Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 260-269 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 265 5.3 Decision support systems for farm management Decision Support Systems (DSS) are integral to modern farm management, providing farmers with actionable insights derived from data analytics. These systems utilize sensor-based tools to assess crop health and optimize irrigation and nutrient management. For instance, sensor-based precision nutrient and irrigation management has been shown to enhance physiological performance, water productivity, and yield in soybean crops. The integration of DSS with precision agriculture practices can lead to significant improvements in crop productivity and resource-use efficiency (Sachin et al., 2023a). 5.4 Integration of weather forecasting and precision techniques Integrating weather forecasting with precision agriculture techniques can significantly enhance yield prediction and farm management. Deep learning models that incorporate time-series weather data, such as the 3D-ResNet-BiLSTM model, have demonstrated superior performance in predicting soybean yields at the county level. These models leverage detailed remote sensing imagery and weather data to provide accurate yield predictions, supporting sustainable agriculture and food security (Fathi et al., 2023). Additionally, the use of weather variables in ML models, such as LSTM networks, has been shown to outperform traditional methods in predicting crop yields, offering valuable insights for plant breeders and farmers (Shook et al., 2020). The integration of big data, machine learning, and decision support systems in precision agriculture offers significant potential for improving soybean yield predictions and farm management practices. By leveraging advanced data analytics and AI techniques, farmers can make more informed decisions, optimize resource use, and enhance crop productivity. The incorporation of weather forecasting further strengthens these models, providing a comprehensive approach to sustainable agriculture (Eugenio et al., 2020; Teodoro et al., 2021). 6 Economic and Environmental Impacts 6.1 Cost-benefit analysis of precision agriculture for soybeans Precision agriculture (PA) techniques have shown significant potential in improving the economic viability of soybean farming. Studies indicate that PA systems can sustain profitability over long periods. For instance, a long-term study in central Missouri demonstrated that a precision agriculture system (PAS) maintained profits in 97% of the field without subsidies for cover crops or payments for enhanced environmental protection (Yost et al., 2019). Additionally, the integration of sensor-based nutrient and irrigation management has been found to enhance water productivity and yield, leading to better economic water productivity and water-use efficiency (Sachin et al., 2023b). The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and multispectral imagery for yield prediction has also been shown to improve the accuracy of yield estimates, which can help farmers make more informed decisions and optimize their input costs (Eugenio et al., 2020; Ren et al., 2023). 6.2 Environmental benefits: reducing input use and environmental footprint Precision agriculture techniques contribute significantly to reducing the environmental footprint of soybean farming. By optimizing the use of inputs such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, PA practices help in minimizing waste and environmental degradation. For example, the adoption of sensor-based irrigation and nutrient management systems has been shown to improve water productivity and reduce canopy temperature, which in turn enhances the physiological performance of soybean crops (Sachin et al., 2023a). Moreover, the use of UAVs and NDVI techniques in small Mediterranean farms has demonstrated ecological benefits by reducing the use of water and fertilizers, thus promoting sustainable agriculture (Loures et al., 2020). The implementation of PAS, which includes practices like no-till farming and cover cropping, has also been effective in addressing environmental concerns while maintaining crop yields (Yost et al., 2017; Yost et al., 2019). 6.3 Potential for sustainable soybean farming practices The potential for sustainable soybean farming practices is greatly enhanced by the adoption of precision agriculture techniques. These practices not only improve yield stability and resilience to changing climate conditions but also promote sustainable resource use. For instance, the use of site-specific nutrient management and variable-rate technology (VRT) has been shown to optimize seeding rates and improve yield outcomes (Smidt
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