An apparatus and method for training a grape vine. The apparatus is a linear grid composed of transverse and longitudinal elements that are configured to result in a network of spaces that are sized to substantially provide a separate space for each vine shoot. The apparatus is mobile within the vine canopy serving various functions as the growing season progresses. The mobility of the grid apparatus allows repositioning throughout the growing season while still retaining the shoots within the grid openings.

A method of collecting a urine sample including appropriately locating hydrophobic sand with respect to the urine sample. Use of the hydrophobic sand including providing a barrier in the form of at least one layer of the sand; and collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating the sand with respect to the urine.

A method of collecting a urine sample including appropriately locating hydrophobic sand with respect to the urine sample. Use of the hydrophobic sand including providing a barrier in the form of at least one layer of the sand; and collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating the sand with respect to the urine.

A device that provides in trees pollen and/or insecticide includes: a holding tank; a cover cone connected to the holding tank; a ring sealing the cover cone; a dispensing tube connected to the cover cone; a sleeve cylinder having a top portion receiving a cylindrical bottom portion of the holding tank, and a groove; and an internally extending cone in the holding tank, the cone having a base joined by the cylindrical bottom of the holding tank. A ring in the groove and seals the top portion of the sleeve cylinder with the holding tank; a chamber cylinder having a cylindrical top extension connected to the sleeve cylinder, and a joining cylinder opposite the cylindrical top extension; and an air pump. The air pump has a motor and a fan to receive air via pores through the sleeve cylinder and pump the air to the holding tank.

A device that provides in trees pollen and/or insecticide includes: a holding tank; a cover cone connected to the holding tank; a ring sealing the cover cone; a dispensing tube connected to the cover cone; a sleeve cylinder having a top portion receiving a cylindrical bottom portion of the holding tank, and a groove; and an internally extending cone in the holding tank, the cone having a base joined by the cylindrical bottom of the holding tank. A ring in the groove and seals the top portion of the sleeve cylinder with the holding tank; a chamber cylinder having a cylindrical top extension connected to the sleeve cylinder, and a joining cylinder opposite the cylindrical top extension; and an air pump. The air pump has a motor and a fan to receive air via pores through the sleeve cylinder and pump the air to the holding tank.

The invention concerns a system (1) for characterizing the physiological state of woody plants (2, 3) with branches grown in rows, such as vine plants, said system (1) including a vehicle (10) designed to move between said rows, a geolocation device (14) and a processing unit (15), and being characterized in that it includes a sensor (16) including a light source (17) designed to emit a light beam (18) and a light receiver (19), said light beam (18) being able to intersect the branches, as the vehicle (10) moves forward, said light beam (18) having a dimension (L) greater than the diameter (D) of the thickest of the branches in said row (6), said light beam (18) projecting, onto said light receiver (19), a shadow (20A, 20B) from which the processing nit (15) determines the diameter (D1, D2) of the branch (2A, 2B) in question.

The invention concerns a system (1) for characterizing the physiological state of woody plants (2, 3) with branches grown in rows, such as vine plants, said system (1) including a vehicle (10) designed to move between said rows, a geolocation device (14) and a processing unit (15), and being characterized in that it includes a sensor (16) including a light source (17) designed to emit a light beam (18) and a light receiver (19), said light beam (18) being able to intersect the branches, as the vehicle (10) moves forward, said light beam (18) having a dimension (L) greater than the diameter (D) of the thickest of the branches in said row (6), said light beam (18) projecting, onto said light receiver (19), a shadow (20A, 20B) from which the processing nit (15) determines the diameter (D1, D2) of the branch (2A, 2B) in question.

An apparatus and method for training a grape vine. The apparatus is a linear grid composed of transverse and longitudinal elements that are configured to result in a network of spaces that are sized to substantially provide a separate space for each vine shoot. The apparatus is mobile within the vine canopy serving various functions as the growing season progresses. The mobility of the grid apparatus allows repositioning throughout the growing season while still retaining the shoots within the grid openings.

A root socking process for efficient transplanting of vines and similar plants. Each plant is grown in its own plant-growing container followed by an automated process of covering the root mass or rootball of each plant with a sock, preferably biodegradable; filling a cardboard box with multiple root-socked plants; and stacking multiple cardboard boxes in pallets for transportation to the field. The plants are then transplanted in the field by picking up and dropping each root-socked plant from the cardboard box into a hole in the soil.

A flexible panel configured with a central opening and slit from the opening to one edge and an operable closure device closing the slit.

The method includes deploying the panel about a tree and elevating the edges while trimming a tree.