A robotic automated broccoli plant harvesting apparatus uses a vision system implemented with an RGB depth camera that provides imaging signals. Software operating on a microcomputer processes the imaging signals to identify the height and position of a broccoli plant to sever it with dual opposed cutting blades. In a preferred embodiment, the software algorithm combines color, texture, and distance information of the broccoli plant to reliably cut the broccoli stalk with ⅛-inch (3.175-millimeter) accuracy. Broccoli stalks of consistent lengths result in uniform, commercially viable products.

A robotic automated broccoli plant harvesting apparatus uses a vision system implemented with an RGB depth camera that provides imaging signals. Software operating on a microcomputer processes the imaging signals to identify the height and position of a broccoli plant to sever it with dual opposed cutting blades. In a preferred embodiment, the software algorithm combines color, texture, and distance information of the broccoli plant to reliably cut the broccoli stalk with ⅛-inch (3.175-millimeter) accuracy. Broccoli stalks of consistent lengths result in uniform, commercially viable products.

A harvesting tool configured to independently grasp and twist a target object. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

An electronic data processor is configured to estimate a spatial region of interest of plant pixels of one or more target plants in the obtained image data for a harvestable plant component and its associated harvestable plant component pixels of the harvestable plant component. The electronic data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within the obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels. A user interface is configured to provide the detected size of the harvestable plant component for the one or more target plants as an indicator of yield of the one or more plants or standing crop in the field.

According to the invention, there is provided novel hemp Cannabis cultivars with THC content of 0.2% by dry weight and a unique terpene profile. The cultivars exhibit increased CBD content of greater than about 1.07% by weight. The plants also have increased plant height and decreased branching that allows for increased yields of hemp and CBD content per acre. This invention thus relates to the seeds of hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention, to the plants of hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention, to plant parts of hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention, to methods for producing a Cannabis cultivar by crossing the hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention with another Cannabis cultivar, and to methods for producing a Cannabis cultivar containing in its genetic material one or more backcross conversion traits or transgenes and to the backcross conversion Cannabis plants and plant parts produced by those methods.

According to the invention, there is provided novel hemp Cannabis cultivars with THC content of 0.2% by dry weight and a unique terpene profile. The cultivars exhibit increased CBD content of greater than about 1.07% by weight. The plants also have increased plant height and decreased branching that allows for increased yields of hemp and CBD content per acre. This invention thus relates to the seeds of hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention, to the plants of hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention, to plant parts of hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention, to methods for producing a Cannabis cultivar by crossing the hemp Cannabis cultivars of the invention with another Cannabis cultivar, and to methods for producing a Cannabis cultivar containing in its genetic material one or more backcross conversion traits or transgenes and to the backcross conversion Cannabis plants and plant parts produced by those methods.

This disclosure describes methods for collecting sphagnum moss. The methods comprise, for example, the motorized cutting and the collection of at least a portion of the sphagnum moss, in which the cutting is carried out at least in a direction substantially parallel to the ground. The disclosure also describes sphagnum moss cutting units and systems for harvesting sphagnum moss.

An electronic data processor is configured to estimate a spatial region of interest of plant pixels of one or more target plants in the obtained image data for a harvestable plant component and its associated harvestable plant component pixels of the harvestable plant component. The electronic data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within the obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels. A user interface is configured to provide the detected size of the harvestable plant component for the one or more target plants as an indicator of yield of the one or more plants or standing crop in the field.

An data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within an obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels, along with an adjustment based on analysis of any exposed portions of the harvestable plant component. A user interface is configured to provide a yield indicator based on the detected size of the harvestable plant component.

The invention relates to a method for stripping leaves and/or flowers from a stalk (1), in particular for stripping cannabis leaves and/or cannabis flowers from a stalk (1). Thereby, a loop (2) is formed around the stalk (1) to be stripped, which is formed at least in a partial area from flexurally elastic or flexurally slack loop means (3, 3a, 3b) which have tensile strength in the direction of the loop. The stalk (1) is then pulled through the loop (2) in the longitudinal direction of the stalk, with the leaves and/or flowers being stripped from the stalk (1). The invention makes it possible to strip the leaves or flowers, respectively, more easily and directly from the surface of the stalk (1), such that they can be substantially harvested better, faster and with less damage. Less preparatory work is also required.