A photo-selective light spectrum-modifying net for use in citrus fruit production, the net comprising a woven array of parallel and mutually spaced first threads and an array of parallel and mutually spaced second threads, the second threads being inclined to the first threads to define an array of openings between the first and second threads, wherein the first threads are uncolored and composed of a first polymer which is selected from a polymer incorporating a white pigment or dye, a transparent polymer or a translucent polymer, and the second threads are colored red and composed of a second polymer which incorporates a red pigment or dye, the second threads being adapted to transmit, scatter and reflect electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range of from 640 to 680 nm. Also disclosed is a method of producing citrus fruit using the net.

An apparatus for cleaning the trunk of a tree is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure washer in fluid communication with a water source and a conduit in fluid communication with the pressure washer to receive a flow of pressurized water expelled therefrom. The conduit is arranged in at least a semi-circle to at least partially extend around the diameter of a tree trunk. A plurality of spray nozzles is disposed along the conduit to expel pressurized water from the conduit to clean the tree trunk. A barrier is connected to the conduit to impede the pressurized water from travelling in an undesired direction.

An apparatus for cleaning the trunk of a tree is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure washer in fluid communication with a water source and a conduit in fluid communication with the pressure washer to receive a flow of pressurized water expelled therefrom. The conduit is arranged in at least a semi-circle to at least partially extend around the diameter of a tree trunk. A plurality of spray nozzles is disposed along the conduit to expel pressurized water from the conduit to clean the tree trunk. A barrier is connected to the conduit to impede the pressurized water from travelling in an undesired direction.

A system and method for applying hydro-mulch and hydro-seed products stored underground through an irrigation system includes a first irrigation system, a second irrigation system, and a storage tank at least partially located underground, the storage tank being in fluid connection with the second irrigation system, wherein the storage tank is configured for storing and supplying the hydro-mulch and hydro-seed products to the second irrigation system.

The invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) ##STR00001##
or salts thereof
for controlling coffee rust, citrus black spot, citrus scab or banana black sigatoka disease, and to corresponding methods.

An integrated, self supporting elevated gas delivery and light emitting system for crops. The system has a gas and light line that is made of an elongated, tubular body having a central, longitudinal lumen and a plurality of apertures extending from the lumen through the body. The lumen conveys a gas and the apertures emit gas from the lumen to the plant foliage. A plurality of light emitting diodes are fixedly coupled to an exterior surface of the tubular body. A conductor is fixedly coupled to the tubular body and conductively connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes.

An integrated, self supporting elevated gas delivery and light emitting system for crops. The system has a gas and light line that is made of an elongated, tubular body having a central, longitudinal lumen and a plurality of apertures extending from the lumen through the body. The lumen conveys a gas and the apertures emit gas from the lumen to the plant foliage. A plurality of light emitting diodes are fixedly coupled to an exterior surface of the tubular body. A conductor is fixedly coupled to the tubular body and conductively connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes.

The present invention provides a system for identifying individual crowns of individual fruit trees using aerial images. A crown identification device 40 of the present invention includes an identification criterion determination unit 41 and a crown identification unit 42. The identification criterion determination unit 41 includes a first image acquisition section 411 that acquires a first aerial image including a plurality of individual fruit trees in a deciduous period in a fruit farm field, a skeleton extraction section 412 that processes the first aerial image to extract a whole crown skeleton including the plurality of individual fruit trees, a vertex extraction unit 413 that extracts vertexes of each crown skeleton corresponding to each individual fruit tree, and an identification criterion extraction section 414 that extracts a crown candidate region of a minimum polygonal shape including all the vertexes as an identification criterion for each individual fruit tree and extracts a centroid of the crown candidate region. The crown identification unit 42 includes a second image acquisition section 421 that acquires a second aerial image of the fruit tree farm field at the time of identifying a crown at the same scale as the first aerial image, a whole crown extraction section 422 that processes the second aerial image to extract a whole crown image including the plurality of individual fruit trees, and a crown identification section 423 that collates the crown candidate region and the centroid of the identification criterion with the whole crown image to identify a crown region of each individual fruit tree in the second aerial image.

The present invention provides a system for identifying individual crowns of individual fruit trees using aerial images. A crown identification device 40 of the present invention includes an identification criterion determination unit 41 and a crown identification unit 42. The identification criterion determination unit 41 includes a first image acquisition section 411 that acquires a first aerial image including a plurality of individual fruit trees in a deciduous period in a fruit farm field, a skeleton extraction section 412 that processes the first aerial image to extract a whole crown skeleton including the plurality of individual fruit trees, a vertex extraction unit 413 that extracts vertexes of each crown skeleton corresponding to each individual fruit tree, and an identification criterion extraction section 414 that extracts a crown candidate region of a minimum polygonal shape including all the vertexes as an identification criterion for each individual fruit tree and extracts a centroid of the crown candidate region. The crown identification unit 42 includes a second image acquisition section 421 that acquires a second aerial image of the fruit tree farm field at the time of identifying a crown at the same scale as the first aerial image, a whole crown extraction section 422 that processes the second aerial image to extract a whole crown image including the plurality of individual fruit trees, and a crown identification section 423 that collates the crown candidate region and the centroid of the identification criterion with the whole crown image to identify a crown region of each individual fruit tree in the second aerial image.

A plant duster, especially for data palm pollination, has a small tube for dispersing dust (1) and a container for the dust to be dispensed (7). A rubber stopper (3) in one end of the container and about one end of the small tube flexibly mounts the small tube on the container for communication with the container for receiving the dust. A truncated, hollow cone (4) has one end on the other end of the cylinder part of the caver of the container for communicating with container of the dust therein and a threaded tube on the other end. The container of the pollen Flour mixture (7) threaded to tubular (14), battery-operable air pump (15) has threads on one end for connection to Inverted truncated, and hollow cone (24) this hollow cone connected to 5 cm diameter cylinder (53) contains the batteries and the upper control system. This tub threaded to the carrying tub. A first carrying tube section (26) is threaded on to the threaded tube at one end and has an enlargement about the other end. There are also further carrying tube sections in graduated diameters, each further carrying tube section having an enlargement about one end corresponding to that about the other end of the first carrying tube. A last carrying tube section has threads on the other end to plastic tub contains the remote control system of the pollinator, whereby operating the pump to entrain the dust therein and dispense the entrained dust through the small tube. Timer and speed control give constant dose of the pollen that can be adjusted automatically and manually.

A collection system to collect pollen from the male cluster. It consists of a bag of sieve cloth at the end of which is a steel ball attached to a flexible metal wire to move the ball. The flexible metal wire passes through the tube (39) to facilitate movement. This bag surrounded by another bag of non-permeable cloth (37) that collects pollen. Special grinding machine with a battery that grinds the flowers into the bag, to get the highest amount of pollen and best Specification. A bag inclosing all these with solar batters charger and other accessories.