Recent advances in computer technology have made possible the application of a new technology: Expert Systems. Expert Systems are special computer software applications that are capable of carrying out reasoning and analysis functions in narrowly defined subject areas at proficiency levels approaching that of a human expert. The prime targets for the development of expert systems applications in agriculture are the narrowly defined subject areas which have experts available for solving problems. All commercial crop production systems in existence today are potential candidates for Expert Systems. These Expert Systems would take the form of integrated crop management decision aids which would encompass irrigation, cultivation, fertilization, herbicide application, and pesticide application. Additional subject areas of potential are plant pathology, salinity management, and crop breeding. Animal pathology, animal herd management, and other areas of expertise concerning animals are also candidates for Expert System development. The promise of Expert Systems is that once developed the Expert System can raise the performance of the average worker to the level of the expert.

The Crop Simulation Research Unit of the USDA Agricultural Research Service currently is developing a knowledge-based system for decision aids in cotton production. The initial system will be developed on an Artificial intelligence computer, a Symbolics, Inc. Model 3670, using the Intellicorp Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE) software system. The system will be based on the dynamic cotton crop simulation model GOSSYM.