Techniques for providing improvements in agricultural science by optimizing irrigation treatment placements for testing are provided, including analyzing a plurality of digital images of a field to determine vegetation density changes in a sector of the field. The techniques proceed by comparing a distribution of pixel characteristics in the digital images for each field sector to determine sectors in which minimal density deviations are present. Instructions for irrigation placements and testing may be displayed or modified based on the results of the sector determinations.

A wireless irrigation clock system that operates through a mesh network is configured to program functions that control one or more irrigation controls across multiple agricultural zones. The functions are transmitted over the mesh network as a command signal to corresponding irrigation controls. The clock can, for example, be programmed to generate command signals that control the timing and amount of water discharged through solenoid valves. Multiple relay signal repeaters transmit the command signal through the mesh network to appropriate irrigation controls. The relay signal repeaters are arranged to overcome long distances and barriers. The command signal can include instructions to program the time and amount of water discharged through a pump or a booster pump; or the open and closed position of a solenoid valve. A switch operatively connects to the clock to receive the valve command signals to control the irrigation controls, in correspondence to the command signals.

An automated plant cultivation system operating seed or plant capsule(s) and/or capsule(s) retaining casing(s) capable of controlling the growing environment of each plant capsule throughout the plant life cycle wherein the capsule(s) can be adapted to operate under any irrigation method.

The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

A solenoid is provided having an improved connection arrangement. The solenoid includes external wires that are coupled to internal solenoid components via terminals. Further, a sealed solenoid is provided having a housing overmolded onto a solenoid subassembly. External wires can be coupled to the solenoid after overmolding. The solenoid may also include a cavity for receiving at least one of electrical component. The solenoid may also include a powdered metal core.

A system and method for providing landscaping integration into a watering system or water management system. The system may include a processor with programmable landscape events or pre-programmed landscape events. A user may select or enter in landscape events to manipulate a watering or irrigation schedule based on the landscape event. The system may also be pre-programmed to a landscape event based on recurring or scheduled events to alter watering or irrigation. A landscaper may access a system on an electronic device that may be linked to a cloud based platform for managing the system or systems to allow for alteration and manipulation of watering and irrigation times and durations based on landscape events.

An adaptive hydraulic control system controls irrigation system zones using predicted valve behavior, measured pressure, recovery time, and measured flow. A pressure sensor can measure a pressure in a water line and a flow meter can measure a flow rate in the water line. The adaptive hydraulic control system monitors the pressure and the flow rate, and determines when the pressure and the flow rate are above and below target operational thresholds. When the pressure is determined to be below a minimum target threshold or the flow rate is determined to be above a maximum target threshold, the adaptive hydraulic control system identifies one or more valves in an opened position of the plurality of valves that when closed would cause the pressure and the flow rate to return within the target operational thresholds. The adaptive hydraulic control system provides instructions to change a position of the one or more identified valves.

Irrigation controllers, methods, and computer readable media for altering a watering schedule for an irrigation controller in accordance with determined drought conditions are disclosed. A drought category for a watering zone may be determined. An adjusted landscape evapotranspiration rate may be calculated based on the drought category. The watering schedule for the watering zone may be altered in accordance with the adjusted landscape evapotranspiration rate.

An automated irrigation control comprising crop sensor physically attached to a crop and a light sensitive sensor having a photo-detector for monitoring light intensity of a crop, an irrigation conduit extending along the span of the irrigation zone and adapted to carry fluid, with one or more controllable valves and sensors, growth sensors placed in close proximity of the crop sensors, a computer control system, an irrigation controller, and a communications link between the computer control system, the one or more crop sensor, the three or more growth sensors, and the irrigation controller.

A predictive maintenance system for an irrigation system includes one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of abnormal operation within the irrigation system, the sensors electrically coupled to a drive system, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the predictive maintenance system to receive the generated signal, determine abnormal operation of the drive system based on the generated signal, and predict, by a machine learning model, a maintenance requirement of the drive system based on the determined abnormal operation.