APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING PLANT STALK STRENGTH

摘要

An apparatus (100) for measuring stalk strength and/or root strength of a plant is provided. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus (100) includes a conveyer (101) operably connected to a motor (107) for circulatorily driving the conveyer (101) around a plurality of guide devices (106). At least one pulling finger (103) is coupled to the conveyer (101). Each pulling finger (103) is structured such that, when the apparatus (100) is positioned adjacent the plant stalk and the conveyor (101) is driven around the guide devices (106), each pulling finger (103) will contact and pull a plant stalk as each pulling finger (103) travels around the guide devices (106). The apparatus (100) additionally includes a force sensor (109) for measuring resistive force encountered by the motor (107) as each pulling finger (103) pulls the plant stalk.