Various methods and systems are provided for monitoring and control of soil conditions. In one example, among others, a method includes obtaining one or more aqueous sample from at least one suction probe within a soil substrate and analyzing the one or more aqueous sample to determine a chemical composition of the soil substrate. Amounts of an additive may be determined to adjust the chemical composition of the soil substrate. In another example, a method includes installing at least one suction probe within a soil substrate; drawing a vacuum to induce hydraulic conduction of at least one aqueous solution from the soil substrate; extracting one or more aqueous sample; and analyzing the one or more aqueous sample to determine a chemical composition.

The invention(s) include systems and methods for receiving and processing agriculture-associated samples with sample processing architecture structured to rapidly return outputs characterizing effects of agriculture inputs and practices over time. Control instructions based upon outputs of the systems and methods are then executed for maintaining or improving performance of crops and agriculture sites (e.g., in relation to yield, in relation to nutrient characteristics) in a sustainable manner (e.g., environmentally sustainable manner). System and method outputs can further be used to affect modifications to product treatments generated by associated manufacturers.

A method for continuous real time monitoring of a crop growth including the use of a telescoping sensor mount capable of systematically extending a sensor above a crop growth canopy. The method includes determining a value associated with soil saturation, soil nitrogen mineralization, and growing degree units. These values are made available to the user real time. The telescoping sensor mount of the invention includes a foldaway tripod support system and is further capable of being powered with solar energy.

Engineered food to promote health and maintain homeostasis in a subject and methods of producing the food.

A method for determining residue coverage of a field includes receiving, with a computing system, a captured image depicting an imaged portion of a field from one or more imaging devices. Furthermore, the method includes determining, with the computing system, an image gradient orientation at each of a plurality of pixels within the captured image. Additionally, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a plurality of image gradient orientation densities associated with the captured image based on the determined image gradient orientations. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a residue coverage parameter associated with the imaged portion of the field based on the determined plurality of image gradient orientation densities.

Described herein are systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a flow device for controlling flow during an agricultural operation includes an offset ball valve having multiple openings that rotate in position to control flow of a liquid through the offset ball valve to an outlet passage. The flow device also includes a first passage that provides a first flow path from an inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve and second passage that provides a second flow path from the inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve.

The invention relates to a system and method for determining a status of plants. The system includes a light transmitter arranged for providing broad band illumination to one or more plants. The system includes a light receiver including a plurality of receiver channels, the receiver channels arranged for receiving light from said one or more plants in mutually different wavelength bands. The system includes a processing unit arranged for determining a status of said one or more plants on the basis of light received by the plurality of receiver channels. The transmitter may be arranged for transmitting bursts of modulated light.

An autonomous vehicle platform system and method configured to perform various in-season management tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field, while self-navigating between rows of planted crops and beneath the canopy of the planted crops on the uneven terrain of an agricultural field, allowing for an ideal in-season application of fertilizer to occur once the planted crop is well established and growing rapidly, in an effort to limit the loss of fertilizer.

An apparatus for measuring a soil condition includes a frame coupled to a tow hitch and an instrumented shank engaged with the frame. The instrumented shank carries a plurality of sensors arranged such that each sensor is oriented to detect a soil property at a different depth than an adjacent sensor. A method of measuring a soil condition includes dragging an instrumented shank through soil. The instrumented shank carries a plurality of sensors. The method also includes detecting a soil property at a plurality of depths in the soil with the plurality of sensors.

An agricultural aircraft for spreading granular fertilizer and a spreading method thereof. The agricultural aircraft includes an aircraft body, a power system, and a spreading device, where the spreading device is located at a front part of the aircraft body, and the aircraft body is also provided at the front thereof with a wind direction sensor and a wind speed sensor communicatively connected a controller; the spreading device includes a box body, a throwing disc, and a tray connected to the box body, where a left baffle plate and a right baffle plate with controllable opening angles are disposed on the tray; an upper part of the box body is a material box for storing granular fertilizer, a cavity for accommodating the tray and the throwing disc is disposed on one side of the box body.