QUESTIONS, METHODS, POSSIBILITIES
The program.
Current UC ANR research and development for Central Coast agricultural technology.
UC ANR · Field evaluation initiated in 2026
Smart lettuce thinning: precision, labor, and crop performance
Evaluating edge AI-powered laser and spray technologies to remove doubles, reduce hand labor, and improve lettuce establishment.
UC ANR · Swath study completed; canopy study in progress
Optimizing drone spray performance for leafy greens
Connecting application settings, weather, and canopy measurements to understand drone spray coverage and uniformity.
UC ANR · Research and evaluation underway
Biological products for nitrogen-efficient leafy greens
Testing whether biological inputs can maintain lettuce yield and quality under reduced nitrogen fertility—and deliver an economic return.
UC ANR · Prototype development and research
AI-enabled CropManage: easier decisions, stronger models
Developing conversational access, hybrid predictive models, and field validation to support irrigation and nitrogen management.