Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 4 July 1986:
Vol. 233. no. 4759, pp. 29 - 33
DOI: 10.1126/science.233.4759.29
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Comax: An Expert System for Cotton Crop Management

HAL LEMMON 1

1 Computer scientist for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

Expert systems are computer programs that perform at the level of human experts. One expert system, Comax, has been developed that acts as an expert in cotton crop management. The system has a knowledge base consisting of a sophisticated cotton plant simulation computer program, a set of "if-then" rules, and a computer program called an inference engine. Comax determines the best strategy for irrigating, applying fertilizer, and applying defoliants and cotton boll openers. Sensors in the cotton fields automatically report weather conditions to the system, and Comax reevaluates its recommendations daily. Comax was tested on a large farm and demonstrated excellent results in reducing the unit costs of production.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Artificial Intelligence and Natural Resource Management.
R. N. Coulson, R. N. COULSON, L. J. FOLSE, and D. K. LOH (1987)
Science 237, 262-267
   PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)