A System and Method for Applied Cultivation

Abstract

A nonindustrial cultivation system 1 comprising a grow tray 2 for holding a plant being cultivated, and for containing liquid 3 provided for cultivation of the plant. The system also comprises one or more system components 4 for supporting cultivation of the plant and one or more output sensors 5 for measuring one or more growth parameters of the plant. The system also comprises a user device for monitoring one or more system parameters, and the one or more growth parameters. An associated method for cultivating a plant is also disclosed. The output sensors my include a mass scale for plant mass measurement or a camera 23 for measuring plant growth parameters such as surface area, features such as colour, size, position or numbers of leaves or fruit. Other output sensors include sensors for nutrient, waste concentration, liquid level or pH. The system components may include a liquid valve 8, nutrient dispenser 10, light source 12 or pump 6a. Intended for use in domestic, education, experimentation and wellness applications.

Description

[0002] The invention relates to systems and methods for cultivation. In particular, the invention relates to nonindustrial systems and methods for applied cultivation. The invention is herein described by reference to systems and methods for cultivation utilizing domestic indoor hydroponic cultivation apparatuses in applications such as education, experimentation, wellness, and therapy, but the invention is not limited to these particular applications. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Apparatuses for cultivating or growing plants such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers in nonindustrial settings, such as at home, are increasingly popular as consumers seek healthy diets and lifestyles. In particular, consumers seek food grown without undesirable chemicals, such as organic food, and food cultivated in an environment known and controlled by the consumer.

[0004] Apparatuses for growing plants in nonindustrial settings, such as at home, come in a number of forms. These include simple planters in the form of pots and planter boxes. There are also home hydroponic cultivators, including those using peat moss, sphagnum, sponge, or other growing media into which plant seeds are planted. These apparatuses also include home growing systems that include hydroponic cultivators with electronically controlled lighting, sensors, monitoring, water reticulation and circulation.

[0005] Users of such apparatuses for growing plants typically plant seeds or plants and then wait for the plants to grow, flower, or bear fruit. Growing progress is simply assessed visually. There are no reliable measures of growing success, especially those that are objective, repeatable, or trackable. For those users who desire to compare different growing cycles, the ability to do this is limited given the lack of reliable measures of growing outcomes, such as plant size, fruit or flower size and yield.

[0006] Furthermore, the numerous variables and inputs in respect of the growing process are not easily discernible or measurable. For example, for any meaningful comparisons of different growing cycles, it is important to take into account these variables and inputs, such as the liquid levels, nutrient levels, and lighting.

[0007] Therefore, these prior apparatuses are not well suited for use in education. For example, it would not be easy for students using such apparatuses to conduct experiments on plant growth with credible results. These prior apparatuses are also not well suited for hobbyists or enthusiasts who desire more reliable measures of growing outcomes. These prior apparatuses are also used in therapy, such as that forthe elderly orthose homebound. An important factor for successful therapy is encouraging a high level of engagement and providing positive stimuli such as feelings of achievement. These prior growing apparatuses are also limited in these therapy settings given the lack of reliable measures of growing success.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention in a first aspect provide a nonindustrial cultivation system comprising: a grow tray for holding a plant being cultivated, and for containing liquid provided for cultivation of the plant; one or more system components for supporting cultivation of the plant; one or more output sensors for measuring one or more growth parameters of the plant; and a user device for monitoring one or more system parameters, and the one or more growth parameters.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention in a second aspect provide a method for cultivating a plant with a nonindustrial cultivation system, the nonindustrial cultivation system comprising: a grow tray for holding a plant being cultivated, and for containing liquid provided for cultivation of the plant; one or more system components for supporting cultivation of the plant; and one or more output sensors for measuring one or more growth parameters of the plant; the method comprising monitoring with a user device one or more system parameters, and the one or more growth parameters.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention in a third aspect provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method described above for embodiments of the present invention in a second aspect.

[0012] Other features and embodiments of the present invention can be found in the appended claims.

[0013] Throughout this specification, including the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and other like terms are to be construed in an inclusive sense, that is, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”, and not in an exclusive or exhaustive sense, unless explicitly stated otherwise or the context clearly requires otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] Preferred embodiments in accordance with the best mode of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the figures unless otherwise specified, and in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, which includes a liquid reservoir; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention applied in relation to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education; Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in relation to conducting cultivation experiments; Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention applied in relation to promoting wellness; and Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention applied in relation to promoting wellness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] With reference to the figures, there is provided a nonindustrial cultivation system 1 comprising a grow tray 2 for holding a plant being cultivated, and for containing liquid 3 provided for cultivation of the plant. The system 1 also comprises one or more system components 4 for supporting cultivation of the plant. The system 1 further comprises one or more output sensors 5 for measuring one or more growth parameters of the plant. The system 1 also comprises a user device 6 for monitoring one or more system parameters, and the one or more growth parameters.

[0016] One of the output sensors 5 can be a mass scale for measuring a growth parameter in the form of a mass of the plant. One of the output sensors 5 can be a camera for measuring a growth parameter in the form of one or more of the following: a surface area of the plant; a dimension of the plant; a colour of the plant. The camera can also measure a growth parameter in the form of one or more of the following: a surface area of a feature of the plant; a number of features of the plant; an average surface area of a number of features of the plant; a dimension of a feature of the plant; a colourof a feature of the plant; a position of a feature of the plant. The feature can be one or more of the following: a leaf; a fruit; a flower. One of the output sensors can be a chemical sensor for measuring a growth parameter in the form of one or more of the following: a concentration of a nutrient in the liquid 3; a concentration of a waste in the liquid 3; a pH of the liquid 3.

[0017] One of the system components 4 is a pump 6a to provide a flow of the liquid 3 in the grow tray 2. In one embodiment, as best shown in Fig. 2, the system 1 comprises a reservoir 7 for the liquid 3, and one of the system components 4 is a valve 8 or a pump 6b to stop or allow flow of the liquid 3 between the reservoir 7 and the grow tray 2. One of the system parameters is an operating position of the valve 8, such as open or closed. Another system parameter is an operating status of the pump 6a or 6b, such as on or off.

[0018] The system 1 comprises a system sensor 9 in the form of a liquid level sensor 9a for measuring a system parameter in the form of a level of the liquid 3 in the grow tray 2. The system 1 can comprise another liquid level sensor 9a for measuring another system parameter in the form of a level of the liquid 3 in the reservoir 7. One of the system components 4 is a nutrient dispenser 10 for dispensing a nutrient into the liquid 3. One of the system parameters is an amount of nutrient dispensed by the nutrient dispenser 10. The nutrient dispenser 10 itself can communicate with the user device 6 to allow the user device to receive and monitor the amount of nutrient dispensed, or there can be another sensor that detects the amount of nutrient dispensed and communicates this to the user device 6.

[0019] One of the system components 4 is a light controller 11 for controlling a light source 12 for illuminating the plant. In this case, one of the system parameters is a light parameter of a light emitted by the light source 12. The system 1 can also comprise a system sensor 9 in the form of a light sensor 13 for measuring a system parameter in the form of a light parameter of a light illuminating the plant. This system parameter is in respect of a light illuminating the plant, which is not necessarily the same as a light emitted by the light source 12, since the light illuminating the plant can include ambient light as well as the light emitted by the light source 12. The light parameter can be one of the following: luminous flux (which has units of lumens); luminous intensity (which has units of candelas); illuminance (which has units of lux); luminance (which has units of candelas / m2); photosynthetic photon flux (which has units of pmols1): photosynthetic photon flux density (which has units of pmolm-2s-1); yield photon flux (which has units of pmol s-1); yield photon flux density (which has units of pmolm-2s-1); irradiance of photosynthetic active radiation (which has units of W / m2); a combination of the foregoing.

[0020] The user device 6 is configured to record a set of growth parameters resulting from a corresponding set of system parameters over a period of time, such that sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters can be compared. The user device 6 can be a mobile phone, a laptop, a desktop computer, a personal computer, a user interface module, or other like devices, or a combination or network of such devices. The interface module can be include an interface panel 24 separate to or integrated with a part of the system 1. The user device 6 can be a network of devices or part of a network of devices, which can include local or remote servers, communicatively connected by wired connections or wireless connections. The growth parameters and / or system parameters can be recorded on the user device 6 or on a remote server or memory device. This means that users can vary the system parameters, and measure the differences, if any, in the resulting growth parameters when the system parameters are varied. For example, in one set of system parameters, the user sets a particular light parameter to a specific value, and then after a particular period of time, measures one or more growth parameters, such as the total mass of the plant. In another set of system parameters, the user sets the particular light parameterto another specific value whilst keeping all the remaining system parameters the same. Then, after the same particular period of time, the user measures the same one or more growth parameters, such as the total mass of the plant, and notes the differences, if any.

[0021] In one preferred embodiment, the user device 6 is configured to record a set of growth parameters resulting from a corresponding set of system parameters over a period of time onto a database 14 accessible by a plurality of user devices 6, such that sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters can be compared. This allows multiple users to compare sets of growth parameters and corresponding sets of system parameters recorded by other users, as well as comparing their own sets of growth parameters and corresponding sets of system parameters recorded onto the database 14. Additionally, each user can compare sets of growth parameters and corresponding sets of system parameters recorded on their user device 6 with sets of growth parameters and corresponding sets of system parameters recorded onto the database 14 by other users or by themselves previously.

[0022] The system 1 can comprise an analysis module 15 for analyzing the sets of growth parameters and corresponding sets of system parameters to formulate one or more sets of system parameters that optimize one or more growth parameters. For example, two sets of system parameters are compared, and the only difference is the amount of nutrient in the liquid, and this results in a higher number of leaves. Two further sets of system parameters are compared, and the only difference is a particular light parameter, and this also results in a higher number of leaves. Then the analysis module 15 formulates a set of system parameters that include the nutrient level and the light parameter that resulted in the higher number of leaves. The foregoing is of course a simple example. The analysis module 15 can utilize artificial intelligence (Al) algorithms or machine learning algorithms to analyze the sets of system parameters and the resulting corresponding sets of growth parameters to formulate sets of system parameters that optimize one or more of the growth parameters. Such algorithms can include decision trees, random forests, support vector machines, naive Bayes, linear regression, logistic regression, clustering, neural networks, reinforcement learning.

[0023] The analysis module 15 can be in the form of hardware and / or software. The database 14 and / or the analysis module 15 can be located on a remote server in communication with the user device 6 or on the user device 6 itself, or on a micro-controller unit (MCU) or microprocessor either of which can be separate or integrated into part of the system 1.

[0024] The user device 6 is configured to control one or more of the system components 4. The user device 6 can be separate and / or remote to the remainder of the system 1. The parts that comprise the physical apparatus which house and cultivate the plant, such as the grow tray 2, the reservoir 7, the liquid level sensor 9, the nutrient dispenser 10, the light source 12, the light sensor 13, the system components 4, the output sensors 5 can form a unitary device or a modular device. Such a unitary or modular device can be in the form of a home hydroponic system. Alternatively, the system components 4 can be controlled through a control panel on one of the parts that comprise the physical apparatus which house and cultivate the plant.

[0025] The user device 6 can also monitor one or more user parameters. The user parameters can be one or more of the following: time spent using the user device; frequency of using the user device; time of day when using the user device; type of activity performed on the user device; time spent performing an activity on the user device; a series of activities on the user device. The activity includes controlling one of the system components 4. The user device 6 can be configured to record a set of user parameters over a period of time and to match the set of user parameters to a corresponding set of growth parameters or system parameters.

[0026] The system 1 can comprise one or more user sensors 23 to monitor one or more user parameters. In one embodiment, one of these user sensors is in the form of a camera. The camera can measure one or more user parameters in the form of: user movement; movement of one or more parts of the user, such as limbs, hands, fingers; movement of the user's eyes; facial expressions. In another embodiment, one of these user sensors is in the form of a microphone. The microphone can record, for example, voice replies to prompts provided by the system 1, including a part of the system such as the user device 6.

[0027] The system 1 can comprise an assessment module 16 for providing to a user through the user device 6 a set of activities to be performed resulting in a target set of user parameters. The user device 6 can then be configured to record a set of user parameters over a period of time and to compare the recorded set of user parameters with the target set of user parameters. The assessment module 16 can be located on a remote server in communication with the user device 6 or on the user device 6 itself, or on a micro-controller unit (MCU) or microprocessor either of which can be separate or integrated into part of the system 1.

[0028] Embodiments of another aspect of the present invention provide a method for cultivating a plant with a nonindustrial cultivation system, with the nonindustrial cultivation system comprising: a grow tray 2 for holding a plant being cultivated, and for containing liquid 3 provided for cultivation of the plant; one or more system components 4 for supporting cultivation of the plant; and one or more output sensors 5 for measuring one or more growth parameters of the plant. The method comprises monitoring with a user device 6 one or more system parameters, and the one or more growth parameters.

[0029] The method comprises recording a set of growth parameters resulting from a corresponding set of system parameters over a period of time, such that sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters can be compared. In one preferred embodiment, the method comprises recording a set of growth parameters resulting from a corresponding set of system parameters over a period of time onto a database 14 accessible by a plurality of user devices 6, such that sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters can be compared.

[0030] The method can also comprise recording a set of user parameters over a period of time and matching the set of user parameters to a corresponding set of growth parameters or system parameters.

[0031] The method can also comprise providing to a user through the user device 6 a set of activities to be performed resulting in a target set of user parameters. The method can then comprise recording a set of user parameters over a period of time and comparing the recorded set of user parameters with the target set of user parameters.

[0032] Embodiments of a further aspect of the present invention provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method described above.

[0033] As can be appreciated from the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention are well suited for use in education, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. Students can use embodiments of the present invention to conduct experiments such as varying one or more system parameters and measuring resulting differences in growth parameters. Since the system and growth parameters are set, detected, measured, and recorded by embodiments of the present invention, objective, repeatable, trackable, and reliable measures of system inputs and resulting growth outcomes can be made. This will also satisfy hobbyists and enthusiasts and provide high levels of engagement and positive feedback and stimuli for all users.

[0034] The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 shows one particular application of the invention in STEM education. In this embodiment, the system 1 further comprises education modules 17. The education modules 17 can be accessed via a user device 6 such as a mobile phone or smartphone, laptop computer, or desktop computer. In the embodiment shown, the education modules 17 are located on a web portal 18 accessible by a user device 6. In other embodiments, the education modules can be located on a mobile phone app, cloud, or remote server.

[0035] The education modules 17 can include one or more of the following: planting simulation; planting experiment; data analysis; reporting; learning progress; gradebook; course information; assessment.

[0036] As described above, the user device 6 can be configured to control one or more of the system components 4. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in Fig. 3, the user can control one or more of the system components 4 through a device control module 19. This device control module 19 can be on an app 20 on a mobile phone. The app 20 can also include one or more of the following modules: planting parameters; planting status; planting guidance; notifications; social sharing.

[0037] As described above, growth parameters and system parameters can be recorded onto a database 14. The database 14 can be located on a cloud or remote server 21. The growth and system parameters can be recorded in the form of photos, videos, other sensor measurements, as well as user inputted data. User parameters can also be recorded by the remote server onto a database 14. Such user parameters can be in the form of one or more of the following: time spent using the user device; frequency of using the user device; time of day when using the user device; type of activity performed on the user device; time spent performing an activity on the user device; a series of activities on the user device.

[0038] The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4 shows one particular application of the invention for conducting experiments. The system 1 allows a user to create customized plant programs. This can be through a web portal or an app on a user device 6. The user then starts planting plants for cultivation according to a plant program. As described above, sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters are recorded over time. These can be in the form of images, videos, other sensor measurements, as well as user inputted data. At the end of a plant program, sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters recorded during the plant program can be compared and analysed. The same plant program can then be repeated or another plant program can be selected and implemented. In this way, cultivation experiments can be performed. For example, the same plant program can be repeated to verify results, and different plant programs can be performed to compare results. Such experiments can be performed in the context of education or so that users can determine plant programs that optimize cultivation outcomes.

[0039] The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5 shows one particular application of the invention in promoting wellness. In this embodiment, the system 1 further comprises wellness modules 22. The wellness modules 22 can be accessed via a user device 6 such as a mobile phone or smartphone, laptop computer, or desktop computer. In the embodiment shown, the wellness modules 22 are located on a web portal 18 accessible by a user device 6. In other embodiments, the wellness modules can be located on a mobile phone app, cloud, or remote server.

[0040] The wellness modules 22 can include one or more of the following: wellness program scheduling; activity intensity settings; data analysis; reporting; progress monitoring; performance analysis. In addition to promoting wellness, more specific embodiments similar to the above can be used in therapy. The performance analysis or assessments conducted by modules 22 of these embodiments can be in relation to specific performance characteristics, such as cognitive assessments and analyses. These can relate to particular protocols such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), or any other protocols suitable for the particular application at hand.

[0041] As described above, the user device 6 can be configured to control one or more of the system components 4. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in Fig. 5, the user can control one or more of the system components 4 through a device control module 19. This device control module 19 can be on an app 20 on a mobile phone. The app 20 can also include one or more of the following modules: planting parameters; planting status; planting guidance; notifications; social sharing. In this embodiment, the app can also include one or more of the following modules: games; wellness activities; assessment.

[0042] As described above, growth parameters and system parameters can be recorded onto a database 14. The database 14 can be located on a cloud or remote server 21. The growth and system parameters can be recorded in the form of photos, videos, other sensor measurements, as well as user inputted data. User parameters can also be recorded by the remote server onto a database 14. Such user parameters can be in the form of one or more of the following: time spent using the user device; frequency of using the user device; time of day when using the user device; type of activity performed on the user device; time spent performing an activity on the user device; a series of activities on the user device. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the user parameters can also include one or more of the following specific user parameters: planting activities; system or device operation; user reactions; game results; activities results; assessment results.

[0043] The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 6 shows one particular application of the invention for promoting wellness. The system 1 allows a user to select predefined wellness programs or plant programs. The wellness programs can be standalone programs or can be based on plant programs. This can be through a web portal or an app on a user device 6. The user then starts planting plants for cultivation according to a plant program or wellness program based on a plant program. The wellness program can also include predetermined wellness activities, or games that promote wellness. These wellness activities or games can be scheduled at any time during the wellness program, before, after, or during planting activities.

[0044] As described above, sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters are recorded overtime. User parameters are also recorded overtime. The growth, system, and user parameters can be in the form of images, videos, other sensor measurements, as well as user inputted data. At the end of a wellness program, sets of growth parameters, corresponding sets of system parameters, and corresponding sets of user parameters recorded during the wellness program can be analysed. For example, the analysis can determine whether the user acted in accordance with the wellness program, or in accordance with predefined cultivation outcomes associated with the wellness program. This can be done by comparing the user parameters recorded during the wellness program with a target set of user parameters associated with the wellness program. Additionally or alternatively, this can be done by comparing the system or growth parameters recorded during the wellness program with a target set of system or growth parameters associated with the wellness program. In addition to promoting wellness, more specific embodiments similar to the above can be used in therapy. As such, the wellness programs described above can be in the form of therapy programs.

[0045] Advantageously, the application of embodiments of the invention in therapy can be designed to perform cognitive assessments. For example, they can be used to implement known cognitive assessments or variations of known cognitive assessments such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). In particular, the assessment of cognitive aspects covered such assessment protocols can be adapted so that they are based on the cultivation activities performed with embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] It is appreciated that the aforesaid embodiments are only exemplary embodiments adopted to describe the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not merely limited thereto. Various variants and modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these variants and modifications are thereby covered by the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in many other forms. It is also appreciated by those skilled in the art that the features of the various examples described can be combined in other combinations.

Claims

1. A nonindustrial cultivation system comprising:a grow tray for holding a plant being cultivated, and for containing liquid provided for cultivation of the plant;one or more system components for supporting cultivation of the plant;one or more output sensors for measuring one or more growth parameters of the plant; anda user device for monitoring one or more system parameters, and the one or more growth parameters.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein one of the output sensors is a mass scale for measuring a growth parameter in the form of a mass of the plant.

3. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein one of the output sensors is a camera for measuring a growth parameter in the form of one or more of the following: a surface area of the plant; a dimension of the plant; a colour of the plant.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein one of the output sensors is a camera for measuring a growth parameter in the form of one or more of the following: a surface area of a feature of the plant; a number of features of the plant; an average surface area of a number of features of the plant; a dimension of a feature of the plant; a colour of a feature of the plant; a position of a feature of the plant.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the feature is one or more of the following: a leaf; a fruit; a flower.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein one of the output sensors is a chemical sensor for measuring a growth parameter in the form of one or more of the following: a concentration of a nutrient in the liquid; a concentration of a waste in the liquid; a pH of the liquid.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein one of the system components is a pump to provide a flow of the liquid in the grow tray.

8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising a reservoir for the liquid, wherein one of the system components is a valve or a pump to stop or allow flow of the liquid between the reservoir and the grow tray.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein one of the system parameters is an operating position of the valve.

10. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein one of the system parameters is an operating status of the pump.

11. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 comprising a system sensor in the form of a liquid level sensor for measuring a system parameter in the form of a level of the liquid.

12. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein one of the system components is a nutrient dispenser for dispensing a nutrient into the liquid.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein one of the system parameters is an amount of nutrient dispensed by the nutrient dispenser.

14. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein one of the system components is a light controller for controlling a light source for illuminating the plant.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein one of the system parameters is a light parameter of a light emitted by the light source.

16. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 15 comprising a system sensor in the form of a light sensor for measuring a system parameter in the form of a light parameter of a light illuminating the plant.

17. A system according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein the light parameter is one of the following: luminous flux; luminous intensity; illuminance; luminance; photosynthetic photon flux; photosynthetic photon flux density; yield photon flux; yield photon flux density; irradiance of photosynthetic active radiation; a combination of the foregoing.

18. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the user device is configured to record a set of growth parameters resulting from a corresponding set of system parameters over a period of time, such that sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters can be compared.

19. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the user device is configured to record a set of growth parameters resulting from a corresponding set of system parameters over a period of time onto a database accessible by a plurality of user devices, such that sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters can be compared.

20. A system according to any one of claims 18 to 19 comprising an analysis module for analyzing the sets of growth parameters and corresponding sets of system parameters to formulate one or more sets of system parameters that optimize one or more growth parameters.

21. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein the user device is configured to control one or more of the system components.

22. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein the user device monitors one or more user parameters.

23. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 22 comprising one or more user sensors for monitoring one or more user parameters.

24. A system according to any one of claims 22 to 23 wherein the user parameters is one or more of the following: time spent using the user device; frequency of using the user device; time of day when using the user device; type of activity performed on the userdevice; time spent performing an activity on the user device; a series of activities on the user device; user movement; movement of one or more parts of the user; movement of the user's eyes; facial expressions.

25. A system according to claim 24 wherein the activity is controlling one of the system components.

26. A system according to any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein the user device is configured to record a set of user parameters over a period of time and to match the set of user parameters to a corresponding set of growth parameters or system parameters.

27. A system according to any one of claims 22 to 26 comprising an assessment module for providing to a user through the user device a set of activities to be performed resulting in a target set of user parameters.

28. A system according to claim 27 wherein the user device is configured to record a set of user parameters over a period of time and to compare the recorded set of user parameters with the target set of user parameters.

29. A method for cultivating a plant with a nonindustrial cultivation system, the nonindustrial cultivation system comprising:a grow tray for holding a plant being cultivated, and for containing liquid provided for cultivation of the plant;one or more system components for supporting cultivation of the plant; andone or more output sensors for measuring one or more growth parameters of the plant;the method comprising monitoring with a user device one or more system parameters, and the one or more growth parameters.

30. A method according to claim 29 comprising recording a set of growth parameters resulting from a corresponding set of system parameters over a period of time, such that sets of growth parameters resulting from corresponding sets of system parameters can be compared.

31. A method according to any one of claims 29 to 30 comprising recording a set of user parameters over a period of time and matching the set of user parameters to a corresponding set of growth parameters or system parameters.

32. A method according to any one of claims 29 to 31 comprising providing to a user through the user device a set of activities to be performed resulting in a target set of user parameters.

33. A method according to claim 32 comprising recording a set of user parameters over a period of time and comparing the recorded set of user parameters with the target set of user parameters.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method according to any one of claims 29 to 33.

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