In some embodiments, a method for managing growing vine in a vineyard includes operating one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to fly over a plurality of sections of a vineyard. The UAVs are fitted with a plurality of cameras equipped to generate images in a plurality of spectrums. The plurality of sections of the vineyard grow vines of a plurality of varietals. The method further includes taking a plurality of aerial images of the sections of the vineyard in the plurality of spectrums, using the plurality of cameras, while the UAVs are flying over the plurality of sections of the vineyard, and executing an analyzer on a computing system to machine analyze the plurality of aerial images for anomalies associated with growing the vines of the plurality of varietals. The machine analysis takes into consideration topological information of the vineyard, as well as current planting information of the vineyard.

In some embodiments, a method for managing growing vine in a vineyard includes operating one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to fly over a plurality of sections of a vineyard. The UAVs are fitted with a plurality of cameras equipped to generate images in a plurality of spectrums. The plurality of sections of the vineyard grow vines of a plurality of varietals. The method further includes taking a plurality of aerial images of the sections of the vineyard in the plurality of spectrums, using the plurality of cameras, while the UAVs are flying over the plurality of sections of the vineyard, and executing an analyzer on a computing system to machine analyze the plurality of aerial images for anomalies associated with growing the vines of the plurality of varietals. The machine analysis takes into consideration topological information of the vineyard, as well as current planting information of the vineyard.

A machine for pulling off plant branches, in particular vine branches, of tying wires to which they cling by tendrils comprising a combination of means capable to extract the branches downwards. The combination of means comprises a (resiliently pivoted) pressing member and a pulling member facing the pressing member. In operation, the pulling member is moving so that its surface oriented towards the pressing member moves downwards. Cut-off branches are pressed on this surface by the pressing member by a force sufficient that the branches are dragged downwardly along and are forcibly detached from the tying wires. The downward removal corresponds to the about V-shaped ramifications of the plant, so that it is effected more easily and without obstruction by the ramifications which tend to get caught by the tying wires when removal occurs upwards. A branch not cut-off and tied to the trellis wire withstands the pressing member provided a suitable adjusted resilient pressing force is selected, supported by the pressing member consisting of a resilient material like an elastomer. Such a branch will not suffer any contact, or at least a minimal contact only, with the pulling device.

Coloring of fruits is promoted by applying a one or more the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and/or phenylalanine, in combination with abscisic acid to a fruit plant, such as those of the genus Vitaceae or Rosaceae. The amino acid(s) and abscisic acid may be present in a solution(s) having concentrations of 0.2 mM to 100 mM and 0.1 M to 10 mM, respectively.

Coloring of fruits is promoted by applying a one or more the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and/or phenylalanine, in combination with abscisic acid to a fruit plant, such as those of the genus Vitaceae or Rosaceae. The amino acid(s) and abscisic acid may be present in a solution(s) having concentrations of 0.2 mM to 100 mM and 0.1 M to 10 mM, respectively.

A growth chamber for improving growing conditions of a growing plant which include a growing grape vine, grape vine replant or other agricultural crop plant. The growth chamber includes a solar concentrator for collecting and concentrating solar energy, a light transmitter in optical communication with the solar concentrator, for directing the collected solar energy toward the growing plant, an inner wall comprising a perimeter positioned between the solar concentrator and the growing grape vine or grape vine replant, the inner wall further comprising a reflective inner surface for directing collected solar energy toward the growing plant, and a protective inner surface configured for placement around the growing plant, the protective inner surface defining a protected zone surrounding the growing plant, the protective inner surface extending downward from the light transmitter and comprising a rigid outer wall for protecting the protected zone from one or more growth limiting factors selected from the group consisting of: wind damage; heat damage; cold damage; frost damage; herbicide damage; and animal damage; and/or for reducing evapo-transpiration by growing plant positioned in the protected zone.

A hop picking machine has a conveyor configured to receive hop vines, and a first cutting assembly including a plurality of blade assemblies spaced apart from one another across a width of the conveyor and extending upwardly relative to a plane of the conveyor. The blade assemblies include respective cutter bar members having blades mounted thereon such that the blades are oriented opposite to a direction of travel of the conveyor, and such that hop vines conveyed by the conveyor to the first cutting assembly can be cut by the blades. A second cutting assembly has a plurality of rotatable cutting members configured to receive hop vine segments from the first cutting assembly along the direction of travel of the conveyor.

A hop picking machine has a conveyor configured to receive hop vines, and a first cutting assembly including a plurality of blade assemblies spaced apart from one another across a width of the conveyor and extending upwardly relative to a plane of the conveyor. The blade assemblies include respective cutter bar members having blades mounted thereon such that the blades are oriented opposite to a direction of travel of the conveyor, and such that hop vines conveyed by the conveyor to the first cutting assembly can be cut by the blades. A second cutting assembly has a plurality of rotatable cutting members configured to receive hop vine segments from the first cutting assembly along the direction of travel of the conveyor.

A device and method for removing leaves from a plant includes a downward extending and elongate support surface for supporting the plant and a pair of cutting devices disposed on either side of the support surface. Each cutting device includes a rotatable blade assembly and a grating which is disposed between the blade assembly and the support surface.

A composite orange tree having a fruiting cultivar scion grafted to a citrus-greening resistant, or a salinity-resistant rootstock, or a rootstock having both citrus-greening and salinity resistance, is described herein, as are methods of growing such a composite orange tree.