An agricultural machine is disclosed that includes an NIR sensor configured to detect NIR spectra of plant material and output them as raw data, an evaluation unit configured to derive at least one parameter of the plant material in real time from the raw data, and an interface for the data traffic with at least one data processing unit outside of or external to the agricultural machine that is configured to transmit the raw data to the data processing unit.

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for reducing the carbon footprint of producing biofuels. Microbe-based soil treatment compositions are utilized to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the agricultural practices of producing feedstock crops.

A device for measuring a mechanical property of a tissue includes a probe configured to perturb the tissue with movement relative to a surface of the tissue, an actuator coupled to the probe to move the probe, a detector configured to measure a response of the tissue to the perturbation, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the detector. The controller drives the actuator using a stochastic sequence and determines the mechanical property of the tissue using the measured response received from the detector. The probe can be coupled to the tissue surface. The device can include a reference surface configured to contact the tissue surface. The probe may include a set of interchangeable heads, the set including a head for lateral movement of the probe and a head for perpendicular movement of the probe. The perturbation can include extension of the tissue with the probe or sliding the probe across the tissue surface and may also include indentation of the tissue with the probe. In some embodiments, the actuator includes a Lorentz force linear actuator. The mechanical property may be determined using non-linear stochastic system identification. The mechanical property may be indicative of, for example, tissue compliance and tissue elasticity. The device can further include a handle for manual application of the probe to the surface of the tissue and may include an accelerometer detecting an orientation of the probe. The device can be used to test skin tissue of an animal, plant tissue, such as fruit and vegetables, or any other biological tissue.

A device for measuring a mechanical property of a tissue includes a probe configured to perturb the tissue with movement relative to a surface of the tissue, an actuator coupled to the probe to move the probe, a detector configured to measure a response of the tissue to the perturbation, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the detector. The controller drives the actuator using a stochastic sequence and determines the mechanical property of the tissue using the measured response received from the detector. The probe can be coupled to the tissue surface. The device can include a reference surface configured to contact the tissue surface. The probe may include a set of interchangeable heads, the set including a head for lateral movement of the probe and a head for perpendicular movement of the probe. The perturbation can include extension of the tissue with the probe or sliding the probe across the tissue surface and may also include indentation of the tissue with the probe. In some embodiments, the actuator includes a Lorentz force linear actuator. The mechanical property may be determined using non-linear stochastic system identification. The mechanical property may be indicative of, for example, tissue compliance and tissue elasticity. The device can further include a handle for manual application of the probe to the surface of the tissue and may include an accelerometer detecting an orientation of the probe. The device can be used to test skin tissue of an animal, plant tissue, such as fruit and vegetables, or any other biological tissue.

A system for identifying ponding water located on a field from image data is described. In an approach, an image of an agricultural field is analyzed using a classifier that has been trained based on the spectral bands of labeled image pixels to identify a probability for each pixel within the image that the pixel corresponds to water. A flow simulation is performed to determine regions of the field that are likely to pool water after rainfall based on precipitation data, elevation data, and soil property data of the field. A graph of vertices representing the pixels and edges representing connections between neighboring pixels is generated. The probability of each pixel within the graph being ponding water is set based on the probability pixel being water, the likelihood that water will pool in the area represented by the pixel, the probability of neighboring pixels being ponding water, and a cropland mask that identifies which pixels correspond to cropland. A class for each pixel is then determined that maximizes the joint probability over the graph.

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for crop stand optimization. In some embodiments a field is planted at a first population prescription determined based on a first data set including forecasted weather. A subsequently determined second population prescription is determined based on a second data set determined after planting, and the planted crop is thinned according to the second population prescription. In some embodiments the crop is selectively thinned to remove plants having a plant removal index below a threshold.

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for crop stand optimization. In some embodiments a field is planted at a first population prescription determined based on a first data set including forecasted weather. A subsequently determined second population prescription is determined based on a second data set determined after planting, and the planted crop is thinned according to the second population prescription. In some embodiments the crop is selectively thinned to remove plants having a plant removal index below a threshold.

A flip-chip fluorescent lens includes a light-permeable member and a fluorescent member. The light-permeable member includes a first face and a second face opposite to the first face. A light condensing portion protrudes from the first face. The second face is recessed toward the light condensing portion to form a chamber in which the fluorescent member is filled. The fluorescent member is exposed and is made of a mixture of a transparent colloid and fluorescent powder. A lighting module includes the flip-chip fluorescent lens and a light-emitting member covered by the fluorescent member and detachably engaged with the flip-chip fluorescent lens. The lighting module can be placed into a container to form an organism cultivation apparatus for growing plants. A lighting module modification method is provided to change the color of the light emitted by a lighting module to be modified.

An injection fluid retention plug is provided which may be inserted into a preformed hole in a tree. The plug includes a hollow shank portion which is filled with a resilient material. The inner and outer ends of the shank portion have the same outer diameter. The shank portion does not have a flange at the outer end thereof.

An injection fluid retention plug is provided which may be inserted into a preformed hole in a tree. The plug includes a hollow shank portion which is filled with a resilient material. The inner and outer ends of the shank portion have the same outer diameter. The shank portion does not have a flange at the outer end thereof.