Patent Description:
Effective selection, application and timing of nutrients for growing crops is essential to modem agriculture. As technology has improved the ability to deliver precise levels of nutrients to individual rows of plants, yields have improved. With the help of positioning systems (such as GPS), farmers can map nutrient content of their soils precisely, and can then use GPS coupled with on-tractor nutrient maps to enable delivery of various amounts of nutrients, such as fertilizer, to various parts of their fields, as needed, rather than applying a set amount over an entire field.

Fertilizer control based on optical sensing of plant properties is for example described in <CIT>, using a scanner on the machine looking onto the plants for determining a normalized difference vegetation index, <CIT> using an image sensor capturing the plants, and <CIT> using a light source and a detector for determining optical plant properties and deriving nutrient deficiencies to control a fertilizer applicator. In the prior art, the optical element moves over the field and detects the plants passing along the optical sensor.

An agricultural nutrient applicator includes a container and a nutrient distribution assembly operably coupled to the container to deliver a nutrient from the container. A spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system is provided that includes an optical window. A presentation assembly is mounted to the agricultural nutrient applicator and is configured to position live plants in a field proximate the optical window of the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system as the agricultural nutrient applicator moves. A controller is coupled to the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system and the nutrient distribution assembly. The controller is configured to obtain, from the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system, information indicative of a measured nutrient level in the live plants and determine a remedial nutrient amount based on the measured nutrient level and a target nutrient level. The controller controls the nutrient distribution assembly based on the remedial amount.

As set forth above, effective selection, application, and timing of nutrient delivery to growing crops is very important for effective agriculture. Embodiments described herein generally employ a device/technology in a new way to provide insight into growing (i.e. a live plant with roots in the ground) crops. This information allows more precise delivery of nutrients to the growing crops based on what the actual crops require. An agricultural nutrient delivery system and method of delivering nutrients to the growing crops are described below.

Spectroscopic analysis of plant matter has recently provided a wealth of information regarding harvested plants as well as in laboratory setting. For example, Near-infrared-reflectance (NIR) technology generates near-infrared illumination toward the harvested crop and analyzes the reflected return signal. Near-infrared, as used herein, means illumination having a wavelength beginning at <NUM> nanometers to <NUM>,<NUM> nanometers. The technology is able to produce results virtually instantly and is used in laboratory settings as well as harvesting operations. During harvesting, NIR is used to determine moisture content, dry matter, protein, starch, fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and sugar of the harvested crop. This information can be used by the farmer to plan fertilization for the next season. One commercially available product that employs this technology is sold under the trade designation HarvestLab <NUM>, available from Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. The HarvestLab <NUM> device is used in both laboratory settings as well as on a harvester in order to obtain data in substantially real-time, such that it can be correlated with harvester location for future planning.

It is also believed that similar techniques can be used to with mid-infrared reflectance technology (MIR), which employs illumination having a wavelength longer than <NUM> nanometers, but less than about <NUM> nanometers. Further, embodiments described below include using combinations of NIR and MIR. While much of the disclosure is directed to NIR, this is for purposes of explanation and is equally applicable to MIR.

In accordance with embodiments described below, spectroscopic technology, such as NIR technology, is applied to growing crops in order to assess crop nutrient levels. However, using spectroscopic techniques, such as NIR, with growing crops involves significant challenges. First, the spectroscopic sensor can be adversely affected by ambient light (e.g. sunlight). While this is easy to control in a laboratory setting or in an agricultural machine where the crop has been severed from the ground, it is more difficult when the crop remains anchored to the ground. Second, spectroscopic technology requires that the material being sensed is provided prominently to the optical spectroscopic sensor. Again, this is trivial in a laboratory setting or a setting where the crop has been severed/removed from the ground. A third difficulty is that the process of presenting the growing crop to the spectroscopic sensor should not damage the crop. Embodiments set forth below generally overcome some or all of these challenges to allow spectroscopic technology (such as NIR and/or MIR) to be applied to growing crops thereby allowing the wealth of information provided by such technology to be used to inform the growing process (e.g. delivery of nutrients).

<FIG> is a diagrammatic top plan view of an agricultural nutrient applicator in accordance with one embodiment. While the example illustrated in <FIG> shows a self-powered agricultural nutrient applicator, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments can be practiced with respect to any suitable agricultural machine whether it be self-propelled, or towed. In some embodiments, the agricultural machine is an agricultural nutrient applicator. However, embodiments can also be practiced with an agricultural machine that scouts the crops to determine nutrient requirements and correlates such nutrient requirements with positions. Further, embodiments described herein are equally applicable to nutrient applicators that apply dry nutrients, liquid nutrients, and/or gas nutrients. Further still, embodiments are equally applicable to nutrient applicators that apply side dress applications, and top dress applications, for example. As used herein, an agricultural nutrient applicator is intended to encompass sprayers, spreaders, side dress rigs, and high capacity nutrient applicators used in agriculture.

Agricultural nutrient applicator <NUM> includes a chassis <NUM> supported by wheels or tracks <NUM> to travel over a field of growing crops. Nutrient applicator <NUM> includes a nutrient container or tank <NUM> that is coupled to a nutrient applicator assembly <NUM> to distribute nutrients to the crop in the field. The nutrients may be in the form of dry nutrients, liquid nutrients, gas nutrients, or combinations thereof. As shown in <FIG>, applicator assembly <NUM> includes a boom with a number of nozzles <NUM> mounted thereon and arranged to distribute nutrients. In accordance with one embodiment, nutrient applicator <NUM> includes or is coupled to spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM>, which is configured to position live plants (i.e., growing crops) into contact with an optical window that allows infrared illumination to pass therethrough, such that the reflection of such infrared illumination can be received by a sensor of the spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> to provide crop metrics relative to at least one of moisture content, nitrogen, potassium, and protein as well as provide metrics for other items that may limit nitrogen, potassium and/or protein uptake or protein accumulation. Examples of such other items include phosphorous and sulfur as well as essential plant micronutrients. Spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> is mounted relative to the agricultural nutrient applicator <NUM> such that the optical spectroscopic technology (such as NIR and/or MIR) and is not affected by sunlight, nor does it damage the growing plants. As can be appreciated, given that the crops may be anywhere in their lifecycle from seedlings to mature plants, spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> may include different techniques/mechanisms for carefully presenting the plants to the optical sensor in a way that is both technically effective, is not unduly affected by ambient sunlight, and does not damage the plants.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic view of a spectroscopic crop sense module in accordance with one embodiment. Spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> generally includes a housing <NUM> containing an infrared reflectance (NIR and/or MIR) emitter/receiver module <NUM>. Emitter/receiver module <NUM> is configured to transmit infrared illumination <NUM> through optical window <NUM> to reflect off growing plants <NUM>. The reflected illumination <NUM> is received by emitter/receiver module <NUM> and provides a signal to controller <NUM> that is analyzed, in accordance with known techniques, to determine, among other things, nutrient levels of the growing plants. Examples include nitrogen, potassium, moisture, phosphorous, sulfur, calcium, and protein (which, while not technically a nutrient is an organic compound built from amino acids/nutrients). These measurements of substantially real-time nutrient levels in the growing crops can be compared to target nutrient levels for a nominal crop at the current lifecycle (e.g., seedling, intermediate crop, or mature crop) and the requisite level of individual nutrients can be determined to correct any deficiencies can be calculated and applied in real-time to the growing plants as the agricultural nutrient applicator passes thereover. Additionally, while the embodiment shown in <FIG> employs a single spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM>, it is expressly contemplated that multiple such sensor modules could be used to provide additional levels of granularity, all the way down to individual rows of plants.

In accordance with embodiments described below, the farmer is presented with a plurality of detachable mechanical assemblies for presenting the growing crops to the optical sensor for different maturity levels of the crop.

<FIG> is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view of a presentation assembly <NUM> of spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> for seedlings and particularly fragile small plants. Assembly <NUM> generally includes a tapered leading edge <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> having an aperture <NUM>. Optical window <NUM> is disposed proximate, or even within, aperture <NUM>. Housing <NUM> is disposed above aperture <NUM>. Housing <NUM> is generally enclosed such that the only light that may enter assembly optical window <NUM> is via aperture <NUM>.

Assembly <NUM>, in some examples, is formed of a relatively low friction material, such as plastic and is hingedly coupled beneath chassis <NUM> of agricultural nutrient applicator <NUM> such that it may be raised and lowered by the operator of the applicator. As shown in <FIG>, assembly <NUM> also includes a cable <NUM> coupled to automatic height control system <NUM> that controls the vertical movement of presentation assembly <NUM> relative to chassis <NUM>. Automatic height control system <NUM> controls the height of presentation assembly <NUM> to obtain an accurate measurement of the live plants without damaging the live plants. Thus, as actuator <NUM> is lowered or the cable is lengthened, presentation assembly <NUM> descends until it contacts the ground beneath chassis <NUM>. Additionally, cable <NUM> may include or be coupled to a spring, such as an extension spring, thereby allowing a selectable bias of presentation assembly <NUM> relative to the ground. As agricultural nutrient applicator <NUM> drives over the field, the plants <NUM> will pass window <NUM> in the direction indicated by arrow <NUM>. Presentation assembly <NUM> includes one or more opaque curtains or bellows <NUM> that block ambient light. Since housing <NUM> prevents all light from entering into spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> except for that passing through window <NUM>, the system substantially isolates the sensor from sunlight and other sources of error. Further, the sensor is brought down into intimate optical contact with the growing plants such that an effective infrared reflectance signal can be obtained. Further still, by providing a selectable bias on the presentation assembly as it slides or passes over the crops, the growing crops will not be damaged.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic perspective view of a presentation assembly <NUM> of a spectroscopic crop sense module for seedlings and particularly fragile small plants, in accordance with one embodiment. The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is similar to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and like components are numbered similarly. Assembly <NUM> includes four links <NUM> that are configured to pivotally couple to the chassis <NUM> of the agricultural nutrient applicator to allow assembly <NUM> to be lowered or raised. Assembly <NUM> also includes surface contour <NUM> in leading edge <NUM> in order to present more plants to optical window <NUM> beneath housing <NUM>.

The embodiments described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG> are particularly useful for small grain cereal crops in early season. The designs can be embodied in a simple sled with a hole or aperture in the bottom for the sensor to look through and see the crop. Such designs may use the weight of the sled and the sensor to press down upon the crops in order to obtain a sufficient reading, or the sled may be selectably biased to provide additional or reduced force relative to gravity alone. The sled may be formed of any suitable material as long as the material is opaque. In one example, the sled is formed of an opaque plastic.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic view of a presentation assembly <NUM> of spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> in accordance with another embodiment. Presentation assembly <NUM> is designed for small grain cereal crops later in the season, such as prior to first node of stem visibility, Feekes growth stage <NUM>. Assembly <NUM> includes two pontoons <NUM>, <NUM> that divide the taller crop such that it passes within region <NUM>. Additionally, presentation assembly <NUM> includes a location <NUM> for housing <NUM> of a spectroscopic sensor, such as an NIR and/or MIR sensor. Preferably, window <NUM> is positioned and arranged to view a lower portion of the crop. This lower portion of the crop is believed to be where nutrient deficiencies can first be detected because nutrient deficiencies for nutrients that are mobile in the plant, such as nitrogen, where remobilization moves the nutrients from older plant tissues to newer tissues/reproductive components. Like presentation assembly <NUM>, presentation assembly <NUM> is also selectably deployable beneath chassis <NUM> of agricultural nutrient applicator <NUM>. Additionally, as set forth above, embodiments described herein can include multiple such presentation assemblies and spectroscopic sensors to provide increased granularity information relative to the growing crops.

<FIG> and <FIG> are top plan and perspective diagrammatic view, respectively, of a presentation assembly <NUM> of spectroscopic crop sense module <NUM> in accordance with another embodiment. Assembly <NUM> is designed for mature row crops. It may include one or more stalk lifters <NUM> to lift branches and generally has a relatively large chamber <NUM> to let the crop through, yet still control ambient light. On one side, is a conveyor <NUM> to directly move the crop through chamber <NUM>. This conveyor is intended to run at a speed timed to ground speed to not damage the plants. On the other side is one or more apertures to allow windows <NUM> spectroscopic sensors (such as NIR and/or MIR sensors) within housings <NUM> to look through and scan the crop. Preferably, one side of assembly <NUM> includes a spring or other selectable bias mechanism, illustrated diagrammatically at reference numeral <NUM> to select how much bias is applied on the crop material to obtain a sufficient reading using the spectroscopic sensor, but not so much force that it damages the crop passing through chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a method of applying nutrients to an agricultural crop in accordance with one embodiment. Method <NUM> begins at block <NUM> where infrared reflectance technology is used to obtain a reflectance response from a live crop. This reflectance response is used, at block <NUM>, to calculate one or more nutrient levels in the live crop. Examples of nutrients for such nutrient level calculation include nitrogen <NUM>, moisture <NUM>, potassium <NUM>, protein <NUM>, phosphorous <NUM>, sulfur <NUM>, and calcium <NUM>. Next, at block <NUM>, the measured nutrient level(s) is compared with a target level for the live crop. This target may be adjusted based on the position in the lifecycle of the live crop (e.g., seedling, intermediate crop, mature crop) as well as other suitable factors. For example, additional sensors and technologies can be used to obtain additional information relative to the live crops that can be used in combination with the spectroscopic-derived nutrient information. Examples of additional sensors include visible spectrum cameras (located on the applicator, provided by satellite imaging, and/or mounted to a manned or unmanned aerial system) that may assess the presence and/or color of the live crop, biomass sensors, and others. Regardless, at block <NUM>, a remedial nutrient amount for the live crop is determined based on the comparison of the measured nutrient level and the target level. Next, at block <NUM>, the remedial nutrient amount calculated at block <NUM> is actually applied to the live crop.

As shown at phantom block <NUM>, method <NUM> may also include storing information as such information may be useful for subsequent operations. Examples of such stored information can include the measured nutrient levels <NUM>, applied nutrients <NUM>, the position of the nutrient applicator <NUM> (via GPS signals, or other suitable position information), and/or the time of application <NUM>. The information may be stored locally in the agricultural nutrient applicator, or transmitted wirelessly to a remote nutritional information data store.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic view of a control system of an agricultural nutrient applicator in accordance with one embodiment. Control system <NUM> includes applicator controller <NUM> that, in one example, may be a microprocessor. Controller <NUM> includes or is coupled to suitable memory in order to execute a sequence of instructions to provide measurement and/or control functions related to applicator function. Controller <NUM> is coupled to one or more spectroscopic sensors <NUM> each of which may include its own controller and emitter/receiver (as shown in <FIG>). As one example of the utilization of multiple spectroscopic sensors <NUM>, an NIR and/or MIR sensor <NUM> could be installed on each section of a multi-section boom of an agricultural sprayer. Thus, if the sprayer has five sections, five such sensors <NUM> would be employed. As another example of the utilization of multiple such spectroscopic sensors, on a high capacity nutrient applicator having an air boom, there are two sections, and thus two spectroscopic sensors <NUM> would be used. Controller <NUM> receives, from spectroscopic sensor(s) <NUM> information indicative of nutrient levels of growing crops/live plants that pass by the optical window(s) of the sensor(s) <NUM> as the applicator moves across the field.

Controller <NUM> is also coupled to position detection system <NUM>, which provides an indication of the geographic position of the agricultural nutrient applicator. In one example, position detection module <NUM> uses known GPS technology to provide a latitude and longitude position of the applicator. However, embodiments may include any suitable position detection system that provides useful position information relative to the applicator. Suitable examples of position sensors include any suitable global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides geo-location and time information to a suitable receiver anywhere on earth. In one example, the GNSS device is a GPS receiver. However, other suitable GNSS devices, such as the Russian (GLONASS) system can be used. Further, differential GPS technologies can also be used with respect to module <NUM>. Finally, non-GNSS position-based signaling systems, such as LORAN or cellphone/WIFI triangulation, can be used for position detection module <NUM>. Accordingly, by virtue of the connection of controller <NUM> to both sensor(s) <NUM> and position detection system <NUM>, actual measured nutrient levels in live crops can be correlated with the position of the live crops in order to apply requisite nutrients, or take other suitable remedial action. Additionally, as set forth above, the nutrient information may be correlated with the position information being stored locally by controller <NUM>, or in a remote data system using wireless communication.

As shown in <FIG>, controller <NUM> is coupled to wireless communication module <NUM>, which allows controller <NUM> to communicate wirelessly, preferably bidirectionally, with one or more remote devices. Examples of suitable wireless communication include, without limitation, Bluetooth (such as Bluetooth Specification <NUM> rated at Power Class <NUM>); a Wi-Fi specification (such as IEEE <NUM>. a/b/g/n); a known RFID specification; cellular communication techniques (such as GPRS/GSM/CDMA); WiMAX (IEEE <NUM>), and/or satellite communication. Using wireless communication module <NUM>, controller <NUM> can communicate measured nutrient information, applied nutrient information, position data, and/or time data to a suitable remote device, such as a cloud-based nutrient information store <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

Additionally, controller <NUM> may be coupled to one or more additional sensors <NUM> that may provide additional information relative to the growing crops. Such additional sensors can include visible spectrum cameras that may provide an indication of crop presence, height, and/or color, biomass sensors, soil sensors, oxygen sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, etc. Information from one or more of these additional sensors <NUM> may be provided to controller <NUM> in order to adjust the function of agricultural nutrient applicator <NUM>. For example, a visible spectrum camera may be used to determine an estimate of crop biomass, which is then used to provide an indication of crop lifecycle, which informs target nutrient levels.

As shown in <FIG>, controller <NUM> is also coupled to nutrient distribution system <NUM> which controls individual nozzles of the nutrient applicator, or other suitable nutrient flow/delivery mechanisms. In this way, the flow or delivery rate of nutrients to the crop can be based on the actual measured nutrients in the crop as the agricultural nutrient applicator passes thereover. This provides the plants with the specific nutrients that they require based on an actual measurement of their need in the field.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a method of applying agricultural nutrients in accordance with one embodiment. Method <NUM> begins at block <NUM> where one or more spectroscopic sensors are used to sense live crops, as described above. For example, a single spectroscopic sensor located under an agricultural nutrient applicator may sense live plants passing under the sensor. Next, at block <NUM>, at least one additional sensor or detector is used to obtain additional information regarding the crop or field. In one example, visible light and/or multi-spectra cameras <NUM> are used to view the entire width of the nutrient applicator and determine a relative health of the crop. The spectroscopic sensor signal is then used to measure the center row or section. Next, at block <NUM>, the spectroscopic sensor signal position is correlated to the additional sensor information. In the example where the additional information is obtained from visible light/multi-spectra cameras, the output of the cameras across the width of the nutrient applicator is compared to the output at the center where the spectroscopic sensor is. If the cameras determine that the crop has a similar health (e.g. for example as indicated by color) across the width, then the value measured by the spectroscopic sensor is applied to the full width. This is an example of extrapolating the spectroscopic sensor response based on the additional sensor or detector, as indicated at block <NUM>. If, however, the cameras detect areas that are more or less green than the location of the spectroscopic sensor, the value(s) obtained by the spectroscopic sensor can be adjusted up or down based on the difference. The adjusted values are then provided to the applicator to provide the requisite nutrient(s) to the plants. Thus, a very precise application of nutrients can be made with relatively low-cost sensor components.

As shown in <FIG>, other examples of additional sensors that can be used is a biomass sensor <NUM> and/or a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) sensor <NUM>. When the spectroscopic sensor signal is coupled with a biomass sensor signal <NUM>, the biomass sensor signal <NUM> can be used to determine the amount of crop (biomass) present and the spectroscopic sensor signal can quantify the nutrient levels in that crop. Taken together, these two inputs can be used to accurately predict the amount of nutrients required to maximize yield and protein in the crop.

Other types of sensors and information can also be used, as indicated at block <NUM>. As an example of other information, an image obtained from an overhead drone or satellite can be used to divide the field into different zones of relative plant health. Then, as the nutrient applicator moves through the field with the spectroscopic sensor, it will quantify the nutrient levels in each zone and then apply the appropriate rate for each zone.

As can be appreciated, using additional sensor(s) can facilitate intelligent adjustments to the spectroscopic measurement-based nutrient delivery. In some examples, the requisite levels of nutrients are extrapolated based on images obtained across the width of the applicator and/or images from a manned or unmanned aerial system/satellite. However, embodiments can also use the additional sensor/information to determine that portions of the field under the applicator have little or no crop. In these circumstances, the applicator can prevent excess nutrients from being delivered as they would simply be wasted or applied at a level toxic to the plant. This is helpful in that nutrients would not need to be applied in areas where there are no crops, thus saving input costs and protecting the environment. It can also help by designating areas with little or no crop so that the output of the spectroscopic sensor in those areas can be disregarded.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a method of measuring a nutrient level in a live crop in accordance with one embodiment. Method <NUM> begins at block <NUM> where infrared illumination (either near-infrared, mid-infrared, or both) is directed at a live crop and a reflectance signal is obtained. While this may be accomplished using a presentation assembly located on or below a nutrient applicator, it may also be accomplished using a presentation assembly alone that is dragged or otherwise conveyed through the live crops. For example, the presentation assembly shown in <FIG> could simply be towed through the crop. In another example, the presentation assembly may form part of an autonomous vehicle that is commanded or otherwise programmed to traverse the crop to scout nutrient levels.

Next, at block <NUM>, the reflectance signal is used to calculate one ore more nutrient levels in the live crop. In doing so, known calibrations or characterizations of infrared reflectance signals are used to determine the nutrient-related substance levels. Examples of nutrient-related substance levels include, without limitation, nitrogen <NUM>, moisture <NUM>, potassium <NUM>, protein <NUM>, phosphorous <NUM>, sulfur <NUM>, and calcium <NUM>.

Next, at block <NUM>, the position of the presentation system and/or plants is determined. This can be done using a suitable position detection system, such as position detection system <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). Next, at block <NUM>, the measured nutrient level <NUM> and position <NUM> are stored. Preferably, the time/date <NUM> of measurement is also stored. Such storage may be in local data store, in a remote data store, or both. This stored data can subsequently be used to inform agricultural decisions, such as the application of nutrients to the live crops as well as the manner in which such nutrients should be applied (e.g. side dress vs top dress).

The present discussion has mentioned processors and servers. In one embodiment, the processors and servers include computer processors with associated memory and timing circuitry, not separately shown. They are functional parts of the systems or devices to which they belong and are activated by, and facilitate the functionality of the other components or items in those systems.

<FIG> is a block diagram of agricultural nutrient applicator <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, except that it communicates with elements in a remote server architecture <NUM>. In an example embodiment, remote server architecture <NUM> can provide computation, software, data access, and storage services that do not require end-user knowledge of the physical location or configuration of the system that delivers the services. In various embodiments, remote servers can deliver the services over a wide area network, such as the internet, using appropriate protocols. For instance, remote servers can deliver applications over a wide area network and they can be accessed through a web browser or any other computing component. Software or components shown in <FIG> as well as the corresponding data, can be stored on servers at a remote location. The computing resources in a remote server environment can be consolidated at a remote data center location or they can be dispersed. Remote server infrastructures can deliver services through shared data centers, even though they appear as a single point of access for the user. Thus, the components and functions described herein can be provided from a remote server at a remote location using a remote server architecture. Alternatively, they can be provided from a conventional server, or they can be installed on client devices directly, or in other ways.

<FIG> depicts another embodiment employing a remote server architecture. <FIG> shows that it is also contemplated that some elements of <FIG> are disposed at remote server location <NUM> while others are not. By way of example, nutrient information data store <NUM> can be located at location <NUM>, illustrated diagrammatically in the cloud. It is expressly contemplated that cloud-based nutrient information data store <NUM> can be located in a single location, or split or otherwise dispersed among multiple physical locations Regardless of where they are located, they can be accessed directly by applicator control system <NUM>, through a network (either a wide area network or a local area network), they can be hosted at a remote site by a service, or they can be provided as a service, or accessed by a connection service that resides in a remote location. Also, the data can be stored in substantially any location and intermittently accessed by, or forwarded to, interested parties. For instance, physical carriers can be used instead of, or in addition to, electromagnetic wave carriers. In such an embodiment, where cell coverage is poor or nonexistent, another mobile machine (such as a fuel truck or fertilizer tender vehicle) can have an automated information collection system. As the applicator comes close to the fuel truck for fueling, the system automatically collects the information from the applicator using any type of ad-hoc wireless connection. The collected information can then be forwarded to the main network as the fuel truck reaches a location where there is cellular coverage (or other wireless coverage). For instance, the fuel truck may enter a covered location when traveling to fuel other machines or when at a main fuel storage location. All of these architectures are contemplated herein. Further, the information can be stored on the applicator until the applicator enters a covered location.

<FIG> is one embodiment of a computing environment in which elements of <FIG>, or parts of it, (for example) can be deployed. With reference to <FIG>, an exemplary system for implementing some embodiments includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer <NUM>. Components of computer <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit <NUM> (which can comprise processor <NUM>), a system memory <NUM>, and a system bus <NUM> that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit <NUM>. The system bus <NUM> may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Memory and programs described with respect to <FIG> can be deployed in corresponding portions of <FIG>.

By way of example only, <FIG> illustrates a hard disk drive <NUM> that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive <NUM>, nonvolatile magnetic disk <NUM>, an optical disk drive <NUM>, and nonvolatile optical disk <NUM>. The hard disk drive <NUM> is typically connected to the system bus <NUM> through a non-removable memory interface such as interface <NUM>, and magnetic disk drive <NUM> and optical disk drive <NUM> are typically connected to the system bus <NUM> by a removable memory interface, such as interface <NUM>.

For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (e.g., ASICs), Program-specific Standard Products (e.g., ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc..

The computer <NUM> is operated in a networked environment using logical connections (such as a local area network - LAN, or wide area network WAN) to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An agricultural nutrient applicator (<NUM>) comprising:
a container (<NUM>);
a nutrient distribution assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) operably coupled to the container (<NUM>) to deliver a nutrient from the container (<NUM>);
a spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system (<NUM>), the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system (<NUM>) having an optical window (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system (<NUM>) and the nutrient distribution assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>), the controller (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to obtain, from the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system (<NUM>), information indicative of a measured nutrient level in the live plants (<NUM>) and determine a remedial nutrient amount based on the measured nutrient level and a target nutrient level, the controller (<NUM>, <NUM>) being further configured to control the nutrient distribution assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) based on the remedial amount;
characterized in that a presentation assembly (<NUM>) is mounted to the agricultural nutrient applicator (<NUM>), the presentation assembly (<NUM>) being configured to position live plants (<NUM>) in a field proximate the optical window (<NUM>) of the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system as the agricultural nutrient applicator (<NUM>) moves.