Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses for plant harvesting. More specifically, apparatuses for harvesting vertically grown fruit (620), plants, or vegetables are described herein. In one embodiment a harvesting system includes a grow line (100, 102) and one or more grow towers (150) coupled to and moveable along the grow line (100, 102). A plurality of platforms (306) are disposed adjacent to the grow towers (150) and include one or more robots (302) disposed on the platforms (306).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for mechanized pollination. Grow towers vertically disposed on a grow line are moved into a pollination chamber and mechanized pollination is performed utilizing pneumatic, acoustic, or mechanical methods to pollinate plants growing in the grow towers. In one embodiment, a plurality of rotatable brush towers are disposed on opposite sides of the grow line and bristles from the brush towers are rotated over the plants to facilitate pollination as the grow towers traverse along the grow line. In another embodiment, a plurality of conduits internal to the grow towers are coupled to one or more nozzles on a face of the grow towers. Pollen is delivered through the nozzles toward the plants utilizing pressurized gas.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for pollination within a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a pollination system (300) includes a pollination chamber (322) having air curtains (302, 304) and walls (402, 404, 406) defining a volume, a grow tower conveyance system, and ultra-violet light sources (314, 318, 330, 334) for illuminating the pollination volume. Pollinators, such as bees or the like, are positioned within the volume of the pollination chamber (322) and the light sources (314, 318, 330, 334) are utilized to control and encourage pollination and pollinator movement with the pollination chamber (322).