Apparatuses for soil and seed monitoring
In one embodiment, a soil apparatus includes a soil engaging portion to engage with soil and a plurality of sensors disposed in the soil apparatus and having a pivotable axis within the soil apparatus. Each sensor is independently pivotable about the pivotable axis to independently position for sensing soil characteristics of soil.
1 . A soil apparatus comprising:
a soil engaging portion to engage with soil; and
a plurality of sensors disposed in the soil apparatus of a row unit and having a pivotable axis within the soil apparatus, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is independently pivotable about the pivotable axis to independently position for sensing soil characteristics of soil, and wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is positioned vertically along the pivotable axis with respect to each of the plurality of sensors.
2 . The soil apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each sensor is configured to sense soil characteristics when the soil engaging portion of the soil apparatus engages in soil of an agricultural field.
3 . The soil apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the soil apparatus comprises a knife to engage in soil of an agricultural field or cut a trench in the soil.
4 . The soil apparatus of claim 2 , wherein at least one sensor for detecting characteristics of soil or a trench including at least one of soil moisture, soil organic matter, soil temperature, seed presence, seed spacing, percentage of seeds firmed, and soil residue presence.
5 . The soil apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor includes a first window disposed along a first side of the at least one sensor.
6 . The soil apparatus of claim 5 , wherein at least one sensor includes a second window disposed along a second side of the at least one sensor.
7 . The soil apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors includes the first window disposed along the first side of the sensor and a each sensor of the plurality of sensors includes the second window disposed along the second side of the sensor.
8 . The soil apparatus of claim 7 , wherein each sensor has a different depth with respect to a soil level.
9 . The soil apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise one or more reflectivity, capacitive moisture, electronic tensiometer, temperature, or electrical conductivity sensors.