The invention relates to a plate-shaped structure for cultivating one or more plants. The plate-shaped structure (1) may optionally collect moisture from the atmosphere and comprises a generally flat upper surface (30) provided with a cavity (31, 32, 33) for holding plant material. The cavity has a sidewall (41, 42, 43) and a bottom portion (51, 52, 53). Further, the bottom portion includes an aperture. In use, the plate shaped structure can cover a reservoir (10) or can be placed on the soil. Optionally, the plate-shaped structure comprises a drain opening (35) with a floating cap and a covering cap so as to allow moisture to flow through the drain opening while minimizing evaporation. Further, the plate-shaped structure may have a cap structure (84) at its periphery for clampingly receiving the upwardly extending exterior sidewall of the reservoir. The plate-shaped structure can be fixed to the reservoir using protrusions (57 a-c, 58a-c) traversing corresponding openings.

Described are systems and methods for treating and/or helping prevent microbial infections on plants and trees by applying a treatment solution to cut areas of the plants or trees that have been exposed during a hedging or topping operation, or the like. The method can include providing a liquid application system including treatment liquid, wherein the liquid application system is integrated with at least one of a motorized hedging and/or topping vehicle, wherein the liquid application dispenses the treatment liquid at a controlled rate of flow from the one or more nozzles and the treatment liquid is applied directly and uniformly from the one or more nozzles on the second boom to the one or more cut areas at the controlled rate of flow.

Described are systems and methods for treating and/or helping prevent microbial infections on plants and trees by applying a treatment solution to cut areas of the plants or trees that have been exposed during a hedging or topping operation, or the like. The method can include providing a liquid application system including treatment liquid, wherein the liquid application system is integrated with at least one of a motorized hedging and/or topping vehicle, wherein the liquid application dispenses the treatment liquid at a controlled rate of flow from the one or more nozzles and the treatment liquid is applied directly and uniformly from the one or more nozzles on the second boom to the one or more cut areas at the controlled rate of flow.

One variation of a method for interpreting pressures in plants includes: accessing a first image of a first set of sentinel plants in a field; accessing a second image of a second set of sentinel plants in the field, recorded during a first period; interpreting a first pressure of a stressor in the first set based on features extracted from the first image, captured during the first period; interpreting a second pressure in the second set based on features extracted from the second image; deriving a model associating pressure at the first set and pressure at the second set based on the first pressure and the second pressure; interpreting a third pressure in the first set based on features extracted from a third image captured during a second period; and predicting a fourth pressure in the second set during the second period based on the third pressure and the model.

One variation of a method for interpreting pressures in plants includes: accessing a first image of a first set of sentinel plants in a field; accessing a second image of a second set of sentinel plants in the field, recorded during a first period; interpreting a first pressure of a stressor in the first set based on features extracted from the first image, captured during the first period; interpreting a second pressure in the second set based on features extracted from the second image; deriving a model associating pressure at the first set and pressure at the second set based on the first pressure and the second pressure; interpreting a third pressure in the first set based on features extracted from a third image captured during a second period; and predicting a fourth pressure in the second set during the second period based on the third pressure and the model.

A tree protection system including a flexible UV-stable first layer including a plurality of openings between about 5 mm and about 9 mm formed therein, the first layer configured to protectively surround at least a base of a tree, and a unitary fastener adapted to secure overlapping opposed portions of the first layer together during protectively surrounding the at least a base of a tree in response to application of a single force directed toward the opposed portions.

A tree protection system including a flexible UV-stable first layer including a plurality of openings between about 5 mm and about 9 mm formed therein, the first layer configured to protectively surround at least a base of a tree, and a unitary fastener adapted to secure overlapping opposed portions of the first layer together during protectively surrounding the at least a base of a tree in response to application of a single force directed toward the opposed portions.

A repellent delivery device may include a body having a hygroscopic base material, and one or more of an insecticide, and an insect repellant. The repellent delivery device may have a support structure coupled between the body and a trunk of a plant. The body may be configured to release the one or more of the insecticide and the insect repellant into a root ball of the plant using ambient moisture.

A plant cover apparatus includes a bag having an interior encompassed by a wall that extends from a top end of the bag and tapers inwardly to a bottom end of the bag. The bottom end includes a rim that laterally circumscribes a plant-receiving opening formed through the bag. The bag has a slot that extends vertically from the opening through the wall. The slot includes opposed margins having cooperatively interlocking parts that can temporarily be joined and separated to increase the size of the opening. The bag may be vertically suspended from a support member positioned next to the plant. An exterior perimeter of the bag may be rigid enough to help the bag maintain its shape when suspended.

The invention relates to crop netting materials, crop cover materials, and ground cover materials that transmit solar radiation in the visible wavelength range of about 420 to 720 nm at a level similar to the level that the materials transmit solar radiation in the infra red wavelength ranges of about 700 to about 1000 nm and 1500 to about 1600 nm. The materials also absorb solar radiation in the UV wavelength range of about 300 to about 380 nm.