Fast Plant Eradication Using Aimed Unnatural Low Energy Dual Component Indigo Region and Medium Wavelength Infrared Illumination

Abstract

Plant eradication and stressing of plants using illumination trauma where a dual component, low energy, unnatural set of irradiances is applied, with no mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any wavelength for eradication by severe scalding, heat shock, or incineration. Two radiations are applied: an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution that can extend from 300 nm to 550 nm to be directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, and a Medium Wavelength Infrared distribution of light, ranging from 2-20 microns wavelength to be directed to the ground, to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent the root crown. Plants can include seeds, and seedlings, and biomass can be irradiated to control weed seeds such as from a combine. The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution can pass through the MWIR emitter to form a compact illuminator. The MWIR emitter can comprise borosilicate glass at 400 F to 1000 F.

Claims

1. A high speed, substantially non-invasive, low-irradiance method for eradicating a plant in a time under one minute, using indigo region illumination and medium wavelength infrared illumination about said plant, said method comprising any of [A], [B], [C] and [D]: [A] a full IRID twin component exposure, directed for eradicating a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, comprising: [A1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 and 2 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [A2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR between 0.045 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.72 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component; [B] a low IRID summed twin component exposure, with compensating MWIR, directed for eradicating a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, comprising: [B1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.05 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [B2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [B1] and said Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR is at least 0.25 W/cm.sup.2 and less than 7 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component; [C] a saturation twin component exposure, directed for eradicating a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, comprising: [C1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID of at least 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [C2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [C1] and said Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR is at least 0.045 W/cm.sup.2 and such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [C1] and the Medium Wavelength Infrared irradiance E.sub.MWIR is less than 7 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component; [D] a twin component exposure, directed for eradicating a seed or seedling, comprising: [D1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.1 W/cm.sup.2 and 1 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [D2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR between 0.035 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.35 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising heating an MWIR emitter (E, E+) to produce at least a portion of said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation.

3. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising heating an MWIR emitter (E, E+) to a temperature between 400 F and 1000 F to produce at least a portion of said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said MWIR emitter comprises a glass selected from borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, and soda lime glass.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said any of said exposures of [A], [B], [C] and [D] have a duration of 7 seconds or less in total.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said any of said exposures of [A], [B], [C] and [D] have a duration of 2 seconds or less in total.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution comprises radiation in the range of 400-500 nm wavelength.

8. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising superposing at least a portion of said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation to allow them to be so directed at least partly together.

9. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising creating a proximity pass-through configuration by passing a portion of said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution through a MWIR emitter (E, E+) that provides at least some of said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said MWIR emitter comprises a glass selected from borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, and soda lime glass.

11. The method of claim 9, additionally comprising directing at least a portion of said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution so as to reflect off a surface (SP) before emerging to be so directed.

12. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising creating a proximity reflect-through configuration by making at least a portion of said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution reflect off a surface (SP) before emerging to be so directed and superposing at least a portion of said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation to allow them to be so directed at least partly together.

13. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising heating an MWIR emitter (E, E+) to produce at least a portion of said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation, where said MWIR emitter comprises a powder coat.

14. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising optically exciting said powder coat via a radiant source (HL) external thereto.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said powder coat comprises a glass selected from borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, and soda lime glass.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation are so directed at least partly simultaneously.

17. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising locating said plant using machine recognition, and performing the method of claim 1 on the plant so located.

18. A high speed, substantially non-invasive, low irradiance method to apply stress to a plant a time under one minute, using indigo region illumination and medium wavelength infrared illumination about said plant, said method comprising any of [A], [B], [C] and [D]: [A] a full IRID twin component exposure, directed for stressing a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, comprising: [A1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 and 2 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [A2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR between 0.045 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.72 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component; [B] a low IRID summed twin component exposure, with compensating MWIR, directed for stressing a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, comprising: [B1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.05 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [B2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [B1] and said Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR is at least 0.25 W/cm.sup.2 and less than 7 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component; [C] a saturation twin component exposure, directed for stressing a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, comprising: [C1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID of at least 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [C2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [C1] and said Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR is at least 0.045 W/cm.sup.2 and such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [C1] and the Medium Wavelength Infrared irradiance E.sub.MWIR is less than 7 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component; [D] a twin component exposure, directed for stressing a seed or seedling, comprising: [D1] Exposing any of a foliage of said plant and a root crown of said plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.1 W/cm.sup.2 and 1 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; [D2] Exposing any of a root crown of said plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent said root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR between 0.035 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.35 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of said time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component.

19. The method of claim 18, additionally comprising: based upon a plant response to the exposures of [A], [B], [C] and [D], [3] further selecting the plant for one of retention, treatment, eradication or neglect.

20. A non-invasive, low-irradiance proximity illuminator (10) providing an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation about a plant, said illuminator comprising: [a] A foliage and root crown illumination source comprising an IRID emitter (88); [b] A root crown and soil grade illumination source comprising an MWIR emitter (E); said IRID emitter and said MWIR emitter each so sized, positioned and oriented to allow that at least some light output from each of said IRID emitter and MWIR emitter to be substantially superposed for directing to said plant.

21. The illuminator of claim 20, wherein said IRID emitter and said MWIR emitter are further each so sized, positioned and oriented to offer a proximity pass-through configuration whereby at least some of said light output from said IRID emitter passes through said MWIR emitter.

22. The illuminator of claim 21, additionally comprising a thermal shield so sized, positioned and oriented to reduce thermal back-emission from said MWIR emitter to said IRID emitter, said thermal shield comprising at least one of an IR-reflector (Z) and an IR-insulator (Y).

23. The illuminator of claim 20, wherein said MWIR emitter additionally comprises a glass selected from borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, and soda lime glass.

24. The illuminator of claim 23, additionally comprising a heater (H, Hr) in thermal communication with said glass.

25. The illuminator of claim 20, wherein said IRID emitter is further positioned to allow at least some of said light output therefrom to reflect off a surface (SP) before emerging from said illuminator.

26. The illuminator of claim 25, wherein said surface comprises at least part of said MWIR emitter.

27. The illuminator of claim 20, wherein said MWIR emitter comprises a powder coat (E+).

28. The illuminator of claim 27, additionally comprising a radiant source (HL) to heat said powder coat.

29. The illuminator of claim 27, wherein said powder coat additionally comprises a glass selected from borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, and soda lime glass.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a general electromagnetic spectrum for wavelengths potentially incident upon a plant, with wavelengths ranging from 1 mm to less than 100 nm;

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a typical natural filtered and unfiltered solar radiation spectrum using a cartesian plot of spectral radiance versus wavelength;

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a partial schematic representation of a class of prior art plant eradication using incineration via various large infrared radiative transfers;

[0080] FIGS. 4 and 5 show partial cross sectional, partial surface views of a plant in soil, with a root structure in soil, with regrowth after a typical large infrared radiative transfer as depicted in FIG. 3;

[0081] FIGS. 6 and 7 show together one typical class of prior art eradication processes or occurrences whereby extreme ultraviolet light induced trauma is delivered with a large energy UV radiative transfer via general illumination or flash onto a naturally grown species Digitaria sanguinalis rooted into a soil grade;

[0082] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a process according to the invention to eradicate a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, using with a dual component illumination protocol shown schematically for two portions of the electromagnetic spectrum as shown in FIG. 1 being directed upon parts of a plant (Dandelion Taraxacum Offinale) resting upon a soil grade;

[0083] FIG. 9 shows a close-up view of the bottom portion of FIG. 8, showing incident rays for an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared illumination distribution aimed and impinging upon the plant in specific ways, and showing plant foliage, the plant root crown and a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crown;

[0084] FIG. 10 shows a cartesian plot of relative optical absorption and photochemical efficiency for a plant as a function of wavelength from 400 to 700 nm, and showing absorption for Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b;

[0085] FIG. 11 shows the cartesian plot of FIG. 10, with the span of a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution shown;

[0086] FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation across the range of 300 nm to 550 nm for an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution, with various illustrative possible distribution patterns;

[0087] FIGS. 13 and 14 show schematic cross-sectional representations of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator according to the invention;

[0088] FIG. 15 shows an oblique surface view of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator according to the invention;

[0089] FIG. 16 shows a split cross-sectional view of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator according to the invention, with distinct upper and lower plane views;

[0090] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional close-up partial schematic view of elements of the proximity pass-through configuration illuminator shown in FIGS. 13-16, with thermal reflector and insulators to protect a light source for the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution illumination;

[0091] FIG. 18 shows an oblique view of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator according to the invention, with a cylindrical cut-out showing cross-sections;

[0092] FIG. 19 shows the proximity pass-through configuration illuminator of FIG. 18, with Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and Medium Wavelength Infrared rays trained upon a seed/seedling;

[0093] FIG. 20 shows a logarithmic cartesian plot representation of Illumination Wavelength versus Total Illumination Irradiance indicated by closed figure for a typical illustrative approximate regime of operation for the instant invention applied to plants in a vegetative stage or later, using an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared illumination distribution, with contrast shown to the prior art high radiative transfer depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, shown on this plot in closed figure;

[0094] FIG. 21 shows a listing of operative attributes for a class of prior art large radiative and large UV radiative transfers as depicted in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8;

[0095] FIG. 22 shows a logarithmic cartesian plot representation similar to that of FIG. 20, of Illumination Wavelength versus Total Illumination Irradiance indicated by closed figure for a typical illustrative approximate regime of operation for the instant invention applied to seeds and seedlings, using an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared illumination distribution, with contrast again shown to the prior art high radiative transfer depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, shown on this plot in closed figure;

[0096] FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator according to the invention, with a shrouded Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) emitter;

[0097] FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional schematic view similar to that shown in FIG. 23, an alternate embodiment using a proximity reflect-through configuration illuminator according to the invention, with a shrouded Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) emitter and illustratively shown with a non-glass MWIR emitter E;

[0098] FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) emitter that comprises an emissive powder coat for enhanced emission;

[0099] FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional schematic view similar to that of FIG. 25, showing the emissive powder coat being externally optically energized with a lamp;

[0100] FIG. 27 shows a schematic arrangement using separate MWIR and IRID sources used to irradiate a plant or seedling;

[0101] FIG. 28 shows a schematic series of apparatus and process components for using the teachings of the instant invention with machine recognition and automated processes;

[0102] FIG. 29 shows a schematic representation of a mobile unit of the machine recognition embodiment depicted in FIG. 27, showing communication to an imager;

[0103] FIG. 30 shows a listing of possible adaptive stress vectors upon a plant including those which can arise while practicing the instant invention.

DEFINITIONS

[0104] The following definitions shall be used throughout:

Average Irradianceshall refer to a power level of irradiance at taught for the instant invention which is achieved at some time, such as a sub-portion of the total treatment time and not necessarily all the time, during exposure treatment of a plant or use of the instant invention. It is understood that those of ordinary skill in the art can modulate power levels to achieve many varied objectives, and flashes or low level or high level exposures can be used. For example, during a 2 second treatment, an exposure consisting of four flashes active during 1/10 of the exposure time, such as four 0.05 second duration flashes for a total of 0.2 seconds at a 10 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance would work out to 1 W/cm.sup.2 average irradiance, if calculated over the whole time of 2 seconds. This definition shall thus preclude the avoidance of claims by merely changing exposure levels to avoid the average irradiances for Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID and Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR as taught and claimed.
Directed, directingshall denote any net transmission of electromagnetic radiation as taught and claimed here, whether by direct illumination or via reflection or indirect transmission, such as via use of mirrors, light guides, via refraction, or incidental reflection or absorption and re-transmission through any material body, or through a plant under treatment, or a plant adjacent to a plant under treatment, such as light passing between or through foliage of one plant to another plant, seed, or seedling.
Eradicatecan include death, eventual death, damage or stress to an adult plant, seedling or seed, and at least partial disruption or delay of the germination of a plant or seed. Multiple applications of the instant invention, such as lower dose applications can be contemplated whereby desired eradication yield increases upon multiple applications or passes.
Exposureshall be that due to radiative transfer over and above that provided by natural sunlight or equivalent ordinary ambient light received by plants unassisted by use of the instant invention.
Foliageshall denote all parts of a plant above soil grade, generally excluding root structures, and shall include components such as stems and leaves.
Heater/Heatingshall include all thermal production and transfer, from any heat source, via contact or conduction; convection; or radiation.
Illuminationshall be interpreted broadly and shall include all manner of radiative processes as defined by the appended claims, and shall not be limited to lamp outputs, but rather shall encompass any and all radiation afforded by physical processes such as incandescence or any light emission process such as from a light emitting diode (LED); flames; or incandescence from hot masses, such as gases, fluids, steam, metal knives or hot infrared emittersand can encompass multiple sources.
IRIDIndigo Region Illumination Distribution (blue)shall denote a preferred range of frequencies, such as emitted by commercially available blue LED (light emitting diode) light sources with emission peaks named royal blue that denote a possible range of wavelengths that serve the instant invention. This definition shall include an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to be defined to be any of the following wavelength ranges:
[1] A preferred range: 420-450 nm; [2] a larger preferred range of 420-480 nm; [3] a larger preferred range of 400-500 nm; [4] a yet larger preferred range of 400-550 nm; [5] and a broad range of 300-550 nm. This indigo band does not have to include indigo or blue or any particular color and does not have to include wavelengths in the preferred range ofwavelengths of 420-450 nm that are commonly assigned to indigo or near indigo as human perceptions. The addition of light for any reason, including for a trademark or appearance effect, e.g., aquamarine, shall not affect this definition. The frequency range as defined interestingly typically includes a first common photochemical efficiency peak for plants, as discussed in the description for FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0105] An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID can include monochromatic, multichromatic frequency/wavelength lines or bands, continuous or non-continuous distributions, and distributions that comprise one of more emission lines, or distributions that are absent the general wavelength or frequency for which it is named, i.e., a distribution that is absent wavelengths generally given for indigo, that is, absent approximately 420-450 nm. Metamerism and the response of the human visual system to identify or form color perceptions shall not narrow this definition.

IRID Emitter (88)shall denote any light producing device that has the requisite electromagnetic output properties to help produce an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID that allows service to the instant invention as described in the appended claims, and can be an LED array IRID emitter 88, a laser, or an excited material body. An IRID emitter and a MWIR emitter can be combined into one body or component, or device.
Medium Wavelength InfraredMWIRhas been variously defined by different organizational bodies, sometimes using different terms. For example In the CIE division scheme (International Commission on Illumination), CIE recommended the division of infrared radiation into the following three bands using letter abbreviations: IR-A, from 700 nm-1400 nm (0.7 m-1.4 m); IR-B, from 1400 nm-3000 nm (1.4 m-3 m); and IR-C from 3000 nm-1 mm (3 m-1000 m). ISO (International Organization for Standardization) established a standard, ISO20473 that defines the term mid-IR to mean radiation with wavelengths from 3-50 nm. In common literature infrared generally has been divided into near infrared (0.7 to 1.4 microns IRA, IR-A DIN), short wavelength infrared (SWIR or 1.4-3.0 microns IR-B DIN), mid-wavelength (or medium wavelength) infrared at 3-8 microns (MWIR/midlR 3-8 microns IR-C DIN) to long wavelength infrared (LWIR, IR-C DIN) 8-15 microns to far infrared 15-1000 microns.

[0106] In this disclosure, throughout the specification, drawings and in the appended claims, MWIR in particular shall have a meaning assigned, and the wavelengths for MWIR shall span from 2-20 microns, and with preferred embodiments in a range of 2.4-8 microns and more preferably in a range of 3-5 microns. Source emissions can include emissions from an MWIR emitter E that is formed from materials with known emissivity functions useful in service of the invention, such as known borosilicate glass.

MWIR Emitter (E)shall denote any glass or material body that has the requisite optical properties or electromagnetic emissivity properties that allow service to the instant invention as described in the appended claims. This can include glass known under the trade name Pyrex such as borosilicate glass, which is preferred, or Pyrex Glass Code 7740, as well as Pyrex soda lime glass or other materials. Any material body which serves the invention with useful emissivity as an MWIR emitter when stimulated, excited, or heated shall meet this definition. An IRID emitter and a MWIR emitter can be combined into one body or component.
Minute of total operationunder one minute of total operationTime under one minuteshall denote a process of illumination that shall include stepwise, piecemeal, segmented, separated, sequential, variable, or modulated exposures that when totaled, have a summed duration or the equivalent of under one minute, such as four 10-second exposures/flashes over a three minute time, or four second flashes in one hour.
Near-IR (near infrared)is defined in varied ways by multiple sources and organizations, such as the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), and as given by ISO standard 20473. In the instant disclosure and appended claims, near-IR shall be assigned to extend from 700 nm to 2 microns (2000 nm) wavelength.
Non-invasiveshall include the attributes of not requiring uprooting, stabbing, cutting, striking or significant mechanical stressing, except for contact with hot bodies or hot fluids such as hot gases or steam when used as a thermal equivalent of general IR (infrared) radiation as taught here.
Non-mutatingshall be construed as relatively non-mutating, such as UV-A radiation being relatively non-mutating when compared to the effect of UV-B radiation.
Plantshall include any biological organism that succumbs to or is controlled by the instant invention. The can include bacteria, and organisms in the plant and animal kingdoms, and seeds and seedlings.
Powder coatshall include any and all coverings, coatings, surface treatments, appliques, and depositions to a surface.
Rhizosphereshall include all microorganisms in contact with, in the vicinity of, or interacting with a plant root system, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, fungi, and mycorrhizae, such as arbuscular mycorrhizae which can inhabit root structure.
Rootcan comprise any number of root types, such as a tap root, a fibrous root, a prop root, an aeria root, an aerating or knee root, a buttress root, or a tuberous root system.
Root crownshall comprise the portion of a plant root which is above, at, or near the surface established by a soil grade. This shall include the root collar or root neck from which a plant stem arises. Root crown shall also comprise any portion of a seed or seedling which has not affixed itself to a soil grade, but is the root in development or is biological tissue associated with root development.
Seedling, SeedA seedling shall include any young plant or sporophyte emerging or developing out of a plant embryo or seed, whether before or after germination of any seed. This shall apply to a young plant regardless of stage of development, for any stage of a radicle (embryonic root) of a seed, as well as to any stage for any hypocotyl (embryonic shoot) and any seed leaves, such as with one-leaf monocotyledons and two leaf dicotyledons, or multiple leaf cotyledons, or no cotyledons, such as acotyledons. Any stage of photomorphogenesis shall be included. This definition shall apply even with assistance from natural processes that weaken seed coats to assist with germination, such as heat of a fire, moisture exposure or water immersion, history of passing through an animal's digestive tract, or extreme swings in ambient natural temperature or light levels.
Soil gradeshall include any prevailing soil grade, or any immediately effective soil grade, such as after disturbing of soil.
UV-A radiationshall denote ultraviolet radiation of wavelength from 300-400 nm.
Vegetative stage or phaseshall denote the growth phase of a plant that occurs after germination and before flowering, during which time the plant has distinct, viable foliage. The term later stage associated with vegetative phase or later as used in this disclosure and in the appended claims shall include phases more advanced, such as a flowering phase or later stages such as a ripening phase. The instant invention shall be applied as taught and claimed even though a mixture of plants of different phases, including seeds and seedlings, can be under its application. The scope of the amended claims shall not be narrowed by virtue of types or phases of development of plants serving as a target of the instant teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0107] Now referring to FIG. 8, a schematic representation of a process is shown according to the invention to eradicate or stress a plant that can be an adult plant, a seed or a seedling, but it is shown illustratively in a vegetative or later phase. The invention employs a dual component illumination protocol that is shown schematically for two portions of the electromagnetic spectrum as shown in FIG. 1 being directed upon parts of an illustrative plant (Dandelion Taraxacum Offinale) resting upon a soil grade. In this protocol, a high speed, substantially non-invasive, low-irradiance method for eradicating a plant in a vegetative or later phase is accomplished in a time under one minute, using dual component indigo region illumination and Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation or illumination about the plant.

[0108] Described very briefly and qualitatively, the method comprises:

[1] A foliage and root crown damage illumination component comprising exposure to an an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) directed to the foliage and/or the root crown of a plant, with representative IRID rays as shown by dashed arrows in the Figure; and
[2] A ground illumination component, comprising exposure to an Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation directed to the root crown and/or a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crown, with representative MWIR rays as shown by solid arrows in the Figure. Both exposures are of under one minute duration, and preferably under 20 seconds, and most preferably in the range of -7 seconds.

[0109] Now referring to FIG. 9, a close-up view of the bottom portion of FIG. 8 is shown. An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID is shown (dashed arrows) directed upon the foliage and/or a root crown of a plant (e.g., Dandelion Taraxacum Offinale) while a Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation MWIR is shown directed to the root crown and/or a soil grade immediately adjacent same (shown). The root crown is shown inside the circled area.

[0110] The ground penetrating MWIR illumination component, when directed to a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crown, typically shows a deep penetration of the MWIR rays. This targeted and specifically directed use of Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR is very important and represents a departure from the prior art. The method discovered helps provide very effective lethality, an unanticipated finding.

[0111] It is interesting to note that root-crown temperature has been found to affect plant growth and physiology in various ways. Root crowns need to be exposed for oxygen and gas interchange. Further, a number of pests and diseases affect specifically this part of the plant, including root-crown rot/fungus and various species of root-crown weevil. The root crown area can appear swollen, tapered, constricted or very thinas well as a combination of these. The root crown is usually located around or at the soil level and can be vaguely or clearly apparent.

[0112] Now referring to FIG. 10, a cartesian plot of known relative optical absorption and photochemical efficiency for a typical plant is shown as a function of wavelength from 400 to 700 nm. The plot shows relative absorption for Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b, and also actual photochemical (photosynthetic conversion) for a typical plant, as well as the overall (optical) absorption spectrum of the plant overall. As can be seen there are two relative peaks centered about blue/violet and red light and this is the regime operation for the bulk of the excitation that fuel photosynthesis and internal regulation in plants, generally.

[0113] Referring now to FIG. 11, the cartesian plot of FIG. 10 is shown, with the span of a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution in service to the instant invention is shown. As can be seen, the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID can extend from 300 nm to a relative low between the two absorption peaks for a typical plant that are due to photochemical action of Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b. Specifically, the wavelength regime 1 shown in the Figure to the left of the vertical dotted line depicting 550 nm is that for use as the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID according to the invention. The wavelength regime 2 shown to the right of the 550 nm line that includes yellow, orange and red was found from research and experimentation using controls to be not effective. Addition of this type of light from regime 2 is optional and may serve aesthetic or other purposes, but was discovered to be operationally ineffective for eradication and control. For example, it is notable that known red 650 nm peak LEDs (light emitting diodes) at the same power level as those used to form a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to meet the protocol of the invention had no measurable effectiveness. However the actual spectral or wavelength distribution of light used to construct a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID can vary.

[0114] Now referring to FIG. 12, a schematic representation across this range of 300 nm to 550 nm for an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution is shown with various illustrative possible distribution patterns that are possible. This Figure does not show spectral intensity, or spectral irradiance, that is, W/cm.sup.2 per unit wavelengthwhich can vary. The Figure shows only the presence of radiation in particular wavelength, without intensity information.

[0115] The first distribution depicted, s1, shows a near full span of the range between 300 and 550 nm, continuous and solid. The second distribution s2 shows another possible distribution from 400 to 550 nn, not continuous and absent UV-A radiation. A third distribution s3 shows various spectral lines of output, with the highest energy radiation at about 480 nm, and consisting of only six emission lines as shown. This can arise from various light sources, such as lasers, and especially ion discharge lamps with no intervening phosphor, etc. A fourth distribution s4 is continuous in part like distribution s1, but is absent mid-wavelengths, and notably is absent wavelengths associated with indigo, for which the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID is named. All these, and other similar distributions are possible in service of the instant invention. However from testing and experimentation, radiation at and around 430 nm appears to be the best for biological effectiveness in eradication and control.

[0116] Appearance of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID to the human eye shall not be indicative of suitability, A Indigo Region Illumination Distribution may not appear blue or indigo to the human eye because of the effect of constituent wavelength componentsand response of the human eye to light distributions, including known effects of metamerism, shall not limit or narrow the scope of the appended claims, nor narrow the instant teachings.

[0117] As stated above, a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID contains wavelengths of light substantially coincident with a short wavelength absorption relative peak (generally of wavelength less than 550 nm) of a plant. Without narrowing the scope of the disclosure or claims, it is believed as a theory that certain processes at this low wavelength peak shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 contribute to the unexpected success of the invention.

[0118] Known commercially available high output blue LEDs (light emitting diodes) can be used to provide necessary light for Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID, providing light generally in a wavelength range from 400 to 550 nm. For example, known SiC (silicon carbide) based LEDs with output from 430-505 nm (appearance blue) are available and have a Forward Voltage of 3.6 volts; GaN (Gallium Nitride) and InGaN (Indium Gallium Nitride) based diodes are also available. Mixture of GaN with In (InGaN) or Al (AlGaN) with a band gap dependent on alloy ratios allows manufacture of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with varied output peaks. Some LED devices using Aluminium Gallium Nitride (AlGaN) produce ultraviolet (UV-A) light also suitable for a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution, and known phosphors can be used to extend spectral range or to serve another objective such as making a trademark color splash without departing from the scope of the invention and appended claims.

[0119] To construct a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID source, commercially available high power UV/violet LED chips are thus available in varied peak distribution wavelengths such as 365 nm, 370 nm, 375 nm, 385 nm, 390 nm 395 nm, 400 nm, 405 nm, and 425 nm with input power ranging from 3 to 100 watts, such as available from Shenzhen Chanzon Technology Co., Ltd., ShenZhen, Guangdong, China. The embodiments shown in Figures which follow employ a 100 watt array, 450 nm peak output. Larger arrays can be built up from constituent chips to serve the requirements of the instant invention for larger scale applications.

Exposures

[0120] From experimentation on plants in different life stages, a number of effective operating regimes or exposures for the instant invention were discovered, as follows:

[0121] Method A: A full IRID twin component exposure, directed for eradicating or stressing a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, is accomplished by exposing any of a foliage of the plant and a root crown of the plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 and 2 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of the time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; and exposing any of a root crown of the plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR between 0.045 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.72 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of the time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component.

[0122] Method B: A low IRID summed twin component exposure, with compensating MWIR, directed for eradicating or stressing a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, is accomplished by exposing any of a foliage of the plant and a root crown of the plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.05 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of the time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; and exposing any of a root crown of the plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID and the Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR is at least 0.25 W/cm.sup.2 and less than 7 W/cm.sup.2, that is

0.25 W/cm.sup.2E.sub.IRID+E.sub.MWIR<7 W/cm.sup.2

during at least a portion of the time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component;
eat and kill:

[0123] Method C: A saturation twin component exposure, directed for eradicating or stressing a plant that is in a vegetative or later phase, is accomplished by exposing any of a foliage of the plant and a root crown of the plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID of at least 0.125 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of the time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; and exposing any of a root crown of the plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [C1] and the Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR is at least 0.045 W/cm.sup.2 and such that the sum of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution average irradiance E.sub.IRID from step [C1] and the Medium Wavelength Infrared irradiance E.sub.MWIR is less than 7 W/cm.sup.2, that is

0.125 W/cm.sup.2E.sub.IRID+E.sub.MWIR<W/cm.sup.2

during at least a portion of the time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component;

[0124] Method D: A twin component exposure, directed to eradicate or stress a plant that is in the seed or seedling phase or stage, is accomplished by exposing any of a foliage of the plant and a root crown of the plant to an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of an average irradiance E.sub.IRID between 0.1 W/cm.sup.2 and 1 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of the time, to provide a foliage and root crown damage illumination component; and exposing any of a root crown of the plant and a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crown to Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation of an average irradiance E.sub.MWIR between 0.035 W/cm.sup.2 and 0.35 W/cm.sup.2 during at least a portion of the time, to provide a root crown and soil grade illumination component.

[0125] Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR wavelengths can be in a distribution, with similar variability as that of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID as discussed above for FIG. 12. Medium Wavelength Infrared according to the invention can range from infrared wavelengths of 2-20 microns (2000-20,000 nm); a preferred range is 2.4-8 microns (2400 nm-8000 nm) and more preferred is the vicinity of 3-5 microns (3000-5000 nm).

[0126] The method of the invention allows for many different possible lighting and beam forming configurations. Beam forming and reflector-endowed lamp sets can be devised to allow both [1] the above-ground foliage and root crown damage illumination component that directs Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID to the foliage and/or the root crown of a plant, and [2] the ground-penetrating Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR component that directs Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation directed to the root crown and/or a soil grade immediately adjacent the root crownto happen or operate simultaneously, if desired, and also if desired, originate within the same general lamp or photo-emissive device or lamp housing.

[0127] Now referring to FIGS. 13-19, various pass-through, shrouded lamp and reflector configurations that may be used to practice some embodiments of the instant invention are shown. In FIGS. 13 and 14, simple schematic cross-sectional representations of an advantageous, compact proximity pass-through configuration illuminator 10 (PROXIMITY PASS-THROUGH CONFIGURATION ILLUMINATOR) according to the invention are shown. Inside a housing 6, are a IRID emitter 88 and a MWIR emitter E. As can be seen, the IRID emitter and the MWIR emitter are sized, positioned and oriented to allow light output from each of said IRID emitter and MWIR emitter to be substantially superposed for directing to said plant, with rays of type shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 being directed to a plant to the left on the Figure. Light generated as shown emerging from IRID emitter 88 passes through the physical MWIR emitter E. MWIR emitter E can comprise glass in various forms, such as plate glass, and be can selected from borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass, and other material, such as that having high thermal emissivity in the range of Medium Wavelength Infrared wavelengths as defined herein. This can include materials having coatings or surface treatments that have favorable MWIR emission characteristics.

[0128] MWIR emitter E is heated using a heater (shown in later Figures), assisted by a heating ring Hr as shown, in thermal communication with illustrative glass (e.g., borosilicate glass) of MWIR emitter E. Borosilicate glass and other similar materials conduct heat across themselves, and this heated glass allows efficient coupling into MWIR wavelengths and allows a pass-through of Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID light as shown.

[0129] Now referring to FIG. 15, an oblique surface view of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator 10 of FIGS. 13 and 14 according to the invention is shown. As shown, mounting pipe 11 supports the illuminator 10, with IRID emitter 88 located behind transparent glass MWIR emitter E in the Figure, which can be an LED array. Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID radiation from IRID emitter 88 passes through MWIR emitter E and joins MWIR rays for directing to a plant, as shown. MWIR emitter E is heated with assistance from heat ring Hr, and a heat sink 77 is sized, positioned, and oriented to be in thermal communication with IRID emitter 88 to cool the IRID emitter. Not shown in this Figure is a thermal insulator Y and thermal reflector Z that thermally separate MWIR emitter E from IRID emitter 88, but an aperture 9 in those thermal barriers is shown, to allow the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID to pass through the glass of MWIR emitter E.

[0130] Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID and Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR can thus be directed at a plant. Aiming can be of the spillover type of exposure. Spillover can naturally occur to many areas as can be expected when illuminating plant of different sizes, stem stiffness, and foliage arrays, with differing orientations. This spillover will not affect aiming of an operatively effective portion of the light is as directed by the instant teachings and appended claims. In practicing the invention, a small gap is preferred between the MWIR emitter E and the plant root or base because of attenuation and r-squared losses, and those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to position, size, and move the illuminator appropriately.

[0131] FIG. 16 shows a split cross-sectional view of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator according to the invention, with distinct upper and lower plane views. LED array IRID emitter 88 is shown inboard of MWIR emitter E, which is in contact with, or thermal communication with a known 100 watt Kapton heater H, assisted by heat ring Hr affixed to housing 6. Heat sink 77 in thermal communication with LED array IRID emitter 88 for cooling same. MWIR emitter E can be heated to a temperature of 400 F to 1000 F for efficacity and safety when in service of the instant invention. Guards (not shown) can be added.

[0132] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional close-up partial schematic view of elements of the proximity pass-through configuration illuminator shown in FIGS. 13-16. Thermal protection can be arranged to protect LED array IRID emitter 88 from heat generated from MWIR emitter E, which can optionally comprise on its inboard surface a thermal reflector Z, which in turn can have at its inboard surface a thermal insulator Y. An aperture 9, previously shown in FIG. 15, can be sized, and positioned to allow LED array IRID emitter 88 to emit the desired Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID through MWIR emitter E. Thermal reflector Z can be fabricated from known aluminum foil 1 mil thick. Thermal insulator Y can be 0.005 inch (5 mil, 0.2 mm) thick film made from known polycarbonate, or PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy alkane). Commercially available LED arrays can have lifetimes of 50,000 hours if the working temperature history is kept under 60 C.

[0133] Now referring to FIG. 18, an oblique view of a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator of FIG. 15 according to the invention, with a cylindrical cut-out showing cross-sections (PROXIMITY PASS-THROUGH CONFIGURATION). LED array IRID emitter 88 illustratively comprises as shown a 100 watt Chanzon 1DGL-JC-100W-440 Royal Blue chip-on-board (COB) surface mounted device (SMD), with peak emission at 440-450 nm, drawing 3000 mA at 30-34 volts DC. Individual LED cells in LED array IRID emitter 88 and an array mount m can be seen behind glass MWIR emitter E, which is not explicitly visible except for line hatching in the Figure adjacent the reference character indicator lines for E and the MWIR ray. Kapton heater H is in thermal communication with heat ring Hr and MWIR emitter E. Very close approach to plants can be achieved with this proximity pass-through configuration, and MWIR emitter E can be kept at 400 F to 1000 F with appropriate guards known in the art to prevent ignition of biomass and materials. Additional known optics can be added, such as outer reflectors whose shape comprises compound parabolic curves, or other advantageous light handling to suit a particular application.

[0134] A baseline (midlevel) exposure that typifies operation for many applications is average irradiances (see Definitions section) of 0.5 W/cm.sup.2 of Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID radiation and 0.18 W/cm.sup.2 of Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR radiation. The average power levels are important and must be delivered in seconds, not minutes, hours, or days for efficacity, according to the discoveries made. Lethality is pronounced, with many yields at 100% with no regrowth after two weeks. With this baseline exposure, for a first test, on 1 inch tall rye grass, less than 4 months since germination, lethality of 100% was obtained with a 2 second exposure. For a second test, on 8 inch tall cereal rye grass, 6 months since germination, lethality of 85% was obtained with a 5 second exposure. For a third test, dandelion (Dandelion Taraxacum Offinale) with less than a 6 inch rosette at the root crown, and greater than 1 year but less than two since germination, 83% lethality was obtained with a 10 second exposure. For a fourth test, dandelion less than 4 inches in rosette diameter, and 6 months since germination, 100% lethality was obtained with a 5 second exposure. With a fifth test, dandelion with rosettes more than 6 inches in diameter and more than 2 years since germination, 75% lethality was obtained with a 15 second exposure.

[0135] MWIR emitter E can be heated with varying temperatures from a minimum of 250 F, to 400 F to past the Draper Point (977 F) to 1000 F. According to the Stefan-Boltzmann law, a black body at the Draper point emits 23 kilowatts/m.sup.2 radiation, nearly all infrared. The embodiments disclosed herein allow for substantially superposed Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID and Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR radiation for illumination at a target plant, and are especially advantageous for this purpose. However, as will be mentioned below, both component radiations can arise from different sources not in a unitary housing or device.

[0136] The use of the instant invention can be particularly helpful in agriculture. Referring now to FIG. 19, the proximity pass-through configuration illuminator of FIG. 18 is shown, with Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and Medium Wavelength Infrared rays trained upon a seed and a seedling, shown as Amaranthus Tuberculatus, and known commonly as waterhemp, a plant of concern to farmers.

[0137] Seeds and seedlings are fast developing organisms with special characteristics and the teachings of the instant invention apply differently to achieve efficacity. There are different structural developing components in various seedlings as they develop a root system and differentiate physically. In this sense the root crown shall include the root collar or root neck from which a plant stem arises. The root crown shall also comprise any portion of a seed or seedling which has not affixed itself to a soil grade, but is the root in development or is biological tissue associated with root development.

[0138] Monocotyledons (one-seed leaves) and dicotlydons (two-seed leaves) differ in early seedling development. In monocotyledons, a primary root is protected by a coating, a coleorhiza, which ejects itself to yield to allow seedling leaves to appear, which are in turn protected by another coating, a coleoptile. Wth dicotyledons a primary root radicle grows, anchoring the seedling to the ground, and further growth of leaves occurs.

[0139] Amaranthus Tuberculatus or waterhemp, has gone herbicide resistant and creating a economic and productivity problems for farmers in the United States. Waterhemp seedlings are known to grow as much as 1- to 1-inches per day, while another weed that is a threat to agriculture, Palmer amaranth, has been known to grow 1- to 2-inches per day. Farmers need to spend capital to control weeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. As a result, in North America, tall waterhemp is considered a major weed of agricultural fields and other disturbed habitats. Because of a long germination window, single herbicide applications are not considered effective. Tall waterhemp have been reported resistant to acetolactate synthase inhibiting (ALS) herbicides and the triazines, and resistance to acifluorfen and other diphenyl ether herbicides has been reported.

[0140] In combines, weed seeds are separated from a cash crop, generating huge amounts of biomass tailings which contain weed seeds. One can expose seeds according to the invention before ejection from the sieve or separator section of the combine onto the field. Such a procedure or apparatus makes seeds unviable. Exposures effective on seeds and seedlings are generally accomplished in 7 seconds or less using the exposures given herein.

[0141] Initial experimentation conducted on waterhemp seeds have confirmed efficacity, such as when waterhemp seeds were exposed to 10 seconds of the protocol of the instant invention using a proximity pass-through configuration illuminator. Seeds were frozen for at least one week, then roughened using 1200 grit sandpaper, then installed in petri dishes with covers. Moist paper towels were used as a substrate medium. Indigo Region Illumination Distribution radiation and Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation were administered to half the seeds to form a test sample and control group. Germination was then attempted, with heat lamps 8 hours a day at 75 to 80 F, with the remainder of the time at 60 to 65 F. After this one application, sprouting occurrences of the seeds in the test group were reduced by .

[0142] Now referring to FIG. 20 shown is a logarithmic cartesian plot representation of Illumination Wavelength versus Total Illumination Irradiance indicated by closed figure for a typical illustrative approximate regime of operation for the instant invention applied to plants in a vegetative stage or later, using an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared illumination distributionwith contrast shown to the dangerous prior art high radiative transfer depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, shown on this plot in closed figure. As shown, the instant invention is in a different regime. Average irradiances for Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID radiation and Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR radiation are on the order of single digit or fractional W/cm.sup.2, while the high radiative transfer of the prior art is higher by 1-5 orders of magnitude (factors of ten), such as radiative transfer of 50 W/cm.sup.2.

[0143] Now referring to FIG. 21, a listing of operative attributes is shown for a class of prior art large radiative and large UV radiative transfers as depicted in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. Specifically, the use of energy distributions such as those high in UV-B and UV-C radiationhave effects on plant life, such as scalding, burning, an ultraviolet burn similar to extreme sun burn in humans called UV burn, leaf and plant component failure, and dehydration. Ironically, it is evident that the more destructive the radiative transfer, the more plants appear to be equipped to regrow, likely so because of evolution dealing with fire, flood, windstorms, trampling by animals, disease, pestilence, drought, landslides, etc.

[0144] Now referring to FIG. 22, a logarithmic cartesian plot representation similar to that of FIG. 20 is shown, depicting Illumination Wavelength versus Total Illumination Irradiance indicated by closed figure for a typical illustrative approximate regime of operation for the instant invention applied to seeds and seedlings, using an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared illumination distribution, with contrast again shown to the prior art high radiative transfer depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, shown on this plot in closed figure. Again, as shown, the instant invention applied to seeds and seedlings is in a different regime. Average irradiances for Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID radiation and Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR radiation for seeds and seedlings are again on the order of single digit or fractional W/cm.sup.2, while the high radiative transfer of the prior art is higher by orders of magnitude. Use of the invention does not lead to ignition of biomass or burning of plant components.

[0145] Now referring to FIG. 23, a cross-sectional schematic view is shown of another type of illustrative preferred proximity pass-through configuration illuminator according to the invention, with a shrouded Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID emitter 88 preferably comprising a LED array, which is sized, positioned, and oriented to allow light output therefrom to reflect off a surface before emerging from the illuminator. That surface has been chosen illustratively to be Spectralon, a durable fluoropolymer available from Labsphere of North Sutton N.H., USA. Housing 6 comprises a Spectralon Hot SP inner cup as shown, and LED array IRID emitter 88 direct light output upward in the figure into this cup or surface. Rays (dotted) as shown for Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID reflect from this Spectralon surface Hot SP and emerge directly through MWIR emitter E as before, with the MWIR emitter E employing heated glass (borosilicate glass preferred) assisted by action of Kapton heater H (not shown) and heat ring Hr. In this embodiment reduced heating of the MWIR emitter E can be needed because the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID pass-through can assist with heating of the glass, and tinting or other treatment of MWIR emitter E can enhance this effect.

[0146] Spectralon material has a hardness roughly equal to that of high-density polyethylene and is thermally stable to 350 C or 662 F. It exhibits absorption at 2800 nm, then absorbs strongly (less than 20% reflectance) from 5400 to 8000 nm, thus giving it a corresponding high emissivity in the range of 5400 nm to 8000 nm (5.4-8.0 microns), putting its emissivity in range for MWIR emitter E according to the invention. Borosilicate glass or other MWIR emitter E is optional as can be seen in the discussion for FIG. 24 where a fluoropolymer like Spectralon will act as an MWIR emitter.

[0147] Now referring to FIG. 24, a cross-sectional schematic view similar to that shown in FIG. 23 is shown, as another alternate illustrative embodiment using a proximity reflect-through configuration illuminator according to the invention, with a shrouded Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) emitter and illustratively shown with a non-glass MWIR emitter E. This is a PROXIMITY REFLECT-THROUGH CONFIGURATION as shown, so named because in essence the blue splash component or Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID is reflected off a Spectralon MWIR emitter E before emerging directly to be directed upon a plant, as opposed to prior Figures where the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID first passes through the MWIR emitter E.

[0148] LED array IRID emitter 88 is shown putting light output upward in the Figure, but it can be also, if desired, turned face down so light output is directly downward in the Figure. Kapton heater H is in thermal communication with at least a portion of Spectralon surface Hot SP which becomes an MWIR emitter E. No heated glass (e.g., borosilicate glass) is needed, although a transparent cover can still be affixed for physical protection from soil, dirt, etc. Kapton heater H can have portions spaced to allow a cooler environment in the vicinity of LED array IRID emitter 88.

[0149] Although the Figure indicates NO HEATED GLASS for this illustrative example of an alternate embodiment, the hot Spectralon Hot SP, can be replaced with borosilicate glass or other materials in service of the invention to produce Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR). This open design allows for air flow, as the cup formed by housing 6 can be open to air, not necessarily blocked off by borosilicate glass, other glass or other cover.

[0150] FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) emitter that comprises an emissive powder coat for enhanced emission. A powder coat MWIR emitter, e.g., ground or powdered borosilicate glass, can be put onto a surface which is heated for operation according to the invention. Specifically, as shown, powder coat MWIR emitter E+ is affixed or coated upon a heated substrate E, which derives heat from heat ring Hr and associated Kapton heater H, not shown. Rays from any Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID passing though powder coat MWIR emitter E+ are not shown for clarity. This embodiment can reduce costs and weight, and can allow for optimization of output. One can use known powdered, sintered, or particulate materials, comprising borosilicate glass or other glasses or MWIR emissive materials, to provide a source for Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR. If desired, underlying heated substrate E can itself be a MWIR emitter E as well.

[0151] FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional schematic view similar to that of FIG. 25, showing the emissive powder coat MWIR emitter E+ being externally optically energized or heated with a lamp or source HL. This allows the powder coat to be illuminated independently to provide heating. This excitation can include optical radiation (in a variety of possible wavelengths) such as from lamps; glowing filaments or other bodies, microwave radiation, laser light, and flood and spot lamps, such as high intensity halogen enhance filament lamps, or LED lamps, using known reflector or other optics. Arrays can be used that are proximate the powder coat MWIR emitter E+ along a length, or a spot beam, such as that illustratively shown, can be used. In this illustrative example, a simple substrate D which is not an Medium Wavelength Infrared emitter, can be used.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 27, schematic arrangement is shown using separate MWIR and IRID sources used to irradiate a plant or seedling. Illustratively shown powder coat MWIR emitter E+ and LED array IRID emitter 88 are separately housed and light output is not undergoing superposition as in the previous Figures. Guide optics can be provided using known reflectors, transmitters, light guides, refractors, etc. to direct Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR and Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID as taught and claimed. The guide optics can include moveable parts such as reflector flaps that respond yieldingly to being passed to over a plant, for ease of motion and application across a field.

[0153] Possible Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR sources can include known CO.sup.2 (carbon dioxide) lasers, and infrared LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). CO.sup.2 lasers can produce a beam of infrared light with the principal wavelength bands centering on 9.4 and 10.6 micrometers (m).

[0154] Now referring to FIG. 28, a schematic series of apparatus and process components is shown for using the teachings of the instant invention with machine recognition and automated processes. Machine vision and recognition of undesirable plants is possible using known techniques and can be used with the instant invention to provide automated detection and eradication of nuisance vegetation.

[0155] Field leaf reflectance may vary with environmental parameters like soil type, light conditions, irregular terrain, and maintenance inputs (fertilizer, watering, etc.); as well as, plant variables such as irregular/dense sowing patterns, different plant species, growth stages, leaf moisture, and similar color of crop and weeds.

[0156] Machine vision to distinguish weeds in lawns, for example, can operate despite lawn condition variables such as soil characteristics and maintenance variables such as fertilizer and cut frequencies. Spectral reflectance variables can be detected using known methods to distinguish growth habits and differences in plant canopies, such as differences in an erectophile canopy versus a planophile canopy.

[0157] FIG. 28 shows known ultraviolet (UV) or visible (VIS) lights which illuminate a Field as shown. An image is received with a known Imager as shown, such as an imager system using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera. The optical system can be controlled by a known electronic system that will flash UV/Visible lights (Image Capture Light) for a specific time in rapid succession. A known Light flash controller (shown) also triggers the CCD camera to capture an image shown (Image Capture) that uses Image pattern recognition, employing known techniques, to send signals to a Controller that selectively operates a Weed Disruptor that uses the teachings and methods given here.

[0158] Using known techniques, selected spectral regions for gathering information can processed. The wavelengths can be chosen based on weed reflection characteristics that distinguish them from grass or any desired crop. The images can be processed to register them with one another and determine the optical responses at each pixel. Automatic recognition of weeds will also include displaying edge effects for plant morphology determination and pinpointing root position. A known algorithm can include segmenting the scene for rapid identification and classification. Known electronics for post-processing images can be simple designs using graphics processing units (GPUs), field-programmable gated arrays and smart phones. Once a weed has been identified, the position of the target plant is passed to the controller that positions a device to act according to the instant teachings.

[0159] Such a machine recognition system can be a module positioned in front of the weed treatment mobile unit as depicted in the schematic shown in FIG. 29. Wheels on the mobile unit can record track positions and store information in a memory, whose construction, fabrication and interfacing is known in the art. During each flash of UV/visible light, the reflected light is collected by a CCD camera with high dynamic range. Images can be processed onboard the mobile unit and the controller can be used to place appropriate components as disclosed here over a target weed for processing.

[0160] The imager as shown in FIG. 29 can be mounted in front of a carriage that houses electronics. This carriage can be part of the mobile unit. The position of the carriage can be encoded by a known digital sensing system synchronized with the rotation of the wheels. This information is used in by a control algorithm constructed by those with ordinary skill in the art, with image ID results to automatically place desired operative components over the weed root position or turn on the appropriate near-IR and UV-A light heads of known design, if multiple IR/UV heads are to be used.

[0161] A weed region segmentation algorithm can be based on a known adaptive progressive thresholding (APT) approach which automatically estimates the threshold value to accurately differentiate the weed region from the desired crop or grass. This technique employs a recursive procedure to obtain a coarse region of interest (ROI), which is then subjected to an adaptive filter operation so that a smaller enhanced region can be identified. This enhanced region is subjected to the APT procedure again and then the process of performing the filtering operation is repeated as before. Repetition of this process in an iterative manner facilitates the rapid identification of the weed region accurately. The iterative procedure can be stopped by employing a pre-computed cumulative limiting factor (CLF), which depends on the complexity of the images due to the unpredictable reflection characteristics of the environment, leading to the extraction of accurate weed regions in the images. Known techniques can use this to advantage in segmentation and classification of broadleaf and grass weeds. Known feature extraction can be achieved using Gabor wavelets. Gabor wavelet features indicate the frequency content in localized frequency regions in the spatial domain. A Gabor wavelet transform can be obtained by convolving the signal with a filter bank in a known manner, whose impulse response in the time domain can be Gaussian-modulated by sine and cosine waves. Different choices of frequency and orientation provide a set of filters. A feed forward neural network with error back-propagation learning algorithm can be employed for weed classification based on the extracted Gabor wavelet features. These algorithms can be developed for rapid post processing of the imagery captured by the CCD cameras.

[0162] FIG. 30 shows a listing of possible adaptive stress vectors upon a plant including those which can arise while practicing the instant invention. Although no theory is given here and the following is not to be limiting, these are possible stress factors which may contribute to the unexpected degree of success using the invention. Plants subjected to the protocol as taught and claimed herein may be stressed by four simultaneous factors, including stresses delivered by the methods of the invention that constitute in some senses, a Forest Fire (above ground); High Intensity unprecedented MWIR signaling at root crown/below soil grade, High Intensity unprecedented IRID signaling at root crown/foliage, and a General high velocity shift in illumination exposure levels as a result of practicing the invention. This unnatural and simultaneous set of possible stresses may cause a plant to perish because it has not evolved to meet those stresses simultaneously.

[0163] While the illumination as taught herein and expressed in the appended claims can be used to eliminated, eradicate, or damage a plant, it can also be used for other purposes. There can arise situations where one wants to induce stress in a plant, to act as a signal for a sought after change in the plant, to enhance a kind of immunity or protection from common similar stresses, or to select strong plants for survival. To this end, one can, using the instant invention, use the protocols taught and claimed, and based on findings, further select a plant for one of retention, treatment, eradication or neglect. The instant invention can be practiced using partial exposure times or shortened flashes to accomplish these objectives.

[0164] Regarding exposures as taught and claimed herein, there are many possible factors which would require a practitioner of the method of the invention to change exposures, such as the varied effectiveness of the invention on many varied different plant species; plant environmental history, plant health, prior sun exposure, history of rain or water uptake, degree of past built-up plant protection, such as waxy layers on leaves and other physiological changes; rhizospheric and bulk soil MWIR transmissivity; miscellaneous species factors; plant condition; soil factors; special rhizospheric factors such as symbiotic effect of macrobiotica; plant life cycle/stage factors such as whether the plants to be eliminated are in early growth stage, maturity, giving off seeds, etcetera; the presence of ground debris which might block MWIR radiation from root crowns and nearby soil grade; and geographic location and climate, including average historical ambient UV levels. Over-driven states are possible where excess exposures are used for good measure to insure results.

[0165] The combination of the targeted IRID exposure to foliage and/or root crowns and the MWIR exposure to root crowns and/or the soil immediately adjacent root crowns provides unexpected results that are a departure from what was known previously.

[0166] Testing was successfully completed for trials of various durations, including 5, 10, 15, and 20 seconds. The method is effective, with actual lethality, with no regrowth later.

[0167] When a plant dies, it can be a complex process. Oxygen uptakes levels typically start to plummet, certain hormone levels go up, and the death process overall in the field of botany is not particularly well known. However, plants undergoing testing died as given by the protocol, with the statistical outliers that can be expected from any natural interaction. In a group of 100 plants, occasionally one plant would take as much as 2 weeks to die. During testing, immediate dieback was an observable, but death cannot and was not often ascertained immediately.

[0168] The dual component exposures according to the invention may be simultaneous, or partially simultaneous, and individually may be paused, stepwise or otherwise modulated. For example, a series of exposures or flashes can be used to achieve the method taught here. All total respective exposure times can total under 20 seconds, preferably; or more preferably, under 5 seconds, or more preferably, under one second.

[0169] Illustrative emphasis in this disclosure is on herbaceous, non-woody stalk plants, and the instant invention seeks to eradicate plants of a certain size, as well as seeds and seedlings. However, the methods and teachings here can be applied to eradication and control of certain tap-root or woody stalk plants. The methods taught and claimed here are not dependent on the existence of a particular species or organism.

[0170] Not shown herein are known solid or telescopic pipes or other elements which retain or position an illuminator using the instant invention which those of ordinary skill will be able to devise. The invention can be set in motion using known means to accomplish the same objectives over a wide area. Autonomous, non-autonomous, powered, or non-powered vehicles can be used to scan, survey or treat a field, using illumination as taught and claimed, or using communication to other, external light sources.

[0171] Imaging optics can be added to practice the protocol of the invention, including parabolic curved sections, or sections that resemble a compound parabolic curve; non-imaging optics can also be used. If desired, one can redirect all electromagnetic emissions as taught and claimed in the instant disclosure using mirrors, lenses, foil arrays, or light guides and pipes without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, those of ordinary skill can add light wavelengths to the exposure protocols without departing from the invention or the appended claims. Addition of white or red light was found to have no perceptible increase in effectiveness, but other objectives can be served if desired, namely, one can add power, i.e., over-expose without departing from the scope of the invention or claims.

[0172] Measurement units were chosen illustratively and in the appended claims include irradiance in W/cm.sup.2 but radiance or other measures can be used and would by fair conversion read upon the appended claims if equivalent.

[0173] For clarity, the invention has been described in structural and functional terms. Those reading the appended claims will appreciate that those skilled in the art can formulate, based on the teachings herein, embodiments not specifically presented here.

[0174] Production, whether intentional or not, of irradiance levels that are under the magnitude of powers as given in the appended claims shall not be considered a departure from the claims if a power level as claimed is used at any time during treatment.

[0175] The illumination protocol disclosed and claimed here can be supplemented with visible light, which can enhance user safety by increasing avoidance and can allow for pupil contraction of the eye of an operator; other radiations can be added with without departing from the appended claims.

[0176] There is obviously much freedom to exercise the elements or steps of the invention.

[0177] The description is given here to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Many configurations are possible using the instant teachings, and the configurations and arrangements given here are only illustrative.

[0178] Those with ordinary skill in the art will, based on these teachings, be able to modify the invention as shown.

[0179] The invention as disclosed using the above examples may be practiced using only some of the optional features mentioned above. Also, nothing as taught and claimed here shall preclude addition of other structures, functional elements, or systems.

[0180] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teaching. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described or suggested here.