Abstract: The present invention relates to a plough implement comprising a main frame supporting a plurality of first ground engaging tools, wherein the plough implement comprises a depth adjustment apparatus for moving a first ground engaging tool of the plurality of first ground engaging tools with respect to the main frame to enable adjustment of a working depth of the first ground engaging tool.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting plugging of an agricultural implement may a disc rotatably coupled to a frame member, with the disc configured to rotate relative to soil within a field as the implement is moved across the field. The system may also include a disc scraper coupled to the frame member, with the disc scraper configured to remove the soil from the disc as the disc rotates relative to the soil. Furthermore, the system may include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of an acceleration of the disc scraper relative to frame member. Additionally, a controller of the system may be configured to monitor the acceleration of the disc scraper relative to the frame member based on data received from the sensor. Moreover, the controller may be further configured to determine when the disc is plugged based on the monitored acceleration.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of maintaining artificial turf using a turf maintenance robot. The artificial turf comprises an artificial turf carpet, wherein the artificial turf carpet comprises turf fibers which form an artificial turf surface. The artificial turf fibers have a grain. The artificial turf comprises artificial turf infill distributed between the artificial turf fibers. The turf maintenance robot is a self driving robot, wherein the turf maintenance robot comprises a memory for storing turf grain data, descriptive the grain of the artificial turf fibers. The method comprises brushing the artificial turf surface by the turf maintenance robot. The turf maintenance robot performs the brushing dependent upon the turf grain data.

Abstract: An agricultural implement comprising: a ground engaging tool; and an actuator mechanism (366; 466; 566). The actuator mechanism is configured to provide a bias force to the ground engaging tool such that it is biased towards a working position. The agricultural implement also includes a controller that is configured to automatically set the level of the bias force that is provided by the actuator mechanism based on control-data.

Abstract: An agricultural planting system for controlling the depth of an opener device comprising: an agricultural planter; an opener device mounted on the agricultural planter for engaging the ground of a field; a gauge wheel mounted on the agricultural planter for rotating on the ground of the field; a GPS device coupled to the agricultural planter, the GPS device configured to determine a location of the agricultural planter in the field; and a controller in electrical communication with the agricultural planter and the GPS device, the controller having predetermined settings associated with a map of the field, the controller being configured to select a relative elevation of the opener device and the gauge wheel based at least in part on the location determined by the GPS device, and produce, based on the location, a signal for adjusting the depth of engagement into the ground of the opener device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for adjusting a working depth of a plough implement, the plough implement comprising a plurality of ground engaging tools for penetrating and moving soil and a depth adjustment apparatus configured to adjust a working depth of at least one of the ground engaging tools, wherein the method comprises receiving control-data indicative of at least one of an operation the plough implement or a field condition of a field across which the plough implement is moved; and automatically controlling an operation of the depth adjustment apparatus in a manner that adjusts a working depth of the at least one ground engaging tool on the basis of the control-data received.

Abstract: An implement for traversing a field includes a main frame section and a frame wing section pivotally coupled to the main frame section. The frame wing section includes a wing wheel assembly for supporting the frame wing section. A hydraulic control system includes a pressure source, a control valve fluidly coupled with the pressure source, and an actuator assembly fluidly coupled to the control valve. The implement further includes a controller electrically coupled with the control valve. A wheel force sensor is configured to detect an amount of force on the wing wheel assembly and communicate the amount of force to the controller. The actuator assembly is coupled between the main frame section and the frame wing section. The controller operably controls movement of the control valve to actuate the actuator assembly and adjust the amount of force on the wing wheel assembly.

Abstract: A plough comprising: a frame; a ground engaging tool that is connected to the frame; and an actuator mechanism that is configured to control a roll angle and/or a pitch angle of the frame. The plough also includes a controller that is configured to: receive ground-contour-data that is representative of contours of a field that the plough is to work; and determine an actuator-control-signal for the actuator mechanism based on the ground-contour-data, wherein the actuator-control-signal is for setting the roll angle and/or the pitch angle of the frame.

Abstract: A system for controlling downforce on a multi-wing agricultural implement has a first frame section and a second frame section pivotably coupled to the first frame section and configured to support a plurality of row units. An actuator of the implement actuates the second frame section relative to the first frame section to maintain downforce on the row units. Specifically, the actuator defines first and second fluid chambers, where a first control valve is configured to regulate a supply of fluid to the first fluid chamber and a second control valve is configured to regulate a supply of fluid to the second fluid chamber. A controller controls at least one of the first or second control valves to maintain a pressure differential between the fluid supplied to the first and second chambers within a target threshold range.

Abstract: An agricultural system comprising a plough. The plough comprising: a plough body; a stone-trip-mechanism that is configured to be tripped when the plough body encounters a stone or other obstruction; and a trip-sensor configured to provide trip-data in response to the stone-trip-mechanism being tripped. The agricultural system also includes a location-determining-system associated with the plough, wherein the location-determining-system is configured to provide location-data that is representative of a location of the plough; and a controller. The controller is configured to: receive the trip-data; and store location-data provided by the location-determining-system as a trip-location based on the trip-data, wherein the trip-location is a location of the plough at the time that the stone-trip-mechanism is tripped.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having a row unit and a material throw monitoring system. The row unit includes a ground engaging tool configured to engage with a ground at a ground engaging point to form a trench, and a conduit configured to deposit an agricultural product in the trench. The material throw monitoring system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is oriented toward the ground engaging point and configured to provide feedback to the controller based at least in part on material displaced by the ground engaging tool. The controller is configured to determine a throw distance of the material relative to the ground engaging tool based on the feedback from the sensor, determine an action to adjust operation of the agricultural implement based on a comparison of the throw distance with a threshold, and communicate the action with a controller coupled to the agricultural implement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an agricultural plough arrangement comprising an agricultural work vehicle and a plough implement connected to the agricultural work vehicle and comprising at least one ground engaging tool. At least one actuator mechanism is configured to move the plough implement laterally with respect to the agricultural work vehicle, wherein a control unit is provided that is to: receive field-data indicative of conditions of a field across which the agricultural plough arrangement is being moved; automatically determine an actuator-control-signal for the actuator mechanism based on the field-data, wherein the actuator-control-signal is for moving the plough implement laterally with respect to the agricultural work vehicle on the basis of the field-data received.

Abstract: A plough comprising: a plough body; an actuator mechanism that is configured to adjust a pitch angle of the plough body; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine an actuator-control-signal for setting the pitch angle of the plough body based on control-data; and provide the actuator-control-signal to the actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A method for building and using soil models that determine soil properties from soil spectrum data is provided. In an embodiment, building soil model may be accomplished using soil spectrum data received via hyperspectral sensors from a land unit. A processor updates the soil spectrum data by removing interference signals from the soil spectrum data. Multiple ground sampling locations within the land unit are then determined based on the updated soil spectrum data. Soil property data are obtained from ground sampling at the ground sampling locations. Soil models that correlate the updated soil spectrum data with the soil property data are created based on the updated soil spectrum data and the soil property data. The soil models are sent to a storage for future use.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of rotating ground-engaging components of an agricultural implement may include a rotating ground-engaging component configured to rotate relative to soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system may also include a rotational speed sensor configured to capture data indicative of a rotational speed of the ground-engaging component. A controller of the system may be configured to monitor a first-order derivative of the rotational speed of the ground-engaging component based on data received from the rotational speed sensor. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine when a frequency of the monitored first-order derivative falls outside of a predetermined frequency range. Additionally, the controller may be configured to initiate an adjustment of an operating parameter of the ground-engaging component to return the frequency of the first-order derivative to within the predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A method of categorising microgreens, the method comprising the steps of establishing a growing protocol for specific species of microgreen that is replicatable to deliver reliable consistent cropping and maximise vitamin and mineral availability of the species; nutritionally mapping said species through its growing cycle; calculating the nutritional content of said species for a given crop; and categorising a plurality of species of microgreen based on their nutritional load; calculating the amount of crop of the species which, on its own or in combination with a crop of a different species delivers a pre-defined vitamin or mineral load and preparing and delivering to the end user a growing media pre-seeded with the calculated amount of crop of the or each species.

Abstract: In an apparatus below an uppermost module 7 having a centrifugal flow guide there is an axially positioned nozzle 17 supplying a dressing agent, directed onto a dispersing screen 20 which constitutes a cover of a chamber 19 arranged axially below the nozzle 17 and connected with an external blower 21, whereas above the nozzle 17 on the vertical axis of the body 1 there is positioned a shield 16, whereas below the chamber 19 there is arranged a module 10 having a centripetal flow guide, below which there is positioned another module 7 having a centrifugal flow guide, and the lower end of the body 1 is constituted by a module 10 having a centripetal flow guide.

Abstract: Described herein is an agricultural row unit that has a knife disposed ahead of the gauge wheel for delivering material to soil adjacent to a trench. In one example, an agricultural row unit includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame, and a knife disposed ahead of the wheel and comprising a material delivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for closing a planting trench. Embodiments include a disc assembly for loosening soil adjacent to the planting trench. In some embodiments a closing wheel assembly pivots relative to a subframe of the row unit.

Abstract: An agricultural seeding machine includes a trench closer assembly and a sensing device configured to sense an aspect of the soil without contacting the soil and to output a sensed signal corresponding to the aspect of the soil. A processing device processes the sensed signal to generate a processed sensed signal, and compares a characteristic of the processed sensed signal to a stored signal characteristic representative of a soil condition. A trench closure quality metric is determined and provided via a user interface. Additionally, in response to and based upon the comparison, the processing device may automatically adjust the force applied to the soil by the soil contacting member. In this manner, the seeding machine utilizes a feedback signal to determine how well a trench is closed and can adjust the performance of the trench closer assembly in accordance with that feedback.

Abstract: A row unit for a high-speed agricultural seeder includes a leading system including an opener and a dispenser, a trailing system including a leveler and a packer, a primary force generator generating a primary force, and a packer force adjustment system generating a packer adjustment force. The primary force includes opener and trailing force portions that are transferred to the opener and trailing system, respectively. The trailing force portion includes a leveler force portion that is transferred to the leveler and a packer force portion that is transferred to the packer. The packer adjustment force is adjustable independently of the leveler force portion, such that a combined packer force equal to a sum of the packer force portion and the packer adjustment force is adjustable independent of the leveler force portion.

Abstract: A singulating meter includes a seed disc with seed apertures rotates in a vertical plane through a seed reservoir. A horizontal seed tube has an inlet adjacent to the top of the seed disc and the seed apertures move along a seed aperture path toward the inlet. Pressurized air flows into the tube inlet, and through each seed aperture as it rotates upward out of the seed reservoir pushing a seed into each seed aperture which seed then moves along the seed aperture path through about 180 degrees of rotation to a release position at the top of the path where the seed is carried horizontally into the seed tube. An ejector pushes debris out of the seed apertures into the seed tube. An alignment guide moves the singulator element of the meter into the operating position where same is magnetically secured.

Abstract: A row unit of an agricultural seeding implement has a hoe opener assembly that may engage soil to form a trench in the soil and to deposit one or more agricultural products in the trench. The hoe opener assembly has a base structure having a mount and a nose removeably coupled to the base structure. The nose may form the trench in the soil. The hoe opener assembly also has a double shoot attachment removeably coupled to the mount. The double shoot attachment may separately deposit the fertilizer and the seeds into the trench. The hoe opener assembly also has a first conduit that may deliver the fertilizer to the double shoot attachment and a second conduit that may deliver the seeds to the double shoot attachment.

Abstract: A vacuum system that includes a planter frame. A row unit bracket couples to the planter frame. A fan couples to the planter frame and draws air through a row unit. An exhaust duct extends through the row unit bracket. The exhaust duct couples to the fan and discharges airflow from the fan towards the ground.

Abstract: An example agricultural machine comprises a material distribution system that includes a material distribution line configured to convey particulate material to a component. The agricultural machine comprises a sensing system that includes a first sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal indicative of a measure of a flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, a second sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal indicative of a measure of the flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, and a correlation generation component configured to receive indications of the first and second sensor signals and to generate a correlation metric that represents a correlation between the first and second sensor signals. In one example, the correlation metric is applied to a sensor signal from a second material distribution line to determine a flow rate in the second material distribution line.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a gauge wheel and a soil-penetrating tool. A sensor is coupled to the soil penetrating tool and the gauge wheel and produces an output corresponding to changes detecting between the position of the gauge wheel and the soil penetrating tool A control system is coupled to an actuator configured to apply a downward pressure on the soil-penetrating tool, wherein the control system receives the output from the sensor for controlling the actuator and the downward pressure on the soil.

Abstract: A system and method to distribute pesticides, fertilizers, water, and other materials on a farm with accuracy and precision is disclosed in order to combat the problems imposed on the environment due to over-fertilization and over use of pesticides. This system and method is a social networking control system in which multiple farms have independent grids of sensors capable of detecting the presence of pesticides, fertilizers, water, and other materials in the air, in the top-soil, and in the groundwater. These grids of sensors detect the location and concentration of these materials and reports them back to a social control system for analysis. The control system regulates the deposition of further chemicals through computer control of the chemical dispersal systems.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor and a power supply for supplying power to the motor. A driving circuit is connected to the motor. A voltage detection unit is used for detecting the voltage of the motor. A controller is configured to perform the following operations: if the motor voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage, the driving circuit will apply a voltage to the motor with a second slope, wherein the value range of the second slope is from 0 to 0.3. The disclosure also discloses a control method for starting under load of a power tool.

Abstract: A harvesting head for an agricultural combine includes a frame and a support arm coupled to the frame. The support arm is configured to move between an unlocked state in which the support arm is moveable relative to the frame and a locked state in which the support arm is fixed relative to the frame. The harvesting head includes cutting teeth supported by the support arm relative to the frame. The cutting teeth are configured to move relative to the support arm in a reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The harvesting head includes a gauge member coupled to the frame. The gauge member is configured to sense a height of the frame relative to a surface. The harvesting head includes a control assembly configured to move the support arm into the locked state based on the height of the frame relative to the surface.

Abstract: A mono-filament whip type weed cutter incorporating a pivotable shaft that enables the weed cutter to reach otherwise inaccessible weeds. The mono-filament whip type weed cutter includes two interconnected first and second trimmer support shafts. A rotating wheel connected to one end of the pivotable shaft. A power source is connected to an opposite end of the pivotable shaft. A hinge joint including a sprocket is disposed between and interconnecting the first and second trimmer support shafts. A gear lock bar secures the sprocket in place to position the first and second trimmer support shafts with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention is a string trimmer attachment apparatus and method for easy attachment to a lawn mower deck, without requiring the use of tools for attachment, by having an adjustable trimmer mounting platform which securely attaches to the lawn mower. A string-type powered trimmer motor on the bottom side of the adjustable trimmer mounting platform cuts the grass. An operating control located on the lawn mower controls the string-type powered trimmer motor. A pair of L brackets allow the adjustable trimmer mounting platform to firmly attach to the lawn mower without the need for a separate trimmer/edger appliance. No tools or lawn mower modifications are required to attach the adjustable trimmer mounting platform to the mower deck.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a garden tool includes a housing having a gripping portion defining an extension direction, the housing defining a cavity for detachably mounting a battery pack, the battery pack being configured to be inserted into the cavity along the extension direction of the gripping portion. A related garden tool includes a link assembly; a working mechanism arranged at one end of the link assembly; and a power mechanism arranged at the other end of the link assembly. The power mechanism includes a gasoline engine with an electric starting system having a starting motor powered by the battery pack.

Abstract: A cutter housing for a lawnmower can include first and second cutting chambers with first and second chamber walls and first/second discharge openings. First and second ring gates that have openings and blocking segments can be concentrically placed within respective first and second chamber walls, and rotatably attached to the cutter housing. The first and second ring gates can be rotated between: (a) an opened position in which the first/second ring gate is positioned with the first/second ring opening having a first overlap with a first/second discharge opening to provide a discharge mode, and (b) a closed position in which the first/second ring gate is positioned with the first/second ring opening having a decreased overlap, relative to the first overlap, with the first/second discharge opening to provide a mulch mode. The ring gates can be stopped at intermediate positions to provide a partial mulch mode or partial discharge mode.

Abstract: A method for mapping an agricultural crop in a field is provided. The method comprising receiving signals, with a control unit on an agricultural machine, from a yield sensor, which senses a yield characteristic of the crop, and a processing sensor, which senses a processing characteristic of the crop, associated with an agricultural work machine; determining the presence of a void crop plant using the received signals; determining a location of the void crop plant using at least a time and a location of the agricultural work machine; and generating a void crop map showing the location of the void crop within the field.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a chassis; an engine to propel the harvesting machine; a header mounted on a front of the chassis; a cutter bar arranged on the header to cut crops during operation of the harvesting machine; a plurality of implements on the chassis configured to facilitate processing the crops cut by the cutter bar; at least one cutter bar load sensor arranged on the header and configured to collect cutter bar load data representing a load on the cutter bar resulting from cutting the crops; and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one cutter bar sensor. The controller is configured to receive the cutter bar load data, determine a cutter bar load value based on the cutter bar load data, and generate an adjustment command for an operational parameter associated with at least one of the implements based on the cutter bar load value.

Abstract: A sensing system and method is provided for crop material in a harvester. The sensing system includes a conveyor auger device oriented in a substantially vertical direction and having an entrance aperture, an exit aperture located upwardly above a radially oriented sensing aperture disposed therebetween. The conveyor auger device includes a conveyor auger having a flight for moving crop material upwardly, wherein the flight has a reduced radial extension adjacent the sensing aperture. A sensor disposed at or adjacent the sensing aperture senses the essentially continuously upwardly moving crop material for determining a property thereof.

Abstract: A method for mapping sugarcane crop yield, the method comprising: receiving signals during a harvesting operation from a yield sensor, which senses a yield characteristic of a harvested sugarcane crop, and a processing sensor, which senses a processing characteristic of the sugarcane crop and is associated with the sugarcane harvester; determining a measured sugarcane crop yield using the received signals; determining a calibrated sugarcane crop yield using at least the measured sugarcane crop yield; and generating a sugarcane crop yield map with the calibrated sugarcane crop yield and a georeferenced location of the sugarcane crop yield associated with the location of the sugarcane harvester during the harvest.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a motion of an auger tube of a combine harvester comprises a dynamic pre-filter, a position controller, and a speed controller. The dynamic pre-filter receives a desired position value for the auger tube and generates a filtered desired position signal which changes the desired position value from an old value to a new value over a time period. The position controller receives a first difference between the filtered desired position signal and an actual position of the auger tube. The position controller generates a desired angular speed signal that varies according to the first difference. The speed controller receives a second difference between the desired angular speed signal and an actual speed of the auger tube. The speed controller generates an actuator signal that varies according to the second difference and is received by an actuating system that moves the auger tube.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling the positioning of an adjustable deflector plate employed in a harvesting combine to adjust a side-to-side flow of crop residue to spreaders associated with the combine and the distribution thereby. The deflector plate is operably extendable into the flow of crop residue to redirect crop residue impinging the deflector plate. The deflector plate is adjusted based upon a comparison between the open/closed states of valves associated with the control system.

Abstract: An access door for a combine harvester includes a body having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side. The body includes a height defined between the top and the bottom and a width defined between the first side and the second side. A plurality of ribs is integrally formed in the body for adding rigidity thereto, and a deflector is integrally formed with the body and protrudes therefrom. The deflector has a top surface and a width that is substantially the same as the width of the body. The body is defined within a first plane and the top surface is defined within a second plane such that the second plane is disposed at an angle less than 90° from the first plane.

Abstract: A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine having a traction unit comprises a cutter, a main frame that supports the cutter, a float cylinder configured to be coupled between the main frame and the traction unit, an accumulator, and fluidic circuitry that fluidically couples the accumulator to the float cylinder. The fluidic circuitry is configured to provide a first flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the main frame, and, based on a control input that corresponds to a lifting operation of the header assembly, provide a restricted flow of fluid, that is restricted relative to the first flow, between the float cylinder and the accumulator.

Abstract: A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly that supports a cutter, and is movable relative to the first frame assembly, a float cylinder coupled between the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, an accumulator, a controllable reservoir, and fluidic circuitry. The fluidic circuitry comprises a first conduit forming a first fluid path that provides a flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the second frame assembly, a valve mechanism that is actuatable to inhibit fluid flow along the first fluid path between the accumulator and the float cylinder, a second conduit forming a second fluid path fluidically coupled to the controllable reservoir, the controllable reservoir being controllable to add fluid to the float cylinder.

Abstract: A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly that supports a cutter, and is pivotable relative to the first frame assembly, a float cylinder coupled between the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, an accumulator, and fluidic circuitry that fluidically couples the accumulator to the float cylinder. The fluidic circuitry is configured to provide a first flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the second frame assembly, and based on a control input that corresponds to a lowering operation of the header assembly, provide a restricted flow of fluid, that is restricted relative to the first flow, between the float cylinder and the accumulator.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a hitching support, at least one tool or group of tools that can be transferred between an operational position and a raised position, at least one support arm that is connected to the hitching support via two joints and to the tool or group of tools at an assembly location, and a safety device for performing a safety movement under the effect of pressure. At least one first safety movement phase is carried out around the first joint or around one of the two joints. The safety device includes at least one guiding device to allow for a variation in a distance between the other of the two joints and the assembly location when the rearward rotation is carried out around the first joint.

Abstract: A row unit assembly for use with a corn harvester includes a first drive having an output shaft, a stalk roll that extends along a first axis and rotates about the first axis via the output shaft of the first drive. A second drive rotates a first drive member about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A first conveyor extends around the first drive member and moves about the first drive member in response to rotation of the first drive member. A third drive rotates a second drive member about a third axis that is substantially parallel to the second axis. A second conveyor extends around the second drive member and moves about the second drive member in response to rotation of the second drive member.

Abstract: A cutting device for agricultural crop has cutting elements and a rotor element rotating in operation about a rotor axis. The cutting elements are arranged in a cutting position stationarily relative to the rotor element and are able to yield in a springy fashion. The rotor element has a central body that is provided with a central conveying section and with at least one axial conveying section. The central conveying section has central conveying elements correlated with the cutting elements. The at least one axial conveying section is provided with an axial conveying element extending spirally at least in sections about the rotor axis. The at least one axial conveying section of the central body has a first radius and the central conveying section of the central body has a second radius, wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius.

Abstract: A separator arrangement has an inlet head housing, a feed drum and two axial separating rotors projecting by one end portionwise into the inlet head housing. The inlet head housing has planar inlet portions which extend over the width of the respective axial separating rotor and between which is arranged a ramp-shaped housing portion extending paraxial to the conveying direction of the axial separating rotors and which assists in dividing a harvested material flow into partial flows to be fed to the axial separating rotors. At least one separating element is associated with the ramp-shaped housing portion and has a base body which extends perpendicular to the surface of the housing portion and which has an end face formed as a cutting edge. A coating comprising a wear-resistant second material is arranged on the end face and extends substantially medially in the longitudinal direction of the end face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a growth status of a plant comprising chlorophyll, the method comprising the steps of: illuminating the plant (102) with input light including a light intensity modulation component (205, 206, 207, 208); detecting light emitted from the plant; determining (S702) an offset light intensity (204) surrounding the plant, the offset light intensity being a static component of the input light; determining (S718) a phase and a gain between the input light and the detected light, determining (S720) a growth status of the plant based on a predetermined relationship between input light and detected light, and on the phase and the gain. The invention also relates to a corresponding system and to a computer program product.

Abstract: A planter and planter stack are described. The planter includes a planter pot configured to be nestable with other such planter pots. The planter pot includes a base, a planter sidewall integrally formed on the base and extending upwards towards a rim, and a hollow support pillar formed on the base and extending substantially vertically upwards with a drain opening at the top of the hollow support pillar in communication with an exterior side of the base. The planter further includes a removable riser configured to be nestable with other such removable risers. The removable riser includes a plate supported by an interior of the planter sidewall by an interference fit, and an aperture configured to accept a corresponding hollow support pillar.

Abstract: A potting system and method are provided in which a flexible pot side includes two sets of bottom panel apertures, each set receiving tabs from a bottom panel. The potting system is assembled by positioning mutually engaging panel mesh structures on the bottom panels while folding the flexible pot side so that a plurality of first lacing apertures aligns with a plurality of second lacing apertures, and then inserting a pull lace through the aligned apertures to mechanically interlock them. Additionally, the pot system may be easily disassembled by disengaging the pull lace from the lacing apertures which causes the pot side to unbend and allows the bottom panel tabs to disengage. The pot system may then be reassembled by reengaging the bottom panels, repositioning the lacing apertures and inserting the pull lace.