Methods and systems for generating a plasma-activated liquid or gas, and applying the plasma-activated liquid for agricultural use. A system embodiment includes a hand-held device that can be pointed and directed at different target areas of a plant. A method embodiment includes generating a plasma discharge in a gas environment or a liquid environment, and applying the gas/liquid to a plant.

Seed sensors for determining seed placement in a furrow to then target at least one of fluid and solid application with respect to the seed are described herein. Plant sensors for determining location of plants within a field and then targeting at least one of fluid and solid application with respect to the plant are also described herein.

A method for treating plants comprises estimating a growth state or maturity state of a plant based on a planting date, a current date and the crop type of the plant. A root zone estimator or data processor estimating a size, diameter or radius of a root zone of the plant based on the determined growth state or maturity state. The data processor adjusts a lateral offset of a distribution pattern of a crop input or nutrient from at least one nutrient knife based on the size, diameter or radius of the root zone and safety zone about the root zone, where the at least one nutrient knife tracks a path outside of or bounded by the root zone.

Methods and systems for generating a plasma-activated liquid or gas, and applying the plasma-activated liquid for agricultural use. A system embodiment includes a hand-held device that can be pointed and directed at different target areas of a plant. A method embodiment includes generating a plasma discharge in a gas environment or a liquid environment, and applying the gas/liquid to a plant.

Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The agricultural treatment system may receive captured sensor data of an agricultural environment by one or more image capture devices, generate a first image from the captured sensor data, detect a first real-world agricultural object from the first image, determine a first pose of the first real-world agricultural object, identify the detected first real-world agricultural object as a new agricultural object or a preidentified agricultural object, and determine a treatment policy associated with the first real-world agricultural object.

A plant watering system includes an irrigation mat that can be placed around a plant on top of the soil. The irrigation mat includes a water reservoir that holds water, and a slow-pass water permeable membrane that releases the water in the water reservoir in a slow manner so the soil around the plant is watered at a controlled rate. The irrigation mat may optionally include a threaded port where a container of liquid fertilizer can be placed so the liquid fertilizer is mixed with the water in the reservoir, allowing easily fertilizing the plant as it is watered. The plant watering system may also optionally include a dryness sensor that provides an alert indicating the water reservoir in the irrigation mat needs to be refilled.

A fluid injection system includes a container and fluid injection device. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and has a first end and a second end defining a ramped surface therebetween. The shroud redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives product from the container. The first end of the shroud includes a step defining a notch in fluid communication with the diverter port. The second end defines a recess in fluid communication with the injection port.

In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided an includes a frame, a first opener disc configured to open a seed trench, and a second opener disc configured to open a second trench different than the seed trench. The second opener disc is rotatable relative to the frame and is vertically moveable relative to the frame. In one aspect, an opener assembly is provided and includes a bracket, an opener disc coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket and vertically moveable relative to the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to and between the bracket and the opener disc. The biasing member biases the opener disc vertically downward. In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided and includes an applicator support member made of a resilient material to allow movement of the applicator support member and inhibit deformation of the applicator support member.

A calibration device that utilises sensor data from an optical sensor to develop one or more calibration parameters for controlling operation of a sprayer utilising itself optical sensors and transmitting the calibration parameters to said sprayer. A method of calibrating a sprayer utilising the calibration information is also disclosed. A method of pasture or crop management for a region of interest in which a composite representation of cumulative substance applications is used to developing a representation in which sub regions of the region of interest having prescribed characteristics are visually differentiated from other regions. The spatial distribution of calibration values may also be recorded and used to analyse substance application against calibration values to develop a report of apparently anomalous calibration values.

Seed sensors are present for determining seed placement in a furrow to then target at least one of fluid and solid application with respect to the seed. Plant sensors are present for determining location of plants within a field and then targeting at least one of fluid and solid application with respect to the plant.