An agricultural stake to support plant includes a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) elongated member comprising a top end and a bottom end, and an exterior coating impregnated with an aggregate covering an exterior surface of the elongated member. The exterior coating is configured to provide purchase to a line attached to the elongated member. A cap may be secured over the top end of the elongated member and is configured to withstand a force used to drive the elongated member into a ground surface

Various systems, methods and apparatus for locating emitters embedded in tubing are disclosed herein, as well as forming outlets in said tubing and confirming the placement accuracy of such outlets. In one form, an emitter locator is disclosed having: a housing defining a generally enclosed space and having an inlet located in a first side of the housing and an outlet located in a second side of the housing positioned opposite the inlet; a cutter positioned within the generally enclosed space between the inlet and outlet; a first optical instrument located proximate the inlet; a second optical instrument located proximate the outlet; and a controller connected to the cutter and first and second optical instruments, the controller configured to detect a tubing target area desired for placement of an outlet opening in tubing that passes through the inlet and cut the tubing target area to form the outlet opening therein.

A method of manufacturing an irrigation implement may include receiving tubing. The tubing may be conventional plastic irrigation tubing. The tubing may be cut to form a first end of an irrigation implement. The tubing may be cut to form a second end of the irrigation implement. Either the first end or the second end of the tubing may be pinched in forming the irrigation implement. The pinched end of the tubing may be sealed in forming the irrigation implement. In an embodiment, the pinched end may be heat sealed to form the irrigation implement.

The present invention relates to pellets comprising a polyethylene composition, a pipe or pipe system comprising the pellets as well as a process for the preparation of such a pipe or pipe system.

Polyethylene spunbond nonwoven date-bunch covers are an urgently needed, price-competitive alternative to mesh covers made of synthetic monofilament yarn. They are the first improvement to the ideal date-bunch cover that USDA researchers theorized seventy years ago, by adding dust and mold spore exclusion, yet providing sufficient shade and vapor transmission for proper ripening. Black mold is insignificant even under close tree spacing and wet summer conditions. The lowered temperature and increased humidity inside the cover promotes pliable, smooth skin instead of dry and brittle as commonly occurs with covers made of monofilament mesh fabric. Covers made of polyethylene spunbond nonwoven fabric are lighter, less abrasive, compress easier, and thus are far more user-friendly. Ripe dates can be held on-tree longer than was ever possible before without accumulating dust or losing quality, which renders unnecessary the labor-intensive practice of multiple pickings, and saves cold storage costs.

Various systems, methods and apparatus for locating emitters embedded in tubing are disclosed herein, as well as forming outlets in said tubing and confirming the placement accuracy of such outlets. In one form, an emitter locator is disclosed having: a housing defining a generally enclosed space and having an inlet located in a first side of the housing and an outlet located in a second side of the housing positioned opposite the inlet; a cutter positioned within the generally enclosed space between the inlet and outlet; a first optical instrument located proximate the inlet; a second optical instrument located proximate the outlet; and a controller connected to the cutter and first and second optical instruments, the controller configured to detect a tubing target area desired for placement of an outlet opening in tubing that passes through the inlet and cut the tubing target area to form the outlet opening therein.

An irrigation implement including a member having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends both being positioned along a longitudinal axis of the member. The first end being open and the second end including a pinched seal. The member further defines an opening disposed toward the second end, and being configured to enable an irrigation tube to be attached to the opening such that the opening is sealed by the irrigation tube.

A plurality of trough extruders are supported upon a lift truck traveling in a circular travel path. The plurality of trough extruders continuously form one piece troughs as the lift truck travels its circular path. A lift mechanism progressively raises the extruders as the lift truck travels its circular path two form continuous one-piece helical water troughs for use in an agricultural growing structure.

A cocopeat substrate and its manufacturing method, includes the steps of: (a) mixing raw materials, part by mass, of 70-75 parts of cocopeat, 0-0.5 parts of pH regulator, 0-0.5 parts of rooting agent, 25-30 parts of modified diisocyanate and 20-35 parts of water uniformly by a mixer to form a premixed material; (b) immediately filling the premixed material into a mold and carrying out hot press curing to obtain a cured cocopeat substrate; and (c) drying with hot air to remove excess moisture, and then air cooling under room condition. The cocopeat substrate has an EC value less than or equal to 1.0, a pH value of 5.0-6.5, a porosity of 80-85%, and a density of 0.18-0.25g/cm.sup.3. The cocopeat substrate has a truncated pyramid structure and a planting hole functioning as a natural planting pot with slow natural decomposition rate, readily for use directly for growing seedlings.

A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.