Abstract: A sweep for cultivating soil in a field, the sweep comprising opposite left and right wings joined at a center line to form a V-shaped symmetrical body with leading edges. The body having a top surface and a bottom surface, with each wing having a wing tip, the wings forming a front nose, with the leading edge of each wing being spaced rearwardly from the nose. The sweep also includes a neck extending upwardly from the center line of the symmetrical body, a tungsten carbide nose plate attached to the body top surface at the front nose, and a pair of leading-edge tungsten carbide edge plates, one of each is attached to a respective wing leading edge.

Abstract: The implement for incorporating seeds into the soil comprises a chassis provided with a header (1) for coupling to the tractor and a transverse side member (15) with wheels (12) and hooks (13) for mounting the ends of chain segments (2) with a trolley (3). The chain segments have swivel joints (22) and rotating links (21), which form front spacers mounted on the hooks of the transverse side member (151) and the rear spacers mounted on the trolley. The trolley comprises a longitudinal bar (31) with a rear frame (32) provided with bearings (33) for the shaft of a toothed roller (34) that rotates when the incorporating implement is moving. The front of the longitudinal bar has a support (35) with pins (36) for mounting the swivel joints of the chain segments. The toothed roller consists of a shaft (37) with welded radial plates (38). The link of the chain segments is formed by an oblong link (21) with welded radial plates (23) and a spider wheel (24) attached to the branches.

Abstract: A tillage implement includes a front gang and a rear gang. The front gang includes a first row of spoke wheels, each coupled to a front axle at an oblique angle. The rear gang includes a second row of spoke wheels, each coupled to a rear axle at the oblique angle. The tillage implement also includes a row of disc blades positioned behind the front gang and the rear gang with respect to a direction of travel of the tillage implement.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural tillage implement includes a controller configured to receive a first pressure sensor signal indicative of a first fluid pressure within a rolling basket cylinder and a second pressure sensor signal indicative of a second fluid pressure within a wheel frame actuator. The rolling basket cylinder is configured to couple to a main frame and to a rolling basket frame, and the wheel frame actuator is configured to control a position of a wheel frame relative to a hitch assembly. The controller is also configured to decrease a target fluid pressure in response to the second fluid pressure being below a minimum wheel frame actuator pressure threshold, and the controller is configured to control a tilt force applied to the main frame to maintain the first fluid pressure within a range of the target fluid pressure.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural tillage implement includes a controller configured to receive a pressure sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within a rolling basket cylinder and/or an angle sensor signal indicative of an angle of a rolling basket frame relative to a main frame. The rolling basket cylinder is configured to couple to the main frame and to the rolling basket frame. The controller is also configured to control a tilt force applied by a tilt actuator to the main frame to maintain the fluid pressure within a threshold fluid pressure range of a target fluid pressure and/or to maintain the angle of the rolling basket frame within a threshold angle range of a target angle. The tilt actuator is configured to couple to a hitch assembly and to apply the tilt force to the main frame.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of an agricultural implement includes a leveling disk gang assembly including a plurality of leveling disk blades configured to rotate relative to the surface of the field. Additionally, the system includes an imaging device configured to generate data indicative of the sizes of soil clods. Furthermore, the system includes an actuator configured to adjust a position of the leveling disk gang assembly. Moreover, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the imaging device. The computing system is configured to determine the sizes of the soil clods based on the data generated by the imaging device and control the operation of the actuator to adjust the position of the leveling disk gang assembly based on the determined sizes of the soil clods.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural tillage implement includes a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a target depth of a rear row of disc blades and a second signal indicative of a redirection amount and a redirection direction. The controller is configured to determine a target pitch angle adjustment based on the amount and direction, and the controller is configured to control a tilt actuator to control a tilt force applied to a main frame, a wheel actuator to control a position of a wheel relative to a hitch frame, and a rolling basket cylinder to control a position of a rolling basket relative to the main frame based on the target pitch angle adjustment, the target depth of the rear row of disc blades and one or more inverse kinematic relationships to establish a target penetration depth of a front row of disc blades.

Abstract: A track following system is provided for an agricultural machine, in which tracks are identified in captured images and the visibility of the identified tracks at ground level is assessed. If the tracks are invisible at ground level, a track position is determined by converting from a track position corresponding to the position of the tracks visible in the captured image to a corrected track position based on the height difference between ground level and crop level. This gives accurate track locating.

Abstract: A method of working a plot of land by at least one autonomously and independently operating agricultural robot including, during or after an assessment and planning stage, at least one preferred headland portion specifically intended for input supply and in which at least one supply station for at least one input is located, with the ability to move or reposition within this portion, the at least one robot heading towards this portion when a supply instruction is received or generated by it.

Abstract: Embodiments include technologies that use machine learning to update a route plan to re-route a mobile machine in a field. In some examples, a method includes using a mobile machine to perform work in a field and recording travelled path information. The recorded path information includes information about one or more paths followed by the machine when performing the work in the field. The method also includes using one or more computing devices on the machine to input the path information into a trained deep learning model and to receive new machine travel paths from the trained model. Also, the method includes using the computing device(s) on the mobile machine to control the machine to follow the new travel paths generated by the trained model.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes an exterior sensor to output sensor data indicating geographic features around the work vehicle, and a controller configured or programmed to control self-traveling of the work vehicle in an inter-row travel mode of travel along a target path between adjacent crop rows detected based on the sensor data, and in a turning travel mode of turning in a headland before and after the inter-row travel mode. In the turning travel mode, the controller calculates amounts of positional and directional deviations with respect to a target path in a next instance of the inter-row travel mode based on the sensor data, and switches from the turning travel mode to the inter-row travel mode upon satisfying a first condition that the amount of positional deviation is smaller than a first threshold and a second condition that the amount of directional deviation is smaller than a second threshold.

Abstract: A working machine includes a tractor, a battery to store an energy source to drive the tractor, a working device provided in the tractor and that performs work by using a material, a route creator configured or programmed to create a scheduled travel route of the tractor in a work area where the working device performs the work by using the material, an area setter configured or programmed to set a replenishment area in which replenishment with the material and the energy source are performed outside the work area, and a position setter configured or programmed to set a first replenishment position, which is a position for the replenishment with the material, and a second replenishment position, which is a position for the replenishment with the energy source, in the replenishment area set by the area setter.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for imaging and characterizing a soil surface and a trench in the soil surface formed by an agricultural implement. The sensors are disposed on the agricultural implement in data communication with a processor to generate the soil surface and trench images which may be displayed to the operator. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more time of flight cameras for determining a depth of the trench and other characteristics of the surrounding soil surface and the trench, including detection of seeds, soil or other debris in the trench and moisture lines within the trench. The system may control operating parameters of the implement based on the generated images.

Abstract: A rotational sprouter system is proposed. The system may include a chamber including an opening, a porous end cap that is configured to engage the opening of the chamber, and a reservoir. The chamber and the porous end cap may be at least partially submerged in the reservoir such that an interior of the chamber is in communication with the reservoir via the porous end cap. The porous end cap may be adapted to engage a drive mechanism that is configured to rotate the chamber and the porous end cap while the chamber and the porous end cap are at least partially submerged in the reservoir.

Abstract: A novel seed and fertilizer packet is provided. The packet is designed to simplify gardening processes while reducing environmental waste. The packet material is formed of a water-soluble material such as a water-soluble paper. The packet may be formed as a single unit with two distinct pouches separated by an adhesive layer, effectively isolating fine grains of fertilizer and seeds. The first pouch contains water-soluble or suspending fertilizer selected to support seed growth. The second pouch houses seeds ready for planting.

Abstract: A pneumatic vacuum system for an agricultural implement includes multiple pneumatic lines configured to receive an airflow from an air source. The pneumatic vacuum system also includes multiple pneumatic vacuum devices, and each pneumatic vacuum device is fluidly coupled to a respective pneumatic line. Furthermore, each pneumatic vacuum device is configured to receive the airflow and to establish a respective vacuum based on the airflow. In addition, each pneumatic vacuum device is configured to be fluidly coupled to a respective vacuum agricultural product meter of the agricultural implement to provide the respective vacuum to the respective vacuum agricultural product meter.

Abstract: An agricultural planter row unit has a gauge wheel supported by a gauge wheel arm, to control planting depth. An actuator drives movement of a mechanical stop that bears against a gauge wheel support arm to position the gauge wheel support arm to obtain a desired planting depth. A seed depth control system receives seed depth values generated based on field topography and automatically controls actuation of the seed depth actuator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a site-specific variable fertilizer recommendation for a crop at a given point in time, including determining at least one agricultural field including at least one crop, scheduling a fertilization application for the agricultural field, and determining a crop nutrient status of the agricultural field. Determining the crop nutrient status includes receiving remote data, including image data of the agricultural field and a time stamp indicative of when the image data was taken, generating at least one vegetation index indicative of a crop nutrient status based on the image data, and determining a crop nutrient status based on the vegetation index. The method further includes adjusting the crop nutrient status based on the time difference between the time stamp of the image data and the scheduled fertilizer application, and determining a variable fertilizer recommendation for the agricultural field based on the adjusted crop nutrient status.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for carbon sequestration. Disclosed in one embodiment is a carbon sequestration system that includes a crop residue pickup configured to ingest crop residue disposed on a field; a pyrolyzer configured to receive the crop residue output from the crop residue pickup and process the crop residue into biochar; a biochar/water or slurry mixing system configured to receive the biochar output from the pyrolyzer and quench the biochar in water and/or slurry; a soil injection system configured to receive the quenched biochar from the biochar/water or slurry mixing system and inject the quenched biochar into the field; and one or more sensors configured to detect one or more operations states of the crop residue pickup, the pyrolyzer, the biochar/water or slurry mixing system, and/or the soil injection system.

Abstract: One embodiment is a control system for a vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, the control system comprising a master control unit (MCU); a plurality of traction systems corresponding to the wheels; and a plurality of rolling radius offset values stored in a memory device of the MCU and each corresponding to one of the wheels. The MCU determines for each wheel a command speed based on the rolling radius offset value for the wheel in combination with a tire diameter of the wheel, a steered angle of the vehicle, a traction pedal command, and vehicle geometry information, and provides the determined command speed for the wheel to the corresponding traction system, which controls a speed of the wheel based on the determined command speed received from the MCU.

Abstract: A function adding device is provided that adds a function to a work machine used outdoors. The function addition device comprises a housing, a control circuit, and a wiring. The housing includes a top surface portion, side portions, and a bottom surface portion in which a hole portion is formed. The control circuit is placed inside the housing and is configured to perform the function for the work machine. The wiring connects the work machine and the control circuit via the hole portion.

Abstract: A working robot may be configured to move and work autonomously. The working robot may include a robot body including a base and a bumper supported by the base, a working unit supported by the base, a movement mechanism configured to move the base, a movement motor configured to drive the movement mechanism, a first detection unit configured to detect a force that the bumper receives or displacement of the bumper relative to the base, a second detection unit configured to detect an angular velocity of the base or a state of the movement motor, and a control unit. The control unit may be configured to determine, based on a detection result detected by the first detection unit and a detection result detected by the second detection unit, whether the movement of the working robot is hindered by an obstacle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a robotic lawn mower that is adapted to operate within an operation area defined by a boundary and comprises a mower control unit adapted to control the operation of the robotic lawn mower. The mower control unit is adapted to receive data defining at least one boundary part, comprised in the boundary, where the mower control unit is adapted to control the robotic lawn mower to perform boundary cutting along said boundary part, and to perform normal cutting along the rest of the boundary. The boundary cutting is a procedure adapted to enable cutting over the boundary in a pre-defined manner.

Abstract: A cutting blade mounted to a lawn mower to cut vegetation under the lawn mower. The cutting blade configured to rotate relative to the mower deck in a rotational direction. The cutting blade including a first blade portion having a leading edge defining a primary cutting edge and a blade lift positioned behind the primary cutting edge along the rotational direction, and a second blade portion having a finishing cutting edge that is spaced from the blade lift along the rotational direction such that the blade lift is positioned between the primary cutting edge and the finishing cutting edge along the rotational direction.

Abstract: A feeder for an agricultural harvester includes a feeder housing, a front shaft, a rear shaft, at least one feeder loop, and a plurality of feeder slats. The feeder loop is drivable around the rear and front shafts. The feeder slats are mounted to the feeder loop and configured for moving harvested crop over a bottom of the feeder housing, from the front shaft towards the rear shaft. An actuator is coupled between the feeder housing and the front shaft and configured to adjust a tension in the feeder loop by adjusting a distance between the front shaft and the rear shaft. A sensor is operative to generate a sensor signal representative of a force acting on the actuator and configured to, in dependence of the sensor signal, control at least one operational parameter of the agricultural harvester other than the tension in the at least one feeder loop.

Abstract: A kernel processor adjustment system and technique is provided. Material processed by a kernel processor is measured with a sensor assembly having one or more sensors. One or more properties are determined from sensor data and the properties are employed to determine a characteristic of the processed material. The characteristic is evaluated based on a performance metric. Based on the evaluation, adjusted settings of the kernel processor are determined. Control signals for the kernel processor are generated and communicated to execute the setting change.

Abstract: Systems, device, and methods for harvesting fruits or nuts are disclosed. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that mitigates dust associated with harvesting fruits and nuts. The two-piece harvester may include a shaker configured to shake a tree and cause the fruits or nuts to fall and a receiver configured to collect the fallen fruits or nuts and deposit the fruits or nuts on the ground. The shaker may be configured to couple with trees having a low crotch height, and may include a blower to direct material off of the shaker and onto the receiver. The receiver may include a hopper configured to receive fruits or nuts from a conveyor and control a rate of deposition of the fruits or nuts onto the ground. The receiver may include a windrowing device configured to prepare the ground prior to creation of a windrow and control a size of a windrow.

Abstract: Onboard and/or offboard crop stabilization for reducing movement within an agricultural environment to enhance robotic manipulation for crop harvesting.

Abstract: A baler for forming crop material into bales. The baler includes a plunger moved by a plunger subassembly to form the bale, a knotter mechanism for knotting twine that is pulled onto the bale, and a knotter control assembly for controlling the knotter mechanism. The knotter control assembly includes a drive sprocket rotatable about its axis in timed relationship with movement of the plunger, a clutch plate mounted to the drive sprocket, and a knotter shaft positioned coaxially with the clutch plate. The knotter control assembly includes an actuation subassembly for engaging and disengaging the clutch plate with the knotter shaft. Upon activation, the actuation subassembly engages the clutch plate with the knotter shaft to activate the knotter mechanism, for knotting the twine on the bale. The actuation subassembly subsequently disengages the knotter shaft and the clutch plate.

Abstract: Grafted plant bodies and methods of conferring animal repellency to plants via grafting are described herein. Generally, a plant having animal repellent properties is grafted onto a plant without animal repellent properties.

Abstract: A hedge-trimming device is provided. The device is comprised of a moveable frame with at least one wheel that allows the frame to travel forward, backward, left, and right. The frame preferably has a vertical frame member comprised of at least one spinning blade that is powered by at least one motor. The blade may be positioned on the vertical frame member such that it is parallel with vertical frame member. As a result, the device can be moved left and right wherein the blade produces a straight cut along the front surface of a hedge or other greenery.

Abstract: A system for plant parameter detection, including: a plant morphology sensor having a first field of view and configured to record a morphology measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, a plant physiology sensor having a second field of view and configured to record a plant physiology parameter measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, wherein the second field of view overlaps with the first field of view; a support statically coupling the plant morphology sensor to the physiology sensor, and a computing system configured to: identify a plant set of pixels within the physiology measurement based on the morphology measurement; determine physiology values for each pixel of the plant set of pixels; and extract a growth parameter based on the physiology values.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for instructing a user (20) for post-harvest trimming a bud (22) of a plant, preferably a cannabis plant. The method comprises presenting a side of the harvested bud (22) to an imaging system (16). The method also comprise illuminating, with a light source (14) system, a harvested bud (22) with illumination light (5). The illumination light (5) causes response light (7) from the harvested bud (22). The method also comprises an imaging system (16) receiving the response light (7) for forming an image of the harvested bud (22). In this method, (i) illuminating the bud (22) comprises illuminating with at least partially polarized illumination light (5) and/or (ii) detecting the response light (7) comprises polarization filtering the response light (7). The method also comprises an image processing system (100) determining, based on the formed image, a part of the bud (22) that is to be trimmed off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a horticultural light fixture that determines a number of LED strings contained within a lighting fixture. Voltage and current signals are applied to each detected LED string from a power supply. The magnitudes of the voltage and current signals are adjusted to maintain a power magnitude generated by the power supply to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A plant support apparatus for maintaining plant material above soil includes a basket with a perimeter wall. An upper edge of the perimeter wall defines an upper opening, and a lower edge of the perimeter wall defines a lower opening. The perimeter wall is angled inwardly from the upper edge to the lower edge. A plurality of legs is coupled to and extends downwardly from the basket.

Abstract: A planting column includes a hollow pillar including upper and lower end portions, a body portion located between the upper and lower end portions, and an accommodating chamber located in the body portion. The upper end portion includes a top opening communicating with the accommodating chamber. The body portion includes through holes communicating the accommodating chamber with the outside of the hollow pillar. The lower end portion includes an inner surface opposite to the top opening, an outer surface, and at least one through hole penetrating through the inner and outer surfaces and communicating the accommodating chamber with the outside of the hollow pillar. The planting column is adapted for a climbing plant to grow and climb thereon, and helps for ramet of the climbing plant. The planting column is insertable in the soil, and helps for improving the soil's water permeability and breathability.

Abstract: A method for making a dyed mulch composition or a dyed growing medium, the method comprising combining tree bark including one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors and wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition at a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks, the refiner separating the tree bark and wood components into fibers and separating the fibers from each other; and dyeing the wood components by the one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors while the tree bark and the wood components are being separated into fibers in the refiner to obtain dyed fibers.

Abstract: A zone expander system which may be used to increase the number of zones by apportioning a parameter allotted for one zone into multiple sub-parameters for multiple new zones. The parameter may be the duration of time which the zone is active.

Abstract: A control system for an irrigation system including wireless communication controlled based on flow of water in the irrigation system. The control system is operably connected to one or more valves of an irrigation system and controls the flow of water therethrough in accordance with a watering program or other instructions. The control system is operably connected to flow sensors that detect flow of water through the one or more of the valves in the irrigation system. Wireless communication is turned on and off based on detected flow through the valves to save power. In embodiments, the flow sensors may be turbine sensors and may generate electricity based on the detected flow of water to recharge a power source in the control system.

Abstract: A watering system includes a pF sensor, a VWC sensor, and a control device that controls an irrigation operation. The control device controls the irrigation using the pF value detected by the pF sensor and the volume water content detected by the VWC sensor. The control device controls a start timing of the irrigation operation based on the pF value that is detected and a start threshold value. The control device controls a stop timing of the irrigation operation, which is in operation, based on the volume water content that is detected and a stop threshold value. The control device updates the stop threshold value based on fluctuation of the pF value that is detected.

Abstract: Irrigation needs assessment systems and methods may determine irrigation needs of one or more participants. The irrigation needs assessment system may determine irrigation needs based on weather conditions, forecast weather conditions, plant water uptake, and ground moisture content information. Evaporation rate information may be provided from one or more other participants of the irrigation needs assessment service.

Abstract: A system for risk-based management of irrigation may perform an initial assimilation for a first layer of soil, wherein the initial assimilation for the first layer of the soil is based on water input data and an initial water withdrawal estimate. The system may perform a deterministic-based estimate to generate deterministic-based estimate values for one or more additional layers of the soil. The system may perform an observation-based estimate to generate observation-based estimate values for the one or more additional layers of the soil. The system may generate soil moisture content modelling values based on the observation-based estimate values and the deterministic-based estimate values, the soil moisture content modelling values generated by applying a reconciliation algorithm to reconcile conflict between the deterministic-based estimate values and the observation-based estimate values.

Abstract: A plant watering system is provided. The system is comprised of at least one container that houses at least one liquid, such as but not limited to water. The water can be frozen inside the container, wherein the container can then be used in at least one method of use that involves placing the container at an angle in the soil of a plant. As a result, the water inside the container melts gradually in order to water the plant over time. In one method of use, a user can also add additives for plant growth/health prior to freezing.

Abstract: A hydroponic culture pod comprising a germination tray comprising flexible elements configured to support plant seeds and suspended between inner walls of the pod, while anchoring cones extending from the inner walls of the pod support and anchor plants growing from the seeds and expanding out a top of the pod. The pod may be placed in a grow tray fed with a nutrient solution from a reservoir in a hydroponic culture system. The pod allows hydroponic growing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to improved vertical farming using autonomous systems and methods for growing edible plants, using improved stacking and shelving units configured to allow for gravity-based irrigation, gravity-based loading and unloading, along with a system for autonomous rotation, incorporating novel plant-growing pallets, while being photographed and recorded by camera systems incorporating three dimensional/multispectral cameras, with the images and data recorded automatically sent to a database for processing and for gauging plant health, pest and/or disease issues, and plant life cycle. The present disclosure is also directed to novel harvesting methods, novel modular lighting, novel light intensity management systems, real time vision analysis that allows for the dynamic adjustment and optimization of the plant growing environment, and a novel rack structure system that allows for simplified building and enlarging of vertical farming rack systems.

Abstract: Present invention teaches the method of using a keratin hydrolysis peptide (“KHP”) solution to enhance production yield and fruit quality of cucumber by selectively choosing specific weights of feathers and water, and treating the mixture to a high-temperature high-pressure hydrolysis process, the resulting solution is confirmed to contain at least 253 peptides and, at early growth stage, applied to the soil around and/or leaf surface of the cucumber plants. Optionally, the KHP solution can be diluted by water, as disclosed in the specification, before administering as taught herein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of preparing soybean explants. During explant preparation, mature seeds are typically first imbibed in water. Instead of using dry seeds directly for imbibition, the moisture content of the seeds is first partially increased. The provided methods significantly diminish imbibition-caused soybean seed cracking and improve explant viability.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel Cucurbita plants having a determinate growth habit and plants comprising a QTL associated with said determinate growth trait. The disclosure provides a Cucurbita plant having a determinate growth habit and its derivatives. The disclosure also provides molecular markers linked to said QTL. The disclosure further provides methods for producing plants having a genetic determinacy in growth habit and maturity timing, and the plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: Hybrid tomato varieties designated ‘E15A43014’, ‘E15B42750’ and ‘E15M43066’ are disclosed. The disclosure relates to, e.g., seeds or plants thereof, as well as to methods for producing other tomato lines, cultivars, or hybrids derived from the hybrid tomato varieties selected from ‘E15A43014’, ‘E15B42750’, and ‘E15M43066’.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pet toilet including a base and a rotary drum rotatably arranged on the base. The base is provided with a waste chamber for collecting waste and a first opening communicated with the waste chamber, the base is movably provided with a baffle plate at the first opening; at an initial position, the baffle plate covers the first opening; and in a rotating process of the rotary drum, the baffle plate moves with the rotary drum to open the first opening.