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.

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.

Described herein are implements and application units for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, an application unit includes a frame to be positioned in operation between two rows of plants and a plurality of flexible members coupled to the frame in operation such that the plurality of flexible members guide a lateral position of the frame to be approximately equidistant from the two rows of plants based upon whether at least one flexible member of the plurality of flexible members contacts one or more plants of the two rows of plants. The plurality of flexible members include a plurality of fluid outlets for spraying crop input in close proximity to the rows of plants.

The invention relates to weed mapping, monitoring and control, in particular to the mapping, monitoring and control of invasive annual grasses. A computer system comprises a receiving unit providing a processing unit with images of a geographical area, the images displaying the geographical area at points in time during a phenological cycle of a weed. At least two images depicting a weed at two different phenological stages may be used because two sequentially collected images are required in order to identify a characteristic temporal change. The processing unit analyzes the images to identify image areas showing a spectral signature characteristic of the weed. The processing unit identifies geographical sub-areas corresponding to the identified image areas and to create a weed distribution map with the identified geographical sub-areas marked as areas affected by the weed. The output unit is configured to output the map.

A method of controlling the growth of a plant is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) inserting a capsule containing an agent into an opening formed in a plant; and (b) closing the opening formed in the plant into which the capsule is inserted. The agent may be a chemical agent. The plant may be a woody plant, such as a woody weed or a woody cultivated plant. Also provided is a capsule containing an agent for insertion into a plant, and an apparatus for insertion of a capsule into a plant.

A method for plant treatment, including: receiving a first measurement for a plant from a sensor as the sensor moves within a geographic area comprising a plurality of plants; in response to receipt of the first measurement and prior to receipt of a second measurement for a second plant of the plurality, determining a set of treatment mechanism operation parameters for the plant to optimize a geographic area output parameter based on the first measurement and historical measurements for the geographic area; determining an initial treatment parameter for the plant; and operating a treatment mechanism in a treatment mode based on the set of operating parameters in response to satisfaction of the initial treatment parameter.

A method for plant treatment, including: receiving a first measurement for a plant from a sensor as the sensor moves within a geographic area comprising a plurality of plants; in response to receipt of the first measurement and prior to receipt of a second measurement for a second plant of the plurality, determining a set of treatment mechanism operation parameters for the plant to optimize a geographic area output parameter based on the first measurement and historical measurements for the geographic area; determining an initial treatment parameter for the plant; and operating a treatment mechanism in a treatment mode based on the set of operating parameters in response to satisfaction of the initial treatment parameter.

An airship and method of providing thrust to an airship are shown. Examples include a number of turbine thrusters coupled to a number of electric motor/generators that supplement thrust from the turbine thrusters. Systems and methods are described that include surveying an agricultural area, and spraying an amount of an agricultural supply on only selected portion of the agricultural area.

The disclosure relates to the control of plants by means of electrical energy and the mechanical removal of parts of the plants. The disclosure relates to a method and a device for the control of undesired plants by electrical and mechanical means.

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.