Abstract: System for monitoring and regulating plant productivity comprising: a memory for storing instructions; a processor for executing the instructions to cause a method of monitoring and regulating plant productivity to be performed, the method comprising: receiving field data from monitoring sensors; computing, by the at least one processor executing a machine learning algorithm, a predicted value for a variable associated with the production environment condition of a crop field, the machine learning algorithm having been trained based on a training set comprising one or both of (a) the field data from the monitoring sensors, and (b) a generated feature derived from the field data; and determining, based on a threshold associated with the variable, that the predicted value for the variable indicates that an intervention in the crop field is to be initiated; and in response to the determining, causing a controllable device to vary the production environment condition.

Abstract: System for monitoring and regulating plant productivity comprising: a memory for storing instructions; a processor for executing the instructions to cause a method of monitoring and regulating plant productivity to be performed, the method comprising: receiving field data from monitoring sensors; computing, by the at least one processor executing a machine learning algorithm, a predicted value for a variable associated with the production environment condition of a crop field, the machine learning algorithm having been trained based on a training set comprising one or both of (a) the field data from the monitoring sensors, and (b) a generated feature derived from the field data; and determining, based on a threshold associated with the variable, that the predicted value for the variable indicates that an intervention in the crop field is to be initiated; and in response to the determining, causing a controllable device to vary the production environment condition.

Abstract: A data transmission system for an irrigation system which comprises at least one field sensor collecting field data, at least one field monitoring station in communications with the at least one field sensor and a control unit in communications with the at least one field monitoring station over a remote communications link. The field data collected using the at least one field sensor is transmitted to the at least one field monitoring station. The field data is transmitted from the at least one field monitoring station to the control unit at a field data transmission interval adjusted according to a likelihood of an upcoming irrigation need determined based on the field data collected by the at least one field sensor and the control unit generates irrigation instructions based on the field data. An automated irrigation system and a method of performing data transmission for an irrigation system are also provided.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor comprises: a sensing portion, a gas exchange tubing, a gas permeable protection sleeve, and a water impermeable distal end collar. The sensing portion is at least partially insertable in a porous medium and has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is insertable. The gas exchange tubing is in gas communication with the gas exchange aperture of the sensor portion and has a water-repellent membrane inserted therein. The water-repellent membrane prevents water infiltration in the housing through the gas exchange aperture. The gas permeable protection sleeve covers at least a section of the gas exchange tubing. The water impermeable distal end collar covers a distal end of the gas permeable protective sleeve and the water-repellent membrane.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor comprises: a sensing portion, a gas exchange tubing, a gas permeable protection sleeve, and a water impermeable distal end collar. The sensing portion is at least partially insertable in a porous medium and has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is insertable. The gas exchange tubing is in gas communication with the gas exchange aperture of the sensor portion and has a water-repellent membrane inserted therein. The water-repellent membrane prevents water infiltration in the housing through the gas exchange aperture. The gas permeable protection sleeve covers at least a section of the gas exchange tubing. The water impermeable distal end collar covers a distal end of the gas permeable protective sleeve and the water-repellent membrane.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor comprises: a sensing portion, a gas exchange tubing, a gas permeable protection sleeve, and a water impermeable distal end collar. The sensing portion is at least partially insertable in a porous medium and has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is insertable. The gas exchange tubing is in gas communication with the gas exchange aperture of the sensor portion and has a water-repellent membrane inserted therein. The water-repellent membrane prevents water infiltration in the housing through the gas exchange aperture. The gas permeable protection sleeve covers at least a section of the gas exchange tubing. The water impermeable distal end collar covers a distal end of the gas permeable protective sleeve and the water-repellent membrane.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor apparatus includes a sensing portion at least partially insertable in the porous medium. The sensing portion has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a water-repellant membrane mounted in the gas exchange aperture, the water-repellant membrane preventing water communication through the gas exchange aperture. The sensing portion also has a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is inserted.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor apparatus includes a sensing portion at least partially insertable in the porous medium. The sensing portion has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a water-repellant membrane mounted in the gas exchange aperture, the water-repellant membrane preventing water communication through the gas exchange aperture. The sensing portion also has a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is inserted.

Abstract: A porous medium tensiometer has a filling mechanism which allows to fill a fluid chamber and simultaneously withdraw gas contained in the fluid chamber. A self-priming tensiometer includes a porous material tip having a first section surrounded by a fluid-impermeable membrane, a second section, a threshold suction range and pores, the pores auto-filling with liquid when in fluid communication with a porous medium having a liquid potential being at least equal, in absolute value, to the threshold suction range, the liquid contained in the pores having a liquid pressure representative of the liquid potential; a one-way fluid control device in fluid communication with the porous material tip and allowing fluid contained in pores of the porous material to exit therethrough when the porous material tip auto-fills with liquid; and a pressure transducer in liquid communication with the porous material tip.

Abstract: A porous medium tensiometer has a filling mechanism which allows to fill a fluid chamber and simultaneously withdraw gas contained in the fluid chamber. A self-priming tensiometer includes a porous material tip having a first section surrounded by a fluid-impermeable membrane, a second section, a threshold suction range and pores, the pores auto-filling with liquid when in fluid communication with a porous medium having a liquid potential being at least equal, in absolute value, to the threshold suction range, the liquid contained in the pores having a liquid pressure representative of the liquid potential; a one-way fluid control device in fluid communication with the porous material tip and allowing fluid contained in pores of the porous material to exit therethrough when the porous material tip auto-fills with liquid; and a pressure transducer in liquid communication with the porous material tip.

Abstract: A capillary carpet irrigation system comprises a capillary carpet (10) having a series of individual capillary mat sections (9a, 9b, 9c . . . ) hydraulically isolated from one another by a water impermeable base membrane (18), thereby preventing water migration from one section to the next. This discontinuity advantageously allows the capillary carpet (10) to operate on sloppy surfaces and promotes effective capillary connection between coarse growing media and the mat. A protective water permeable membrane (15) is provided on top of the series of individual capillary mat sections (9a, 9b, 9c . . . ).

Abstract: The present invention related to a water detector for use in determining the presence of sufficient water in irrigation systems and plant cultures in general. The detector includes a probe and the presence of water in a soil induces modifications in the optical properties of the probe. The optical properties are monitored and used to control the activation or deactivation of the irrigation system, emit a warning signal or provide a reference value of water potential for monitoring purposes.

Abstract: A capillary carpet irrigation system comprises a capillary carpet (10) having a series of individual capillary mat sections (9a, 9b, 9c . . . ) hydraulically isolated from one another by a water impermeable base membrane (18), thereby preventing water migration from one section to the next. This discontinuity advantageously allows the capillary carpet (10) to operate on sloppy surfaces and promotes effective capillary connection between coarse growing media and the mat. A protective water permeable membrane (15) is provided on top of the series of individual capillary mat sections (9a, 9b, 9c . . . ).

Abstract: The present invention related to a water detector for use in determining the presence of sufficient water in irrigation systems and plant cultures in general. The detector includes a probe and the presence of water in a soil induces modifications in the optical properties of the probe. The optical properties are monitored and used to control the activation or deactivation of the irrigation system, emit a warning signal or provide a reference value of water potential for monitoring purposes.