A sample processing and analyzing device for soil analysis in a karst area comprises a mounting unit, a processing unit arranged on the mounting unit, and an analyzing unit arranged on the mounting unit and connected with the processing unit through a feeding unit. The design of the damping component can control the grinding force to avoid sample crushing. The installation disc can be effectively clamped by the second axial moving component to move the sample position according to the grinding requirements, facilitating step-by-step polishing. The feeding unit sends the sample to the analysis unit through a conveyor belt for effective analysis. The sample processing and analyzing device can effectively process a soil concretion sample into a sample for analysis, has the advantages of easy operation, high degree of automation and high efficiency, and is suitable for mass popularization.

A method for quickly acquiring soil hydraulic properties in situ based on a ponded infiltration experiment is provided. The method adopts a novel derivation method, and is based on a Richards' equation and a Brooks-Corey model to derive an analytical solution that accurately describes one-dimensional infiltration into homogeneous soil under ponded conditions. The method, for the first time, provides a detailed description of a developing saturated zone in the soil water profile, which is the most vital infiltration characteristic during ponded infiltration. The method proposes an optimized estimation method for parameters based on an inverse process of the analytical solution. The method can quickly acquire soil hydraulic properties in situ field by measuring a cumulative infiltration amount and a length of a wetting front over time during one-dimensional ponded infiltration experiment through a time-domain reflectometer (TDR).

An autonomous ground vehicle for agricultural plant and soil management operations. According to some embodiments, autonomous ground vehicle includes: a camera unit configured to generate images of agricultural ground soil and plant organisms, a first mechanical arm having an end effector comprising a hoe portion and an electrode portion, a second mechanical arm having an end effector comprising an electrode portion, a high voltage booster electrically connected to the electrode portions, an electronic memory storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions; one or more processors in electronic communication with the electronic memory storage medium, configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in an electronic memory storage medium for implementing a plant species control management operation comprising electrical control and mechanical control options.

In one aspect, a system for monitoring the condition of discs of agricultural implements includes a plurality of discs configured to be supported relative to an agricultural implement, and a field profile sensor configured to generate data indicative of a field profile of an aft portion of the field located rearward of the plurality of discs relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. In addition, the system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the field profile sensor. The controller is configured to monitor the data received from the field profile sensor and determine an operating condition of one or more of the plurality of discs based at least in part on the field profile of the aft portion of the field.

Methods and systems for soil sampling are generally provided. Systems and methods described herein may stratify a geographic region together using a clustering method and one or more soil properties to form strata. These strata may then be used to develop an appropriate sampling plan for measuring a desired soil property in the geographic region.

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

The invention provides a system for sensing soil characteristics of an agricultural field, including soil variability and/or clod stability, in real time to allow rapid adjustment of an implement while traversing the field. The implement could be a planter, a fertilizer applicator or a tillage implement treating the field with ground engaging tools. The system can sense the soil characteristics, for example, by continuously transmitting acoustic energy to the field and sensing sound energy scattered back. This, in turn, can allow a continuously updated estimation of the field, such as in terms of clod size. Adjustment of the implement can include changing its speed and/or application of a seedbed attachment, such as changing a depth of the ground engaging tool.

A sensor system for monitoring vapor concentrations associated with an agricultural implement is disclosed. The sensor system comprises a first sensor coupled to a support structure that is configured to sense a concentration of at least one component of a vapor sample associated with dispensed ammonia that is emitted from the soil. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first sensor, and is configured to receive and process output signals generated by the first sensor to determine an amount of the concentration of the at least one component that is loss during emission.

A sensing platform with at least one sensing device to sense underground and above ground environment parameters. A system of sensing environment parameters for a plant using a probe comprising: a first sensor board adapted to sense one or more environment parameters at one or more submerged depth located at flexible points of a location; a second sensor board adapted to done or more environment parameters at one or more surface points located at flexible points of the location; a circuit board adapted to communicate the sensed environment parameters to a central controller; adapted to operate in a low power mode. A system of sensing environment parameters for a field of plants using two or more probes using a fail-over central controller in a double star configuration and/or self learning algorithm.

A method for treating plants with respect to estimated root zones comprises estimating a growth state or maturity state of a plant based on a planting date, a current date and the crop type of the plant. A root zone estimator or data processor estimating a size, diameter or radius of a root zone of the plant based on the determined growth state or maturity state. The data processor or nozzle control module adjusts a lateral offset of a spray pattern of a nozzle assembly of one or more nozzles based on the size, diameter or radius to target alignment or maximization of overlap area of a crop input directed to a strip or zone with respect to the corresponding root zone.