With accurate field navigation controlled by row end posts it will be possible to
service SCAF fields by keeping rolling injectors in the channels
between the rows with the
work done entirely by tractor robots. This will be less
expensive at the beginning of carbon dioxide supplementation, but once
the concept is profitable it will be advantageous to install permanent
underground systems as they place the gas or water directly under the
plants at lower servicing cost.
Weeds and pests can better be controlled with gas
and water injection under the plants as this keeps the row areas
between dry and unfertilized. But, equipment working between the
rows can be made inexpensively to get the concept in the fields.
Of necessity it will use more CO2 as the areas between the plants will have to be saturated with the gas in order to insure diffusion to the plants.
In
the case of recovering soils we will need to plow and treat
the entire field once for
carbon amending. Where carbon does not migrate or diffuse we
cannot achive amending without full deep plowing. Once settled
the field can be set up for robot farming with stakes or whatever
positioning technology is available.
