Abstract: An agricultural work system has an agricultural work machine to which at least one mounted implement can be fitted via at least one implement interface. A work machine configuration is associated with the work machine, and a mounted implement configuration is associated with the mounted implement. A drive unit is provided which acts via a drivetrain on ground engaging elements, particularly on tires. A system control and a control/display unit associated with the work machine are provided. It is proposed that the system control is adapted to determine the mounted implement configuration, to calculate the implement interface load transmitted via the implement interface based on the determined mounted implement configuration, and to evaluate and/or optimize the work machine configuration based on the calculated implement interface load.

Abstract: An implement load management method includes sensing respective loads on at least one wheel supporting a central portion and one or more wheels supporting a wing portion, the central portion and the wing portion comprising segments of an implement; and actuating a fluid-type cylinder to cause pivotal movement between the central portion and the wing portion based on the sensed loads, wherein the actuating comprises causing fluid flow in either of two opposing directions through the fluid-type cylinder based on evaluation of a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion and the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion. Related implement load management systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

Abstract: A system that includes an agricultural tractor that includes a steering mechanism for steering at least one surface-engaging member so as to cause changes in a direction of movement of the agricultural tractor; and an agricultural implement that is towed behind the agricultural tractor. The system further includes at least one forward sensor for sensing one or more objects or conditions located forwardly of the agricultural tractor and at least one lateral sensor for sensing one or more objects or conditions that when sensed are located laterally of the agricultural tractor or implement. The system further includes a controller that acts in dependence on at least one output of the at least one lateral sensor to take account of a presence of the one or more objects or conditions sensed by the at least one lateral sensor.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a central chassis member having a support structure with support arms connected to the support structure for movement between a working position and a transport position, the support arms having operating elements defining a working width between the operating elements and the main chassis member. The support arms are adjustable in the working position between a length corresponding to minimum working width and a length greater than the minimum working width. In the transport position a distance between the operating elements and the main chassis member is less than the minimum working width. A first stop defines the position of the minimum working width and a second stop arranged vertically with respect to the first stop retains the support arm in the transport position when the distance between the operating elements and the main chassis member is less than the minimum working width.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a control system. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the wheel assemblies include an actuator. The wheel assemblies include a first plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the main section and a second plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the plurality of wing sections. The actuators of the first plurality of wheel assemblies being independent of the actuators of the second plurality of wheel assemblies. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to effect a profile minimizing operation of the foldable wing sections when the implement is being transitioned into a transport mode.

Abstract: A towed implement, such as a cultivator is configured between an unfolded operational position and a folded transport position in which wing sections are pivoted about a vertical axis into a forward direction where they are alongside a telescoping tool bar. Sensors on the cultivator send signals initiating the folding/unfolding sequence to send commands through the implement controller to a tractor controller having a ISOBUS class 3 configuration.

Abstract: A hand held trencher assembly for digging a trench with existing weed trimmers includes a weed trimmer that is manipulated by a user. The weed trimmer has a motor, a pole and a drive that is positioned within the pole. The drive is rotatably coupled to the motor such that the motor rotates the drive when the motor is turned on. A trenching unit is removably coupled to the pole such that the trenching unit lies on the ground when the weed trimmer is employed. The trenching unit is releasably coupled to the drive for powering the trenching unit thereby facilitating the trenching unit to dig a trench in the ground.

Abstract: A closing wheel assembly is provided for a seed row planter unit behind the gauge wheel assembly and furrow disks of the planter unit. The closing wheel assembly includes a coupler with a pair of closing wheels mounted thereon. A single pin removably extends through the coupler and through the gauge wheel assembly to detachably mount the closing wheel assembly to the gauge wheel assembly. Different closing wheel assemblies can be quickly mounted on the row unit, depending upon the type of seed being planted. The closing wheels are laterally adjustable via a rotatable threaded bushing so as to be centered behind the furrow disks.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that a pressure gradient or differential in a product distribution line for conveying granular particulate material, such as seed or fertilizer, in an air flow to an agricultural field consistently decreases as air speed (velocity) in the product distribution line decreases until a critical air speed is reached. Below the critical air speed, the particulate material may become susceptible to falling out of the air flow to potentially cause a blockage in the system. Accordingly, pressure sensors arranged in the product distribution line can be used to generate an air flow at an optimum operating velocity above the critical air speed yet below a maximum air speed associated with inefficient operation. In one aspect, the air flow can be adjusted to maintain an optimum operating velocity despite changes in the type of particulate material and/or rate at which the particulate material is metered.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that a pressure gradient or differential in a product distribution line for conveying granular particulate material, such as seed or fertilizer, in an air flow to an agricultural field consistently decreases as air speed (velocity) in the product distribution line decreases until a critical air speed is reached. Below the critical air speed, the particulate material may become susceptible to falling out of the air flow to potentially cause a blockage in the system. Accordingly, pressure sensors arranged in the product distribution line can be monitored for effectively controlling an air source producing the air flow. In one aspect, a diameter of the product distribution line can increase between upstream and downstream locations for monitoring with even greater sensitivity.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that a pressure gradient or differential in a product distribution line for conveying granular particulate material, such as seed or fertilizer, in an air flow to an agricultural field consistently decreases as air speed (velocity) in the product distribution line decreases until a critical air speed is reached. Below the critical air speed, the particulate material may become susceptible to falling out of the air flow and potentially causing a blockage in the system. Accordingly, a control system can retrieve from a data structure a predetermined air flow setting indicating an optimum operating velocity above the critical air speed yet below a maximum air speed associated with inefficient operation. In one aspect, the predetermined air flow setting can be retrieved based on the type of particulate material and/or rate at which the particulate material is metered.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that a pressure gradient or differential in a product distribution line for conveying granular particulate material, such as seed or fertilizer, in an air flow to an agricultural field consistently decreases as air speed (velocity) in the product distribution line decreases until a critical air speed is reached. Below the critical air speed, the particulate material may become susceptible to falling out of the air flow to potentially cause a blockage in the system. Accordingly, a control system can implement a process for efficiently determining an optimum operating velocity for an air flow that is above the critical air speed yet below a maximum air speed associated with inefficient operation. In one aspect, the optimum operating velocity can be stored as a value corresponding, for example, to the type of particulate material and/or rate at which the particulate material is metered for subsequent use.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for receiving a first set of historical agricultural data and a second set of historical agricultural data; generating a plurality of projected target yield ranges using the first set and the second set of historical agricultural data by generating a historic yield distribution; generating one or more yield ranking scores for one or more fields of a grower using the first set of historical agricultural data, and assigning a projected target yield range of the plurality of projected target yield ranges to each of the one or more fields based on the one or more yield ranking scores to generate assigned projected target yield ranges; receiving a third set of historical agricultural data comprising seed optimization data, and generating a recommended change in seed population or a recommended change in seed density; causing displaying the yield improvement recommendation for each of the one or more fields.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a seedling transplanting device, which comprises: a handheld rod (1); a seedling digging assembly; wherein the seedling digging assembly comprises: a fixed insertion member (2); a movable insertion member (3) with a top and a bottom, the movable insertion member is separated by a space from the fixed insertion member (2); and a driving assembly connected to the movable insertion member, the driving assembly causes the movable insertion member (3) to swing toward the fixed insertion member (2). In the present invention, the driving assembly causes the movable insertion member to swing toward the fixed insertion member, and after the seedling is taken out, the soil with the seedling will not drop out from the bottom of the fixed insertion member and the movable insertion member.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for efficient material application. An example landscape treatment apparatus includes a main carrier tank to store a solvent, a concentrate tank to store a solute, and a first mix tank to receive the solvent and the solute as a first mixture. The example apparatus further includes a second mix tank to receive the solvent and the solute as a second mixture, where the first mix tank is to receive the solvent and the solute in alternation with the second mix tank receiving the solvent and the solute. The example apparatus also includes a boom to apply the first mixture and the second mixture to a landscape via a plurality of nozzles, where the boom is to apply the first mixture and the second mixture in alternation.

Abstract: A pivotable rake assembly for raking a roof without using a ladder includes a handle is gripped for raking. A head is pivotally coupled to the handle such that the head is positionable at a selected angle with respect to the handle. A rake is pivotally coupled to the head such that the rake is positioned at the selected angle with respect to the handle. In this way the rake can engage a roof of a building when a user is standing on ground. The rake has a plurality of tines to rake debris from the roof top.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning root vegetables comprising at least two rollers (14) rotatably mounted about an axis (A) perpendicular to the direction of travel of the root vegetables on the rollers (14), characterized in that at least one of the rollers (14) is equipped with a means for heating its outer wall (16). Thus, with the outer wall of the roller (14) being heated, this has the effect of drying the soil that is possibly stuck thereon. This drying is enough to make the soil crisp and to overcome the suction phenomenon of the wet soil on the roller (14) and on the reliefs of the roller (14). The vibrations due to the displacement of the vegetables on the rollers ensure that the soil thus dried is detached and cause it to fall to the ground.

Abstract: A step and rail system adapted for riding mower so that a physically challenged operator can assist themselves in mounting the seat is provided. The step and rail system provides a horizontal support rail configuration of two spaced apart rails. The present invention includes a front mounting plate for an intermediate step and two rear mounting plates for supporting the two spaced apart rails that extend from the rear of the riding mower to the front mounting plate. The horizontal support rail configuration may provide a compound bend fore the seat so that the horizontal support rail configuration is wider adjacent the seat as compared to the mower stepping surface.

Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).

Abstract: A variable height-of-cut system for a ground working vehicle including a cutting deck, ground engaging members, and the height-of-cut system. The ground engaging members are rotatably attached to the cutting deck and operable to support the deck relative to a ground surface. The height-of-cut system is adapted to alter a height of the cutting deck relative to the ground surface. The height-of-cut system includes an adjustment plate and a lever. The adjustment plate defines a slot and a plurality of notches extending therefrom. Each notch is adapted to receive the lever and corresponds to a different height of the cutting deck relative to the ground surface when the lever is received therein. The adjustment plate is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis such that the plurality of notches are shifted.

Abstract: The invention provides an adaptive control system and a regulating method for the threshing separation load of the combined harvester and the longitudinal axis. The control system mainly comprises entrainment loss monitoring device, grain breaking rate monitoring device, device for regulating clearance of cutting concave outlet, jitter board load monitoring device, return plate load monitoring device and on-line monitoring and control system. According to the differential signal of the impact force sensor and the inertial force sensor, the cutting flow threshing and separating device is calculated by real-time monitoring of the grain breaking rate, the entrainment loss rate, the tangential groove outlet gap, the cutting drum speed and the longitudinal axis drum speed.

Abstract: A self-learning grain sensing system for an agricultural harvester includes a first grain sensor having a first sensing surface responsive to first impacts of grain upon the first sensing surface, wherein the first grain sensor generates first electrical pulses in response to the first impacts; a second grain sensor having a second sensing surface responsive to second impacts of grain upon the second sensing surface, and wherein the second grain sensor generates second electrical pulses in response to the second impacts; and a control system configured to receive the first electrical pulses from the first grain sensor, derive control parameters from the first electrical pulses, and apply those control parameters to the second electrical pulses.

Abstract: The height of a header of a self-propelled harvesting machine is controlled by a closed loop header position control system. A sensitivity control system receives parameters related to header position error (e.g., an accuracy parameter) and machine stability (e.g., a stability parameter) and automatically identifies a sensitivity metric indicative of a sensitivity with which the header position control system controls the header height, based upon the received parameters. The sensitivity metric is provided to the header position control system. The header position control system performs closed loop header position control with a sensitivity level based upon the sensitivity metric provided by the sensitivity control system.

Abstract: In a crop harvesting machine there is provided a pair of hydraulic float cylinders or springs for a header such as a rotary mower relative to a self-propelled vehicle, where a float spring force is controlled to provide a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. The spring force is varied in response to detection of ground speed to decrease the lifting force at higher ground speeds. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. In order to reduce static friction so that the system can react quickly, an arrangement is provided for causing relative reciprocating movement in an alternating wave pattern between the piston and cylinder.

Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing plant material from a plant body generally comprising a conveyor-stripper assembly having a pair of parallel driven endless belts, with a gap between the belts sized to allow the passage of the plant body but not the plant material growing thereon. A method for harvesting plant material from a plant body comprising pulling the plant body through a gap between two moving endless belts to strip the plant material from the plant body and convey the plant material to a collection point. The apparatus and method are well suited to harvesting hops.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for scanning crops. A line scan distance sensor measures a distance of the crops from the sensor and generates distance data indicative of the distance of the crops from the sensor at a measurement angle. A mover system moves the line scan distance sensor or the crops perpendicular to the distance of the crops from the sensor. A rotary encoder associated with the mover system generates movement data indicative of a movement of the distance sensor or the crops perpendicular to the distance of the crops from the sensor. A data collector associates the distance data from the distance sensor with relative positioning data based on the movement data from the rotary encoder and stores the distance data associated with the relative positioning data on a data store. The system allows accurate relative spatial alignment of sequential line scans. As a result, an extremely high resolution in the direction of movement can be achieved.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a method for pruning a fruit plant. An exemplary method step includes obtaining an image of the fruit plant that has branches. Next, creating exclusion zones surrounding the branches. Then pruning the fruit plant based upon the exclusion zones.

Abstract: A harvest vacuum assembly includes a vacuum motor coupled to a farming implement. The vacuum motor urges air inwardly through an intake and outwardly through an exhaust when the vacuum motor is turned on. A suction tube is removably coupled to the hydraulic lift on the front end of the farming implement. The suction tube has a suction aperture therein that is directed downwardly toward ground when the suction tube is coupled to the hydraulic lift. Moreover, the suction tube is in fluid communication with the vacuum motor such that the vacuum motor urges air inwardly through the suction aperture. Thus, the suction aperture sucks loose objects on the ground for collection. The exhaust on the vacuum is in fluid communication with a harvester is towed behind the farming implement to transfer the loose objects into the harvester for harvesting.

Abstract: The invention provides a longitudinal shunt combine machine for drafting and crushing and self-adaptive spraying device and a control method, including a longitudinal axis flow drafting and drainage device, a stalk miscible shredding device, a wind direction wind speed detecting device, a partition identification device, walker, crushing speed sensor, adjustable width throwing device, adaptive throw real-time control system. The width of the throwing can be adjusted according to the speed of the machine, the speed of the wind, the wind speed, the wind direction, the cut area, the position of the area to be adjusted, so that the full width and width of the stalk residue can be scattered evenly in the field avoid broken pieces of straw flinging to the area to be cut.

Abstract: Weed seeds are destroyed in the chaff from a combine harvester by repeated high speed impacts caused by a rotor mounted in one of a pair of side by side housings which accelerate the discarded seeds in a direction centrifugally away from the rotor onto a stator including angularly adjustable stator surfaces around the axis. Thus the discarded seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts. The seeds are carried axially of the rotor by a controlled airstream so that they move to an axial discharge location where a discharge fan is mounted. The angle of the discharge around the rotor axis can be changed to direct the seeds to the side of the combine away from a straw chopper, towards the guide fins of the tailboard of the chopper, or into the housing of the straw chopper.

Abstract: A farm implement includes a frame, a container mounted on the frame, a hitch extending away from a front wall of the container in a first direction, and an auger assembly extending away from the front wall. The auger assembly includes a receiving portion coupled to the container, a lower portion coupled to the receiving portion, an upper portion coupled to the lower portion, a joint assembly coupled to both the upper and lower portions, and a discharge portion coupled to the upper portion. The joint assembly allows the upper portion to pivot about a folding axis between a transport position and an operating position. In the operating position, the lower portion is angled toward the hitch relative to a vertical plane extending transverse to a direction of travel by the farm implement, and the lower portion is angularly offset from the upper portion by a second angle.

Abstract: A baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame, where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber in operable communication with the compression chamber, where the feed pan includes an inlet defining an inlet area and an outlet defining an outlet area, and where the outlet of the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber of the compression system. The baler also includes at least one actuator coupled to the feed pan, and a controller in operable communication with the at least one actuator, and where the controller is configured to adjust the inlet area and the outlet area independently.

Abstract: A baler for use with a forming bale having a first bale attribute. The baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber sized to receive at least a portion of the forming bale therein. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber, and where the shape of the pre-compression is adjustable, and where the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber. The baler also includes a sensor configured to output signals representative of the first bale attribute, and a controller in operable communication with the feed pan and the sensor, and where the controller is configured to actively adjust the shape of the pre-compression chamber based at least in part upon the first bale attribute of the forming bale.

Abstract: In embodiments, acquiring sensor data associated with a plant growing in a field, and analyzing the sensor data to extract, while in the field, one or more phenotypic traits associated with the plant from the sensor data. Indexing, while in the field, the one or more phenotypic traits to one or both of an identifier of the plant or a virtual representation of a part of the plant, and determining one or more plant insights based on the one or more phenotypic traits, wherein the one or more plant insights includes information about one or more of a health, a yield, a planting, a growth, a harvest, a management, a performance, and a state of the plant. One or more of the health, yield, planting, growth, harvest, management, performance, and the state of the plant are included in a plant insights report that is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing grow lighting are described. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a lighting cycle for a predetermined plant type and receiving a command for implementing the lighting cycle with a grow lighting assembly on a plant, where the grow lighting assembly includes a grow lighting device with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Some embodiments also include determining an illumination pattern for implementing the lighting cycle for the grow lighting assembly and sending the illumination pattern to the grow lighting assembly for implementation.

Abstract: A lighting system for facilitating the growth of plants. The system can include an LED array having an output of light, including light intensity and/or color spectra, controlled locally in response to one or more sensors of the respective system detecting a sensory input analyzed against a target parameter set. The LED array and/or corresponding one or more sensors can be disposed on or internal to a housing. The LED array can be protected and a controller of the system can be configured to analyze data from the one or more sensors and adjust output of the LED array in response.

Abstract: A fabric pot for growing media having a base and an upstanding side wall. The side wall has a lower section made from a porous fabric material and an upper section being made from a waterproof material layer.

Abstract: A plant training support comprising a central stem-supported vertical rod and a horizontal ring-like frame at an upper end of the central rod, the length of the central rod and the height of the ring being higher than an expected maximum height for a particular species or variety of a plant. A plurality of filaments are secured at their upper ends at spaced locations around the ring, with their lower ends being above the lower end of the rod. The training support is inserted or secured in a growing medium next to a plant, with the plant stem secured to the central rod, and with lower ends of the filaments secured in gentle tension to upper ends of the branches of the plant.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for managing growing vine in a vineyard includes operating one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to fly over a plurality of sections of a vineyard. The UAVs are fitted with a plurality of cameras equipped to generate images in a plurality of spectrums. The plurality of sections of the vineyard grow vines of a plurality of varietals. The method further includes taking a plurality of aerial images of the sections of the vineyard in the plurality of spectrums, using the plurality of cameras, while the UAVs are flying over the plurality of sections of the vineyard, and executing an analyzer on a computing system to machine analyze the plurality of aerial images for anomalies associated with growing the vines of the plurality of varietals. The machine analysis takes into consideration topological information of the vineyard, as well as current planting information of the vineyard.

Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).

Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).

Abstract: Method for obtaining a growth medium for growing plants comprising taking organic waste suitable to the plants to be grown, mixing it to obtain a homogeneous material and reducing its microbial activity, incinerating organic waste suitable to the plants to be grown to obtain ash, a source of minerals suitable for the cultivation of said plants, and incubating the homogeneous material with the ash to restart the microbial activity, initiating the mineralization of the material, and obtaining a ready-to-use growth medium.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining real-time data regarding the condition of a crop and planning and executing an irrigation cycle in response to the data. The invention uses an unmanned aerial vehicle to survey the conditions within an irrigated area. The irrigation system includes components to vary the amount of water dispensed within particular areas. The data obtained is used to create an irrigation schedule that the irrigation system then carries out. For example, surveyed areas that contain more moisture may be given relatively less water during the next irrigation cycle. The data obtained may also be used to alter a scheduled delivery of fertilizer, pesticide, or some other substance.

Abstract: A self-watering planter comprises an outer shell, an inner shell and a water delivery device having a valve element. The outer shell is defined by a bottom surface, a body section and a top opening providing access to an interior. The inner shell is defined by a bottom surface, a body section and a top opening providing access to an interior. The inner shell is sized to be smaller than the interior of the outer shell such that when the inner shell is disposed within the interior of the outer shell, a hollow area is formed between the inner shell and the outer shell for retaining water. An opening is formed through a rim of the planter to provide access to the hollow area for water to be received and stored, and water is metered into the interior of the inner shell by the valve element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an article for enriching soil fertility, a method of manufacturing the same and a method of enriching soil fertility. The article comprising a container comprising a fluid-permeable membrane, a fertilizer disposed in the container and a moisture regulator disposed in the container. The moisture regulator is configured to repeatedly absorb moisture from outside the container and release the absorbed moisture into a space within the container based on a moisture gradient existing between the space within the container and outside the container, to control a release of the fertilizer from the container through the membrane. The moisture regulator is further configured to form a base in the space within the container to harbor moisture-sensitive microbes, the microbes being transferable through the membrane based on the moisture gradient.

Abstract: Novel lettuce, such as lettuce designated WINGMAN is disclosed. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the seeds of lettuce WINGMAN, to the plants and plant parts of lettuce WINGMAN, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the lettuce WINGMAN with itself or another lettuce plant. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other lettuce plants derived from the lettuce WINGMAN.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a new and distinct variety of lettuce variety NUN 09111 LTL as well as seeds and plants and heads or leaves thereof. NUN 09111 LTL is a green Multileaf lettuce variety of medium size for the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, comprising resistance to Downy Mildew (Bremia lactucae) isolates Bl:16-35 EU and Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a new and distinct variety of lettuce variety NUN 09148 LTL as well as seeds and plants and heads or leaves thereof. NUN 09148 LTL is a dark green Multileaf lettuce variety of medium size comprising resistance to Downy Mildew (Bremia lactucae) isolates B1:16-36 EU.