Disclosed implementations for improving crop yield in arid environments. Implementations include a method comprising selecting a cover crop adapted to absorb one or more of atmospheric or soil moisture for storage in an underground portion of the cover crop, and planting the selected cover crop in a particular tract of land at a first time instance. The method additionally includes controllably terminating growth of the cover crop at a second time instance, subsequent to the first time instance, to initiate a decay phase of the cover crop to cause transfer of the moisture absorbed in the underground portion of the cover crop to soil of the tract of land, and planting a primary crop in the tract of land at a third time instance, the primary crop absorbing from the soil at least some of the moisture released during the decay phase of the cover crop.

The present invention relates to a method (10) to control weeds comprising the steps of: a) acquiring geopositional information of planted crop seeds on an agricultural field and generating a crop seed map, b) acquiring soil elevation data and the corresponding geopositional information of the soil elevation on the agricultural field where the crop seeds have been planted or are being planted at at least two different time points and generating soil surface profile maps of the agricultural field, the soil surface profile maps showing the soil surface profiles at the at least two different time points, c) comparing the soil surface profile maps and the crop seed map to identify differences in the soil elevation profile that are not associated with seed growth of the planted seeds on the agricultural field, d) generating a weed control agent spray map on the basis of the differences in the identified soil elevations on the agricultural field that are not associated with seed growth of the planted crop seeds on the agricultural field.

The present invention relates to a method (10) to control weeds comprising the steps of: a) acquiring geopositional information of planted crop seeds on an agricultural field and generating a crop seed map, b) acquiring soil elevation data and the corresponding geopositional information of the soil elevation on the agricultural field where the crop seeds have been planted or are being planted at at least two different time points and generating soil surface profile maps of the agricultural field, the soil surface profile maps showing the soil surface profiles at the at least two different time points, c) comparing the soil surface profile maps and the crop seed map to identify differences in the soil elevation profile that are not associated with seed growth of the planted seeds on the agricultural field, d) generating a weed control agent spray map on the basis of the differences in the identified soil elevations on the agricultural field that are not associated with seed growth of the planted crop seeds on the agricultural field.

The present invention provides a protective wear cover which may be utilized in a metering device housing to protect the housing in an area which may be subjected to high impact by product flow. The protective wear cover may be installed inside the metering device housing at the venturi induction zone. The protective wear cover may be manufactured from a highly wear resistant material. The shape of the protective wear cover may be suited to conform to the metering device housing in the protected area to ensure a tight fit and negligible effect on air flow. This protective wear cover may therefore serve as a sacrificial barrier which prevents wear on the metering device housing and may be periodically replaced when worn. Replacing the protective wear cover negates the need to replace the whole metering device housing.

The present invention provides a protective wear cover which may be utilized in a metering device housing to protect the housing in an area which may be subjected to high impact by product flow. The protective wear cover may be installed inside the metering device housing at the venturi induction zone. The protective wear cover may be manufactured from a highly wear resistant material. The shape of the protective wear cover may be suited to conform to the metering device housing in the protected area to ensure a tight fit and negligible effect on air flow. This protective wear cover may therefore serve as a sacrificial barrier which prevents wear on the metering device housing and may be periodically replaced when worn. Replacing the protective wear cover negates the need to replace the whole metering device housing.

A hybrid mint plant characterized by an essential oil composition profile, methods of cultivating the hybrid mint plant, and methods of producing an essential oil composition with the essential oil composition profile using the hybrid mint plant are disclosed.

A hybrid mint plant characterized by an essential oil composition profile, methods of cultivating the hybrid mint plant, and methods of producing an essential oil composition with the essential oil composition profile using the hybrid mint plant are disclosed.

A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) having a locking system is described herein. In one embodiment, the soil apparatus includes a lower base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, an upper base portion, and a neck portion having protrusions to insert into the lower base portion of a base and then lock when a region of the upper base portion is inserted into the lower base portion and this region of the upper base portion presses the protrusions to lock the neck portion to the upper base portion.

A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) having a locking system is described herein. In one embodiment, the soil apparatus includes a lower base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, an upper base portion, and a neck portion having protrusions to insert into the lower base portion of a base and then lock when a region of the upper base portion is inserted into the lower base portion and this region of the upper base portion presses the protrusions to lock the neck portion to the upper base portion.

An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.