Patent ID: 8955252
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: A01G,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling soil moisture in a plurality of potted plants to perform water deficit experiments, the system comprising: a stationary platform having a plurality of openings formed therein, the openings being located in a plurality of rows on the platform; a plurality of pots located in the plurality of openings in the platform, the pots being supported by the platform; a movable lower gantry located below the platform, the movable lower gantry supporting a plurality of load cell modules aligned with the plurality of pots located in a row of openings, each load cell module including a load cell having a support movable from a retracted position spaced apart from a bottom surface of an associated pot to an extended position in which the support of the load cell lifts the associated pot upwardly to support the weight of the pot thereon, the load cell weighing the lifted pot, each support being formed to include an aperture aligned with a fill opening in the bottom surface of the associated pot and a connector in fluid communication with the aperture; a controller coupled to the load cell, the controller being programmed to determine whether the pots need watering based on the weights of the pots and the water deficit experiment; and a water supply coupled to the connector of each load cell module support, the water supply including at least one flow control valve controlled by the controller to selectively supply water through the connector and aperture of each load cell module support to the associated pot.