A plant matter sensor comprising: one or more emitters configured to emit two or more vertically spaced signals toward a plant; and one or more receivers configured to receive two or more reflected signals from the plant.

The modification of sand with superhydrophobic silica/wax nanoparticles may provide for water storage, applicable, for example, in desert environments. In particular, highly thermal stable superhydrophobic coats for sand are made of nanoparticles composed of superhydrophobic silica capped with paraffin wax. Superhydrophobic sand modified by such nanoparticles addresses issues of water storage in desert environments, capitalizing on sand resource utilization. Superhydrophobic sand, as modified, has excellent water repellency and great water-holding capacity. The superhydrophobic sand modified with superhydrophobic silica/wax nanoparticles can be applied for the desert water storage for agriculture and planting.

The modification of sand with superhydrophobic silica/wax nanoparticles may provide for water storage, applicable, for example, in desert environments. In particular, highly thermal stable superhydrophobic coats for sand are made of nanoparticles composed of superhydrophobic silica capped with paraffin wax. Superhydrophobic sand modified by such nanoparticles addresses issues of water storage in desert environments, capitalizing on sand resource utilization. Superhydrophobic sand, as modified, has excellent water repellency and great water-holding capacity. The superhydrophobic sand modified with superhydrophobic silica/wax nanoparticles can be applied for the desert water storage for agriculture and planting.

A microneedle probe for measuring a sap flow in a plant is disclosed, the microneedle probe including: a substrate; and a sensor unit which is installed on the substrate, generates heat, and measures a temperature that changes in accordance with a sap flow.

Methods, apparatus, systems and processor-readable storage media for distributed farming are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes facilitating transfer of produce, at approximately a given stage of a growth cycle of the produce, from a first location to a remote growing unit; analyzing data, captured via multiple sensors within the remote growing unit, wherein the analyzing is carried out by a centralized server communicatively linked to the remote growing unit; and transmitting, via the centralized server to the remote growing unit, instructions pertaining to an adjustment to at least one growing parameter within the remote growing unit, wherein the transmitting is based at least in part on the analyzing of the data, and wherein the transmitting occurs during one or more stages of the growth cycle that is between the given stage and completion of the growth cycle.

Methods, apparatus, systems and processor-readable storage media for distributed farming are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes facilitating transfer of produce, at approximately a given stage of a growth cycle of the produce, from a first location to a remote growing unit; analyzing data, captured via multiple sensors within the remote growing unit, wherein the analyzing is carried out by a centralized server communicatively linked to the remote growing unit; and transmitting, via the centralized server to the remote growing unit, instructions pertaining to an adjustment to at least one growing parameter within the remote growing unit, wherein the transmitting is based at least in part on the analyzing of the data, and wherein the transmitting occurs during one or more stages of the growth cycle that is between the given stage and completion of the growth cycle.

A system comprises a digital camera to capture images of a horticultural area, a device processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the device processor to capture, using the digital camera, a first digital image of a horticultural area containing an insect trap, isolate a portion of the first digital image using the trap detection parameters, the portion of the first digital image corresponding to the insect trap, perform automated particle detection on the portion of the first digital image according to the insect detection parameters to identify regions of pixels in the portion of the first digital image that have the insect recognition color and that pass filter criteria, determine a cardinality of insects on the first object based on a number of identified regions of pixels, store the cardinality of insects in association with the first digital image and provide the cardinality of insects for display in a graphical user interface.

A system comprises a digital camera to capture images of a horticultural area, a device processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the device processor to capture, using the digital camera, a first digital image of a horticultural area containing an insect trap, isolate a portion of the first digital image using the trap detection parameters, the portion of the first digital image corresponding to the insect trap, perform automated particle detection on the portion of the first digital image according to the insect detection parameters to identify regions of pixels in the portion of the first digital image that have the insect recognition color and that pass filter criteria, determine a cardinality of insects on the first object based on a number of identified regions of pixels, store the cardinality of insects in association with the first digital image and provide the cardinality of insects for display in a graphical user interface.

The present invention relates to a method for artificial illumination of a plant, wherein the illumination of the plant is controlled based on the amount of light being reflected from the plant. The invention also relates to a corresponding illumination system, use of the illumination system and a computer program product.

An improved bridge circuitry is presented for improved soil sensor measurements. The improved bridge circuitry may include blocking capacitors, the ability to apply bias voltage, and the substitution of AC meters with DC meters and other improvements.