According to one embodiment, a method to increase drought tolerance for grass is disclosed. The method includes estimating by a server a root depth of grass watered by an irrigation system based on one or more of historical watering data of the grass, grass type characteristics, or soil characteristics of soil in which the grass is growing; determining by the server a target water depletion threshold of the grass based on the root depth; generating by the server an irrigation schedule based on the target water depletion threshold and weather information; and transmitting by the server the irrigation schedule to an irrigation controller to selectively activate the irrigation system based on the irrigation schedule.

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 differences are present. Instructions for irrigation placements and testing may then be displayed or modified based on the results of the sector determinations.

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 differences are present. Instructions for irrigation placements and testing may then be displayed or modified based on the results of the sector determinations.

A watering schedule control system (200) includes a power source (106), a power status sensor (108) to generate a signal indicative of remaining power with the power source (106), and a controller (204) communicably coupled to the power source (106), and the power status sensor (108). The controller (204) has access to a watering schedule. The controller (204) is configured to receive the signal from the power status sensor (108) and modify the watering schedule based on the received signal.

A watering schedule control system (200) includes a power source (106), a power status sensor (108) to generate a signal indicative of remaining power with the power source (106), and a controller (204) communicably coupled to the power source (106), and the power status sensor (108). The controller (204) has access to a watering schedule. The controller (204) is configured to receive the signal from the power status sensor (108) and modify the watering schedule based on the received signal.

A lawn maintenance device that is calibrated in the field by a user through a mobile software app to irrigate and/or fertigate one or more arbitrary geometrical areas defined by the user. The device includes a motorized rotary drive mechanism for controlling the rotational angle of a pivotable nozzle and a flow control valve for controlling water jet throw distance. At least one container is integrated into the device for dispensing fertilizer, herbicide and other such concentrated lawn or garden solutions. The device communicates with and is controlled by a web server which dynamically computes a watering path and triggers the device to commence irrigation over the computed path based on prevailing local environmental conditions and/or user settings.

A lawn maintenance device that is calibrated in the field by a user through a mobile software app to irrigate and/or fertigate one or more arbitrary geometrical areas defined by the user. The device includes a motorized rotary drive mechanism for controlling the rotational angle of a pivotable nozzle and a flow control valve for controlling water jet throw distance. At least one container is integrated into the device for dispensing fertilizer, herbicide and other such concentrated lawn or garden solutions. The device communicates with and is controlled by a web server which dynamically computes a watering path and triggers the device to commence irrigation over the computed path based on prevailing local environmental conditions and/or user settings.

A system of one or more computers can be configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that in operation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One general aspect includes an intelligent irrigation system including one or more of a sprinkler and one or more processors configured to: obtain imagery data regarding a plant; determine a current life cycle stage of the plant based on the imagery data, determine a plant crop coefficient for the plant based on the current life cycle stage of the plant, determine irrigation water output for the plant based on the plant crop coefficient, potential evapotranspiration calculated using solar radiation, temperature, wind speed and/or any other factors, and control the sprinkler to irrigate the plant based on the irrigation water output determined for the plant.

A system of one or more computers can be configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that in operation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One general aspect includes an intelligent irrigation system including one or more of a sprinkler and one or more processors configured to: obtain imagery data regarding a plant; determine a current life cycle stage of the plant based on the imagery data, determine a plant crop coefficient for the plant based on the current life cycle stage of the plant, determine irrigation water output for the plant based on the plant crop coefficient, potential evapotranspiration calculated using solar radiation, temperature, wind speed and/or any other factors, and control the sprinkler to irrigate the plant based on the irrigation water output determined for the plant.

The present invention provides a multi-corner irrigation system having multiple steerable points which can quickly and efficiently irrigated tight corners during irrigation operations. According to an exemplary preferred embodiment, the present invention may preferably include a system for use with a self-propelled irrigation system having at least one span and a drive system for moving the span. According to a further preferred embodiment, the system preferably may include: a main section assembly having one or more interconnected spans supported by one or more drive towers; a first articulated span having an inner end and an outer end; a second articulated span having an inner end and an outer end; and an extension span. According to a further preferred embodiment, the first and second articulating spans are supported by a first drive tower which is steerable and a second drive tower which is steerable.