A method for improving paddy fields by stirring and discharging slurry, including steps of rotary tillage scarifying, irrigation and paddy field soaking, slurry stirring, slurry layering, slurry discharging, airing, and water storing. The method for improving paddy fields by stirring and discharging slurry can quickly and greatly reduce soil salinity, with a cost lower than 1,000 yuan/hm2, a yield of 5,065 kg/hm2 to 6,304 kg/hm2; it saves the step of water harrowing before conventional rice planting and transplanting, and offers simple operation and promising prospect of replication and popularization, providing important support for increasing grain in soda saline-alkaline areas in the western Songnen Plain.

A piston device is disclosed as it may have a cylinder and a piston. In an example, the cylinder has a first end and a second end. The piston is configured to be pushed into the second end of the cylinder in an inserted configuration and withdrawn from the second end of the cylinder in an extended configuration. The piston is slidable between the inserted configuration and the extended configuration during operation. Material is received into the cylinder through an opening in the first end of the cylinder without a vacuum, and pressing the piston into the second end of the cylinder compresses the material within the cylinder, and then releases the material from the cylinder.

An apparatus for applying a liquid to a plant growing in soil includes a handheld assembly having a spray configuration for applying a liquid to a plant as a spray at a location above the surface of the soil in which the plant is growing, and a probe configuration for applying a liquid below the surface of the soil proximate to the roots of the plant. The assembly is selectively reconfigurable by a user between the first spray configuration and the second probe configuration.

An agricultural sprayer includes at least one nozzle configure to receive a fluid and direct atomized fluid to an agricultural surface in a dispersal area. A radio-frequency (RF) transmitter is disposed to generate an RF signal that passes through the dispersal area. The RF signal is detectably changed when interacting with droplets of the atomized fluid. A first RF receiver is disposed to receive the RF signal after the RF signal passes through the dispersal area and provides an output indicative of the RF signal. A controller is coupled to the first RF receiver and is configured to detect plugging of the at least one nozzle based on the output of the first RF receiver.

A fertilizing device has at least one of the tubular body, and the tubular body is inserted in the soil in which the plant is planted. The tubular body has a containment space inside and a plurality of through holes on its surface. The tubular body is provided with at least first separated section at its top, and a number of second separated sections among the through holes. When the tubular body is inserted into the soil around the plant, the first separated section of the tubular body is exposed, and the second separated sections are configured for adjusting the spacing between the through holes. When the fertilizer and moisture are introduced into the containment space through the top of the tubular body, the fertilizer and moisture are discharged through the through holes of the tubular body, so that the fertilizer and water can penetrate into the deeper soil more evenly and the plant roots and soil can absorb nutrients and water more completely.

Disclosed is a swing pipe system for manure applications. In one embodiment the swing pipe system includes a main pipe configured to receive manure from a swivel, a support member at a first end of the main pipe configured to support the first end of the main pipe, and a tool bar configured to support a second end of the main pipe, the second end of the main pipe being pivotally supported to allow the main pipe to pivot about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

A device for protecting crop plants (P) and/or sown seeds (S) against unwanted plants is provided to avoid the use of chemical weed control agents or herbicides. The device includes a ribbon or lace-shaped structure on which a plurality of annular elements are arranged at a distance from one another, in which the structure is designed to be applied to a cultivated surface (F) such that each element encloses the location (O) of a crop plant (P) or sown seed (S), and wherein each element includes a detectable means for marking the location concerned (O1, O2, . . . On) for detection by a machine for controlling mechanical weed control mechanisms. The device is thus an auxiliary or marking means which can be easily applied on the cultivated surface along the row of plants or seeds and allows reliable detection by machine of the locations of plants or seeds, zones to be protected.

A plant growing structure (100) designed to enhance the root quality, quantity, and architecture of plants grown in plant containers or in the ground is constructed from a plurality of support walls (200). The plant growing structure (100) enhances air circulation to the plant root system (20) to increase root growth and plant productivity. Channels (230) within the support walls (200) are designed with physical structures and materials that be adapted to address issues with aeration, infiltration, drainage, soil structure, root growth, plant nutrient uptake, plant pests and diseases, growing medium moisture, and growing medium microbial content. A liquid permeable drain platform (900) controls the amount and duration of water storage in the growing medium (50). The liquid permeable drain platform (900) may be used as a standalone device or in conjunction with the plant growing structure (100).

A container for controlling release of a soluble fertiliser comprising a first chamber for collecting and holding water, and having an open top and a solid bottom with an orifice that allows water flow freely at a desired rate; a second chamber below the first chamber for receiving water therefrom to dissolve fertiliser held therein, the second chamber having a solid bottom with an orifice through which fertiliser solution can flow in a controlled manner and a perforated plate for holding undissolved fertiliser, the plate is disposed within the chamber and separating the chamber into an upper compartment and a lower compartment; and a third chamber below the second chamber and receiving dissolved fertiliser therefrom, the third chamber having a perforated bottom, the perforations are configured to allow the dissolved fertiliser to pass through while preventing foreign solid particles from entering the container.

An apparatus for applying a liquid to a plant growing in soil includes a handheld assembly having a spray configuration for applying a liquid to a plant as a spray at a location above the surface of the soil in which the plant is growing, and a probe configuration for applying a liquid below the surface of the soil proximate to the roots of the plant. The assembly is selectively reconfigurable by a user between the first spray configuration and the second probe configuration.