Field data is collected of a field. Each instance of field data contains information that can be used to determine a value corresponding to whether or not a plant is present or absent in a particular location and is referred to as a plant presence value. The plant presence values are aggregated using the position data associated with each instance of field data to generate aggregated plant presence values. Gaps between plots are identified based partly on variations in the plant presence values within the aggregated field data. Information known about a field can be used to heuristically identify gaps in a seed line or used to eliminate locations on a seed line that may look like a gap based on low plant presence values. The aggregated plant presence values can be presented as a heat map of plant presence values showing the relative plant density of the field.

A plant nanobionic approach can utilize a system of four nanoparticle types, including luciferase conjugated silica, luciferin releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), coenzyme A functionalized chitosan, and semiconductor nanocrystal phosphors for wavelength modulation.

A plant nanobionic approach can utilize a system of four nanoparticle types, including luciferase conjugated silica, luciferin releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), coenzyme A functionalized chitosan, and semiconductor nanocrystal phosphors for wavelength modulation.

Methods of determining and characterizing photosynthesis in plant parts of one or more plants includes capturing a plurality of images of the plant parts of the one or more plants with a sensor are provided. Fluorescence of the plant parts of the one or more plants can be measured by storing a sensor image of observed fluorescence. Light absorbed by the plant parts of the one or more plants can be estimated by observing red and/or infrared reflectance of the plant parts. A characteristic of photosynthesis such as linear electron flow in plant parts of the one or more plants can be derived using the measured fluorescence of the plant parts, the reflectance and the light absorbed by the plant parts, and/or the three-dimensional model comprising the plant parts of the one or more plants. Related apparatus and systems are also provided.

Methods of determining and characterizing photosynthesis in plant parts of one or more plants includes capturing a plurality of images of the plant parts of the one or more plants with a sensor are provided. Fluorescence of the plant parts of the one or more plants can be measured by storing a sensor image of observed fluorescence. Light absorbed by the plant parts of the one or more plants can be estimated by observing red and/or infrared reflectance of the plant parts. A characteristic of photosynthesis such as linear electron flow in plant parts of the one or more plants can be derived using the measured fluorescence of the plant parts, the reflectance and the light absorbed by the plant parts, and/or the three-dimensional model comprising the plant parts of the one or more plants. Related apparatus and systems are also provided.

One variation of method for monitoring growth of plants within a facility includes: aggregating global ambient data recorded by a suite of fixed sensors, arranged proximal a grow area within the facility, at a first frequency during a grow period; extracting interim outcomes of a set of plants, occupying a module in the grow area, from module-level images recorded by a mover at a second frequency less than the first frequency while interfacing with the module during the period of time; dispatching the mover to autonomously deliver the module to a transfer station; extracting interim outcomes of the set of plants from plant-level images recorded by the transfer station while sequentially transferring plants out of the module at the conclusion of the grow period; and deriving relationships between ambient conditions, interim outcomes, and final outcomes from a corpus of plant records associated with plants grown in the facility.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there are provided automated plant training systems and related methods. An automated plant training system is designed to train medium to tall plants to grow in a height restricted space by adjusting the plant's direction of growth through the use of phototropism. The device can physically control the plant's main stem, branches and foliage from excessive vertical growth.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there are provided automated plant training systems and related methods. An automated plant training system is designed to train medium to tall plants to grow in a height restricted space by adjusting the plant's direction of growth through the use of phototropism. The device can physically control the plant's main stem, branches and foliage from excessive vertical growth.

A convex reflective surface, such as mirror (1) or an equivalent deflector of radiation, designed to suit a FIG. 5 particular location or type of location, fixed in position and requiring no adjustment, can re-direct solar radiation (2,3) downwards onto a chosen target area throughout the calendar year or such lesser period of operation as may be chosen, benefitting the growth of plants in a greenhouse or the open air, and other human activities, at minimal expenditure including of fossil fuel.

A convex reflective surface, such as mirror (1) or an equivalent deflector of radiation, designed to suit a FIG. 5 particular location or type of location, fixed in position and requiring no adjustment, can re-direct solar radiation (2,3) downwards onto a chosen target area throughout the calendar year or such lesser period of operation as may be chosen, benefitting the growth of plants in a greenhouse or the open air, and other human activities, at minimal expenditure including of fossil fuel.