Patent ID: 8682494
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: A01G,B05B

Abstract:
1. A method for prescribing action to maintain a land area within a predetermined performance zone, the method comprising: monitoring a plurality of parameters of the land area utilizing a plurality of above-ground sensors and plurality of wireless sub-surface sensors positioned at least three inches below the surface and transmitting from below the surface based on the soil properties wherein an antenna configuration of each of the plurality of wireless sub-surface sensors is defined based on the actual burial depth of each of plurality of wireless sub-surface sensors, each of the plurality of wireless sub-surface sensors controlled by an irrigation controller, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises soil salinity, soil temperature, soil moisture, air temperature, soil pollutant content including hydrocarbons and metals, and soil nutrient content; generating a plurality of values for each of the plurality of parameters of the land area; transmitting the plurality of values to a processing engine at a processing location; processing the plurality of values to generate a plurality of indicator values of a current state in relation to the performance zone for the land area; determining a desired state for the land area to optimize root, leaf and lateral growth, wherein the desired state is a zone defined by upper and lower operating thresholds to ensure plant health; and prescribing agronomic service based on the current state for the land area to optimize root, leaf and lateral growth to promote efficient salinity management, uniform irrigation, deeper rooting, predictive disease control and healthier, more stable conditions.