System and method for intercrop planting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11818977-B2
Application number	US-202017107041-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2020
Priority date	Nov 30, 2020
Publication date	Nov 21, 2023
Grant date	Nov 21, 2023

Abstract

A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field includes a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field. The field planting system also includes a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter. The controller is configured to receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes, and generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes. The controller is further configured to monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field, and control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field, the field planting system comprising:
a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field; and
a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter, the controller configured to
receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes,
generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes,
monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field,
control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map, and
control the multi-variety planter to vary a planting depth of the seeds of the at least two genotypes by successively planting along a row in the field a first seed at a first depth, a second seed at a second depth, and a third seed at a third depth, the second depth being different than the first depth and the third depth being different than the second depth.

2. The field planting system of claim 1 , wherein the first seed is of a first plant genotype of the at least two plant genotypes, the second seed is of a second plant genotype of the at least two plant genotypes, and the third seed is of the first plant genotype.

3. The field planting system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-variety planter includes a depth control actuator, and wherein the controller is configured to vary the planting depth of the seeds via the depth control actuator.

4. The field planting system of claim 3 , wherein
the multi-variety planter further includes a press wheel coupled to the depth control actuator, and wherein the depth control actuator is operable to adjust a position of the press wheel relative to a ground surface of the field.

5. The field planting system of claim 1 , wherein the georeferenced field information includes at least one of:
a topographic map of the field;
a soil type map of the field;
a sensing map of the field;
an existing crop map for an existing crop in the field; or
crop compatibility information for the existing crop and the at least two different plant genotypes.

6. The field planting system of claim 1 wherein the at least two plant genotypes include at least one of different hybrids or different species.

7. The field planting system of claim 1 , wherein the plant information includes at least one of: root attributes; water utilization attributes; canopy attributes; environmental response attributes; nutrient generation attributes; soil structure impacts; livestock forage attributes; carbon sequestration attributes; allelopathic attributes; or pest harbor attributes.

8. The field planting system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-variety planter includes a seeding system matrix having at least two seeding systems arranged in at least one rank that extends perpendicular to a direction of travel of the multi-variety planter during planting, wherein each seeding system is configured to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes.

9. A field planting system for planting seeds of a first plant genotype and seeds of a second plant genotype in a field, the field planting system comprising:
a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the first and second plant genotypes in the field, the multi-variety planter including a press wheel and a depth control actuator operable to adjust a position of the press wheel relative to a ground surface of the field; and
a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter, the controller configured to
receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the first and second plant genotypes,
sub-divide the field into a first region and a second region based at least in part on the georeferenced field information,
generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a first planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the first and second plant genotypes in the first region, and a second planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the first and second plant genotypes in the second region, the second planting pattern being different from the first planting pattern,
monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field,
control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the first and second plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map, and
control the multi-variety planter to vary a planting depth of the seeds of the first and second plant genotypes via the depth control actuator by successively planting along a row in the field a first seed at a first depth, a second seed at a second depth, and a third seed at a third depth, the second depth being different than the first depth and the third depth being different than the second depth;

wherein the first seed is of the first plant genotype, the second seed is of the second plant genotype, and the third seed is of the first plant genotype.

10. The field planting system of claim 9 , wherein:
the planting pattern includes a repeatable pattern of seeds of the first plant genotype and seeds of the second plant genotype arranged into at least two rows that extend parallel to a direction of travel of the multi-variety planter during planting, and at least two ranks; and
at least one of the at least two rows includes at least one seed of the first plant genotype and at least one seed of the second plant genotype.

11. The field planting system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the location of the multi-variety planter corresponds to one of the first region and the second region, and upon the determination, determine which of the first planting pattern and the second planting pattern is associated with the one of the first region and the second region.

12. The field planting system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to further sub-divide the field into a third region, and wherein the planting map further includes a third planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the first and second plant genotypes in the third region, the third planting pattern being different from the first planting pattern and the second planting pattern.

13. The field planting system of claim 9 , wherein the multi-variety planter includes a seeding system matrix having at least two seeding systems arranged in at least one rank that extends perpendicular to a direction of travel of the multi-variety planter during planting, wherein each seeding system is configured to plant the seeds of the first plant genotype and the seeds of the second plant genotype.

14. The field planting system of claim 9 , wherein the multi-variety planter includes a seeding system matrix having at least two seeding systems arranged in at least two ranks that extend perpendicular to a direction of travel of the multi-variety planter during planting, wherein at least one of the seeding systems of the at least two seeding systems is configured plant the seeds of the first plant genotype, and at least another of the at least two seeding systems is configured to plant the seeds of the second plant genotype.

15. The field planting system of claim 9 , wherein the multi-variety planter is configured to plant the seeds of the first and second plant genotypes in the field when an existin

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Anderson Noel W
• Barker Mark E

Classifications

• G05D1/648

  Performing a task within a working area or space, e.g. cleaning · CPC title

• A01C21/005 Primary

  Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern · CPC title

• A01C5/04

  Machines for making or covering holes for sowing or planting · CPC title

• A01C7/081

  Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means · CPC title

• G01C21/3807

  characterised by the type of data · CPC title