Abstract: An object-collection system is disclosed. The system includes a mechanical arm assembly, a receptacle, an end-effector, and a user input device. The mechanical arm assembly has multiple degrees of freedom and is configured to pick up small objects off of the ground surface. The receptacle holds small objects that are picked up by the mechanical arm assembly. The end-effector is positioned at a proximal end of the mechanical arm assembly. The end-effector grasps and acquires small objects from the ground surface. The user input device provides operator control input from an operator on the ground vehicle to actuate the multiple degrees of freedom of the mechanical arm assembly and to actuate the end-effector. The user input signals from the user input device control electric or hydraulic actuators in the object collection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agricultural work vehicle (100) for performing an agricultural work operation in an agricultural field, wherein said work vehicle comprises: a first drive module (2); a second drive module (4); a connecting element (6); said connecting element comprises a first axial end (8) and a second axial end (10); propulsion means (12) for propelling said work vehicle; steering means (14) for steering said work vehicle; a control unit (16) for controlling the operation of said work vehicle; wherein said first drive module (2) comprises a first chassis (18); wherein said second drive module (4) comprises a second chassis (20); wherein said first drive module (2) comprises drive means (90) for allowing said first drive module to move over ground, said drive means (90) being suspended on said first chassis (18); wherein said second drive module comprises drive means (92) for allowing said second drive module to move over ground, said drive means (92) being suspended on said second chassis (2

Abstract: A bearing arrangement is provided for a side stabilizer of a rear power lift for an agricultural utility vehicle. The arrangement includes a movable bearing and a bearing bracket for the bearing. The bearing bracket is disposable in an installed operating position to achieve a mechanical coupling of the bearing bracket with the rear power lift. An axle housing includes a central longitudinal axis for a rear axle of the utility vehicle. The bearing bracket has a bearing point for the movable bearing of the side stabilizer and is connected to the axle housing by a clamping force. The clamping force is oriented parallel to a traction force acting on the bearing point in the installed operating position.

Abstract: A control device for a work vehicle configured or programmed to travel autonomously includes a vehicle position calculator to calculate a vehicle position, a travel direction calculator to calculate a travel direction that is a front-back direction of the vehicle body, a steering state detector to obtain data on a steering state, a vehicle position estimator to calculate an estimated vehicle position at which the work vehicle is to be present after performing predetermined travel from the vehicle position of the work vehicle, a deviation calculator to calculate a deviation of the work vehicle at the estimated vehicle position from the target travel path, a target steering amount calculator to calculate a target steering amount based on the deviation, and an autonomous travel controller to control steering based on the target steering amount.

Abstract: A method performing an agricultural task on a field, the method comprising: identifying a number of plants in the field on a per unit area; determining a field pattern of plant maintenance for the plants in the field, the field pattern comprising: a planting instruction for travel in a first direction; and a plant maintenance instruction for travel in a second direction which is not parallel to the first direction, the plant maintenance instruction generated using at least one parameter corresponding to the number of plants in the field on a per unit area.

Abstract: A traveling path planning method of an automatic harvester includes steps of (a) detecting and forming, by a detection device, a basic farmland information; and (b) receiving and analyzing, by a path planning device, the basic farmland information, and planning a path for the automatic harvester to travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of uniformly-spaced holes in soil includes a handle portion for being gripped by a user of the apparatus, a linear rail portion extending from the handle portion defining a central axis, and a plurality of projections extending from the linear rail portion that are arranged in an adjacent relationship along the central axis. In one form, the spacing of the plurality of projections along the central axis is selected based one or more species of plants.

Abstract: A planting system including a seed flow controller coupled to a hopper and a spreader, is described. The seed flow controller, hopper, and spreader are transported by an unmanned aerial vehicle to spread the seeds over a geography. The seed flow controller includes several rollers having apposed outer surfaces. The rollers also include fins that extend about respective roller axes such that the fins cross at discrete contact points as the rollers rotate. The interfacing rollers break up clumps of seed material stored in the hopper and controllably convey the seed material from the hopper to the spreader. The spreader has a spinning spreader plate that flings the seed material laterally outward to spread the seed material over the ground. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An agriculture planter includes a planter frame, a seed hopper, and a trailing arm assembly. The planter frame may include a hitch tongue extending forwardly from the planter frame. The trailing arm assembly may be coupled to a rear portion of the planter frame via a parallel linkage and extend rearward from the planter frame, and include separate but adjustable trailing arm assemblies for the opening implements and the closing implements.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes at least one recirculation network configured for communication with a system pump. The at least one recirculation network includes at least one sprayer boom tube and a plurality of product dispensers distributed along the at least one sprayer boom tube. A network pump is in communication with the at least one sprayer boom tube. The at least one recirculation network includes a dispensing configuration and a recirculation configuration. In the dispensing configuration the recirculation network is configured for communication with a supply tank and an agricultural product reservoir. In the recirculation configuration the recirculation network is isolated from the supply tank and the agricultural product reservoir, and the recirculation network includes a recirculation loop continuously extending through the network pump and the at least one sprayer boom tube.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting suboptimal mowing due to impacted vegetation and/or orientation changes are discussed. In some examples, blade speeds, blade heights, torques, and/or a current required to spin the blades of a mower at a determined rate may be calibrated and associated with a lawn mower and/or map. Changes in any one or more of the blade speed, current required, torque, etc. (and/or additional data from one or more sensors on the mower) may be used as an indication for determining whether vegetation has impacted the underside of a mower, whether the blade has struck an object, whether the mower is undergoing an orientation change, whether the mower requires maintenance, and the like. Based on the indication, the mower can perform one or more functions to attempt to remediate the problem autonomously and/or send a signal to a user for additional help.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting a difference in orientation between a lawn mower and a surface on which the mower is mowing, or between portions of such surface, based on one or more of sensor data or map data are discussed. The difference in orientation may then be used to control the lawn mower by, for example, raising a deck height or idling a blade speed, though other actuations are contemplated. In some examples, an amount the deck height is raised may be based on the difference in orientation. Based on a subsequent difference detected being at or below a threshold difference, the mower may return to previous operating conditions including, but not limited to, returning a blade speed to a previous blade speed and/or returning the deck height to a previous deck height, among other controls. Such techniques may prevent undercutting turf due to such differences.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switchable cutting blade paired with a harvester knife guard. The switchable cutting blade comprises a switchable cutting blade assembly in which a knife guard is not included and which is provided with notches, so that waste blockage can be cleaned automatically. The switchable cutting blade assembly comprises a cutting bucket steel plate and a plurality of cutting blade bottom frames which is arranged on the cutting bucket steel plate and is closely connected. Each cutting blade bottom frame comprises a triangular part A and a groove frame which is integrated with the triangular part A. Each of the groove frames and the corresponding cutting blade bottom frame form an ? shape; each two adjacent cutting blade bottom frames are fixed by a crossbar to form a new knife guard. Each cutting blade bottom frame is provided with a cutting blade component. Each cutting blade component comprises a blade part and a mounting part arranged at the rear end of the blade part.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a cutting blade for a cutter head and includes a base body having a fastening arrangement for fastening the cutting blade to a cutter head as well as a blade edge. The base body and the blade edge are made of a biodegradable natural substance. Alternatively, the base body is made of a non-biodegradable plastic and the blade edge is made at least in part of a biodegradable material.

Abstract: A header of an agricultural harvester is provided. The header includes a frame having a centerline defining a first side and a second side of the frame. A first portion of either the first side or the second side of the frame has a first trapezoidal profile that includes a first pair of legs that run along a longitudinal axis of the frame and a first pair of bases that form a height of the frame. The first pair of legs include a first top leg and a first bottom leg, and the first bottom leg is angled toward the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A header of a harvester includes a first header segment comprising a cutter bar configured to cut crops, and a first portion of a conveyor assembly. The header additionally includes a center section comprising a second portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section is configured to receive cut crops from the first header segment via the first portion of the conveyor assembly. The header also includes a first wheel configured to at least partially support a weight of the header, and a first sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a distance to ground. The header further includes a first actuator coupling the first wheel to the header; and a control system comprising a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the first sensor and to control the first actuator to adjust the first wheel based on the sensor signal.

Abstract: A header of a harvester includes a header segment, a center section, an actuator coupling the header segment to the center section, and a controller. The header segment includes a cutter bar configured to cut crops and the header segment includes a first portion of a conveyor assembly. The center section includes a second portion of the conveyor assembly, in which the center section is configured to receive crops from the header segment via the first portion of the conveyor assembly, and the second portion of the conveyor assembly is configured to transport the received crops to a crop processing system of the harvester. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a target position of the header segment and the controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust the header segment to the target position.

Abstract: A header of an agricultural harvester is provided. The header includes a rigid modular frame. The rigid modular frame includes a center section, a first outer section, and a second outer section. The first and second outer sections flank the center section and are rigidly coupled to the center section.

Abstract: A wheel assembly of a harvester header includes a latch and a pin. The pin is configured to engage the latch while a wheel of the wheel assembly is at a first position and the pin is configured to disengage the latch while the wheel of the wheel assembly is at a second position. Engagement of the pin and the latch is configured to block movement of the wheel relative to a frame of the harvester header.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi component apparatus, allowing user to couple a weed trimmer easily to a zero turn riding lawn mower, for trimming weeds that the mower cannot access. Apparatus can be mounted to the frame or foot rest of mower, apparatus wheel castors allow trimmer to ride the terrain.

Abstract: An agricultural header includes: a main section including a main frame carrying at least one cutting element; at least one wing section pivotably coupled to the main section and including a wing frame; and a linkage pivotably coupling the at least one wing section to the main section, the linkage including an upper bar and a lower bar which are both coupled to the main frame and the wing frame, the upper bar defining an upper bar axis and the lower bar defining a lower bar axis which is non-parallel to the upper bar axis.

Abstract: An over the row berry harvester provides flexible cushioned elements and surfaces to limit bruising of the fruit harvested. A chassis defines a picking tunnel that passes over rows of plants. A picking system removes fruit from the plants as the harvester moves along the rows. A catching system configured to receive fruit removed from the plants. The catching system includes groups of catch assemblies with soft surfaces on each side of the picking tunnel, each of the catch assemblies at least partially overlapping adjacent catch assemblies. Each of the catch assemblies has a lightweight frame with an aperture and a membrane over molded to bond to the frame and extend across the aperture. The harvest also includes soft surfaces assemblies with membranes stretched between edge frame elements.

Abstract: There is provided a system, installed on a vehicle or trailer, for performing an agricultural task. The system comprises a platform connecting to the vehicle or trailer and comprising a socket for an accessory. A plurality of accessories is provided, wherein one accessory is selected among them for installation in the accessory socket. A vision system is operatively connected to a computer and collects data of the environment about the accessory, the computer using the collected data to determine an instruction for performing the agricultural task and to send the instruction to the accessory installed in the accessory socket to perform the agricultural task. The accessory is interchangeable in the accessory socket depending on the agricultural task. The box handling stage and pallet mounting stage can be robotized for efficient automation.

Abstract: This summary of the invention refers to the development of a ramp (flexible front guard) that is mounted to a cutting platform to prevent grain loss and dirt from entering the conveyor, consisting of a flexible material sheet (1), capable of being curved (2) near the cutting blade area (3) of a cutting platform (4), containing an inclined portion (8) and another curved portion (5) near the conveyor (6).

Abstract: A switching device for a transmission have a first and a second transmission housing portion. The switching device comprises a shift collar, a shift fork which engages in the shift collar, a control actuator which is arranged in the first transmission housing portion and an actuator rod which is connected at one end to the control actuator and at the other end to the shift fork. The actuator rod is supported in a first guiding hole which is formed in the first transmission housing portion. It is proposed that a second guiding hole which is formed in the first transmission housing portion parallel with the first guiding hole be formed and a guide rod which is orientated parallel with the actuator rod be provided and be connected at one end to the shift fork and at the other end be supported in the second guiding hole.

Abstract: A threshing pin for use with a threshing cylinder of a harvesting machine is disclosed. The pin has an attachment portion for attaching the pin to the threshing cylinder, and a threshing portion extending from the attachment portion for contacting the material to be threshed, wherein the threshing portion includes a recess in an outer surface of the threshing portion, the recess being occupied by a wear life-extending material. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combine and combine conversion for collecting agricultural plants in a manner that separates various parts of the plants for collection or disposal. A combine is provided with an improved system for collecting and cleaning seed of an agricultural material such as cannabis while collecting lightweight chaff, such as trichomes, and returning stalks back to the agricultural field. The system provides for rapid conversion of a combine to seed and chaff collection and back again.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and/or system for automatically controlling ventilation of a grain storage bin to maintain the grain parameters within a predefined range. The disclosed system includes a ventilation control system and a plurality of ventilation fans installed to the storage bin. The ventilation control system includes a fan switch control unit, a weather station, and a plurality of grain characteristics monitoring devices. The fan switch control unit includes a first switch and a second switch to constantly operate the plurality of ventilation fans on receiving an alarm signal from the weather station and/or the grain characteristics monitoring devices. The weather station transmits the alarm signal to deactivate plurality of ventilation fans when the captured external parameters deviate from predefined external temperature-humidity range.

Abstract: The invention relates to the grafting of perennial monocots such as bananas and oil palms. Processes for the production of such plants are disclosed herein.

Abstract: One variation of a method for monitoring growth of plants within a facility includes: aggregating global ambient data recorded by a suite of fixed sensors, arranged proximal a grow area within the facility, at a first frequency during a grow period; extracting intermediate outcomes of a set of plants, occupying a module in the grow area, from module-level images recorded by a mover at a second frequency less than the first frequency while interfacing with the module during the period of time; dispatching the mover to autonomously deliver the module to a transfer station; extracting intermediate outcomes of the set of plants from plant-level images recorded by the transfer station while sequentially transferring plants out of the module at the conclusion of the grow period; and deriving relationships between ambient conditions, intermediate outcomes, and final outcomes from a corpus of plant records associated with plants grown in the facility.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stage—from a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second module—defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plants—to the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a method can include measuring at least one electrical property of a growing plant material using a plurality of electrodes to electromagnetically interrogate the growing plant material. The method can further include, based on the measured at least one electrical property, assessing at least one physical condition of the growing plant material.

Abstract: A system includes a greenhouse and nanofluid configured to flow around the greenhouse and absorb some or significant portion of solar spectrum having a wavelength equal to or greater than 750 nm to reduce a cooling load inside the greenhouse. The system further includes a duct channel. The nanofluid flows around the greenhouse through the duct channel.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber and defining a root chamber. A hydration system is fluidly coupled to the root chamber for selectively implementing a hydration cycle where the root chamber is charged with mist and an air circulation system selectively urges a flow of air through the root chamber to maintain a desired temperature. A controller is configured for stopping the flow of air during the hydration cycle, e.g., to minimize disruption of the hydration cycle. The stopping of the flow of air may be time-based, e.g., based on the start/end times of the hydration cycle, or may be based on moisture level, e.g., as measured by an optical sensor.

Abstract: A stackable plant grow rack and watering system that includes a watering loop and a plurality of support loops stackable thereupon in a vertical direction. A plurality of stackable grow racks can be provided and spaced from one another and connected in series via connectable water hoses to thereby form a plant support and watering daisy-chain.

Abstract: A hydration system for an indoor gardening appliance includes sump for collecting water used to hydrate plants and a water supply containing fresh water. The sump and the water supply are fluidly coupled to a supply conduit and a pump assembly urges a flow of liquid through the supply conduit. A diverter assembly controls the amount of liquid recirculated from the sump and the flow of fresh water from the water supply. The hydration system further includes a drain valve that selectively discharges liquid from the sump to an external drain.

Abstract: A speed-control system for an irrigation system may detect when an actual speed of the irrigation system is faster or slower than a target speed of the irrigation system. In some instances, the speed-control system may detect when the actual speed is faster or slower at discrete virtual points of interest and execute compensatory measures.

Abstract: Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, an irrigation system is provided with a reel in fluid communication with a wellhead, secondary cart or fluid supply line outlet. In some embodiments, a drop assembly is incorporated in an irrigation system.

Abstract: A gardening appliance and method of operation during Jewish holidays is provided herein. The indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A controller may be configured for determining a Jewish holiday, such as the Sabbath, and may selectively control the indoor gardening appliance according to an operation routine for the Jewish holiday.

Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating plants includes a cabinet having a cultivation space, a temperature control device provided in the cabinet to adjust a temperature of the cultivation space, a door configured to open and close the cultivation space, a cultivation shelf provided in the cabinet and configured to seat a seed package, a lighting device provided in the cabinet to radiate light onto the cultivation shelf, and a water supply pipe provided in the cabinet to supply water to the cultivation shelf. The cultivation shelf includes a shelf tray that supports the seed package, a shelf base provided under the shelf tray to accommodate the water supplied from the water supply pipe, and a shutter provided to be openable on the seat. The water accommodated into the shelf base is introduced to the inside of the seat by passing through the shutter when the shutter is opened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroponic facility for cultivating crops without soil by using a culture solution, and more particularly to a hydroponic facility system for helping to save energy and grow crops in a hydroponic facility, which, when crops are grown through hydroponic facilities using a hydroponic method in many farms, can prevent the destruction of a natural environment attributable to the depletion of underground resources (water resources) and can reduce the economic burden of farmers attributable to a large amount of electricity consumed for constant temperature and constant humidity.

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to he inserted in the controlled growth environment for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-hearing modules for re-use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and a system for hydroponically growing plants. A pod comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one side surface, said side surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface is disclosed. The pod body comprises an indentation. A contour of the top surface of the pod body is larger than a contour of the bottom surface of the body. Additionally or alternatively to the contours geometry, the pod comprises a protective layer forming a barrier between at least part of said indentation and surrounding medium. The system for growing plants comprises the pod and a socket configured to receive the pod. A contour of the bottom surface is smaller than a contour of the socket opening and a contour of the top surface is larger than a contour of the socket opening.

Abstract: A vertically-stacked growing system includes vertical beams and horizontal shelves respectively arranged on different vertical levels. Each horizontal shelf has a length and a width, and includes horizontal structural supports coupled to at least some of the vertical beams, decking coupled to the horizontal structural supports, and multiple walls to form a shallow pond when the horizontal shelf contains a plant nutrient water culture, thereby constituting a growing layer of the growing system. The walls include two side walls along the length and two end walls along the width. Each horizontal shelf further includes a loading and/or unloading apparatus to facilitate loading and/or unloading of a plurality of rafts into and/or out of the shallow pond, via the two end walls, wherein respective rafts of the plurality of rafts include a plurality of germinated plants.

Abstract: Methods of crossbreeding fungi organisms. The methods include placing a first fungus organism on a first growth medium. The first fungus organism is selected from the genus Psilocybe or Panaeolus. The methods further include placing a second fungus organism on the first growth medium adjacent to the first fungus organism. The second fungus organism is selected from the genus Psilocybe or Panaeolus and is different than the first fungus organism. The methods include allowing the first fungus organism to replicate to form a first colony and allowing the second fungus organism to replicate to form a second colony. The methods further include allowing the first colony and the second colony to expand until they intersect along a clamp line where the first colony and the second colony exchange genetic material between them to yield a crossbred fungus organism.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for the generation of plants, such as Euphorbia pulcherrima, having a dysfunctional glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the seeds, plant parts or plant cells derived therefrom. The disclosure further relates to a molecular marker capable of identifying a dysfunctional GST gene, to isolated DNA encoding such a dysfunctional GST gene and to the use of such DNA for the preparation of a molecular marker and for use in methods of targeted mutagenesis to inactivate the GST gene to generate plants with a white foliage phenotype.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting explants of Kadsura coccinea stems with buds and a method for directly inducing rapid proliferation of sterile buds by using the explants of Kadsura coccinea stems with buds involve processes such as selection, treatment and disinfection of explants, primary culture, subculture proliferation culture. The problem of difficulty in tissue culture and primary culture of Kadsura coccinea stems is solved, and the advantages include low contamination rate of explants, high propagation rate and robust proliferation of axillary buds. This allows obtaining sterile axillary buds of Kadsura coccinea through tissue culture, and provides support for tissue culture, rapid propagation and factory seedling of Kadsura coccinea in the future.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel methods for preparing leaf-derived plant cell suspension cultures. The cell suspension cultures produced by the methods provide a renewable and efficient source of protoplasts for high-throughput transformation and other uses. Applicants have surprisingly found that protoplasts can be obtained from the cell suspension cultures with inexpensive cell wall degrading enzymes and that the protoplasts provide increased transformation efficiencies relative to protoplasts from other sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a longitudinally split immature tiller separated from a rhizome (LSITR), a cluster of multiple in vitro shoots (CMIT), a cluster of stem segments containing shoot primordia (CSSSP) and an in vitro tiller of Miscanthus x giganteus (Giant Miscanthus), and their uses in propagating Miscanthus x giganteus (Giant Miscanthus).

Abstract: According to the disclosure, there is provided a novel lettuce cultivar, designated Stomper. Stomper is described as a vigorous romaine cultivar with added disease resistance. This disclosure thus relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar Stomper, to the plants of lettuce cultivar Stomper, to plant parts of lettuce cultivar Stomper, to methods for producing a lettuce cultivar by crossing the lettuce cultivar Stomper with another lettuce cultivar, and to methods for producing a lettuce cultivar containing in its genetic material one or more backcross conversion traits or transgenes and to the backcross conversion lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods.