A method of real-time plant selection and removal from a plant field including capturing a first image of a first section of the plant field, segmenting the first image into regions indicative of individual plants within the first section, selecting the optimal plants for retention from the first image based on the first image and the previously thinned plant field sections, sending instructions to the plant removal mechanism for removal of the plants corresponding to the unselected regions of the first image from the second section before the machine passes the unselected regions, and repeating the aforementioned steps for a second section of the plant field adjacent the first section in the direction of machine travel.

A method of real-time plant selection and removal from a plant field including capturing a first image of a first section of the plant field, segmenting the first image into regions indicative of individual plants within the first section, selecting the optimal plants for retention from the first image based on the first image and the previously thinned plant field sections, sending instructions to the plant removal mechanism for removal of the plants corresponding to the unselected regions of the first image from the second section before the machine passes the unselected regions, and repeating the aforementioned steps for a second section of the plant field adjacent the first section in the direction of machine travel.

Use of motion sensing and tracking equipment to image, monitor, track, and/or determine a parameter of plant growth kinetics (e.g., plant leaf elongation and height growth rate). Some embodiments concern methods for screening plants for the presence of one or more agronomic trait(s), and/or to study the growth kinetics of particular plants and cultivars, for example, in an automated high-throughput platform.

The present invention relates to unmanned aerial vehicle for agricultural field assessment. It is described to fly (210) the unmanned aerial vehicle to a location in a field containing a crop. A body of the unmanned aerial vehicle is positioned (220) in a substantially stationary aspect above the crop at the location. A camera of the unmanned aerial vehicle is moved (230) vertically with respect to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is closer to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle than the second position. The camera acquires (240) at least one image relating to the crop when the camera is not in the first position.

The present invention relates to unmanned aerial vehicle for agricultural field assessment. It is described to fly (210) the unmanned aerial vehicle to a location in a field containing a crop. A body of the unmanned aerial vehicle is positioned (220) in a substantially stationary aspect above the crop at the location. A camera of the unmanned aerial vehicle is moved (230) vertically with respect to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is closer to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle than the second position. The camera acquires (240) at least one image relating to the crop when the camera is not in the first position.

Methods, apparatus, systems and processor-readable storage media for distributed farming are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes facilitating transfer of one or more substrates and one or more crops at approximately a given stage of a growth cycle, from (i) a first location to (ii) one or more growing units, wherein the given stage of the growth cycle comprises a stage prior to completion of the growth cycle; processing data, captured via multiple sensors within the one or more growing units, wherein the data comprise (i) data pertaining to at least one of the one or more substrates and the one or more crops, and (ii) data pertaining to the one or more growing units; and performing one or more automated actions based at least in part on the processing of the data.

Methods, apparatus, systems and processor-readable storage media for distributed farming are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes facilitating transfer of one or more substrates and one or more crops at approximately a given stage of a growth cycle, from (i) a first location to (ii) one or more growing units, wherein the given stage of the growth cycle comprises a stage prior to completion of the growth cycle; processing data, captured via multiple sensors within the one or more growing units, wherein the data comprise (i) data pertaining to at least one of the one or more substrates and the one or more crops, and (ii) data pertaining to the one or more growing units; and performing one or more automated actions based at least in part on the processing of the data.

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 crop management system comprising a crop management unit adapted and configured to sense environmental conditions and/or conditions of surrounding agricultural features and interact with such surrounding agricultural features. The crop management system can perform such functions as spraying, misting, dusting, seeding/planting, irrigation, vacuuming, trimming, harvesting, tilling, weeding, pollinating, aerating, pruning and/or any other known and/or convenient crop management function(s). Additionally, the crop management system can comprise an energy harvesting structure adapted and configured to harvest energy from the environment and, in some embodiments, delivery the energy to the crop management system.