A specific environmental stress on vegetation is calculated highly accurately and relatively easily. For generation of environmental stress information, vegetation information is obtained first using an imaging signal of vegetation. Furthermore, reference vegetation information associated with vegetation information in a state of being free of, for example, a specific environmental stress is obtained. Moreover, as information associated with an environmental stress on the vegetation, difference information between vegetation information acquired from an imaging signal of vegetation in a state of being likely to have the specific environmental stress and the reference vegetation information is obtained.

A specific environmental stress on vegetation is calculated highly accurately and relatively easily. For generation of environmental stress information, vegetation information is obtained first using an imaging signal of vegetation. Furthermore, reference vegetation information associated with vegetation information in a state of being free of, for example, a specific environmental stress is obtained. Moreover, as information associated with an environmental stress on the vegetation, difference information between vegetation information acquired from an imaging signal of vegetation in a state of being likely to have the specific environmental stress and the reference vegetation information is obtained.

The present invention includes a method of drying Cannabis plant material generally comprising exposing the Cannabis plant material to infrared radiation emitted from an infrared heater, such as a catalytic gas heater, the radiation having a wavelength of from about 3 to about 10 microns; and heating the Cannabis plant material to a temperature of from about 100 F. to about 400 F.

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.

A system for creating three-dimensional grass graphics can include a means for cutting grass with an adjustable cutting height, a chlorophyll-based agent for coloring grass, and at least one stencil. The chlorophyll-based agent can be non-detrimental to a health of the grass and can be available in multiple shades. The stencil can be securable to the grass and can define a graphic to be painted on the grass using the chlorophyll-based agent. The means for cutting the grass can be able to pass over and around the stencil without damaging the stencil. Application of different shades of the chlorophyll-based agent to varying heights of grass can produce a three-dimensional effect for the graphic when viewed.

A system for creating three-dimensional grass graphics can include a means for cutting grass with an adjustable cutting height, a chlorophyll-based agent for coloring grass, and at least one stencil. The chlorophyll-based agent can be non-detrimental to a health of the grass and can be available in multiple shades. The stencil can be securable to the grass and can define a graphic to be painted on the grass using the chlorophyll-based agent. The means for cutting the grass can be able to pass over and around the stencil without damaging the stencil. Application of different shades of the chlorophyll-based agent to varying heights of grass can produce a three-dimensional effect for the graphic when viewed.

One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first moduledefining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stagefrom a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second moduledefining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plantsto the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.

One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first moduledefining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stagefrom a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second moduledefining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plantsto the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.

In an embodiment, a method comprises: receiving pre-planting data representing a lower bound date value and an upper bound date value of dates for a pre-planting application of fertilizer to an agricultural field; side-dressing data representing a lower bound date value and an upper bound date value of dates for a side-dressing application; fertilizer cost data representing a cost of a fertilizer application; labor cost data representing a cost of applying fertilizer to the field; and expected profit data. Based on the received data, one or more penalty constraints are determined. Based on the received data, a fertilizing schedule is generated. The schedule comprises the one or more valid calendar dates on which fertilizing the agricultural field is recommended and the one or more valid fertilizer amounts to be applied to the agricultural field on the one or more valid calendar dates to maximize a yield from the agricultural field.