Pollination process

Abstract

Pollination method in agriculture: Plant pollination method (A), particularly for fruit trees, located under adjustable photovoltaic panels (C). The shadow cast on the plants is modified by changing the orientation of the panels. In this method, the orientation of the panels is automatically adjusted according to the flowering stage to increase sunlight and / or wind exposure, relative to a reference panel control setting applied when flowering is immature or has not yet begun. This encourages pollinator activity and / or promotes wind pollination. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Pollination process technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to pollination methods. Previous technique

[0002] Pollination is an essential mechanism for fruit production in the vast majority of flowering plants worldwide. This process involves transferring pollen from the male reproductive organ to the female organ of the flower. Pollen vectors, such as wind and certain insects, are therefore necessary to carry out this operation.

[0003] Application CN113424741 relates to a method for cultivating kiwifruit under a photovoltaic power plant comprising fixed photovoltaic panels. These panels protect the plants from the sun in summer and prevent rainwater from penetrating the trunks, which can effectively block the spread of canker. During pollination, the south side of the same plant is naturally pollinated, while artificial pollination must be carried out on the north side.

[0004] Application CN116784130 discloses a greenhouse incorporating, among other things, the production of photovoltaic energy. The greenhouse includes a mobile rail pollination system. Description of the invention

[0005] There is a need to further improve the methods of pollinating plants, particularly fruit trees, located under photovoltaic sensors, in order to optimize the pollination process while producing electrical energy.

[0006] The invention aims to meet this objective and has as its object, according to one of its aspects, a method of pollinating plants, in particular fruit trees, located under orientable photovoltaic sensors, the shadow projected on the plants being modified by the change in orientation of the sensors, a method in which the orientation of the sensors is automatically adjusted according to the state of flowering in order to increase the sunlight and / or exposure to the wind, relative to a reference control of the sensors applied when flowering is not mature or has not started, in order to encourage the activity of pollinators and / or promote the action of the wind on pollination.

[0007] "Mature flowering" means the presence of more than 20% of pollinable flowers among a population of flowers of the plant located in an area observable by a camera or a human operator, a pollinable flower being in a state of total or partial bloom depending on the nature of the flower.

[0008] The term "flowering not started" means the absence of, or less than 20% of, pollinable flowers among a population of flowers of the plant located in an area observable by a camera or a human operator.

[0009] The invention thus makes it possible to take advantage of the orientable nature of photovoltaic sensors to encourage the activity of pollinators and / or promote the action of wind on pollination when flowering is mature.

[0010] Preferably, the orientation of the photovoltaic sensors is controlled from at least representative data of the phenological stages of plants, in particular the state of flowering, indicators of the state of flowering including in particular the density of flowers and / or their size and / or their colors and / or the size of the organs constituting them and / or the number of flowers opened in relation to the total number of flowers.

[0011] The phenological stage of a plant refers to the specific phase of its growth and development cycle. It describes where the plant is in its biological cycle depending on weather conditions, the season, and other environmental factors.

[0012] The phenological stages of a plant include several key stages such as dormancy, germination, vegetative development and flowering.

[0013] Preferentially, the orientation of the sensors is oriented while seeking to achieve an optimum maximizing the production of electrical energy relative to a reference without combination with plants.

[0014] The control of the sensors is advantageously carried out according to the outside temperature and / or the day of the week, in particular in order to reduce the shadow generated by the sensors at times when the demand for electrical energy is lower.

[0015] In one embodiment, the photovoltaic sensors are oriented so as to generate as little shade as possible on the plants to be pollinated during the mature flowering period, the average of the light energy received by the plants and integrated over a day being particularly maximum during the mature flowering periods.

[0016] At least one camera can be used to acquire images of plants and monitor their flowering stage. The method notably includes the automatic processing of camera images to detect the flowering stage and to generate information on the basis of which the sensors are controlled.

[0017] The images taken by the camera are preferentially compared to reference images indicating the flowering stage.

[0018] The images captured by the camera can be segmented to identify the flowers. Colorimetric processing of the images can be performed to analyze the colors of the flowers. The size and / or color of the flower organs can be used as an indicator to determine the stage of flowering.

[0019] Preferably, if the images taken by the camera show at least the presence of more than 20% of flowers ready to be pollinated, then flowering is considered mature and a sensor control mode promoting pollination is activated.

[0020] Preferably, the flowering state is periodically reassessed during the flowering period, in particular every day.

[0021] In one embodiment, a mobile terminal application is made available to at least one user to allow the entry of at least one piece of information relating to the state of flowering, this information being transmitted to a sensor control system.

[0022] Preferably, the application is configured to automatically geolocate the mobile terminal, and the terminal transmits at least one piece of information relating to the state of flowering and / or the activity of pollinators near the terminal, as well as information on the location of the terminal.

[0023] At least one photograph of the plants can be taken with the mobile terminal, and this photograph can be automatically analyzed to deduce at least one piece of information concerning the state of flowering and / or pollinator activity, the photograph preferably being geolocated.

[0024] In one embodiment, the presence of wind in the environment of the plants, in particular its speed and direction, is detected by a wind sensor, in particular an anemometer.

[0025] During the mature flowering period and in the event of wind exceeding a predefined speed, the photovoltaic sensors are preferably oriented parallel to the slope of the land.

[0026] The plants can be chosen from fruit trees, in particular pome and stone fruit trees, especially apple, pear, plum, apricot, fig, kiwi, cherry and peach trees.

[0027] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a method of growing plants under orientable photovoltaic sensors, in which these plants are grown while acting on the activity of plant pollinators by implementing the pollination method according to the invention. Brief description of the drawing

[0028] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, on which:

[0029] [Fig.1] Fig.1 schematically represents a control system for the orientation of a photovoltaic sensor according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of an energy production system an electrical system incorporating photovoltaic sensors to enable the implementation of the pollination process according to the invention; and

[0031] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is analogous to the [Fig.2] with consideration of the wind as an actor in pollination. Detailed description

[0032] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an electrical energy production system 1, comprising a support structure P and adjustable photovoltaic sensors C held at a non-zero distance from the ground by the support structure P, and at a height h of fruit trees A, for example apple trees, with flowers F, located under the sensors C. The solar shadow projected on the plants is modified by the change in orientation of the sensors C.

[0033] Figure 1 represents one of these photovoltaic sensors C which is movable about an axis of rotation R. The photovoltaic sensor C is driven about the axis R by means of at least one actuator 30. For example, an individual actuator 30 is provided for each photovoltaic sensor C. Alternatively, the same actuator 30 can rotate a plurality of photovoltaic sensors C.

[0034] The actuators 30 each comprise, for example, one or more electric motors, and are made up, for example, of servomotors.

[0035] The position to be given to the photovoltaic sensor C can be determined by a local computer 40 which is connected via any suitable power interface to the actuator 30.

[0036] The computer 40 preferably receives meteorological information, in particular from one or more local sensors, for example a temperature sensor 41 and a humidity sensor 42. Other sensors may be added to monitor meteorological conditions, such as a rain gauge, anemometer, and / or a camera D to acquire images and visualize the plant's development and flowering status, as well as one or more biosensors, if applicable. Said camera D may be mounted either on the structure P or on another separate structure, or on a drone.

[0037] The computer 40 can also exchange data, for example via a wireless telephone network, with a remote server 50, which can, for example, inform the computer 40 of the upcoming weather. Local temperature and wind data can thus come from a remote weather server.

[0038] The calculator 40 can be implemented using any microcomputer or computer equipment that allows the orientation of the photovoltaic sensors C to be controlled according to one or more control laws that give the orientation to be imposed on the photovoltaic sensors according to data representative of the stages Phenological parameters of plants, particularly the flowering stage, and indicators of flowering stage, including in particular flower density (F) and / or size and / or color and / or size of constituent organs and / or the number of open flowers relative to the total number of flowers. The orientation of the photovoltaic sensors (C) can also be controlled according to the plant variety, weather conditions, pollinator activity, and / or the flowering stage. The computer (40) can be configured to process images from the camera (D) to determine the flowering stage.

[0039] Alternatively, a human operator observes the state of flowering, for example at the level of a control branch, and in the case where the level of flowering corresponds to the existence of the desired population of pollinable flowers, signals the maturity of flowering using a mobile application connected to the computer 40.

[0040] The calculator 40 may include a calculation unit and a local memory in which local data relating to plants and / or their environment can be recorded.

[0041] The computer's memory may also include control parameters that govern the orientation of the photovoltaic sensors C according to pollination objectives. These parameters may change over time and, depending for example on the season, may favor or not the pollination of plants.

[0042] The control law(s) can be initially programmed in the computer 40, or alternatively be downloaded by the computer 40 from the remote server 50, or even be periodically updated by the remote server 50.

[0043] In one embodiment, the calculator 40 operates autonomously. Depending on the season, the sowing date, the number of flowers present and / or the state of flowering, and possibly other parameters entered by the farmer, it automatically controls, on a daily basis or with another periodicity, the orientation of the photovoltaic sensors C in order to achieve the pollination objective over a given period.

[0044] The computer 40 is configured to process the images acquired by the camera D and identify the flowering stage by comparing these images to reference images. The acquired images can be segmented to identify the flowers. Colorimetric processing of the images can be performed to analyze the colors of the flowers. The size and / or color of the flower organs can be used as an indicator to determine the flowering stage.

[0045] Depending on the state of flowering, the sensors C are oriented either to project the maximum amount of shade onto the trees A, or to minimize the shade cast by letting light through and thus promote the activity of pollinators, in this case insects.

[0046] For example, if the images taken by camera D show the presence of the required population of flowers ready to be pollinated, then flowering is considered mature and a sensor control mode promoting pollination is activated.

[0047] When this control mode is activated, the photovoltaic sensors C are, for example, oriented for several days to maximize the passage of light and the activity of pollinators such as insects, particularly bees. Then, once flowering is over, the photovoltaic sensors C are, for example, controlled by activating the actuators 30 to assume an orientation that allows the minimum amount of light to pass through, thus maximizing electricity production.

[0048] Figure 2 shows that, when flowering is mature, the sensors C are oriented along the direction of the sun's rays, thus casting the minimum amount of shade on tree A3. Conversely, when flowering is still immature or has not started, the sensors C are oriented so as to cast the maximum amount of shade on trees A1, A2 and A4.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a mature flowering tree A5. The installation receives wind speed information from a weather server and / or includes an anemometer 55 which provides this information.

[0050] When the wind speed is suitable for pollination, sensor C is oriented horizontally so as to allow the maximum amount of wind to pass under the panels to promote flower pollination.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for pollinating plants (A), in particular fruit trees, located under steerable photovoltaic sensors (C), the shadow cast on the plants being modified by changing the orientation of the sensors, a method in which the orientation of the sensors is automatically adjusted according to the state of flowering so as to increase sunlight and / or exposure to wind, relative to a sensor control reference applied when flowering is immature or not started, to encourage pollinator activity and / or promote the action of wind on pollination.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, the orientation of the photovoltaic sensors (C) being controlled from at least representative data of the phenological stages of plants (A), in particular the state of flowering, the indicators of the state of flowering including in particular the density of the flowers (F) and / or their size and / or their colors and / or the size of the organs constituting them and / or the number of flowers opened in relation to the total number of flowers.

3. A method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the orientation of the sensors (C) is acted upon while seeking to achieve an optimum maximizing the production of electrical energy relative to a reference without combination with plants (A).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control of the sensors (C) is carried out according to the outside temperature and / or the day of the week, in particular with a view to reducing the shadow generated by the sensors at times when the demand for electrical energy is lower.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, the photovoltaic sensors (C) being oriented so as to generate the least possible shade on the plants (A) to be pollinated during the mature flowering period, the average of the light energy received by the plants and integrated over a day being in particular maximum during the mature flowering periods.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one camera (D) is used to acquire images of plants (A) and monitor the flowering stage, the method comprising in particular the automatic processing of the images from the camera (D) to detect the flowering stage and to generate information on the basis of which the sensors (C) are controlled.

7. Method according to the preceding claim, the images taken by the camera (D) being compared to reference images indicating the flowering stage.

8. A method according to one of the two preceding claims, segmenting the images taken by the camera (D) to identify the flowers (F).

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein colorimetric processing of the images taken by the camera (D) is carried out to analyze the colors of the flowers (F).

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein if the images taken by the camera (D) show the presence of more than 20% of flowers (F) ready to be pollinated, then the flowering is considered mature and a sensor control mode promoting pollination is activated.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flowering state is periodically reassessed during the flowering period, in particular every day.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mobile terminal application is made available to at least one user to allow the entry of at least one piece of information relating to the flowering state, this information being transmitted to a sensor control system (C).

13. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the application is configured to automatically geolocate the mobile terminal, and wherein the terminal transmits at least one piece of information relating to the state of flowering and / or the activity of pollinators near the terminal, as well as information on the location of the terminal.

14. A method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein at least one photograph of the plants (A) is taken with the mobile terminal, and wherein this photograph is automatically analyzed to deduce at least one piece of information concerning the state of flowering and / or pollinator activity, the photograph preferably being geolocated.

15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the presence of wind in the environment of the plants (A), in particular its speed and direction, is detected by a wind sensor (55), in particular an anemometer.

16. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein in the period of mature flowering and in the event of wind exceeding a predefined speed, the photovoltaic sensors (C) are oriented parallel to the slope of the ground.

17. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plants (A) are selected from fruit trees, in particular pome and stone fruit trees, especially apple, pear, plum, apricot, fig, kiwi, cherry and peach trees.

18. A method for growing plants under adjustable photovoltaic sensors, wherein these plants are grown while acting on the activity of plant pollinators by implementing the pollination method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.