In an embodiment, an integrated sensor system with modular sensors and wireless connectivity components for monitoring properties of field soil is described. In an embodiment, an integrated sensor system comprises one or more sensors that are configured to determine one or more measures of at least one property of soil. The integrated sensor system also includes one or more processing units that are configured to receive, from the sensors, the measures of at least one property of soil and calculate soil property data based on the measures. The system further includes a transmitter that is configured to receive the soil property data from the processing units, establish a communications connection with at least one computer device, and automatically transmit the soil property data to the at least one computer device via the communications connection. In an embodiment, the communications connection is a wireless connection established between the transmitter and a smart hub or a LoRA-enabled device. In an embodiment, the computer sensors, the processors, and the transmitter are installed inside a portable probe.

Technologies disclosed herein are provided for irrigation monitoring and controlling based on water usage monitoring and control using an efficiency model for a defined geographic region. The technology includes receiving a first and a second set of moisture sensor measurements from a set of moisture sensors located in a defined geographic region, and determining an amount of water that is applied to the defined geographic region at a time period between the first and the second set of moisture measurements. An efficiency model representing efficiencies of locations in the defined geographic region is obtained based on the first and second set of moisture measurements and the amount of water applied. Schedule information is generated based on the efficiency model that indicates time periods at which areas in the defined geographic region are to be watered.

An irrigation management method constituted of: applying a global RSP model to received GIV values to forecast global RSP values; and applying a plot-specific RSP model to receive PS IV values to forecast plot-specific RSP values, wherein responsive to the forecast global and plot-specific RSP values, a forecast ETO and measured plot-specific RSP values, the method is further constituted of: generating an ETc curve; responsive to the generated ETc curve, determining a growing season water amount for the field plot and/or determining a next irrigation water amount for the field plot; and outputting to a device the determined growing season water amount and/or the determined next irrigation water amount such that irrigation of the field plot can be adjusted.

A turf management system includes an irrigation system for providing water to the turf at a turf site, and an irrigation evaluation system for evaluating the performance of the irrigation system. The irrigation evaluation system segments the turf site into irrigation management units, where each of the irrigation management units includes at least one sprinkler head. Qualities of the turf are measured to generate collected data points. The data points are used by the irrigation evaluation system to compute a value for the turf in each of the irrigation management units. The values can then be used to identify irrigation management units having common characteristics. The values can be used to define irrigation management zones for controlling the irrigation system.

A supply tube assembly for measuring a liquid agricultural product application rate. An upstream portion of a supply tube has an upstream portion outlet end. A downstream portion has a downstream portion inlet end. The sensor body assembly includes a sensor body, a first sensing plate, and a second sensing plate. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive an inlet flow of the liquid agricultural product from the upstream portion and a sensor outlet end positioned to receive an outlet flow of the liquid agricultural product. The sensor body is an enclosure having a cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the upstream portion of the supply tube and the downstream portion of the supply tube. Electronic components are configured to measure the liquid agricultural product application rate between the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate.

Optimising water use in a way that avoids over watering or at least avoids or minimises water mobilisation may be useful. An irrigation control system is described, the system including a sound emitter arranged to emit sound towards a ground surface; a sound receiver arranged to receive sound emitted by the sound emitter and reflected or scattered from the ground surface. A controller then controls one or more irrigation parameters of an irrigator based at least in part on sound received by the sound receiver. In a further aspect, the irrigation control system senses the onset of surface water pooling or free water flow on the ground surface and the controller then controls irrigation parameters to reduce application of water in response to the sensed features. Related methods of controlling irrigation systems are also described.

A robotic vehicle apparatus for transporting a harvested crop within a cultivation area is disclosed and includes a vehicle controller operably configured to receive a pickup signal indicating that a harvested crop portion is available for transport to a post-harvesting location and identifying a location of a worker within the cultivation area. The vehicle controller navigates the vehicle to the location of the worker for loading the harvested crop portion into a load carrying repository and generates an identifier attributing the harvested crop portion to the worker. A quantity sensor is operable to produce a quantity signal representative of a quantity of the harvested crop portion loaded and the vehicle controller transmits quantity data to a host controller including the quantity of the harvested crop portion and the identifier. A method for navigating a robotic vehicle within an area having items arranged in a plurality of generally longitudinally extending adjacent rows is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to an intelligent gardening system, for monitoring and controlling gardening apparatuses in a gardening area, including: multiple sensors that collect environmental information of the gardening area; one or more gardening apparatuses that perform gardening work according to a control instruction; and a control center that generates the control instruction based on the environmental information; wherein the sensors, the gardening apparatuses and the control center communicate with each other to form an Internet of Things.

A system, comprising: a housing comprising an elongated hollow body configured to be at least partially embedded in a soil environment adjacent a plant at a desired depth; a swellable element dimensioned to be disposed within the housing, the swellable element being configured to swell when absorbing moisture; a resiliently-compressible flexible tube configured to provide water to the soil environment, the flexible tube is laced transversely through tube openings of the housing, the flexible tube is disposed adjacent to the swellable element inside the housing such that a swelling or displacement of the swellable element compresses the flexible tube, thereby limiting or preventing water flow therethrough; and a moisture transfer adapter configured to communicate moisture along its length from a desired location within the soil environment to the swellable element, as well as methods of using the system.

An irrigation apparatus for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container. The container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. The base portion is configured with a plurality of holes for receiving liquid therethrough. The plurality of holes are configured as raised shields to block light and receive air, water, and nutrients. The container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. The center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The container is configured with a plurality of stakes extending therefrom the base portion for providing stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.