and improve the accuracy of work on farms. Rapid technological progress in agriculture has contributed to the increase of PATs implementation worldwide, including Central Europe. A survey questionnaire was conducted in this research, where 236 farmers responded. The study's main objective is to compare the state and use of advanced technologies in agriculture in 4 different countries and determine where Slovenia stands. The structures of the independent variables in the country surveys were determent to be very similar. The results show that, on average, 40% of all respondents in all surveyed countries do not yet use PATs on their farms but want to in the near future. In all research countries, the highest percentage of respondents answered that the inhibitory factor "initial investment" has the greatest impact on inhibiting the use of these technologies. In general, all respondents consider PA tools to be important for daily use on the farm. The respondents believe that most of the possible data that can be obtained with the PATs are important and would be useful for them. Although farms in Slovenia have some specific demographic and regional specifics, the survey shows that these do not significantly stand out from other countries' average results. The surveyed countries have different characteristics and structures of agriculture, but the results are still comparable. The diversity of farm structure in Europe is a major problem in developing appropriate guidelines for the successful development of precision agriculture. With a lot of cooperation and research, the future development of PA is positive, many upgrades and developments can be expected.

In the future, the reduction of the plant protection product dosage (spray mixture) in a prescribed concentration will be possible only by precise sensing the natural characteristics of the tree canopy and 3D reconstruction. In practical experiment in the orchard, the tree crown of apple trees ('Golden Delicious' and 'Gala') were evaluated on different tree canopy segments. The results of LIDAR measurements and the application of our own algorithm were compared with manual measurements of the tree crown. By using regression analysis, the relationship between digitally detected point of clouds and the leaf areas showed the correlation coefficient r = 0.91 for the left half and r = 0.86 for the right half of the 'Golden Delicious' tree crown and r = 0.73 for the left half and r = 0.72 for the right half of the 'Gala' tree crown, respectively

Dosage rate reduction of plant protection products, mixed with water (spray mixture) in a prescribed concentration in vineyards will be possible in the future, only by taking into account the natural properties of vine canopies (green leaf wall area). In a practical experiment in a vineyard, we evaluated the green leaf wall area grape variety ("Yellow Muscat") on different segments on the left and right row of the vine canopy. We compared the results of manual measurements and laser measuring technology (LIDAR) with the corresponding algorithm, with which we enabled the digital reconstruction of the green leaf wall area of the vine. Using the regression method, we estimated the relationship between the dependent variable (digital number of points in the cloud) and an independent variable (green leaf wall area, manually measured). An analysis of four randomly selected vines in the vineyard showed that the maximum value of the correlation coefficient is r = 0.78 for the left row and r = 0.79 for the right row of the green leafwall area of the vine.

Various remote sensing systems are used to monitor the condition of rapeseed plants from sowing to harvest. The possibilities of using drones to determine the NDVI index were studied. In the experimental field, three flights during the oilseed rape growing season were performed on the property of Jeruzalem SAT d.d. at GERK Lopersice levo, which is 18.4 ha in size and is located between Ormoz and Sredisce ob Dravi. We used Phantom 4 drone in combination with Sequoia + multispectral camera to capture photographs, which were processed using PIX4D Fields software. Photographs were combined into an orthomosaic. The values of the NDVI index were determined. Measurements confirmed the conclusions of other studies. The values obtained from the drone images were compared with the images from the Landsat-8 satellite. Our drone shots are much better and more convenient. The images are important for targeted selective fertilization and application of reduced amounts of phytopharmacy protection products. Savings and contribution to environmental protection are very important.

The purpose of the research is to build an experimental reactor to study and optimize the production of biogas and its composition from energy crops and other materials of organic origin. An experimental reactor in a biogas plant was constructed for the anaerobic digestion of various substrates. With the experimental reactor, anaerobic digestion can be performed with the basic substrate of pig manure and in different compositions of the substrate. The substrate can be assembled in various combinations of energy crops. The method of construction of the experimental reactor was based on the standard method DIN 38 414, also with the mentioned method we produce biogas under normal conditions from various substrates. The process also determines the quality of biogas or methane content. The built biogas reactor is a reduced version of the economic reactor and serves to optimize the production of biogas in economic conditions.

The fourth industrial revolution, which has begun couple of years ago, covers not only "smart" and interconnected machines and systems.It also coincides with further discoveries in various areas, from determining the genome sequence to nanotechnology and from renewable sources to quantum computing.The correlation between these technologies and their interaction in the physical, digital and biological field is what makes the fourth industrial revolution significantly different from the previous ones.The events should be faster, more extensive and radical, which will require the transformation of entire systems through (and within) countries, businesses, industries and society as a whole.We are already talking about switching from financing innovative projects to Comprehensive Innovation Ecosystems (AKIS).The paper describes some important research work from the field of automatization and digitalization of Slovenian agriculture.

The concept of precision farming is wide, and it represents the efficiency which is achieved with the help of precision. For the navigation of field machines, the RTK (Real Time Kinematic) navigation is needed. In order to verify the positive effects in practice, RTK navigation system equipped with Fentd 828 was applied to test the width of overlap, and fuel and time that could be saved compared with manual driving. The experiment was conducted on two areas of land size of 172 m × 58 m with two working machines width 3 m and 6 m. Results indicated that 15.7% of the time and 8.66% of the fuel were saved on a working machine of 3 meters width, and 12.6% of the time and 8.28% of the fuel were saved on a working machine of 6 m width. The width of the overlap represent 10% of the working width of the machine, and with the method of turning, which RTK navigation allows, additional time was saved. Ecological footprint, CO2 emissions and global warming potential (GWP) was estimated under different guiding systems. The largest footprint was related to manual tillage with 3 m width working machine, while estimation on CO2 (kg) emissions and GWP obtained the same result. The use of precision agriculture technologies allows better planning and analyzing of working procedures. The air, water and soil pollution are less intensive.

Production potential of Corn salad (Valerianella locusta) and Radicchio (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum Radicchio Group) were studied for a 'baby leaf' young cutting leaves. Research took place in experimental plastic greenhouses, at the University Agricultural Center in Pivola. That is part of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Maribor. Baby leaf-young leaves are used in various salads and in the preparation of a wide variety of dishes. In the good technological conditions young leaves could grow very fast. Experimental treatments included sowing in a plateau of polystyrene with 160 holes. We tested 1 or 2 seeds per hole. Half of the experiment was fertilized with water-soluble fertilizer Rosasol N20: K20: P20, on the other half we used only water. Two different types of Klasmann substrates, tray substrate and bio potgrund were used. We weighed (g) the Radicchio yield 21st day after sowing. On the 30th day after sowing we weighed the Corn salad. Crops in the non-fertilized variant are, as was expected, lower, and the quality of the plants is lower. The higher yield was detected in a tray substrate. It is necessary to make a calculation if the additional yield in two seeds per hole covers the costs of the seeds and the costs of additional work with sowing. High density of the plants causes the greater possibility of fungal diseases, competition for light and nutrition. In this work we present the crop yield, technology that was used and overall conditions.

The aim of this paper is to compare results obtained via the well-known regression method ordinary least squares (OLS) and the alternative regression method called multiple model regression estimation (MM-estimation). This is motivated by the fact that exceptional crop yield observations (outliers and leverage points) can cause misleading results if least squares regression is applied. The paper demonstrates that in this case, robust regression is a more appropriate approach, with higher adjusted R-squared value. With both methods, several models have been proposed for predicting the production of biogas where various explanatory variables have been considered, such as the parameters of Weende analysis, C/N ratio, pH value, and the value of volatile fatty acids. Anaerobic digestion was carried out with a basic substrate of pig slurry and with different combinations of co-substrates, where co-substrate maize (main crop), maize (stubble crop), triticale (main crop), sorghum (main crop), a mixture of plants for biomass production (main crop), and grain maize (grain at the wax ripeness stage) were used. To optimize the anaerobic process of fermentation of substrate with co-substrate, the experimental reactor of the Nemscak biogas plant was applied. The average yield of biogas ranged from 384 Nl/kg VS to 635 Nl/kg. The resulting models revealed that crude protein (XP), starch (XS), nitrogen-free extracts (NFE), C/N ratio, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and pH value were the most important predictors affecting biogas production from different substrates. These models are helpful tools in optimising and predicting biogas production from energy crops.

In the experimental plastic greenhouses at the university agricultural center in Pivola on The Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences Maribor we tested lettuce cultivar 'ljubljanska ledenka' for a 'baby leaf' production. 'Baby leaf' is often used as an attractive gourmet salad mix. Leaves are fast growing and it can be picked up at almost any growing stage. Treatments included sowing in a plateau of polystyrene with 160 holes with 1 or 2 seeds per hole. Half of the experiment was fertilized with water-soluble fertilizer Rosasol 20:20:20, on the other half we used only water. Two different types of Klasmann substrates, tray substrate and bio potgrund were used. We weighed (g) the yield in one hole on the 21st and 28th day after sowing. Crops in the non-fertilized variant (especially in the case of two seeds per hole) are, as was expected, too low, and the quality of the plants does not reach the market quality. On the 21st day after sowing the higher yield was detected at a tray substrate. The role between substrates is turned on the 28th day. For the fertilized variant it is necessary to make a calculation if the additional yield in two seeds per hole covers the costs of the seeds. Competition between plants will be greater for a light and nutrients on a limited growing area. High density of the plants causes the greater possibility of fungal diseases. In this paper will be presented one prototype machine for cutting lettuce leaves, which was made from a band saw. Another variant is to make a saw that moves on a mobile table in a greenhouse and simultaneously cuts young salad leaves. In this case, it is not necessary to move plateau with planted salad from the tables to the cutting machine.

The concept of precision farming is wide, and it represent the efficiency which is achieved with the help of precision. For the navigation of field machines the RTK (Real Time Kinematic) navigation is needed. In order to verify the positive effects in practice, we used tractor Fentd 828, which was equipped with the RTK navigation system. We compared how much fuel and time we save, and the width of overlap using manual driving. The experiment was conducted on two areas of land size of 172 x 58 meters, and the two working machines wide 3 and 6 meters. When the experiment was done, we saved 15,7% of the time and 8,66 % of the fuel on a working machine of 3 meters wide, and 12,6 % of the time and 8,28% of the fuel on a working machine of 6 meters wide. The width of the overlap represent 10% of the working width of the machine, and with the method of turning, which RTK navigation allows, we save additional time. The use of precision agriculture technologies allows us to better plan and analyze the working procedures.

We researched the impact of different soil tillage of rapeseed production on the environment. Our main goals were to determine the ecological footprint (SPI), emissions of carbon dioxide and amount of global warming potential (GWP) in the comparison of three different types of tillage: conventional, conservational and direct sowing. The purpose of the research was to determine which method of rapeseed production is the most appropriate from environmental and from economic aspect. We determined that conventional tillage has a maximum footprint of 41.7 gha, followed by conversational tillage with 37.6 gha. Direct sowing with footprint of 36.6 gha brought the least burden on the environment. Comparison of the emissions of carbon dioxide per one unit of yield showed that the amount is the same in conventional tillage and direct sowing (0.46 kg/unit), and smaller in the conversational tillage (0.34 kg/unit). When we compared GWP per unit of produced rapeseed we determined that conventional tillage had the biggest value (4.17 kg/unit), followed by direct sowing (1.94 kg/unit) and conversational tillage (1.59 kg/unit). Comparison of SPI showed that the biggest amount comes when using direct sowing (133.56 m(2)/unit), followed by a bit smaller SPI in conventional tillage (126 m(2) /unit) and with the conversation tillage (97.58 m(2)/unit) at the end. We conclude that the conversational tillage is the most appropriate in rape production.