SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNERGISTIC HORTICULTURAL REGIMENS USING CONTROLLED WIND AND LIGHT EXPOSURE FOR STRENGTHENED, PLANT IMMUNE SYSTEMS AND PLANT FUNGI TREATMENTS

Abstract

The present invention discloses systems and methods for synergistic horticultural regimens. Methods include the steps of: providing a plant in a controlled environment for regulating wind and light exposure at a temperature and relative humidity (RH) in the vicinity of the plant; exposing the plant to a breeze in order to cause swaying to induce microcracks in the plant; exposing the plant to a first light spectrum of about 360-445 nm to stimulate exudate formation; increasing the temperature to about 22-32° C.; removing the breeze after the plant is covered with an exudate; exposing the plant to a second light spectrum of about 360-445 nm and about 425-480 nm; reducing the temperature to about 22-25° C. and the RH to 30-60%; and exposing the plant to a third light spectrum of about 650 nm and 730 nm to cause the exudate to release oxygen during hardening of the exudate on the plant.

Claims

1. A system for synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments, the system comprising: (a) at least one LED lighting system for facilitating prescribed light exposure regimens, capable of achieving a high Photon Flux Density (PFD) at various desirable wavelengths; (b) at least one controllable fan unit for modulating a controlled breeze of forced air flow in a controlled environment having an ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) in the vicinity of at least one plant; (c) at least one sensor unit for monitoring and regulating said ambient temperature and said RH; (d) a remote controller for regulating wind and lighting parameters by measuring and regulating said at least one LED lighting system, said at least one controllable fan unit, and said at least one sensor unit, said remote controller configured for: (i) exposing said at least one plant to said controlled breeze in order to cause swaying of said at least one plant to induce microcracks in said at least one plant; (ii) exposing said at least one plant to a first light regimen in a spectral region of about 360-445 nm to stimulate exudate formation in said at least one plant; (iii) concurrent with said first light regimen, increasing said ambient temperature to about 22-32° C.; (iv) removing said controlled breeze after the exterior surfaces of said at least one plant are mostly covered with an exudate; (v) exposing said at least one plant to a second light regimen in spectral regions of about 360-445 nm and about 425-480 nm to stabilize internal plant processes and to inhibit growth in order to maximize spread and uniform distribution of said exudate; (vi) subsequent to said removing, reducing said ambient temperature to about 22-25° C.; (vii) subsequent to said removing, reducing said RH to about 30-60%; and (viii) exposing said at least one plant to a third light regimen in spectral regions of about 650 nm and about 730 nm to cause said exudate to release oxygen during hardening of said exudate on said at least one plant.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said controlled environment is adapted to be maintained with said ambient temperature in the range of about 20-22° C. and with said RH in the range of about 40-80%.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first light regimen has an exposure time of about 10 minutes.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said increasing is adapted to maintain said ambient temperature for a duration equivalent to said exposure time.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said second light regimen has an exposure time of at least about 15-30 minutes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said reducing said ambient temperature and said reducing said RH is performed within about 30 minutes of said removing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said third light regimen has an exposure time of at least about 30 minutes.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said remote controller is further configured for: (ix) exposing said at least one plant to a fourth light regimen in a spectral region of about 730 nm for about 18-33 minutes longer in duration than said exposure time.

9. A method for synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one plant in a controlled environment for regulating wind and light exposure at an ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) in the vicinity of said at least one plant; (b) exposing said at least one plant to a controlled breeze in order to cause swaying of said at least one plant to induce microcracks in said at least one plant; (c) exposing said at least one plant to a first light regimen in a spectral region of about 360-445 nm to stimulate exudate formation in said at least one plant; (d) concurrent with said first light regimen, increasing said ambient temperature to about 22-32° C.; (e) removing said controlled breeze after the exterior surfaces of said at least one plant are mostly covered with an exudate; (f) exposing said at least one plant to a second light regimen in spectral regions of about 360-445 nm and about 425-480 nm to stabilize internal plant processes and to inhibit growth in order to maximize spread and uniform distribution of said exudate; (g) subsequent to said step of removing, reducing said ambient temperature to about 22-25° C.; (h) subsequent to said step of removing, reducing said RH to about 30-60%; and (i) exposing said at least one plant to a third light regimen in spectral regions of about 650 nm and about 730 nm to cause said exudate to release oxygen during hardening of said exudate on said at least one plant.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said controlled environment is adapted to be maintained with said ambient temperature in the range of about 20-22° C. and with said RH in the range of about 40-80%.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said first light regimen has an exposure time of about 10 minutes.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of increasing is adapted to maintain said ambient temperature for a duration equivalent to said exposure time.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said second light regimen has an exposure time of at least about 15-30 minutes.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of reducing said ambient temperature and said step of reducing said RH is performed within about 30 minutes of said step of removing.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said third light regimen has an exposure time of at least about 30 minutes.

16. The method of claim 15, the method further comprising the step of: (j) exposing said at least one plant to a fourth light regimen in a spectral region of about 730 nm for about 18-33 minutes longer in duration than said exposure time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a simplified high-level schematic diagram of the system architecture for synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a simplified high-level schematic diagram of the system architecture of FIG. 1 deployed in a typical plant-bed greenhouse layout, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart of the major process steps for synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments, according to embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The present invention relates to systems and methods for synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments. The principles and operation for providing such systems and methods, according to the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and the drawings.

[0046] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified high-level schematic diagram of the system architecture for synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments, according to embodiments of the present invention. An LED lighting system 2 is shown for facilitating the prescribed light exposure regimens, capable of achieving a high Photon Flux Density (PFD) at various desirable wavelengths.

[0047] Controllable fan units 4 are shown for modulating a breeze of forced air flow in greenhouse environments. Sensor units 6 are shown for monitoring and regulating environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. A remote controller 8 is shown for regulating wind and lighting parameters, measuring and regulating sensor units 6, as well as controlling other greenhouse conditions (e.g., environmental sensors, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers).

[0048] LED lighting system 2 is required to have a suitable PFD for: “soft” or solar UV spectral regions of violet (about 360-445 nm), blue (about 425-480 nm with a main peak at about 450-460 nm), and red and infrared (about 630-750 nm with main peaks at about 635 nm, 650-660 nm, and 725-735 nm). Associated therapeutic effects depend on wavelength, PFD, and radiation dose.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a simplified high-level schematic diagram of the system architecture of FIG. 1 deployed in a typical plant-bed greenhouse layout, according to embodiments of the present invention. A typical greenhouse layout is shown with plant beds 10. The main task of properly-equipped greenhouses is to maintain the necessary conditions for the development of the plants in the plant beds. To achieve the optimal environment, two central greenhouse conditions are used: ventilation and lighting.

[0050] Plant life is impossible without air. Proper ventilation with the help of an air circulation/ventilation system leads to healthy plants and a large crop. In the event of insufficient air exchange, a dead-air zone forms around the plants. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly move the air. Proper air circulation can prevent molds and parasites. Mold fungi do not grow when fans set create air movement. Insects and ticks cannot manage in such a microclimate, which “bombards” the creatures with air currents.

[0051] Controllable fan units 4 can be of numerous types of circulation/ventilation units. The main requirement is that controllable fan units 4 must adequately handle the tasks of “updating” the air over plant beds 10 in the greenhouse (which includes localized circulation as well as ventilation) and removing heat from LED lighting system 2. Controllable fan units 4 must maintain a constant temperature in the range of about 20-22° C. with a relative humidity (RH) of about 40-80%. Such aspects can be measured by sensor units 6, and then regulated by remote controller 8.

[0052] RH control also prevents mold and disease. An RH level above 80% keeps ticks away, but contributes to the formation of molds and rotting of the roots and stems. A RH level below 60% reduces the likelihood of rotting and molds. Regulation of RH enables the exact moisture content in the air to be determined, adjusted, and regulated to the required level.

[0053] As an exemplary implementation for controllable fan units 4, a simple embodiment is the use of an exhaust fan of the required power/capacity situated in the right location and an air intake/supply fan to create fresh air flow in the greenhouse. Filtering of the air is also important. A closed ventilation system in greenhouse applications is usually a poorly-performed task. Greenhouses require huge ventilation systems. Fans can be installed at the beginning, middle, or end of a duct system. Installation is possible at any angle relative to the axis of the fan, with multiple fans installed in one system.

[0054] Exemplary embodiments of synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments are provided as follows. Controllable fan units 4, in addition to ensuring air circulation in the greenhouse, also create a stressful situation for plants in plant beds 10. Using controllable fan units 4, a “moderate” breeze (i.e., without causing burns on the leaves of the plants) is applied to sway the plants in plant beds 10 along the garden. Plants desire stability; sudden changes cause stress in plants. Rocking plants back and forth leads to the formation of microcracks (damaged plant tissue) on their exterior. As a reparative response, such swaying plants release an exudate (a viscous resin) from the pores of the microcracks.

[0055] Dynamic changes created by modulating the strength and direction of air flow from controllable fan units 4 is important in preventing the plants in plant beds 10 from finding balanced stress compensation, which increases the release of ethylene and increases the activity of acids. Ethylene is released by increasing the activity of synthetase, which catalyzes a key ethylene biosynthesis reaction. An accumulation of phenolic growth inhibitors (chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, phenolcarboxylic acids or polyphenols) was found to be present under these conditions, contributing to the creation of a so-called polymer film in the form of the exudate, which dries and creates a thin layer through which oxygen cannot pass.

[0056] In addition, to increase the release of exudate from microcracks, a first light regimen of exposure to a soft UV spectral region of about 360-445 nm (violet) is used to stimulate exudate formation, accompanied by an increase in temperature to about 22-32° C. for a period of about 10 minutes (which can be repeated depending on intensity). Under such conditions, the plant becomes mostly covered by its exudate. After which, controllable fan units 4 can be modulated to produce practically no breeze over the plants in plant beds 10.

[0057] A second light regimen, with light exposure to the violet spectrum above continuing, while exposure to a spectral region of about 425-480 nm with a main peak at about 450-460 nm (blue) is added for at least about 30 min. The second light regimen is accompanied by regulating down the temperature and humidity, within about 15-30 min. of removing the breeze, to about 22-25° C. and about 30-60% RH using controllable fan units 4 (including dryers and/or dehumidifiers) and sensor units 6 (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure, and CO.sub.2 sensors), which can monitor and regulate temperature, humidity, pressure, and CO.sub.2 concentration.

[0058] The ideal operational configuration for plant beds 10 inside a greenhouse is for LED lighting system 2 and ballasts to reduce humidity through heat transfer, while sensor units 6 (in particular thermostats) maintain desired temperatures. Controllable fan units 4 and sensor units 6 form a single control device for measuring humidity, which is necessary for growing healthy plants.

[0059] At this stage, the plants in plant beds 10 are exposed to a third light regimen of spectral regions of about 650 nm (red) and about 730 nm (infrared) for at least about 30 min. Optionally, the duration of exposure to the “infrared” radiation can be about 18-33 min. longer than the “red” radiation. Violet light has the shortest wavelength and the largest amount of energy in the visible spectrum, while red light has the longest wavelength and the smallest amount of energy in the visible spectrum. The longer the wavelength of visible light, the redder its color appears. Infrared light is lower in energy than that of red light. A significant part of sunlight is in the infrared spectral range. The red and infrared exposure causes oxygen radicals of the exudate to cure of the resin film.

[0060] During the interaction of the photosensitizer (i.e., the exudate) and the light, free oxygen radicals are formed while photochemical reactions occur, resulting in microorganisms, fungal hyphae, spores, and altered cells dying. When the exudate hardens, oxygen is released, making the resin layer denser. Fungi or molds present on the plants in plant beds 10 are then covered with a layer of hardened exudate, and die due to a lack of oxygen. As a result of natural plant growth, after a couple of days, the exudate film is naturally destroyed, and dead mushrooms and molds disappear.

[0061] The intensity of certain wavelengths of light can be controlled by the type of light sources in LED lighting system 2 used to irradiate the plants in plant beds 10. The arrangement of LEDs in the spectral regions of violet, red, and infrared light can be configured as follows. Periodically, exposure is provided in a modulated mode that involves continuous and sequential exposure of alternating groups of LEDs. The emitting electron-optical devices contain groups of emitting LEDs of different emission spectra. The electron-optical devices are connected to a power supply through the control unit such that the devices are activated one after another for specified durations.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart of the major process steps for synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments, according to embodiments of the present invention. The process starts with exposing plants infected with fungi to a controlled breeze for a period of about 0.5-3 hrs. in order to cause swaying of the plants (Step 20). It is noted that the plants do not need to be already infected with fungi already in order to apply the treatment; rather, the treatment can also act as a preventative to such fungal infections. The plants are then exposed to a first light regimen in the spectral region of about 360-445 nm to stimulate exudate formation (Step 22), while increasing the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the plants to about 22-32° C. for a period of about 10 minutes (Step 24). The breeze is then removed after the plant exterior surfaces are mostly covered with exudate (Step 26).

[0063] The plants are then exposed to a second light regimen in the spectral regions of about 360-445 nm and about 425-480 nm with a main peak at about 450-460 nm for at least about 15-30 min. (Step 28). Within about 30 min. of removing the breeze, the temperature is reduced to about 22-25° C. (Step 30), and the humidity is reduced to about 30-60% RH (Step 32). These wavelengths stabilize internal processes, and inhibit growth in order to maximize the spread of the resulting film and its uniform distribution.

[0064] The plants are then exposed to a third light regimen in the spectral regions of about 650 nm and about 730 nm for at least about 30 min. causing the exudate release oxygen during hardening, thereby subsequently killing the fungi (Step 34). Optionally, a fourth light regimen is added, exposing light at about 730 nm for about 18-33 min. longer than the light exposure at about 650 nm (Step 36).

Experimental Tests

[0065] The systems and the synergistic horticultural regimens using controlled wind and light exposure for strengthened, plant immune systems and plant fungi treatments described above were used to conduct experiments on actual greenhouse plant beds. Experiments were conducted on lettuce, tomato, strawberry greenhouse plant beds, as well as on medicinal greenhouse crops. The experiments were carried out on plants at various stages of mold activity. The stages include an early stage in which the first appearance of mold on the plants can be detected, a developed stage in which an abundant amount of the plant exterior is covered, and an advanced stage in which an occurrence of prevalent mold in the crops. All environmental parameters were met in accordance with the treatment protocols described above in order to evaluate the treatment as a curative and a preventative therapy, as well as a form of immunotherapy.

[0066] The results of the experiments showed that if the synergistic horticultural treatments were initiated with seedlings, and carried out within about 1 hr. after the morning watering of the plant beds, and within about 1 hr. before sunset, no mold was detected. Plants were healthy before harvest. At the same time, an improvement in taste indices and an increase in the smell of fruits were noted. Since this was not the subject of the designated experiments, comparative profile analyses were not conducted.

[0067] It is difficult to determine the depth of an affected area of the plants. Growers prefer to clean the affected areas, but the likelihood of spread is quite high. A focus is a patch of crop with plant disease limited in time and space. The experiments showed that after removing the foci of the affected areas, the synergistic horticultural treatments significantly improved the condition of the crop, preventing the mold from spreading. Such treatments were carried out twice a day—about 1 hr. after watering and about 1 hr. before sunset.

[0068] While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, equivalent structural elements, combinations, sub-combinations, and other applications of the present invention may be made.