By Blake Jackson
Researchers at Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) are combining traditional crop science with advanced drone technology to improve quinoa production and help farmers make more efficient decisions about water and fertilizer use.
The work is part of an ongoing effort to expand domestic quinoa production, a crop that is in high demand but is still largely imported from South America.
“Our goal is to help farmers by developing the tools and management practices they need to grow quinoa successfully here,” said Addissu Ayele, Ph.D., assistant professor of plant physiology and a member of LU’s quinoa research program.
“Most of the quinoa consumed in the U.S. is still imported from South America. The demand is high, but domestic production is low,” Ayele added.
Since beginning quinoa research in 2016, LU has evaluated different varieties and production practices suited to Midwestern growing conditions. The work received additional support through a nearly $600,000 USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant awarded in 2025.
“Our project is integrating drone technology, GIS and crop physiology to improve nutrient management and crop productivity,” said Ayele.
At LU’s George Washington Carver Farm, researchers are testing various irrigation and fertilizer treatments involving nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to determine how these inputs influence crop growth, yield, and seed quality.
To monitor crop performance, drones equipped with LiDAR, multispectral, and hyperspectral sensors collect data throughout the growing season.
"With LiDAR, we can collect data across the whole experimental field in about 10 to 15 minutes and then generate plant height measurements for the entire area," said Xukai Zhang, Ph.D., assistant professor of geospatial technology and co-principal investigator on the project. "If you do field sampling, you can only sample specific plants."
The collected information is converted into geospatial maps that help researchers identify variations in plant health, nutrient availability, and field conditions. These insights can reduce unnecessary fertilizer applications and improve resource efficiency.
Previous research conducted by graduate student Fatema Tuj Johora found that moderate irrigation combined with intermediate nitrogen rates produced strong results while using resources more efficiently.
“The interesting part was it actually fit together,” Johora said. “Combining physiological and aerial data actually helped us to find the best possible combination of irrigation and nitrogen.”
As the project continues through 2028, researchers hope to develop precise recommendations for quinoa production in Missouri. “Drone technology enables precision management of quinoa by helping us optimize water and nutrient use, increase crop productivity and reduce production costs,” Ayele said. “This is one of the technologies that could help support U.S. agriculture and food security.”
Photo Credit: lynne-holsapple
Categories: Missouri, Education