Abstract: There is provided a spectrophotometric system and method for measuring the concentration of discrete water-soluble compounds or minerals in the water of a live aquaculture basin. The system comprises a portable wireless spectrophotometer with an optical code reader for automatic identification of water sample cuvettes. The cuvettes bear an optical code identifier and are preloaded with at least one solid color indicating reagent dry tablet. The cuvettes are internally sized and shaped for a smaller tablet type to fall to the bottom and a larger tablet type not to not fall to the bottom and vertically rest at an intermediate height within the cuvette interior thereby creating vertical separation between the tablet types and avoiding cross-reactions or degradation while in storage or transport. The system can also include a mobile application for displaying the spectra results and for providing recommendations or e-commerce purchase means for water quality improvement.

Abstract: An Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method/system for irrigating a field using a pump comprising an outlet supplying water to the field and an inlet connected to a water source is disclosed. The method/system comprises a sensor placed at a location in the field for sensing a water depth below a surface of the field and transmitting the water depth to a controller located remotely from the sensing location using a wireless connection. The controller enables the pump when the sensed water depth is below a threshold depth and disables the pump when the sensed water depth is above a threshold depth.

Abstract: There is provided a nitrogen fertilizer granule in which the nitrogen release can be timed and the nitrogen release rate can be controlled according to the needs of the plants to be fertilized. The smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprises a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core; an organic functional layer covering the core, wherein the organic functional layer comprises at least one functional organic compound that is an enzyme inhibitor, a microbial suppressor, a phosphorus solubilizer, and/or a plant hormone; a controlled release layer covering the organic functional layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: There is provided a smart release potash fertilizer granule comprising a potash core; an extended release layer covering the potash core, wherein the extended release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles and at least one water-soluble organic acid or water-soluble organic carboxylate salt; a controlled release layer covering the extended release layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method and system for irrigating a field adjacent a watercourse is disclosed comprising a plurality of pumps along the watercourse and measuring from time to time at a plurality of measuring locations the salinity, the pH, the temperature and the turbidity of the water. The measuring locations are different from the pumping locations. A real time salinity, pH, temperature and turbidity at the pumping locations is predicted from the measured values and the pumps selectively disabled or enabled on the predicted salinity, pH, temperature and/or the turbidity.

Abstract: There is provided a nitrogen fertilizer granule in which the nitrogen release can be timed and the nitrogen release rate can be controlled according to the needs of the plants to be fertilized. The smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprises a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core; an organic functional layer covering the core, wherein the organic functional layer comprises at least one functional organic compound that is an enzyme inhibitor, a microbial suppressor, a phosphorus solubilizer, and/or a plant hormone; a controlled release layer covering the organic functional layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.