The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for obtaining image information of an organism including a set of optical data; calculating a growth index based on the set of optical data; and calculating an anticipated harvest time based on the growth index, where the image information includes at least one of: (a) visible image data obtained from an image sensor and non-visible image data obtained from the image sensor, and (b) a set of image data from at least two image capture devices, where the at least two image capture devices capture the set of image data from at least two positions.

A multi-sensor device includes a housing having multiple cavities and one or more sensor modules. Each sensor module is configured to occupy one of the cavities, and each sensor module is configured to sense at least one plant-related parameter when the multi-sensor device is positioned proximate to a plant. The multi-sensor device also includes a control unit configured to control operation of the one or more sensor modules and a location tracking system configured to track a location of the multi-sensor device. The multi-sensor device further includes a communications interface configured to transmit information including data from the one or more sensor modules. In addition, the multi-sensor device includes an electrical power connector configured to connect the multi-sensor device to a power source.

A multi-sensor device includes a housing having multiple cavities and one or more sensor modules. Each sensor module is configured to occupy one of the cavities, and each sensor module is configured to sense at least one plant-related parameter when the multi-sensor device is positioned proximate to a plant. The multi-sensor device also includes a control unit configured to control operation of the one or more sensor modules and a location tracking system configured to track a location of the multi-sensor device. The multi-sensor device further includes a communications interface configured to transmit information including data from the one or more sensor modules. In addition, the multi-sensor device includes an electrical power connector configured to connect the multi-sensor device to a power source.

A system for plant parameter detection, including: a plant morphology sensor having a first field of view and configured to record a morphology measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, a plant physiology sensor having a second field of view and configured to record a plant physiology parameter measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, wherein the second field of view overlaps with the first field of view; a support statically coupling the plant morphology sensor to the physiology sensor, and a computing system configured to: identify a plant set of pixels within the physiology measurement based on the morphology measurement; determine physiology values for each pixel of the plant set of pixels; and extract a growth parameter based on the physiology values.

A system for plant parameter detection, including: a plant morphology sensor having a first field of view and configured to record a morphology measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, a plant physiology sensor having a second field of view and configured to record a plant physiology parameter measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, wherein the second field of view overlaps with the first field of view; a support statically coupling the plant morphology sensor to the physiology sensor, and a computing system configured to: identify a plant set of pixels within the physiology measurement based on the morphology measurement; determine physiology values for each pixel of the plant set of pixels; and extract a growth parameter based on the physiology values.

One variation of a method for identifying stressors in crops based on fluorescence of sensor plants includes: accessing a set of spectral images of a sensor plant sown in a crop, the sensor plant of a sensor plant type including a set of promoters and a set of reporters configured to signal a set of stressors present at the sensor plant, the set of promoters and set of reporters forming a set of promoter-reporter pairs; accessing a reporter model linking characteristics extracted from the set of spectral images of the sensor plant to the set of stressors based on signals generated by the set of promoter-reporter pairs in the sensor plant type; and identifying a first stressor, in the set of stressors, present at the sensor plant based on the reporter model and characteristics extracted from the set of spectral images.

One variation of a method for identifying stressors in crops based on fluorescence of sensor plants includes: accessing a set of spectral images of a sensor plant sown in a crop, the sensor plant of a sensor plant type including a set of promoters and a set of reporters configured to signal a set of stressors present at the sensor plant, the set of promoters and set of reporters forming a set of promoter-reporter pairs; accessing a reporter model linking characteristics extracted from the set of spectral images of the sensor plant to the set of stressors based on signals generated by the set of promoter-reporter pairs in the sensor plant type; and identifying a first stressor, in the set of stressors, present at the sensor plant based on the reporter model and characteristics extracted from the set of spectral images.

Provided is an expandable, modular tower planter having an internal vertical composting capability, and a method of assembling and using the same. Provided in various example embodiments is a modular composting garden container system comprising a base and a plurality of stackable rings forming a tower upon the base, including an optional base ring specially sized, shaped, and positioned to connect the tower to the base. A plurality of perforated, stackable tube sections are provided that are removably assembled into a compost tube assembly of selectable height and mounted within the interior of the tower and above the base. A plurality of holding struts are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably connect the compost tube assembly with the tower and to securely locate the compost tube assembly relative to the tower. Means are provided for recovering nutrient-rich drainage and selective recovery of compost material for reintroduction into the system.

Provided is an expandable, modular tower planter having an internal vertical composting capability, and a method of assembling and using the same. Provided in various example embodiments is a modular composting garden container system comprising a base and a plurality of stackable rings forming a tower upon the base, including an optional base ring specially sized, shaped, and positioned to connect the tower to the base. A plurality of perforated, stackable tube sections are provided that are removably assembled into a compost tube assembly of selectable height and mounted within the interior of the tower and above the base. A plurality of holding struts are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably connect the compost tube assembly with the tower and to securely locate the compost tube assembly relative to the tower. Means are provided for recovering nutrient-rich drainage and selective recovery of compost material for reintroduction into the system.

The disclosure relates to a plant growth apparatus and related system to grow and maintain plants under controlled biotic conditions, for example to grow axenic (microbe-free) plants, gnotobiotic (defined microbiota) plants, and holoxenic (complex, or undefined microbiota) plants. This system allows aseptic bottom irrigation with water, soluble nutrients, chemicals, and/or microbiota. Plants can be inverted for dipping and/or vacuum infiltration. The system also allows for passive (gravity) drainage, thereby allowing for gas exchange and preventing root anoxia. A variety of plant growth substrates can be used within the plant growth apparatus as a plant growth medium. The plant growth apparatus, containing the growth substrate medium, can be completely flushed via the drainage port to remove potential toxic byproducts of the sterilization processes. The entire system is suitably constructed using autoclavable material.