Research in my group aims to develop integrated precision agricultural management systems for food security and sustainable development.  We use a combination of field measurements, active canopy sensors, UAV and satellite remote sensing, crop growth modeling and other new technologies to develop innovative solutions to improve agricultural resource management and protect the environment.

Education

• PhD, University of Minnesota - 2005

Currently Teaching Courses

• SOIL 3416: Plant Nutrients in the Environment
• SOIL 4111: Introduction to Precision Agriculture
• LAAS 5416: Precision Agriculture and Nutrient Management

Selected Publications

• Cao, Q, Y Miao*, G Feng, X Gao, B Liu, Y Liu, F Li, R Khosla, DJ Mulla, F. Zhang. 2017. Improving nitrogen use efficiency with minimal environmental risks using an active canopy sensor in a wheat-maize cropping system. Field Crops Research 214:365-372.
• Lu, J,  Y Miao*, W Shi, J Li, F Yuan. 2017. Evaluating different approaches to non-destructive nitrogen status diagnosis of rice using portable RapidSCAN active canopy sensor.  Scientific Reports 7(1): 14073
• Cao, Q, Y Miao*, F Li, X Gao, B Liu, D Lu, X Chen. 2017. Developing a new Crop Circle active canopy sensor-based precision nitrogen management strategy for winter wheat in North China Plain. Precision Agriculture 18(1):2-18.
• Zhang, W, G Cao, X Li, H Zhang, C Wang, Q Liu, X Chen, Z Cui, J Shen, R Jiang, G Mi, Y Miao, F Zhang, Z Dou. 2016. Closing yield gaps in China by empowering smallholder farmers. Nature 537: 671-674.
• Xia, T, Y Miao*, D Wu, H Shao, R Khosla, G Mi. 2016. Active optical sensing of spring maize for in-season diagnosis of nitrogen status based on nitrogen nutrition index. Remote Sensing 8(7): 605.
• Huang, S, Y Miao*, G Zhao, F Yuan, X Ma, C Tan, W Yu, M L Gnyp, V IS Lenz-Wiedemann, U Rascher, G Bareth. 2015. Satellite Remote Sensing-Based In-Season Diagnosis of Rice Nitrogen Status in Northeast China. Remote Sensing 7(8):10646-10667.
• Cao,Q, Y Miao*, G Feng, X Gao, F Li, B Liu, S Yue, S Cheng, SL Ustin, R Khosla. 2015. Active canopy sensing of winter wheat nitrogen status: An evaluation of two sensor systems. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 112:54-67.
• Gnyp,ML, Y Miao*, F Yuan, SL Ustin, K Yu, Y Yao, S Huang, G Bareth. 2014. Hyperspectral canopy sensing of paddy rice aboveground biomass at different growth stages. Field Crops Research 155:42-55.
• Zhao,G, Y Miao*, H Wang, M Su, M Fan, F Zhang, R Jiang, Z Zhang, C Liu, P Liu, D Ma. 2013. A preliminary precision rice management system for increasing both grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Field Crops Research 154: 23-30.
• Yu, K, F Li, ML Gnyp, Y Miao, G Bareth, X Chen.2013. Remotely detecting canopy nitrogen concentration and uptake of paddy rice in the Northeast China Plain. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 78:102-115.
• Koppe, W,  ML Gnyp, C Hütt, Y Yao, Y Miao, X Chen, G Bareth. 2013. Rice monitoring with multi-temporal and dual-polarimetric TerraSAR-X data. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 21: 568-576.
• Shen,J, Z Cui, Y Miao, G Mi, H Zhang, M Fan, C Zhang, R Jiang, W Zhang,H Li, X Chen, X Li,  F Zhang. 2013. Transforming agriculture in China: From solely high yield to both high yield and high resource use efficiency. Global Food Security 2(1): 1-8.
• Yao, Y, Y Miao*, S Huang, L Gao, X Ma, G Zhao, R Jiang, X Chen, F Zhang, K Yu, ML Gnyp, G Bareth, C Liu, L Zhao, W Yang, H Zhu. 2012. Active canopy sensor-based precision N management strategy for rice. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 32(4):925-933.
• Cao, Q,  Z Cui, X Chen, R Khosla, TH Dao, Y Miao*. 2012. Quantifying spatial variability of indigenous nitrogen supply for precision nitrogen management in small scale farming. Precision Agriculture 13(1):45-61.
• Dao, TH, YX Miao, FS Zhang. 2011. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry-based approach to precision management of bioavailable phosphorus in soil environments. Journal of Soils and Sediments 11(4):577.
• Miao,Y,  BA Stewart, F Zhang. 2011. Long-term experiments for sustainable nutrient management in China. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 31(4):397-414.
• Miao,Y,  DJ Mulla, GW Randall, JA Vetsch, R Vintila. 2009. Combining chlorophyll meter readings and high spatial resolution remote sensing images for in-season site-specific nitrogen management of corn. Precision Agriculture 10(1):45-62.
• Miao, Y, DJ Mulla, JA Hernandez, M Wiebers, PC Robert. 2007. Potential impact of precision nitrogen management on corn yield, protein content, and test weight. Soil Science Society of America Journal 71(5):1490-1499.
• Miao, Y,  DJ Mulla, WD Batchelor, JO Paz, PC Robert, M Wiebers. 2006. Evaluating management zone optimal nitrogen rates with a crop growth model. Agronomy Journal 98 (3):545-553.
• Miao,Y,  DJ Mulla, PC Robert. 2006. Identifying important factors influencing corn yield and grain quality variability using artificial neural networks. Precision Agriculture 7(2):117-135.
• Miao,Y,  DJ Mulla, PC Robert. 2006. Spatial variability of soil properties, corn quality and yield in two Illinois, USA fields: implications for precision corn management. Precision Agriculture 7(1):5-20.