Abstract: An apparatus for clearing trash from a soil surface, the apparatus being configured to be mounted on a towable frame support and driven across the soil surface in a direction of travel (“D”), the apparatus comprising: a bearing housing; and a soil-engaging member rotatably mounted to the support, wherein the soil-engaging member is oriented to rotate about an axis (“A”) tilted from a perpendicular to the soil surface (“B”) by an acute angle (?1) towards one lateral side relative to the direction of travel (“D”), whereby contact between the soil-engaging member and the soil surface induces rotation of the soil-engaging member around the axis (“A”).

Abstract: An automatic travel system for a work vehicle allows the work height of a work device to be easily and appropriately adjusted by a remote operation that uses a remote operation device for a work vehicle during automatic travel. The automatic travel system for work vehicles includes an automatic travel unit, and a remote operation device, for a work vehicle. A work vehicle has a work height setting unit, a height detector, a raising and lowering indicator, and a raising and lowering control unit, for a work device. The raising and lowering control unit sets a control target height to a work height on the basis of the indication of the raising and lowering indicator and executes automatic raising and lowering control so that the height position of a work device matches the work height. The remote operation device has a display device that displays remote operation information, and a work height adjustor that allows adjustment of the work height while in automatic travel mode.

Abstract: A system and a method for a grass maintenance comprising an autonomous vehicle (100) arranged to operate autonomously to manipulate a grass surface, wherein the vehicle (100) includes one or more environmental sensors (208) arranged to detect environmental conditions associated with the grass surface; and one or more grass manipulation modules (210) arranged to manipulate the grass surface.

Abstract: Sharing planter data is made efficient through an initial separation of agricultural data before transmission of the same. During performance of agricultural tasks, generated data is stored in files representing geographic regions. Several data layers of the files correspond to various agricultural aspects which can then be selectively transmitted with smaller parsed files. The received data can be harmonized into the same format used by the receiving agricultural implement. Sharing planter data in this way obviates performance degradation for rural cellular networks.

Abstract: Data from multiple agricultural operations in the same field is shared, securely, without the need for complex setup procedures. One agricultural implement can operate off of the agricultural data produced by other agricultural implements, which can, by way of example and with respect to a planting operation, result in a shared shutoff of seed application. If a single task is distributed to multiple agricultural implements, whichever agricultural implement starts the task can join to a common sharing of data. Another technique for sharing data can involve all shared agricultural implements using an initial, preferably identical, provisioning key. Maintenance of fields deemed to be geographically similar is made particularly easier through use of the present invention.

Abstract: An agricultural product application system such as an air seeder or a sprayer includes a controller, a product source, and a plurality of product dispensing sections. Each of the dispensing sections include a metering module and a product sensor arranged to detect product passing through one or more product dispensing devices. The controller determines a dispense activation delay (don) for each product dispensing section by measuring a delay between activation of the metering module and the product sensor detecting product arriving. The delay is optionally used for automatic control of the product dispensing sections and/or for logging georeferenced application data.

Abstract: An agricultural seeder (10) for research plots includes a front gang (21) of planting units (22) and a rear gang (23) of planting units (24) spaced a distance behind the front gang. Metering systems (14) are provided for metering seed to the planting units (22, 24) of the front and rear gangs (21, 23). A tripping system (27) is used to start and stop the seed metering systems (14) and to change seed between plots while planting. A programmable logic controller (28) is programmed with the distance between the front and rear gangs (21, 23) and is used to delay the tripping of the metering system (26) for the rear gang (23) relative to the metering system (25) for the front gang (21) until the seeder (10) has traveled the distance (L) between the front and rear gangs (21, 23). The delayed tripping for the rear gang (23) keeps the planted rows and alleyways created by the front gang planting units (22) laterally aligned with those created by the rear gang planting units (24).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for soil moisture retrieval using multi-channel collaboration algorithm and passive microwave radiometry, including establishing mathematical relationship formula between brightness temperatures at any two channels according to microwave radiative transfer equation; collecting actual brightness temperatures of core channel and collaborative channels; selecting parameters to be retrieved including soil moisture value; giving a series of estimated values of parameters to be retrieved, calculating a series of predicted brightness temperatures of collaborative channels according to actual brightness temperature of core channel, microwave radiative transfer equation and mathematical relationship formula, comparing predicted brightness temperatures with actual brightness temperature, and determining soil moisture value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the influence of the inclination (?1-?4) of an agricultural spreading device (100, 102) on the distribution of the material to be spread, having the steps of: receiving discharge information on spreading processes of agricultural spreading devices (100) using an analysis device (10) and ascertaining a relationship between a dispensing point of material to be spread onto at least one distribution disc (104, 106, 108, 110) of an agricultural spreading device and the distribution of material to be spread, said relationship depending on the inclination of an agricultural spreading device, using the analysis device on the basis of the received discharge information.

Abstract: Continued and precise operation of an agricultural implement exists even where a subsystem, such as a GPS receiver, wireless communicator, a sensor, or the like, fails, falters, or is otherwise unusable. Data is continually tracked to the extent possible during failure or faltering and is temporarily stored. To continue operations during periods of unavailability, a representation of planted ground is anticipated by other agricultural implements and/or calculated with agricultural data from other agricultural implements. Normal operations then continue until data sync can catch back up to real-time.

Abstract: Holes are provided in distal raking portions of the raking tines of an otherwise prior art leaf rake head for a hand-held leaf rake, to enable a clog-resistant feature in the leaf rake. The clog-resistant feature may be realized by threading a line, such as string trimmer line, through the holes.

Abstract: A mulching apparatus including: a housing including a front opening and an inner wall; a rotor mounted in the front opening of the housing adjacent to the inner wall; and a drive train for driving the rotor, the drive train including: a drive shaft connected to the rotor; a motor comprising a motor shaft; and a removable wear gear connecting the motor shaft and the drive shaft, wherein the wear gear is formed from a material that is softer than a material of the drive shaft or motor shaft.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for a modular multipurpose machine or vehicle, including a modular scalable frame with battery incorporated into on the scalable frame; a modular electric drive system; and modular attachments or components for configuring the machine or vehicle for a plurality of maintenance or transportation functions. The modular electric drive system includes a power train with respective drive units for each of the front and rear wheels, each drive unit includes a planetary gear, and servo motor for each of the front and rear wheels. The power train includes steerable or non-steerable wheel power units, housing the respective drive units, and including respective servo controllers for each of the front and rear wheels. The wheel power units are configured for single, double or triple wheel configurations.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a housing (1), a traveling wheel for supporting the lawn mower (100), a self-propelled motor for driving the traveling wheel, and a control circuit board (5) for controlling turning-on and turning-off of the self-propelled motor. The traveling wheel includes a pair of front traveling wheels (31) and a pair of rear traveling wheels (32), and the self-propelled motor includes a first self-propelled motor (41) and a second self-propelled motor (42). The lawn mower further includes a first control element and a second control element, the first control element is configured to control the control circuit board to turn-on or turn-off the first self-propelled motor, and the second control element is configured to control the control circuit board to turn-on or turn-off the second self-propelled motor. The lawn mower can be driven in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive as required, which is convenient to operate and maintain.

Abstract: A paddle tine for use over a pickup tine previously fixed with a harvester reel tube of a harvesting header comprises an elongated body having a central cavity therethrough and is adapted to slide over the pickup tine of the harvester reel tube. An attachment mechanism, such as one or more resilient clips with a fastening clip, is fixed with the proximal end of the elongated body to secure the paddle tine to the harvester reel tube over the pickup tine. Two opposing paddle webs project laterally away from the elongated body proximate the distal end.

Abstract: A camera captures an image of a portion of a cart and accesses stored maps that map visual features of carts to a set of settings that are applied to an automatic fill control system. A map that matches visual features of the cart, in the captured image, is identified and the settings in that map are applied to the automatic fill control system.

Abstract: A residue management system comprises a chopper to chop crop residue, a residue spreader, and a floor extension. The residue spreader is mounted for pivotable movement relative to the chopper between a dispersal position to disperse crop residue and a windrow position to deposit crop residue in a windrow. The residue spreader comprises a first spreading device, a second spreading device, and a splitter positioned laterally between the first and second spreading devices to divide flow of crop residue therebetween. A floor of the chopper and a floor of the residue spreader are spaced apart from one another to define a gap. The floor extension projects rearwardly from the floor of the chopper partially over the floor of the residue spreader about the gap alongside the splitter to guide flow of crop residue from the chopper to the residue spreader.

Abstract: Gathering chains for row crop harvester heads which improve yield by minimizing the loss of kernels that may prematurely break loose and be lost to the ground. The gathering chains include continuous loops with a plurality bristle blocks removable attached to the continuous loops. Each of the plurality of bristle blocks include bristles extending laterally therefrom, whereby the bristles form a substantially continuous lateral conveying surface effectively closing an area above and across the width of the slot defined by the stripper plates. The bristles may include fine bristle filaments and coarser bristle filaments that are shorter than the fine bristle filaments.

Abstract: A harvesting unit including a chassis intended to be moved along rows of plants to be harvested, and a shaker system including a shaker device including: a drum operable to detach a crop from the plants, the drum including a drum shaft mounted for rotation on the chassis about a vertical axis and shaker organs mounted to the drum shaft; a rotational driving mechanism for the drum including a driven body and a first driving device engaged with the driven body to steer its rotation about the vertical axis; an oscillatory driving mechanism for the drum about the vertical axis including comprising an eccentric module and a second driving device engaged with the eccentric module to steer its rotation, the eccentric module being connected to the drum shaft by a mechanical member arranged to transform the eccentric rotation of the eccentric module into an oscillation of the drum shaft.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for automatically picking a fruit is described. During the clamping stage, the movement of the fingers is controlled such that a specific maximum clamping force is not exceeded. In addition, during at least a part of the removal stage, the mutual position of the fingers is controlled by the drive such that their mutual distance does not increase.

Abstract: Systems and methods capable of selecting and positively grasping objects of interest within a cluttered environment are described. Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for real-time control of a robot that uses various sensors and reacts to sensor input in real time to adjust the robots path. In some embodiments, a robotic item picker includes an end effector having a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a carriage configured to rotate about and translate along an intermediate portion of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position, a suction device coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fingers spaced radially about the carriage. The robot may be a t-bot including a longitudinal member rotatable about a lengthwise axis of the longitudinal member, a carriage translatable along the lengthwise axis, and a radial member slidably mounted to the carriage.

Abstract: A drive system for self-propelling harvester is disclosed. The harvester includes a drive motor, a transfer case driven by the drive motor and having an output pulley arranged on a driveshaft of the transfer case and driving, using a main drive belt, at least one main pulley of a rotating cutter drum arranged on the end of a cutter drum shaft, a conditioning apparatus, an ejection accelerator, and a hydraulic pump for hydraulically driving an attachment and/or a feed device. The output pulley, the main drive belt and the main pulley form a main drivetrain for driving the cutter drum, the conditioning apparatus, and the ejection accelerator, and the attachment and the feed device are each driven by a separate drivetrain. At least one prop shaft, on the side of the main drivetrain, is arranged or positioned to lie in a common vertical plane with the main drive belt.

Abstract: A pollen collection device for collecting pollen from crop plants grown in rows includes a housing assembly configured to be mounted on a base for being transported through a row of crop plants. The housing assembly receives at least a portion of the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants. An agitation assembly is attached to the housing assembly for agitating the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants to displace pollen from the plants. A pollen collection assembly is attached to the housing assembly for collecting the pollen displaced from the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants.

Abstract: A conveying and collecting device for a crop press has a conveying and collecting unit switchable from a collecting mode into a lifting mode. A first cam track for rotating feed tines of a feed bar is switchable from a fixed state, in which it is stationary and the conveying and collecting unit is in collecting mode, into a moving state, in which it is driven by the conveying and collecting unit that is in lifting mode. A coupling device for operatively coupling the first cam track with the conveying and collecting unit is provided, and a switching device triggers or prevents coupling based on the filling level of the collecting chamber that is detected by a sensor unit. Triggering or preventing of the coupling process is mechanically independent of the detected filling level. A crop press is provided with such a conveying and collecting device.

Abstract: A tying device for an agricultural crop press has a drive unit for driving the tying device and a work unit for processing crop which is switchable from a coupled state, in which it is coupled to the drive unit and driven, into a decoupled state, in which it is not coupled to the drive unit and not driven. The work unit has a pawl and the drive unit has a coupling device with which the work unit and the drive unit are operatively connectable. The coupling device interacts in the coupled state of the work unit with the pawl. The drive unit has an electromagnetically acting switch that is switchable reversibly from an inactive into an active state and that is configured to trigger or to terminate the operative connection of the coupling device with the pawl. An agricultural crop press is provided with such a tying device.

Abstract: A plant injection system includes an injection tool configured to penetrate a plant and distribute a liquid formulation to the plant. The injection tool includes abase having an inlet port and a penetrating distribution body extending along a longitudinal body axis. The penetrating distribution body includes a penetrating element and one or more distribution ports in communication with the inlet port. The one or more distribution ports are spaced from the penetrating element. The injection tool includes penetrating and distribution configurations. In the penetrating configuration the penetrating element is configured to penetrate the plant along the longitudinal body axis. In the distribution configuration the one or more distribution ports are configured to distribute the liquid formulation to the plant transversely relative to one or more penetrating directions, at least one of the penetrating directions corresponding to the longitudinal body axis.

Abstract: The present invention includes a plant holding unit for supporting a plant on a generally vertical member. A plant container held by plant holding unit is held below a plane approximately normal to the outer surface of the generally vertical member. The plant holding unit is configured to support a plant container on a generally vertical member. The plant holding unit includes an opening having an axis and a perimeter edge, wherein the axis is approximately perpendicular to the first plane defining a general direction of plant growth. The plant holding unit also includes a barrier extending generally vertically from and attached to the perimeter edge, wherein the barrier forms a water retaining area.

Abstract: A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.

Abstract: A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.

Abstract: The invention discloses a regulating system and method for multilayer shading film of plastic greenhouse with adjustable shading rate. The upper film of the sunshade is a fully transparent film, while the middle film and the lower film are printed with dots, which are interlaced. Through the measurement and comparison of the warm light in the greenhouse, the combined control of the sunshade film is realized. Not only can it adjust its light blocking rate, but it also has a heat insulating effect when there is a certain amount of air in the film.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a film for enhancing the growth of plants in the Cannabaceae family, the film being capable of blocking solar spectrum in the range 430-550 nm. The present disclosure also provides a single- or multi-layer plastic greenhouse film for enhancing cannabis plant growth, where the single- or multi-layer plastic greenhouse film (a) has at least one blue light blocking layer for blocking solar spectrum in the range of 430-500 nm; (b) has a high transmittance for red light in the solar spectrum in the range of 600-750 nm.

Abstract: A greenhouse arrangement that includes a block storage system in which at least one stack of multiple block storage elements can be accommodated.

Abstract: A method for planting crops that involves covering the planted seeds of the crop with an elongate sheet of mulch. The elongate sheet of mulch has lateral edges that determine its width. A combustible cord that is affixed to it between the lateral edges. The combustible cord may be formed within plies of the mulch or adhered thereto. The mulch is placed over the planted crop and held in place over the crop. This may be done by burying lateral edges of the mulch. When a user of the mulch wishes to remove the mulch, he will burn the combustible cord and that will separate the mulch along the cord.

Abstract: The Kachina Aholi is a device invented out of three main components. The three components are: a drone or other aerial load lifting apparatus, a air filter (varying in the passage intensity of molecular material, graded filters) and a Super or Ultra hydrophobic spray (e.g. WATERBEADER™). These three components combined make a device that is flown up to clouds that are dense with water molecules and “bead” those molecules up along the air filter and cause premature precipitation. This method of premature precipitation can be used to irrigate farms, prevent flash floods, prevent landslides, wildfire prevention or reduction, increase accessibility in low water/dry areas, and climate control.

Abstract: A system controlling plant growth conditions in hydroponic growing systems, the system for controlling plant growth conditions comprising: at least one detector for measuring at least one property of a plant growth substrate or environmental condition; first and second data processing means; data storage means and the or each detector being arranged to measure a property or properties of a plant growth substrate or environmental condition and to transmit a detector identifier and the measured property or properties over a communications link to the first data processing means; the first data processing means being arranged to: hold in a memory predefined growth data including irrigation data, environmental data, plant data, harvest data, crop data and/or climate data defining a relationship between: plural values for one or more of temperature, pH level, water content, nutrient content, oxygen content of the substrate, air temperature, humidity and light level, climate conditions, plant parameters, harvest an

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container of variable size. The container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. The base portion is configured with multiple holes for receiving liquid therethrough, The holes are configured as raised half-circles to block light and receive air, water, and nutrients. The container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. The center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The container is configured with multiple stakes of variable size extending therefrom the base portion for providing stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.

Abstract: A block storage element which is used for the propagation of vegetable or fungal biomass and is stackable. To enhance functionality of the block storage element, the block storage element includes a fluid reservoir with an overflow mechanism.

Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions and methods of using the same for improving plants' defense by employing naturally-derived chemicals. In a specific embodiment, the composition is from Parthenium argentatum Gray, also known as the guayule plant. Preferred compositions can up-or downregulate growth genes responsible for the targeted plants' defense mechanisms in order to create physical and/or chemical barriers, and produce detouring exudates, antagonistic compounds, or fumigating compounds that prevent and treat damages from pests in agronomic or non-agronomic plants.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of culturing and harvesting plant shoot tips. The method includes providing a sterile vessel configured to hold at least one plant with one or more root masses and a first set of shoot tips, cutting across a base of the shoot tips with the one or more root masses held in the vessel to cut a first plurality of cut shoot tips at a first time; then growing a second set of shoot tips from the one or more root masses in the vessel; and then cutting across the one or more root masses held in the vessel to cut a second plurality of cut shoot tips. Plant tissue culture devices are also described.

Abstract: Methods of in vitro clonal propagation, regeneration and transformation in Cannabis are provided. Also provided is the use of such methods in improvements of cannabis cultivars such as via breeding.

Abstract: The present description relates to a plant cutting device for cutting or cloning a plant, and housing the plant for growth. The plant cutting device generally comprises two compartments that are operatively connected together and displaceable from an open position to a closed position defining an enclosure, a cutter mounted within at least one of the compartments and configured to cut a plant part when the first and second compartments are displaced to the closed position, a cut end of the plant part being accommodated within the enclosure; and a growth medium disposed in the first compartment and/or the second compartment for contacting the cut end of the plant part allowing for the growth of the plant.

Abstract: A novel hybrid sweet corn plant, designated HMX59YS614 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS614, to the plants and plant parts of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS614, and to methods for producing a sweet corn plant by crossing the hybrid sweet corn HMX59YS614 with itself or another sweet corn plant.

Abstract: A novel hybrid sweet corn plant, designated HMX59YS718 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS718, to the plants and plant parts of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS718, and to methods for producing a sweet corn plant by crossing the hybrid sweet corn HMX59YS718 with itself or another sweet corn plant.

Abstract: A novel hybrid sweet corn plant, designated HMX59YS821 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS821, to the plants and plant parts of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS821, and to methods for producing a sweet corn plant by crossing the hybrid sweet corn HMX59YS821 with itself or another sweet corn plant.

Abstract: A novel hybrid sweet corn plant, designated HMX59YS825 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS825, to the plants and plant parts of hybrid sweet corn designated HMX59YS825, and to methods for producing a sweet corn plant by crossing the hybrid sweet corn HMX59YS825 with itself or another sweet corn plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated GIE2002, IID6072, LFF7352, LJC7589, and LJI6305, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line GIE2002, IID6072, LFF7352, LJC7589, and LJI6305 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line GIE2002, IID6072, LFF7352, LJC7589, and LJI6305, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line GIE2002, IID6072, LFF7352, LJC7589, and LJI6305, and plants produced according to these methods.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of t tomato line FIR-XM17-4455. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato line FIR-XM17-4455 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another plant, such as a tomato plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato line FIR-XM17-4455 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of tomato line FIR-A818-0004. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato line FIR-A818-0004 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another plant, such as a tomato plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato line FIR-A818-0004 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of tomato hybrid DRTH5007. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid DRTH5007 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another plant, such as a tomato plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid DRTH5007 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: A method and device for milking using a milking system with a control unit and an adjustable stimulator, including stimulating for a stimulus time and subsequently milking a dairy animal, measuring and evaluating the milk flow profile in order to determine if the milk flow profile is bimodal. If it is, then the control unit automatically adjusts the stimulating operation by extending the stimulating operation by an extension value. If it is not, then the control unit may, optionally automatically, shorten the stimulating operation. As a result, the milking system is able to reduce the strain on the teats caused by unnecessary stimulation or by milking in an efficient way during a bimodal part of the milking operation and also to adjust this during the entire lactation, if necessary. In this way, changes in the dairy animal itself are also compensated for.