A portable device for irrigating the roots of plants has a handle, a stem, and a removable base supporting removable spikes. The stem of the device is adapted for connection to a hose. The spikes each have openings for delivering water. The device has an on/off switch, which may be manually operated or electronically operated. The device is configured to optionally allow the flow of another substance into the stem of the rake, such as plant food.

A laterally movable carrier is associated with a row frame. The carrier is connected to a frame member, an opener, a first outlet and a second outlet to allow for dynamically variable adjustment of the lateral separation between a first row of planted seed and a second row of planted seed, where the first row of seed is adjacent to the second row of seed.

Provided herein is a method for fertilizing agricultural soil by applying at least one fertilizer N to the soil, wherein the at least one fertilizer N is applied in combination with a formulation F. The formulation F comprises at least one nitrification inhibitor I and at least one organic solvent S, and the at least one solvent S is selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diglyme, fatty acid dialkylamides, benzyl alcohol, butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, ethyl hexyl lactate, 2-butoxy ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, or mixtures thereof. The formulation F is essentially free from 3,4-dimethylpyrazolphosphate.

A distributed metering system and method for metering liquid anhydrous ammonia is disclosed. The distributed metering system can comprise a plurality of applicator devices coupled to a plurality of metering units, and an electronic control unit coupled to the plurality of metering units. The electronic control unit is configured to control an application rate of a crop input material supplied from the plurality of metering units by adjusting an operating parameter of a component of each of the plurality of metering units when the application rate exceeds or falls below a predetermined threshold.

A plant growing structure (100) designed to enhance the root quality, quantity, and architecture of plants grown in plant containers or in the ground is constructed from a plurality of support walls (200). The plant growing structure (100) enhances air circulation to the plant root system (20) to increase root growth and plant productivity. Channels (230) within the support walls (200) are designed with physical structures and materials that be adapted to address issues with aeration, infiltration, drainage, soil structure, root growth, plant nutrient uptake, plant pests and diseases, growing medium moisture, and growing medium microbial content. A liquid permeable drain platform (900) controls the amount and duration of water storage in the growing medium (50). The liquid permeable drain platform (900) may be used as a standalone device or in conjunction with the plant growing structure (100).

A container for controlling release of a soluble fertiliser comprising a first chamber for collecting and holding water, and having an open top and a solid bottom with an orifice that allows water flow freely at a desired rate; a second chamber below the first chamber for receiving water therefrom to dissolve fertiliser held therein, the second chamber having a solid bottom with an orifice through which fertiliser solution can flow in a controlled manner and a perforated plate for holding undissolved fertiliser, the plate is disposed within the chamber and separating the chamber into an upper compartment and a lower compartment; and a third chamber below the second chamber and receiving dissolved fertiliser therefrom, the third chamber having a perforated bottom, the perforations are configured to allow the dissolved fertiliser to pass through while preventing foreign solid particles from entering the container.

Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. Liquid delivery systems inject liquid into the soil adjacent to the seed planting trench formed by the planter row unit trench opening assembly.

A plant watering system includes an irrigation mat that can be placed around a plant on top of the soil. The irrigation mat includes a water reservoir that holds water, and a slow-pass water permeable membrane that releases the water in the water reservoir in a slow manner so the soil around the plant is watered at a controlled rate. The irrigation mat may optionally include a threaded port where a container of liquid fertilizer can be placed so the liquid fertilizer is mixed with the water in the reservoir, allowing easily fertilizing the plant as it is watered. The plant watering system may also optionally include a dryness sensor that provides an alert indicating the water reservoir in the irrigation mat needs to be refilled.

An apparatus for applying a liquid to a plant growing in soil includes a handheld assembly having a spray configuration for applying a liquid to a plant as a spray at a location above the surface of the soil in which the plant is growing, and a probe configuration for applying a liquid below the surface of the soil proximate to the roots of the plant. The assembly is selectively reconfigurable by a user between the first spray configuration and the second probe configuration.

A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products that includes a multiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product application device configured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitor assembly positioned to sense a seed being discharged from high speed planting equipment. Each MLRA product application device comprises a common housing for a number of low rate agricultural product input assemblies.