Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for delivering a substance into a plant. The systems and methods include a light energy that is applied to a first area on the plant to create a first indentation. The first indentation can be a minor incision or a rupture of a portion of the first area. Once the first indentation is created, a first dosage of the substance is applied to the first area in an amount effective to promote a biological response of the plant. It is contemplated that at least a portion of the substance is absorbed by the plant via the first indentation.

Abstract: A combine header comprising a header table with a knife extending along the front lower edge thereof. Seed pans are evenly spaced and extend forward from the front lower edge of the header table and slot is formed between them. At a middle portion of each slot a stripping plate slopes upward, outward, and rearward from a middle first point on a first one of the sidewalls forming the slot to an upper stripping edge of the stripping plate. The upper stripping edge is located above a top rear edge of a second one of the sidewalls forming the slot and aligned with same such that a vertically oriented stripping gap is formed between the upper stripping edge of the stripping plate and the top rear edge of the second one of the sidewalls. A rotating reel moves material from the seed pans rearward onto the header table.

Abstract: A method of harvesting a stalk-based plant (P), such as sugarcane, includes generating at least one laser beam (b) and causing the at least one laser beam (b) to at least momentarily come into contact with the sugarcane stalk (P). This severs the stalk (P) and cauterizes the stalk (P) where severed.

Abstract: A crop chaffer for combines features air jets which deliver an air blast to the grain and chaff. The air jets and sifting screens are arranged in a cross sectionally “stair step” pattern in which the tread of each stair is the screen and the riser of the each stair has the air jet located thereon. The air jets do not allow grain passage, while the apertures in the screens do not produce a strong current of air. The chaffer is divided into individually separable and replaceable elements, thus greatly easing the burden of changing chaffers in the combine.

Abstract: An elevated drawbar for a grain cart that can be attached to the rear end of an agricultural combine above the crop residue discharge opening. The elevated position of the grain cart drawbar allows the crop residue to be discharged under the drawbar. The crop residue can therefore travel unobstructed from the combine's discharge opening to the ground.