Dr. John Sulik creates low-cost corn-counting GIS solution that beats AI

A Canadian seed company will implement the technology, which was developed at U of G with support from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

The new geographic information system (GIS) technique for counting plants in corn test plots uses drone images. It represents a novel use of existing technology that could replace traditional manual counting and more expensive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) options.

Canadian seed company Maizex will implement the new technology this summer. With an accurate and efficient count, Maizex can make informed decisions about when to replant research trials, and to evaluate the robustness and overall effectiveness of new corn varieties.

If implemented at scale, the program would save tens of thousands of dollars each year.

This research was undertaken thanks in part to funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, with support from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph.

Read the Food from Thought case study: Efficient Low-cost GIS Solution Beats Out AI to Count Corn Plants.