A plant monitoring apparatus 100 includes: a soil state estimation unit 200 that estimates a state of soil by, with use of frequency association information calculated based on vibration measured via the soil, referencing soil state estimation information in which the frequency association information and information indicating states of the soil are associated with soil states; and a plant state estimation unit 300 that estimates a state of a plant by, with use of growth association information that was calculated based on vibration of the plant and indicates growth of the plant, referencing plant state estimation information in which the growth association information and information indicating states of the plant above a plant soil surface are associated with plant states above the plant soil surface.

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for irrigation control and data management. According to a preferred embodiment, an irrigation control system may include a data collection module which receives and stores system data generated by sensors and supporting systems including irrigation, drive, weather, sensor and electrical systems of a mechanized irrigation system. According to preferred embodiments, the system preferably also includes a system control module which transmits system control instructions to system components. Additionally, the present invention also includes a display module which provides a display of graphical user interfaces embedded with system data and selectable control instructions.

An automated seed sampler system for removing tissue from seeds includes an orientation system configured to orient seeds in a desired orientation, a sampling station configured to remove tissue from each of the oriented seeds, a sample collection subsystem configured to receive the tissue removed from each of the oriented seeds, and a seed collection subsystem configured to receive each of the seeds from which the tissue is removed. The sample collection subsystem and the seed collection subsystem are configured to facilitate a one-to-one correspondence between the seeds received at the seed collection subsystem and the tissue removed from the seeds and received at the sample collection subsystem.

An automated seed sampler system for removing tissue from seeds includes an orientation system configured to orient seeds in a desired orientation, a sampling station configured to remove tissue from each of the oriented seeds, a sample collection subsystem configured to receive the tissue removed from each of the oriented seeds, and a seed collection subsystem configured to receive each of the seeds from which the tissue is removed. The sample collection subsystem and the seed collection subsystem are configured to facilitate a one-to-one correspondence between the seeds received at the seed collection subsystem and the tissue removed from the seeds and received at the sample collection subsystem.

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.

A method for generating digital models of potential crop yield based on planting date, relative maturity, and actual production history is provided. In an embodiment, data representing historical planting dates, relative maturity values, and crop yield is received by an agricultural intelligence computer system. Based on the historical data, the system generates spatial and temporal maps of planting dates, relative maturity, and actual production history. Using the maps, the system creates a model of potential yield that is dependent on planting date and relative maturity. The system may then receive actual production history data for a particular field. Using the received actual production history data, a particular planting date, and a particular relative maturity value, the agricultural intelligence computer system computes a potential yield for a particular field.

A method for generating digital models of potential crop yield based on planting date, relative maturity, and actual production history is provided. In an embodiment, data representing historical planting dates, relative maturity values, and crop yield is received by an agricultural intelligence computer system. Based on the historical data, the system generates spatial and temporal maps of planting dates, relative maturity, and actual production history. Using the maps, the system creates a model of potential yield that is dependent on planting date and relative maturity. The system may then receive actual production history data for a particular field. Using the received actual production history data, a particular planting date, and a particular relative maturity value, the agricultural intelligence computer system computes a potential yield for a particular field.

A method is provided of producing a Lactuca plant seed including using a Megachile bee as pollination means, and providing the a Megachile bee a minor nectar plant to have preference in flower visiting, in addition to a pollen parent Lactuca plant and a seed parent Lactuca plant and to perform a crossing of a Lactuca plant using a plant species having the preference in flower visiting equivalent to or lower than that of the Lactuca plant. According to one embodiment, it is possible to produce a Lactuca hybrid plant seed more efficiently and economically than before while using a Megachile bee as pollination means.

A method is provided of producing a Lactuca plant seed including using a Megachile bee as pollination means, and providing the a Megachile bee a minor nectar plant to have preference in flower visiting, in addition to a pollen parent Lactuca plant and a seed parent Lactuca plant and to perform a crossing of a Lactuca plant using a plant species having the preference in flower visiting equivalent to or lower than that of the Lactuca plant. According to one embodiment, it is possible to produce a Lactuca hybrid plant seed more efficiently and economically than before while using a Megachile bee as pollination means.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for producing fruit having improved quality which has fewer restrictions on place and the like and can be more casually used. This method for producing fruit having improved quality uses nanobubble water for a plant body belonging to fruit trees.