A method includes receiving, using at least one processor, first sensor data pertaining to plant-related parameters of each of multiple first plants over time. The method also includes storing the first sensor data in at least one memory. The method further includes identifying, using the at least one processor, an issue affecting at least one of the first plants. The method also includes analyzing, using the at least one processor, at least some of the stored first sensor data to generate a predictive model associated with the issue. The method further includes receiving, using the at least one processor, second sensor data pertaining to plant-related parameters of each of multiple second plants. In addition, the method includes identifying, using the at least one processor, at least one of the second plants to receive one or more interventions by applying the predictive model to the second sensor data.

Apparatuses and techniques for subterranean placement or positioning of one or more items are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus is configured to form a hole in the ground and subsequently provide a pathway for positioning one or more items in the hole. In one form, the items that may subterraneously placed or positioned using the apparatus may include agricultural products such as seeds or delivery vehicles that include one or more fertilizers or pesticides or combinations of these materials.

An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system forming a vertical structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a web and flanges; two posts, each post having a web and flanges. Each shelf of the plurality of shelves is mounted between the two posts with incremental spacing between each adjacent shelf along a vertical length of the two posts. The web of each shelf includes a plurality of openings for retaining planter vessels. The flanges of each shelf retain an embedded structural member. The system includes a fluid circulatory system including shelf irrigation piping extending longitudinally above the web of each shelf; and power or power and data and fluid members for the system distributed from vertical risers located in proximity to the web of the posts, wherein the flanges of the shelves have provisions to retain the fluid circulatory system.

A mist blower with a Venturi housing for spraying water or chemicals onto objects such as livestock, orchards, weed areas or the like. The mist blower includes an air blower having an air discharge opening formed therein. A Venturi housing has its inner end in communication with the air discharge opening. An air discharge housing has its inner end embracing the outer end of the Venturi thereby creating a Venturi gap therebetween. The Venturi housing has a plurality of Venturi openings formed therein. As air is blown through the Venturi housing, the Venturi openings draw additional air into the air being discharged. As air is blown through the air discharge housing, additional air is drawn into the air discharge housing by way of the Venturi gap.

A composite material for food contact applications includes an absorbent layer and a non-absorbent layer, the absorbent layer having a textured surface for absorbing and trapping liquids, for example, oil, grease, or water, and the non-absorbent layer having an oleophobic surface that acts as an oil and grease specific liquid barrier. The material further includes one or more lamination layers. The lamination layer acts as a general liquid barrier between the absorbent layer and non-absorbent layer. This additional liquid barrier enhances the liquid repelling effect of the non-absorbent layer to more effectively trap liquids in the absorbent layer, thereby preventing liquids from seeping through the material onto an external surface.

A device for removing or killing weeds, comprising a first image capturing apparatus for capturing a first ground image, a data processing unit connected thereto and an agricultural machine controlled by the data processing unit, which is designed for the targeted removal or killing of weeds, wherein the data processing apparatus is configured to receive the first ground image from the first image capturing apparatus, to receive manually determined position data from at least one connected terminal, which indicate the position of weeds and/or crops and/or ground structures, e.g. rows of plants, which have been detected in the first ground image by one or more users, and, on the basis of the position data, to control the agricultural machine in such a way that it removes or kills the weeds in a targeted manner.

An electrical energy processing unit of an apparatus to kill a plant or at least attenuate plant growth is disclosed. The electrical energy processing unit includes a converter and a control circuit. Also disclosed are an apparatus that includes the electrical energy processing unit and a method of utilizing the apparatus. Further disclosed are a computer program for a processor of the control circuit of the electrical energy processing unit and a non-transitory computer readable medium that includes the computer program.

A method for applying a spray to a field using an agricultural spraying device. The method includes: monitoring a field section of the field having plants, using an optical and/or infrared detection unit; identifying at least one row of plants in the monitored field section using a processing unit; using the processing unit, defining a plant region including the at least one identified row of plants in a specified evaluation portion of the monitored field section, using the at least one identified row of plants and a weed region different from the plant region; ascertaining a plant value of the weed region in the specified evaluation portion of the monitored field section using the processing unit; and applying the spray to the weed region of the specified evaluation portion as a function of the ascertained plant value, using spray nozzles of the agricultural spraying device.

A product distribution system for sectional control in an air boom spreader has a solid product metering assembly having: a first endless conveyor and a second endless conveyor for conveying the product from the container to the air system, the first and second endless conveyors substantially parallel to each other, the first conveyor driven independently of the second conveyor; and, a first shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft, the first shaft parallel to, separated from and driven independently of the second shaft, the second shaft parallel to and separated from the third shaft, the first shaft driving the first conveyor, the second shaft driving the third shaft to drive the second conveyor.

A modular system includes a hub and a set of modules removably coupled to the hub. The modules are physically coupled to the frame relative to each other so that each module can operate with respect to a different row of a field. An individual module includes a sensor for capturing field measurement data of individual plants along a row as the modular system moves through the geographic region. An individual module further includes a treatment mechanism for applying a treatment to the individual plants of the row based on the field measurement data before the modular system passes by the individual plants. An individual module further includes a computing device that determines the treatment based on the field measurement data and communicates data to the hub. The hub is communicatively coupled to the modules, so that it may exchange data between the modules and with a remote computing system.