Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for protecting open seed trenches form ingress of foreign material, such as plant residue. The preventing foreign material from entering the open seed trench during planting increases crop yield by minimizing delayed germination and late plant emergence. Various implementations of adjustable row cleaners may be used to prevent ingress of foreign material. Also, various shields may be disposed on the row units of a planter to prevent ingress of foreign material.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an agricultural implement includes a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a position of at least one scraper of the agricultural implement relative to a surface of at least one respective disc. The at least one scraper is configured to engage the surface of the at least one respective disc to remove accumulated soil from the surface of the at least one respective disc. The monitoring system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to determine an amount of wear on the at least one scraper based on the position of the at least one scraper relative to the surface of the at least one respective disc, and the controller is configured to output a wear signal indicative of the amount of wear on the at least one scraper.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a degradable seed pod arranged to be delivered from a vehicle to a ground surface, the pod comprising a seed encased in a hardened material, the hardened material being composed and manufactured in a manner that shields the seed from damage when the pod experiences an impact force.

Abstract: A metering system includes a plurality of metering elements that are independently controllable. A calibration method of the present disclosure includes generating calibration factors for the individual metering elements. Also, a method of the present disclosure includes operating the metering elements according to the respective calibration factor.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a ground view sensor coupled to the frame. The ground view sensor is operable to sense the furrow and generate depth signals corresponding to actual sensed depth of the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.

Abstract: An improved bag spreader and methods of the using the same. The bag spreader includes a bag that holds particulate material, a base removably coupled to the bag and including an exit opening to permit the particulate material to fall therethrough, an impeller below the base and configured to receive the particulate material leaving the exit opening and spread the particulate material, and a fastener circumscribing the base and securing the bag to the base. The methods include removably securing a bag to a base using a single cable tie, filling the bag with particulate material, and turning a hand crank causing the impeller to spin and spread the particulate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an agricultural spreader (1), comprising: providing a spreading material in a material reservoir (5) of an agricultural spreader (1); dosing the spreading material from the material reservoir (5) through a dosing opening (6); receiving the dosed spreading material by a spreader device (7); and spreading the dosed spreading material by the spreader device (7); the method further comprising: detecting digital image data by a monitoring device (4), the digital image data being indicative of a partial quantity of the spreading material located in the vicinity of the dosing opening (6) at the time of detecting the digital image data; and determining a material parameter for the partial quantity of the spreading material located in the vicinity of the dosing opening (6) from analyzing the digital image data by a control device (2). Furthermore, an arrangement for an agricultural spreader (1) system is provided.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of machines and agricultural implements, more concretely agricultural implements for the mixture and/or distribution of a solid product having variable granulometry, such as, for example, silage, crumbs, clusters, in powder, among others, such as feedstuff and mineral supplements. Moreover, the present invention brings as main advantage, relative to the implements known to the state of the art, the fact that it has a torque limiting means over the movable parts, such as helical pitch threads, augers and/or beater arms, so that there is no overload in the hydraulic system of the implement that is operatively associated to the tractor unit.

Abstract: This work map provision server includes: a storage unit that has stored therein a plurality of work maps which individually comprise work setting information of respective small regions in a farm field and attribute information of the work maps; and a map selection unit that, upon receipt of a map acquisition request from a work machine, selects, from among the plurality of maps, one or more work maps suited to said map acquisition request on the basis of map narrowing-down information contained in said map acquisition request and/or reception time and date of said map acquisition request and also on the basis of the attribute information of the respective work maps, and then transmits the selected work maps to the work machine.

Abstract: This invention is a mechanical harvesting device which uses a novel approach to cut stems on agricultural products such as apples. The device is comprised of a system including levers and a unique cutting blade profile which allows for directional transfer of force from the wrists and forearms to effectuate cutting. The device is designed so that the cutting of stems on agricultural products can be performed separately and autonomously by both arms, thus offering improvements in efficiency and safety over other harvesting practices where the cutting is performed using both hands together. Current improvements include revisions to the product interface and safety guide as well as new versions of the device, employing many of the same design elements but having as the main difference a powered motor to actuate the cutting sequence in place of levers. Future improvements include options for data generation using electronic signal processing to tabulate periodic count totals on harvested product.

Abstract: An autonomous lawn mower is described. The autonomous lawn mower comprises a chassis supporting a podium that is raked forward with respect to a horizontal plane. In some examples, the podium comprises a top portion that may support one or more sensors, antennas and/or cameras that may be used to provide environmental information regarding the surroundings of the autonomous lawn mower. In additional or alternative examples, the podium may facilitate communication services to and/or from the autonomous lawn mower. Such a podium may improve the operation of the mower by a user when manually (or semi-autonomously controlled) while optimizing a field of view of such sensors with respect to the mowable area.

Abstract: An autonomous lawn mower is described. The autonomous lawn mower comprises a chassis supporting a podium. In some examples, the podium comprises a top portion that may support one or more sensors, antennas and/or cameras that may be used to provide environmental information regarding the surroundings of the autonomous lawn mower. In additional or alternative examples, the autonomous lawn mower receives, via a wireless receiver, a signal from a remote controller, the signal comprising one or more of an emergency stop signal or a pause signal. Based at least in part on the signal comprising the emergency stop signal, causing the autonomous lawn mower to invoke an emergency stop procedure, or based at least in part on the signal comprising the pause signal, causing the autonomous lawn mower to invoke a pause procedure.

Abstract: An autonomous lawn mower is described. The autonomous lawn mower comprises a chassis supporting a podium. In some examples, the podium comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, where the upper portion may support one or more sensors, antennas and/or cameras that may be used to provide environmental information regarding the surroundings of the autonomous lawn mower. The upper portion may be detached from the lower portion such that the upper portion is calibrated prior to the upper portion being coupled to the lower portion.

Abstract: A lawn care vehicle including a mobility assembly configured to provide mobility for the lawn care vehicle, and a working assembly configured to perform a working function on a first working path and a second working path on a parcel. The lawn care vehicle further including processing circuitry configured to execute a repositioning path to cause the lawn care vehicle to move from the first working path to the second working path and initiate an energy reduction action for the lawn care vehicle while the lawn care vehicle transits the repositioning path.

Abstract: A lawn mower may include: a blade configured to cut grass; a grass collection unit configured to collect the grass cut by the blade; and a fan configured to generate an air flow that blows the grass cut by the blade toward the grass collection unit. The grass may include heavy grass cut long by the blade and light grass cut short by the blade. Among the heavy grass and the light grass having entered the grass collection unit, the grass collection unit may be configured to collect the heavy grass and discharge the light grass out of the grass collection unit.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck that provides a cutting chamber for enclosing a rotary grass cutting blade. An assembly is provided for adding ambient air to the cutting chamber during a grass mowing operation to improve performance. The assembly comprises an air vent placed in a top wall of the cutting chamber. An external cover outside of the cutting chamber and above the top wall of the cutting chamber has an air permeable section located forwardly of the air vent to admit air into the cover to thereby feed that air to the air vent. An internal cover inside the cutting chamber and below the top wall of the cutting chamber receives the air passing inwardly through the air vent and discharges such air into the cutting chamber at a location that is spaced from the air vent.

Abstract: A motorized turf trimming system and method with integrated control for a carrier vehicle and rotary trimming attachments is disclosed. The system can be configured for automatically trimming around stationary objects such as trees, signposts, guard rail posts, barrier posts, light bases, etc.

Abstract: A floor assembly (300) of a header including a floating floor (310) with a stationary lower floor portion (312) and a movable upper floor portion (314). The upper floor portion is configured for contacting a crop material which applies a force onto the upper floor portion. The floor assembly also includes at least one biasing member (320) that is connected to the upper floor portion and configured for biasing the upper floor portion (314) so that the upper floor portion moves in response to the force applied by the crop material.

Abstract: A self-propelling combine and a method for operating a self-propelling combine are disclosed. The combine includes an axial spreader, which generates a residual flow of material and supplies the residual flow of material to a downstream distribution device that discharges the residual flow of material from the combine. The axial separator in the end-side material delivery region has at least one guide element that may be moved by an actuator, thereby affecting a distribution of the exiting residual flow of material over the supply width of the distribution device. The distribution of the residual flow of material is detected by at least one sensor unit, and when a deviation from a target distribution is detected, the guide element is adjusted. A control device receives and uses a signal representing a side wind used to automatically adjust of the at least one guide element.

Abstract: A compression roll housing for an agricultural machine, in which the housing has a side panel provided with at least one elongated aperture for receiving a shaft. The aperture allows movement of the shaft within the aperture along its longitudinal axis. The elongated aperture has a flexible cover with a cover aperture. The flexible cover prevents the escape of processed crop material from the housing, while permitting movement of the shaft in the elongated aperture.

Abstract: A method for removing plants (6) or other material existing in water by means of a collector head connected to rest on a work machine moving on land and/or in a water system, whereby the collector head is moved in the method in water in the plant layer, and the collected plants (6) are transferred by means of a pump (13) and transfer pipes (3) included in the collector head either onto land or to a cargo area floating on water, such as a barge.

Abstract: This invention reveals a corn harvester header comprising: multiple harvesting units placed adjacently among them, where each of said harvesting units has a central slot through where a maize plant is processed to separate the ears from the stalks; multiple crop divisors, each placed between two adjacent harvesting units; and multiple frontal devices, each place in front of and between two adjacent harvesting units; where each one of said multiple frontal devices comprise: a pair of guiding elements, where the guiding element is selected from a group of: chain or belt; two or more wheels; and a support; where the guiding element is placed around said two or more wheels; where one of the two or more wheels drives the spin of the guiding element, where the tangential speed of the guiding element is configured according to the distance between the plants in the crop; and where an opening greater that the harvesting slot is created.

Abstract: In general terms, the present invention provides a storage system for a fruit or vegetable picking system, in which picked fruit or vegetables are delivered to a fixed filling location of the storage system, and then moved, by a robotic handling mechanism of the storage system, to one of many container locations where filled containers (punnets) are temporarily stored.

Abstract: A fan hub for an extractor for a harvesting machine that harvests a crop. The fan hub having a hub cover positioned along a rotation axis of a fan of the extractor. The hub cover is adjustable to alter the profile of the hub cover relative to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A hedge trimmer may include a body housing, a fixed plate, a blade and a chip receiver. A first engaged part may be disposed on a first side surface of the fixed plate and a second engaged part may be disposed on a second side surface of the fixed plate. The chip receiver may include a base part mounted on the fixed plate, a receiving part and an attachment part. The attachment part may include first engaging part, a second engaging part configured to be movable between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, and a manipulation part configured to move the second engaging part from the engaging position to the non-engaging position in response to a user operation. An upper surface of the base part is flat.

Abstract: An airborne grapple saw system includes a suspension assembly, a hydraulic power pack assembly, and a grapple saw head assembly. The suspension assembly is configured to be suspended from an aerial vehicle. The hydraulic power pack assembly is operatively coupled with the suspension assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is operatively coupled with the hydraulic power pack assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is configured to freely rotate about a vertical axis an unlimited number of revolutions. The grapple saw head assembly includes a saw and first and second grapple arms. The grapple arms are pivotable between an open configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to obtain and release the vegetation, and a closed configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to securely retain the vegetation.

Abstract: A lighting system for a vertical garden includes at least one light ring including a central hub member configured to be removably mounted to the vertical garden, an outer ring member, and a plurality of spoke members extending radially between the central hub member and the outer ring member, a plurality of light sources supported in the outer ring member, and a drive circuit for the plurality of light sources, a power supply, and at least one power connector connected between the drive circuit and the power supply.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a cabinet defining a grow chamber within the cabinet. The gardening appliance further includes an artificial lighting system configured to illuminate one or more back portions of the grow chamber. The gardening appliance also includes a controller. The controller is configured for, and/or methods of operating the gardening appliance may include, operating the artificial lighting system according to a first profile for a first period of time and operating the artificial lighting system according to a second profile for a second period of time after the first period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an indoor horticultural system that utilizes a wired network to control lighting. The wired interface is used to relay both analog and digital intensity control information, whereby an analog signal is used to control the intensity of all LED arrays in each lighting fixture during a first mode of operation and a digital signal is used to control the intensity of each individual LED array in each lighting fixture in a second mode of operation. Both the analog and digital signals utilize the same physical interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for subcortical injection of a substance into a plant includes a body, a first force sensor measuring bearing force of the apparatus on the plant, a hollow needle to penetrate the plant, a reservoir communicating with the needle and containing the substance, a first actuator moving the needle to insert it into the plant, a second force sensor measuring the force of insertion of the needle, a second actuator compressing the substance in the reservoir, a third actuator measuring pressurization force of the substance, and a microcontroller activating the first actuator only if the first force sensor detects a bearing force, modulating the activation of the first actuator, and thus the injection of the needle into the plant, depending on the measured insertion force, and which modulates compression in the reservoir, and thus injection into the plant, depending on the force measured by the third force sensor.

Abstract: A plant growing system comprising a growing panel and a porous air hose coupled to the growing panel. The growing panel includes a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of plant receptacles. The plurality of openings are arranged in a plurality of parallel lines on the growing panel, and the porous air hose extends along the growing panel between at least two of the parallel lines.

Abstract: The panel-modular layered wall system for shaping spatial structures is characterised by the fact that: the arrangement of horizontal layers configured by means of joined sideways panels of various shapes, filled with the substrate, whose surfaces are planted with plants according to the principle of bipolarity, preferably using transparent or opaque panels, which are mounted on cantilevers with a variable supporting angle, always forms the horizontal arrangement of panels, placed a maximum of three (when with plants and more when without) on the flat or bent frame of the module in the shape of a rhombus, a rectangle and a trapezium made of a closed profile with a rectangular cross-section, where the frames of modules joined together along the perimeter by means of couplers form the vertical load-bearing frame, sloping load-bearing frame, arched-barrel load-bearing frame, spherical load-bearing frame, cylindrical load-bearing frame and sloping cylindrical load-bearing frame, which, together with the use of si

Abstract: A pollinator attraction pot includes a pot body made up of a top portion having an opening, a bottom portion, and a side wall connecting the top portion and the bottom portion, the bottom portion and side wall defining an interior which can be used to contain a growing plant, wherein the sidewall is made of a flexible fabric material suitable to serve as a plant pot. A pollinator attractor is positionable on or within the pot body. The pollinator attractor includes a material or substance that serves to attract a pollinator to the pollinator attraction pot.

Abstract: To achieve a structure that prevents water from spilling from a receiving tray when the receiving tray is pulled out from a pot stand. A receiving tray for a pot stand is adapted to receive drained water from a pot stand that includes an upper surface part having a hole and an opening. The receiving tray includes a main body that is movable with respect to the opening in a predetermined direction X, and a plurality of wave suppressing members that extend in a width direction Y on a bottom surface of the main body and are arranged at an interval in the predetermined direction X. The plurality of wave suppressing members include first wave suppressing members and a second wave suppressing member 32 that extends from a side wall surface of the main body in a gap between the first wave suppressing members in the predetermined direction X.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber, a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods, and a sealed system for regulating chamber temperature. A controller is configured for operating the sealed system to maintain the grow chamber at a grow temperature, obtaining a scheduled harvest time, determining a chill cycle including a predetermined chill time and a pre-harvest chill temperature based at least in part on the scheduled harvest time, and operating the sealed system to implement the chill cycle by regulating a chamber temperature to the pre-harvest chill temperature during the predetermined chill time.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber to divide the grow chamber into a plurality of grow chambers. A lighting system includes a first lighting assembly positioned within the liner adjacent a first grow chamber and a second lighting assembly positioned within the liner adjacent a second grow chamber. Each of these lighting assemblies may include different types of grow lighting, ultraviolet lighting, or other light sources that may be independently controlled to generate light in different colors, wavelengths, and intensities as needed to facilitate improved plant growth.

Abstract: Lawn edging comprises a segmented elongate member (11) in which segments (11A) are joined in one of its two states by plastic hinges (21) and by thinned regions or cut-outs (23), (24) of base (12) and of arcuate wall member (13). The edging is rigid in that form and can be used to edge a straight boundary between an artificial grass area and another landscape feature. Removal of cut-outs (23, 24) from the connection region between two segments disapplies the flexibility restraint they impose. The segments concerned can then be displaced one relative to the other by articulation at the hinge (21) to accommodate non-linearity such as commonly found in such boundaries. One or more than one connection region can be treated in this way depending on need.

Abstract: A tree eggplant and a cultivation method, a rapid propagation method and an application thereof are provided by the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, the Solanum wrightii is specifically selected as the female parent, and the Solanum torvum is used as the male parent, and the tree eggplant variety obtained by hybridization has fast growth, developed trunk, strong growth potential, and is perennial, and is strong in photosynthesis, strong in nutrient and water absorption capacity, high in affinity with the scion, fast in healing at the scion interface of the rootstock and good in healing; and has good resistance to soil-borne diseases such as fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt and root knot nematode; and the rapid propagation method of the tree eggplant has strong operability and high efficiency, and is easy to popularize in practical application.

Abstract: A method for harvesting hemp, including first identifying a hemp stripper machine including a frame having a front side, an oppositely disposed ejection side, and an access side extending therebetween; a roller drum assembly rotatably mounted within the frame and further comprising a weighted cylindrical drum; and a plurality of elongated brush heads operationally connected to the weighted cylindrical drum; wherein the brush heads are staggered about the drum; a pivotable cradle table extending from the front side; an access opening on the front side for feeding hemp through to the roller drum assembly; a motor operationally connected to the roller drum assembly; and an ejection port on the ejection side, positioned to receive harvested hemp from the roller drum assembly, then energizing the motor, guiding a hemp plant portion through the access opening and into the roller drum assembly, removing seeds and leaves from the hemp plant portion, expelling hemp seeds and leaves through the ejection port, and colle

Abstract: To provide a vegetation sheet which requires no soil as a base of cultivation of Sunagoke grown seedlings and enables the cultivation of Sunagoke grown seedlings in a stable state even in a severe environment such as on a steep slope or in a strong wind. A vegetation sheet 1-1 comprises a surface layer 10 in which Sunagoke grown seedlings 30 are laid and a core layer 20 which allows rhizoids 30a of the Sunagoke grown seedlings 30 extending with growth to enter downward therein. The core layer 20 has a rough netlike structure which has spaces having an aperture size equal to or larger than the thickness of each rhizoid 30a so as to allow the rhizoids 30a to enter therethrough.

Abstract: Various disclosed examples relate to a growth medium including expanded polymer particulates, as well as a growth environment including the growth medium, a container housing a nutrient solution and a plant such that roots of the plant are received in the growth medium. Associated methods of preparing the growth medium are also contemplated, including sterilization of the growth medium and preparation of the growth medium with a growth promoting agent.

Abstract: A plant grow rack that includes a base portion having semi-circular bracket and a plurality of stakes and support hooks attached thereto and is adapted to be placed around an existing plant, be pushed into the ground, and hold a semi-circular water supply line above the ground and around the plant to thereby water said plant.

Abstract: A tessellated ceramic apparatus for plant growth is set forth devised to support germination and plant growth upon an exterior surface. Water moves under osmotic pressure from a water storage volume disposed in osmotic communication with the ceramic, through the ceramic to become available water at the exterior surface. A graduated cross-section regulates water flow from a water storage volume through to the exterior surface along a pressure gradient exerted by the water head. Plant growth is facilitated within a plurality of tessellated indentations disposed upon the exterior surface and growth may be restricted from areas of the exterior surface by application of gloss, glaze, sealants and/or other surface features that may blend design elements to augment and support a living design.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a grow module that is seated on a turntable that is rotatably mounted within a grow chamber and is rotated by a drive assembly. A position sensing assembly monitors an angular position using two proximity sensors, such as Hall-effect sensors, mounted below the sump at the same circumferential position but at different radial positions. The turntable includes a plurality of proximity indicators, such as magnets, positioned at each of three circumferential positions on the turntable and at different radiuses to define a two-digit binary code corresponding to each of the three circumferential positions that is detectable by the proximity sensors.

Abstract: A modular hydroponic grow box including a self-contained air filtration system is disclosed herein. The system includes a processor. The processor can receive data from one or several components of the system and can provide control signals to one or several components of the system. The grow box can include a housing. The housing can include: a reservoir portion; and a greenhouse portion. The greenhouse portion can connect to the reservoir portion via a grow tray. A top of the reservoir portion and the greenhouse portion define an enclosed volume. The greenhouse portion can include an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. The inlet aperture can be obstructed by an inlet filter such that air flowing into the greenhouse portion passes through the inlet filter, and the greenhouse portion can be connected to a fan that can propel air through the inlet aperture and out of the outlet aperture.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for allocating resources in a breeding pipeline to multiple origins. One exemplary method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of multiple origins, in which the data includes, for each of the multiple origins, a trait performance expression or genotypic component information. The exemplary method further includes determining a resource allocation, which allocates n resources among the multiple origins based on a probability associated with the trait performance expressions and/or the genotypic components for the origins, and then allocating the n resources in the breeding pipeline for the multiple origins, based on the determined resource allocation.

Abstract: A method of altering or transferring the cytotype of a plant line. In particular, transferring the cytotype of a transformation-recalcitrant plant line, e.g., a transformation-recalcitrant maize line, from a transformation-recalcitrant cytotype to a transformable cytotype so that the line becomes transformable while preserving its nuclear genome. The newly-transformable line may be produced using methods including backcrossing and/or haploid induction.

Abstract: A plant propagation system, process and method are provided for promoting the growth of plant tissue into propagules using a photoautotrophic gel system. The plant propagation system includes a sterile growth vessel that has a vented lid to permit passive diffusion of gases. The process is initiated with one or more sterile rooted explants, which are then cultured in a large container with a vented lid photoautotrophically, which simulates ex-vitro growth conditions. These nodal explants can then be rooted onto photoautotrophic rooting agar gel in vented lid containers and subsequently transferred onto a substrate of choice for mature growth ex-vitro.

Abstract: Several Proso cultivars are disclosed having improved yields. The technology relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of Proso cultivars; and further provides methods for producing progeny of Proso cultivars. The technology also relates to Proso cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from Proso cultivars; and to methods for producing other Proso cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from Proso cultivars, and to the Proso plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The technology further relates to hybrid Proso seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing improved-yield Proso cultivars with another Proso cultivar.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to seed and plants of pepper hybrid SHP16817. Another embodiment relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid SHP16817, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves, with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype, or with vegetatively propagating said plant. Another embodiment further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. Further embodiments relate to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.