Pollen spraying device for crops in the field, corresponding use and method of operation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pollen spraying device (2, 102) for crops in a field (4, 104), the device (2, 102) comprising a carrier structure (6, 106) configured to move in a moving direction (10, 110) along a row (8, 108) of crops in the field (4, 104), and a blowing device (12, 112) attached to the carrier structure (6, 106), the blowing device (12, 112) including at least one nozzle array (14, 114) configured to blow air against a pollen-producing plant (16, 116) in the field (4, 104). According to the present invention, the nozzle array (14, 114) includes a vaporizing device (18, 118) for adding humidity to the air exiting the nozzle array (14, 114), and in particular, the vaporizing device (18, 118) is configured to increase the relative humidity of the air exiting the nozzle array (14, 114) by 60% to 80% by atomizing water particles, so as to ensure a high relative humidity suitable for maintaining pollen survival rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pollen spraying device for crops in a field, the device comprising a carrier structure configured to move in a moving direction along a row of crops in the field, and a blowing device attached to the carrier structure, the blowing device comprising at least one nozzle array configured to blow air against pollen-producing plants in the field.

Background Art

[0002] To obtain male sterility to produce hybrid seeds in female plants by cross-pollination, there are several systems available for various crops (but not limited to, grains, etc.). Some of these systems include cytoplasmic male sterility ("CMS"), chemically induced male sterility (using chemical hybridization agents (CHA)), or nuclear male sterility ("NMS"). In any of these systems, efficient pollination of (male-sterile) female plants by (pollen-producing) male plants is required, and ideally, there should be no or very few male seeds in the harvested hybrid seeds.

[0003] Essentially, there are two methods to obtain cross-pollination between male and female plants, namely mixed planting where male (pollen donor) plants are randomly or uniformly scattered at some ratio among female (male-sterile) plants, and strip (or row or plot) planting where male (pollen donor) plants are physically separated from female (male-sterile) plants in separate strips / field parts.

[0004] In the mixed planting method, male (pollen donor) plants are randomly or uniformly scattered at some ratio among female (male-sterile) plants. However, since male plants self-pollinate, male seeds will also be produced in this setting. These male seeds need to be removed to obtain hybrid seeds of sufficient purity (meeting the requirements of customers or (certification) agencies), or there may only be a limited amount present in the female field, thereby reducing the amount of pollen donor males.

[0005] In a strip or row planting system where self-pollinated males have one or more female rows planted adjacent to one or more male rows (also known as in-block planting), the males are most easily removed by removing male plants physically separated from the female plants (after pollination of the female plants), or by ensuring that the male plants do not produce (normally sized) seeds, so that only hybrid seeds produced by the female plants are harvested (or small male seeds are removed at harvest). It can also be ensured that male rows are excluded during harvesting.

[0006] An important concern in the success of hybrid row crops such as wheat, rice or maize is the economics of seed production, which, mainly because these crops tend to be self-pollinating, must be efficient and cost-effective (Whitford et al., 2013, Gupta et al., 2019). Some row crops also rely on insect pollination, and in Europe a dramatic decline in the incidence and diversity of all kinds of wild insect pollinators (such as wild bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths) has been observed (see for example, https: / / ec.europa.eu / environment / nature / conservation / species / pollinators / index_en.htm), so that pollination efficiency is reduced.

[0007] WO 2019 / 175507 and WO 2022 / 023663 disclose an air moving device employing the Coandă effect, which collects pollen in a pollen donor plant, moves the pollen through the device, and disperses the collected pollen to a pollen recipient plant. This device is said to be particularly useful for crops with poor storability where pollen does not survive for long periods (such as wheat, barley or maize).

[0008] International Publication No. WO 2018 / 129302 pamphlet discloses an apparatus for pollinating plants, which includes a pollination unit mounted on a base that can be mounted on a carriage. The pollination unit includes a pollen release device configured to release pollen from male flowers of the plant, and at least one nozzle for directing at least a part of the released pollen towards a pollen receiving strip. The plant is pollinated by driving the carriage along the field, directing air from the nozzle over the pollen produced by some plants, and sending the pollen into the female flowers of other plants in the field.

[0009] The paper "Pollen viability in the field" by M. Bots and C. Mariani is about a review of scientific literature on pollen viability and an analysis of pollen viability in the field. However, this literature does not consider or disclose anything about influencing environmental conditions by actively adding humidity to condition the storage of pollen.

[0010] Any reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or to any matter which is known is not, and should not be taken as, an admission, permission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0011] However, there is still a need for a simple and effective improved system for cross - pollination of plants, especially for row crops such as (but not limited to) cereals (such as wheat, rice or corn), for maintaining female parents or producing hybrid seeds. Therefore, an object of the present invention was to provide an improved pollen spraying device that improves overall cross - pollination of plants and maintains pollen viability.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0012] The present invention achieves the above object by proposing a pollen spraying device according to claim 1. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pollen spraying device includes at least one nozzle array, and the at least one nozzle array includes a vaporizer for adding humidity to the air exiting the nozzle array. In particular, the vaporizer is configured to increase the relative humidity of the air from the nozzle array by atomizing water particles to ensure a high relative humidity (e.g., a humidity of 60% - 80%) suitable for maintaining pollen viability. The relative humidity can be, for example, in the range of (at least) 60%, 65%, 70%, 75% or 80% or 60% - 70% or 70% - 80%. The vaporizer can be configured as an atomizing device configured to atomize a liquid such as water provided. Water is atomized to humidify the air exiting the nozzle array (by generating aerosol or droplets floating in the air using pressure and atomizing nozzles).

[0013] This embodiment of the present invention achieves the following advantages. That is, the proposed device promotes the spraying of pollen from male plants to female plants. By increasing the humidity of the air blown onto the pollen, dehydration of the pollen is reduced, the temperature of the air flow is decreased, and pollen viability is further improved. Adjusting or increasing the relative humidity to 60% - 80% has been found to be beneficial for maintaining pollen viability. However, the relative humidity is low enough to avoid the pollen absorbing excessive humidity and becoming wet, which significantly reduces the pollen's travel distance. Furthermore, the device is suitable for use in row crops having pollen that can be partially dehydrated and rehydrated but with a reduced amount of viable pollen or for pollination of plants in warm temperatures such as above 25°C or 30°C.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the exhaust direction of the air exiting the nozzle array is inclined upward by an angle of 1° to 45°, preferably 10°, with respect to the vertical direction in order to suspend the pollen upward. By suspending the pollen upward, the movement distance of the pollen can be increased. The angle can be in the range of 1° to 15°, 15° to 30°, 30° to 45°, or can have individual values such as 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°. The expression "suspending the pollen" should be understood in this specification as blowing the pollen away or generally moving the pollen.

[0015] Preferably, the exhaust direction of the air exiting the nozzle array is inclined to the right or left with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device, particularly outward with respect to the longitudinal axis. In other words, by inclining the exhaust direction of the air exiting the nozzle array outward, the air is directed towards the rows of female (pollen-receptive) crops. According to another embodiment, the device includes a blower, particularly a centrifugal blower, and the blower is fluidly connected to the nozzle array. The blower can be arranged within the device itself. According to an alternative embodiment, the blower can be arranged, for example, on a tractor configured to carry the device, in which case compressed air is provided to the device by the blower arranged on the tractor.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the speed of the air exiting the nozzle array is in the range of 5 km / h to 45 km / h, preferably 8 km / h to 40 km / h. The speed can be, for example, in the range of 5 km / h to 15 km / h, 15 km / h to 30 km / h, or 30 km / h to 45 km / h. The above speed range has been found to be beneficial for transporting the pollen over a significant distance while maintaining the viability of the pollen. It has been found to be beneficial for the air hitting the pollen-producing wheat plants to have a speed in the range of 10 km / h to 20 km / h. Thereby, the natural wind that may exist in the field can also be taken into account. In other words, when the wind speed is somewhat high, the speed of the additional air flow provided by the nozzle array can be lower than when the natural wind speed in the field is somewhat low.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the nozzle array is a first nozzle array, and the apparatus includes a second nozzle array spaced apart from the first nozzle array. Preferably, at least one nozzle array is directed towards a particular pollen-producing crop row. For example, by utilizing two nozzle arrays, when the apparatus moves across the field, air can be blown towards two pollen-producing crop rows simultaneously. Preferably, the apparatus includes 5 to 20 nozzle arrays, particularly 10 nozzle arrays. The apparatus may also include 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 nozzle arrays. By utilizing 10 nozzle arrays, the apparatus can, for example, blow air towards 10 different rows of pollen-producing crops.

[0018] In one embodiment, the carrier structure includes at least one diagonal strut extending outwardly and rearwardly diagonally from a central front portion of the apparatus towards a rear portion of the apparatus, and at least two nozzle arrays, particularly 3, 4, 5, 6 or more nozzle arrays, are attached to the diagonal strut. By arranging the nozzle arrays on the diagonal strut, it is ensured that the nozzle arrays can be spaced apart as required for a particular crop row spacing. Further, due to the diagonal design, when the apparatus is moved, subsequent nozzle arrays will be involved in the upward movement and / or conveyance of pollen, thus ensuring an increase in the movement distance of the pollen and promotion of the spraying. By arranging the nozzle arrays at different positions on the diagonal strut, it is possible to accommodate different row spacings.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the diagonal strut is the first diagonal strut, and the carrier structure includes a second diagonal strut that extends diagonally outward and rearward from the central front portion of the device toward the rear portion of the device. At least two nozzle arrays, particularly 3, 4, 5, 6 or more nozzle arrays, are attached to the diagonal struts, and the diagonal struts extend in opposite outer directions. In other words, the two diagonal struts form a triangle or a wedge with respect to each other. In this way, the overall pollen dispersion is increased, and this design enables corresponding to different wind conditions and directions in the field. For example, it may be beneficial to utilize only the nozzle array arranged on any of the diagonal struts. In certain crops, it has been found that it is beneficial to avoid the nozzle array from blowing against the wind. In this regard, when the wind passes from right to left, for example, it may be beneficial to utilize only the nozzle array on the left side of the device that blows in the left direction with respect to the moving direction of the device.

[0020] In another embodiment, the carrier structure includes carrier struts arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the first diagonal strut and / or the second diagonal strut are attached to the carrier struts, and the carrier struts and the diagonal struts form a basic triangular shape. It has been found that utilizing the carrier struts is beneficial for increasing the overall rigidity of the device. According to another embodiment, an additional pivotable strut is connected to the diagonal strut, and the pivotable strut can be in a transport position where the pivotable strut is aligned parallel to or inwardly toward the longitudinal axis, and an extended position where the pivotable strut is aligned and extended outward to increase the overall width of the device. In this way, by reducing its overall width when the pivotable strut is in the transport position, the device can be properly transported, and it can be ensured that the overall width of the device can be increased in the field to correspond to a large row spacing.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the exhaust direction of the nozzle array arranged on the first diagonal strut is inclined by an angle of particularly 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90°, for example 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85° from the longitudinal axis towards the first outer direction, and / or the exhaust direction of the nozzle array arranged on the second diagonal strut is inclined by an angle of particularly 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90°, for example 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85° from the longitudinal axis towards the second outer direction in order to float pollen towards the female plants. In other words, considering a scenario with five nozzle arrays attached to each diagonal strut, the nozzle array attached to the diagonal strut on the right as seen from the moving direction of the device will blow air to the right by the above-mentioned angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the nozzle array attached to the diagonal strut on the left will blow air to the left by the above-mentioned angle range with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the device is aligned such that its longitudinal axis is in two central crop rows. Two nozzle arrays are arranged in those two central crop rows. Preferably, one is attached to the first diagonal strut and blows air to the right side towards the central right row, and the other is attached to the left diagonal strut and blows air towards the central left row. Only one nozzle array is arranged between the other pairs of crop rows. In this way, a total of ten different crop rows can be affected by ten nozzle arrays.

[0022] According to another embodiment, a valve, in particular an electromagnetic valve, is arranged between the nozzle array and the blower, and each valve is configured to block or allow the air flow from the blower to the nozzle array, in particular to block or allow the air flow from the blower to the nozzle array arranged on the first and / or second diagonal struts collectively. In other words, according to one embodiment, each nozzle array can be individually actuated or stopped. However, according to a preferred embodiment, only the nozzle arrays attached to either the first or the second diagonal strut are grouped together, thereby actuating or stopping either of the nozzle arrays attached to the first and / or second diagonal struts collectively, and can be controlled particularly from a tractor carrying the device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the nozzle arrays are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 7 cm to 45 cm, preferably 14 cm to 30 cm, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in order to correspond to different row planting intervals. This is achieved, for example, by adjusting the position of the nozzle arrays on the diagonal struts in order to arrange the nozzle arrays between two adjacent crop rows for different row planting intervals.

[0024] Preferably, the nozzle arrays are detachably attached to the carrier structure such that the spacing and / or height of the nozzle arrays can be adjusted. In this way, the device can be used flexibly for several different row spacings as well as for different plant types and heights. For example, the height of the nozzle arrays can be adjusted to correspond to several crop species. However, in one embodiment, the height of the device with respect to the crop is adjusted by the tractor carrying the device.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the nozzle array, in particular each nozzle array, includes an air knife. The air knife includes a long nozzle that provides a uniform thin spread of a laminar air flow, also known as a streamline flow. The air knife can be advantageously used to blow air across the long nozzle region in a defined direction towards the crop. In particular, the air knife is a first air knife, and the nozzle array, in particular each nozzle array, optionally includes a second air knife. The use of two air knives has been found to be beneficial for providing a uniform air flow to the crop and / or increasing the amount of pollen released. In one embodiment, the vaporizer is disposed intermediate and above the two air knives. In another embodiment, the vaporizer is housed within the air knife. In another embodiment, the vaporizer can be incorporated into an air supply system that supplies air to the air knife or can be disposed outside the air knife, for example at the exhaust of the air knife. This has been found to be beneficial for increasing the relative humidity of the air exiting the air knife as described above and reducing condensation. In one embodiment, the length of the air knife along its longitudinal axis ranges from 10 cm to 40 cm, preferably from 20 cm to 30 cm. The length can be 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm or 35 cm. By providing an air knife having the above total length, the air flow of the air knife can be advantageously provided to plants such as wheat plants.

[0026] According to one embodiment, one or more air knives are inclined by 1° to 45°, preferably 10°, 20°, 30°, 40° with respect to the vertical plane of the crop row in order to blow air onto the male (pollen-producing) crop, first from the bottom of the air knife and then from its top. Further, with the described alignment, it is ensured that the pollen is blown upwards. Preferably, the angle is adjusted to the crop row spacing. When the crop row spacing is small, it may be beneficial to reduce the angle in order to avoid the air knife touching the crop row. When the crop row spacing is large, the angle can be increased without touching the crop row. In a preferred embodiment, the alignment and / or angle adjustment of the air knife is performed manually. In an alternative embodiment, the alignment and / or angle adjustment of the air knife is performed using at least one actuating device configured to align and / or tilt the air knife.

[0027] In one embodiment, the carrier structure includes an interface configured to connect the device to a tractor, particularly to the front receiving section of the tractor. When the device is attached to the tractor, the overall height of the device with respect to the crop can be adjusted by raising or lowering the device up or down. In one embodiment, the tractor provides water supply for the vaporization device and / or air pressure for operating the nozzle device or the air knife. According to an alternative embodiment, a water tank including an air compressor and / or a water compressor is arranged on the device itself. Further, the energy for operating the air compressor or the water pump can be provided by the power take-off (PTO) of the tractor.

[0028] In one embodiment, the device includes a protective guard. The protective guard is preferably arranged adjacent to the air knife and particularly substantially parallel to the air knife. The guard is an optional component and can be used to protect the air knife from mechanical influences, particularly when the distance between the plant rows is short. In one embodiment of the present invention, the air knife does not have a protective guard.

[0029] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sensor unit, and the sensor unit includes at least one of the following sensors: a camera, a satellite navigation system receiver, a height sensor array configured to determine the height of the crop row relative to the vertical position of the pollen applicator. The sensor unit can be part of a so-called "smart agriculture" system. The sensor unit can be a central unit including the above-mentioned sensors, or a distributed system including components at different positions on the apparatus. The camera can be mounted at the top of the apparatus and / or adjacent to at least one of the other parts of the apparatus that require special attention of the air knife or the apparatus operator to provide a suitable overview.

[0030] In one embodiment, the height sensor array includes two infrared sensors spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to each other. The infrared sensors can be used to adjust the height of the apparatus relative to the crop row. When two infrared sensors arranged perpendicular to each other are used, the height of the apparatus can be controlled to receive an infrared signal that means the lower sensor is blocked by the crop passing along the sensor and the higher sensor is not blocked by the plant. This setting corresponds to the preferred operating height h of the apparatus. When both infrared sensors are blocked, the height of the apparatus is too low. When both infrared sensors receive an infrared signal, the height of the apparatus is too high. By controlling the height of the apparatus such that the markings of the infrared sensors are as described above, robust height measurement and adjustment of the apparatus are provided. The sensor signals can be used to operate the apparatus in an automated manner. For example, the height of the apparatus can be automatically adjusted. Based on the camera signal and / or the satellite navigation system, the correct positioning of the apparatus relative to the male or female crop row can also be automated.

[0031] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a front bar arrangement, the front bar arrangement including front bars disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement at the front portion of the apparatus. The front bars are preferably foldable. In one embodiment, the front bar arrangement includes at least one chain attached to the front bar, in particular, the chain is a first chain, and the front bar includes at least one second chain spaced apart from the first chain. The chain is used to support a hanging bar that stimulates female plants when the apparatus is passed along the field. The chain has a length such that the hanging bar touches the female plant head, for example, the bar is positioned below the air knife or directly below the head / flower. It should be noted that the use of the front bar arrangement is optional. The female plants are touched to stimulate flowering, but it is preferred that they are not damaged, folded or cut by the hanging bar or chain. In one embodiment, the hanging bar touches only the rows of the female plant cultivation area adjacent to the male plants and does not touch the male plants where pollen is dispersed. In one embodiment, for example, the hanging bar can also touch the male plants to stimulate the extrusion of the anthers when the male flowers are still not open (the anthers are not extruded).

[0032] In one embodiment, the wire support structure is disposed above the front bar. Preferably, the wire support structure includes a central column extending vertically upward from the front bar, and at least one wire is stretched between the front bar and the top of the central column. In one embodiment, the wire extends from the top of the central column to both sides of the bar. The support structure helps to avoid bending of the front bar.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the front bar includes four or six chains. Two chains are preferably disposed at the outer edges of the front bar, and the other two or four chains are arranged according to the row width of the female plants in the field. In a preferred embodiment, the front bar arrangement includes chain mounts configured to removably attach the chains to the front bar and / or adjust the position of the chains along the front bar. Thus, the positioning of the chains can be adjusted with respect to the field setting. In one embodiment, two chains are positioned at the outer edges, and two chains are positioned just outside the plots of the male rows, so that the hanging bar touches only the female rows.

[0034] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a heat-insulating cloth disposed between the tractor and the plants to avoid an engine or other parts that become hot during use and transfer heat to the plants. The heat-insulating cloth may include a roll that can be wound up (during transportation, etc.) and can be fixed in an unfolded state to provide heat insulation. The support bar to which the air knife is removably attached may include markings for a preset row spacing with respect to a predetermined air knife position for a given row spacing (between male rows).

[0035] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pollen spraying device for crops in a field, the device including a carrier structure configured to move in a moving direction along the rows of the crops in the field, and a blower device attached to the carrier structure, the blower device including at least one nozzle array configured to blow air against the pollen-producing plants in the field.

[0036] The above aspect of the present invention achieves its object in that the pollen spraying device includes a vaporizer separate from the blower device for adding humidity, and the vaporizer is configured to increase the relative humidity of the air surrounding the pollen spraying device (e.g., to 60% - 80%) by atomizing water particles to ensure a high relative humidity suitable for maintaining pollen survival rate.

[0037] A further aspect of the pollen distribution device utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the pollen distribution device according to the present invention, and vice versa. For this and to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the above description.

[0038] So far, the present invention has been described with respect to a pollen distribution device. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the following crops: wheat (Triticum genus) including triticale, especially winter wheat and spring wheat, rice (Oryza sativa genus) or Oryza genus, oats (Avena sativa) including Avena genus, barley (Hordeum vulgare) including Hordeum genus, corn (Zea mays) including Zea genus, onions or leeks (Allium genus) including Allium cepa, carrots (Daucus genus) including Daucus carota subsp. Sativus, and the use of a pollen distribution device according to any of the previous embodiments for distributing pollen to plants from another genus or species having an equivalent inflorescence structure suitable for cross-pollination, which is desired and / or mechanically assisted, of pollen-receiving plants by pollen-producing plants (such as male-sterile plants for crops having male and female reproductive organs), while maintaining the survival rate by reducing dehydration.

[0039] The use of the pollen distribution device utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the pollen distribution device according to the present invention, and vice versa. For this and to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the above description.

[0040] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of operating a pollen dispersal device according to any of the previous embodiments. The method comprises moving the pollen dispersal device at a ground speed of 2.5 km / h to 15 km / h, preferably 5 km / h to 10 km / h, in one embodiment twice a day, in particular at short intervals such as at intervals of 5 minutes to 30 minutes, along at least one row of the crops in the field, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. By utilizing the above speed range, the cross-pollination possibility of the device is maximized. The device can be moved along the crop rows twice a day, and the first pass can stimulate the gaps between the plants.

[0041] Preferably, the method further comprises moving the pollen dispersal device along the crop rows at another time point, and the time interval between the previous pass and the second pass is in particular one day, preferably two days. This has been found to be beneficial for promoting cross-pollination. Further, it can also be two passes a day, two passes on another day, and the two passes a day are short with respect to each other, for example, at intervals of 5 minutes to 30 minutes.

[0042] Preferably, the device operates in the field under the following conditions: it is not raining, at least 30% of the spikes of male (pollen-producing) plants contain pollen (in particular at least 30% of the spikes of male plants are extruding anthers), female plants are receptive, in particular at least 30% of the spikes of female plants contain florets with gaps, it is not substantially covered by clouds, after the morning dew has evaporated, and before the temperature in the field rises above 20 °C, preferably before reaching a temperature above 25 °C or 30 °C. These conditions have been found to be beneficial for optimized cross-pollination results.

[0043] Preferably, the size of the male plot is adapted to the size of the tractor, in particular the distance between the tractor's wheels, whereby the wheels travel between the male and female rows.

[0044] Here, for a more detailed understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description illustrates and describes what is considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Of course, it should be understood that various modifications and variations in form or detail can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention is not limited to the exact forms and details illustrated and described herein, nor to any thing that does not meet the whole of the present invention as described in the following claims with respect to this specification. Furthermore, the features described in this specification, the drawings, and the claims that disclose the present invention are related to the present invention considered alone or in combination. In particular, the reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of application of the claims. The phrase "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. The phrases "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality.

[0045] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, one of several possible embodiments of the apparatus proposed in this specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0047] Figures 1, 3 and 4 show a pollen spraying device 2 for the crop row plants in the field 4 as shown in Figure 3. This device 2 includes a carrier structure 6. The carrier structure 6 is configured to be moved along the crop rows 8 in the field 4 in the moving direction 10 shown in Figure 3. The pollen spraying device 2 further includes a blower 12. The blower 12 is attached to the carrier structure 6. The blower 12 includes a nozzle array 14 of ten nozzles. The nozzle array 14 is configured to blow air against the pollen-producing plants 16 in the field 4 as shown in Figure 3. The nozzle array 14 includes an atomizer 18. In one embodiment, this atomizer 18 is housed within each air nozzle of the nozzle array 14 or within the air supply system that supplies air to the nozzle array 14, whereby the air exiting the nozzle array has a higher humidity. The atomizer 18 is configured to add humidity to the air exiting the nozzle array 14. In particular, the atomizer 18 is configured to increase the relative humidity of the air exiting the nozzle array 14 by 60% - 80% to ensure a high relative humidity suitable for maintaining the viability of the pollen by atomizing water particles. In this regard, it is also ensured that the pollen remains viable without getting wet.

[0048] The exhaust direction 20 of the air exiting the nozzle array 14 is inclined upward by an angle 22 of 1° - 45°, preferably 10°, with respect to the vertical direction 21 in order to float or blow away the pollen upward. Further, the exhaust direction 20 of the air exiting the nozzle array 14 is inclined to the right or left with respect to the longitudinal axis 24 of the device 2, particularly outward with respect to the longitudinal axis 24. The device 2 or the corresponding tractor includes a blower 26, particularly a centrifugal blower 26. The blower 26 is fluidly connected to the nozzle array 14. As shown in Figure 2, the velocity v of the air exiting the nozzle array 30 is in the range of 5 km / h - 45 km / h, preferably 8 km / h - 40 km / h. The blower 26 is configured to adjust the velocity v of the air exiting the nozzle array 14 such that the air has a velocity in the range of 10 km / h - 20 km / h when it hits the pollen-producing plants 16 in the case of wheat plants.

[0049] The nozzle array 14 can be the first nozzle array 30, and the device includes a second nozzle array 32 spaced apart from the first nozzle array 30. In particular, as shown in the figure, the device 2 includes ten nozzle arrays 14 spaced apart from each other. The carrier structure 6 includes a first diagonal support 34. The first diagonal support extends diagonally outward and rearward from the central front portion 36 of the device 2 toward the rear portion 40 of the device 2. Five nozzle arrays 14 are attached to the first diagonal support 34. The carrier structure 6 includes a second diagonal support 42 that extends diagonally outward and rearward from the central front portion 36 of the device 2 toward the rear portion 40 of the device 2. Five nozzle arrays 14 are attached to the second diagonal support 42. The first diagonal support 34 and the second diagonal support 42 extend in opposite outer directions 38, 44 so as to form a wedge shape.

[0050] The carrier structure 6 includes carrier struts 74. The carrier struts 74 are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. The first diagonal support 34 and the second diagonal support 42 are attached to the carrier strut 46. The carrier strut 46 and the diagonal supports 34, 42 form a basic triangular shape. Further, additional pivotable struts 72 are connected to the diagonal supports 34, 42. The pivotable struts 72 can be in a transport position where the pivotable struts 72 are aligned parallel to or inwardly toward the longitudinal axis 24. The pivotable struts 72 can further be in an extended position where the pivotable struts 72 are aligned outwardly to increase the overall width of the device 2, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows a transport position that can also be used for small stripe spacing. The exhaust direction 20 of the nozzle array 14 arranged on the first diagonal support 34 is tilted toward a first outer direction 38 that means the right side in the plane of the drawing. The tilt angle 48 is from 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90°, from the longitudinal axis 24. The exhaust direction 20 of the nozzle array 14 arranged on the second diagonal support 42 is tilted by an angle 48 of particularly 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90°, from the longitudinal axis 24 toward the second outer direction 44. In this way, the pollen floats or is blown toward the female, i.e., the pollen-receiving strain.

[0051] The valve 28, particularly the solenoid valve 28, is arranged between the nozzle array 14 and the blower 26. Each valve 28 is configured to block or allow the air flow from the blower 26 to the nozzle array 14, particularly to block or allow the air flow from the blower 26 to the nozzle arrays 14 arranged on the first diagonal support 34 and / or the second diagonal support 42 in a collective manner. In particular, the air flow from the blower 26 to all the nozzle arrays 14 arranged on either the first diagonal support 34 or the second diagonal support 42 can be actuated or stopped collectively. Thus, the device 2 can respond to various wind conditions present in the field 4. The nozzle arrays 14 are spaced apart from each other by a distance d of 10 cm to 45 cm, preferably 14 cm to 30 cm, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle arrays 14 are spaced apart by approximately 30 cm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle arrays are spaced apart by approximately 14 cm corresponding to the spacing of the strips 8. The nozzle arrays 14 are releasably attached to the carrier structure 6 such that the spacing and / or height of the nozzle arrays 14 relative to the carrier structure 6 can be adjusted.

[0052] Each nozzle array 14 includes a first air knife 50 and a second air knife 52. The use of the second air knife 52 is optional. The air knife 50 is inclined by an angle 54 of particularly 10° with respect to the vertical plane of the crop strip 8. The angle 54 can be in the range of 1° to 45°. Thus, the air is blown onto the crop strip 8 first from the bottom of the air knife 50 and then from the top of the air knife 50. Therefore, the pollen is blown upwards. The air knife 50 further has a length l. The length l along the longitudinal axis 56 of the air knife 50 is in the range of 10 cm to 40 cm, and the preferred range is 20 cm to 30 cm. Further, the carrier structure 60 includes an interface 58. The interface 58 is configured to connect the device 2 to a tractor (not shown), particularly to the front receiving section of the tractor.

[0053] Furthermore, a water tank 60 is attached to the carrier structure 6. The water tank 60 contains water used by the vaporizer 18 and may include a pump. The water tank is fluidly connected to the water manifold 64 using a hose 66 and is fluidly connected to the nozzle array 14 and towards the vaporizer 18 using another hose 66. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the pressurized air for operating the air knife 50 is provided from an external source such as a tractor including a compressor (not shown) using a hose 70. The pressurized air is directed from the hose 70 towards the air manifold 62 and the air knife 50. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a centrifugal blower 26 that provides pressurized air to the air manifold 62 can be attached to the device 2. The device 2 further includes a strut 72 that can be pivoted to adjust the overall width of the device 2. Additionally, the device includes several posts 68 that can be used to place the device 2 on the ground, for example, when the device 2 is not in use or for connecting the device 2 to a tractor (not shown) using the connection interface 58.

[0054] As already briefly described, FIG. 2 shows a more detailed perspective view of the nozzle array 14. The nozzle array 14 includes a first air knife 50 and a second air knife 52. The exhaust direction 20 of the air exiting the air knife 50 is shown in the figure. The air exits the air knife 50 at a velocity v. The vaporizer 18 is disposed above and between the air knives 50, 52. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment of the device according to FIG. 3.

[0055] FIGS. 6 - 9 show alternative embodiments of the pollen dispersal device 102. In FIG. 6, the pollen dispersal device 102 is shown in perspective. The device 102 includes a carrier structure 106. The carrier structure 106 is configured to move in a moving direction 110 along the crop rows 108 of the field 104. As described with respect to the first embodiment in the previous figures, the pollen dispersal device 102 further includes a blower device 112. The blower device 112 is attached to the carrier structure 106.

[0056] The air blower 112 includes 10 nozzle arrays 114. The nozzle array 114 is configured to blow air against the pollen-producing plants 116 in the field 104. The nozzle array 114 includes a vaporizer 118.

[0057] In one embodiment, this vaporizer 118 is housed in each air nozzle of the nozzle array 114 or in an air supply system that supplies air to the nozzle array 114, so that the air exiting the nozzle array has a higher humidity. Alternatively, the nozzle array 114 can generate atomized water particles. In an alternative embodiment, the vaporizer can be separated from the air blower.

[0058] Generally, the vaporizer 118 is configured to add humidity to the air exiting the nozzle array 114 or to provide atomized liquid without the need to add additional air. In particular, in one embodiment, the vaporizer 118 is configured to increase the relative humidity of the air exiting the nozzle array 114 or the air hitting the pollen-producing plants (e.g., up to a humidity of 60% - 80%) by atomizing water particles to ensure a high relative humidity suitable for maintaining the viability of pollen. In this regard, in one embodiment, it is also ensured that the pollen remains viable without getting wet with respect to the device 102.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the exhaust direction 120 of the air exiting the nozzle array 114 is inclined upward by an angle 22 of 1° to 45°, preferably 10°, with respect to the vertical direction 121 in order to blow the pollen upward. Further, the exhaust direction 120 of the air exiting the nozzle array 114 is inclined to the right or left with respect to the longitudinal axis 124 of the apparatus 102, particularly outward with respect to the longitudinal axis 124. The apparatus 102 or the corresponding tractor includes a blower 126 (not shown in FIGS. 8 or 9), particularly a centrifugal blower 126. The blower 126 is fluidly connected to the nozzle array 114. The velocity v of the air exiting the nozzle array 114 is in the range of 5 km / h to 45 km / h, preferably 8 km / h to 40 km / h. The blower 126 is configured to adjust the velocity v of the air exiting the nozzle array 114 such that the air has a velocity in the range of 10 km / h to 20 km / h when hitting the pollen-producing plant 116 in the case of wheat plants.

[0060] The nozzle array 114 can be the first nozzle array 130, and the apparatus 102 includes a second nozzle array 132 spaced apart from the first nozzle array 130. In particular, as shown in the figure, in one embodiment, the apparatus 102 includes 10 nozzle arrays 114 spaced apart from each other. The carrier structure 106 includes a first diagonal strut 134. The first diagonal strut extends diagonally outward and rearward from the central front portion 136 of the apparatus 102 toward the rear portion 140 of the apparatus 102. Five nozzle arrays 114 are attached to the first diagonal strut 134. The carrier structure 106 includes a second diagonal strut 142 that extends diagonally outward and rearward from the central front portion 136 of the apparatus 102 toward the rear portion 140 of the apparatus 102. Five nozzle arrays 114 are attached to the second diagonal strut 142. The first diagonal strut 134 and the second diagonal strut 142 extend in the outer directions 138, 144 on opposite sides so as to form a wedge shape.

[0061] The carrier structure 106 includes carrier struts 174. The carrier struts 174 are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 124. The first diagonal strut 134 and the second diagonal strut 142 are attached to the carrier struts 174. The carrier strut 146 and the diagonal struts 134, 142 form a basic triangular shape. Further, additional pivotable struts 172 are connected to the diagonal struts 134, 142. The pivotable struts 172 can be in a transport position where the pivotable struts 172 are aligned parallel to or inwardly towards the longitudinal axis 124, as shown in FIG. 7. The pivotable struts 172 can further be in an extended position where the pivotable struts 172 are aligned outwardly to expand the overall width of the device 102, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a transport position that can also be used for small row spacings. The exhaust direction 120 of the nozzle array 114 arranged on the first diagonal strut 134 is tilted towards the first outer direction 138. The tilt angle 148 is from 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90° from the longitudinal axis 124. The exhaust direction 120 of the nozzle array 114 arranged on the second diagonal strut 142 is tilted by an angle 148 of particularly from 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90° from the longitudinal axis 124 towards the second outer direction 144. Thus, the pollen is blown towards the female, i.e., the flower-receiving plant direction.

[0062] The nozzle arrays 114 are spaced apart from each other by a distance d (see FIG. 8) of 10 cm to 45 cm, preferably 14 cm to 30 cm, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 124. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the nozzle arrays 114 are spaced apart by approximately 50 cm to correspond to a row spacing of 30 cm. In the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the nozzle arrays 114 are spaced apart by approximately 30 cm to correspond to a row spacing of 17 cm. In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the nozzle arrays 114 are spaced apart by approximately 25 cm to correspond to a row spacing of 14.3 cm. The nozzle arrays 114 are releasably attached to the carrier structure 106 such that the spacing and / or height of the nozzle arrays 114 relative to the carrier structure 106 can be adjusted.

[0063] In one embodiment, each nozzle array 114 includes a first air knife 150 and a second air knife 152. The use of the second air knife 152 is optional. The air knife 150 is inclined upward with respect to the vertical plane of the crop row 108. The angle can be in the range of 1° to 45°. In this way, air is blown onto the crop row 108 first from the bottom of the air knife 150 and then from the top of the air knife 150. Thus, the pollen is blown upward. Further, the carrier structure 106 includes an interface 158. The interface 158 is configured to couple the device 102 to a tractor (not shown), particularly to the front receiving section of the tractor. The air knife 150 is inclined at an angle 154 with respect to the vertical plane of the crop row 108.

[0064] Further, a water tank 160 is attached to the carrier structure 106. The water tank 160 contains water for use in the vaporizer 118 and may include a pump 194 as shown in FIG. 13. The water tank is preferably flat to improve the visibility of the operator with respect to the field and the pollen spreading device. The water tank is fluidly connected to a water manifold 164 that is fluidly connected to the nozzle array 114, particularly the vaporizer 118, by a hose. The pressurized air for operating the air knife 150 is provided by an external source such as a tractor including a compressor (not shown). Further, the device 102 includes several posts 168 that can be used to place the device 102 on the ground, for example, when the device 102 is not in use or to couple the device 102 to a tractor (not shown) using the coupling interface 158. FIG. 14 shows the vaporizer 118 disposed above the air knives 150, 152.

[0065] Optionally, the device 102 further includes a protective guard 176 disposed adjacent to at least a portion or all of the air knives 150, 152. The protective guard 176 is disposed substantially parallel to the air knives 150, 152. It should be noted that the protective guard 176 serves only a protective function for the air knives 150, 152. The protective guard 176 does not have a function of releasing pollen.

[0066] In addition, the apparatus 102 includes a sensor unit 186 shown as a block diagram in FIG. 15. The sensor unit 186 includes at least one of the following sensors: a camera 188, a satellite navigation system receiver 190, and a height sensor array 192 configured to determine the height of the crop row 108 relative to the vertical position of the pollen applicator 102. In the figure, the sensor unit 186 is schematically shown adjacent to the water tank 160. However, the sensor unit 186 itself and the sensors 188 - 192 can be arranged at any convenient position of the apparatus 102.

[0067] The camera 188 can be mounted at the top of the apparatus 102 and / or adjacent to at least one of the air knives 150, 152 or other parts of the apparatus 102 that, for example, an operator of the apparatus 102 should monitor. The sensor unit 186 can include a plurality of cameras 188. The height sensor array 192 includes two infrared sensors spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to each other. Using the height sensor array 192, the height adjustment of the apparatus 102 relative to the height of the crop row 108 can be enabled. In one embodiment, the height of the apparatus 102 is controlled such that the lower one of the two infrared sensors is always blocked by each crop of the crop row 108 and the higher one receives an infrared signal. This means, for example, that when both sensors are blocked by the crop, the apparatus 102 is moved upward until the higher sensor receives an infrared signal and the lower sensor is blocked by the crop. When both sensors receive an infrared signal, the apparatus 102 is positioned too high relative to the crop row and is lowered until the lower infrared sensor no longer receives an infrared signal.

[0068] The apparatus 102 optionally further includes a front bar array 177. The front bar array 177 includes a front bar 178. The front bar 178 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the moving direction 110 at the front portion 136 of the apparatus 102 and is fixed to the front bar support structure 184. The front bar 178 is foldable and deployable. In FIG. 6, the front bar 178 is shown in the deployed position which is the operating position. In FIG. 7, the front bar 178 is shown in the folded position. The front bar array 177 includes a chain 180 attached to the front bar 178. The spacing of the chain 180 is variable and can be adjusted with respect to the spacing of the crop rows 116. To achieve this, the front bar array 177 includes a chain mount 182. The chain mount 182 is configured to removably attach the chain 180 to the front bar 178 and / or adjust the position of the chain 180 along the front bar 178. The chain 180 is used to carry a horizontal bar 196 that stimulates only female plant heads / flowers, preferably not pollen-providing male plants, i.e., only females (male-sterile). Thus, the apparatus 102 can pass over the plants two or three or four times, etc., more than once. (The air knife may or may not be operating.) On the first pass, the females are stimulated using the horizontal bar hanging from the chain 180. After the first pass, after a while (e.g., 15 minutes or 30 minutes later, but ideally during the same morning application), the air knife is in an operating state and a second pass can be made with the front bar in the folded or deployed position. As shown in FIG. 9, the chain 180 has a chain overlap c that ensures the chain 180 touches the female plant heads / flowers at a height substantially below or directly below the air knife 114.

[0069] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the wire support structure 195 is disposed above the front bar 178. The wire support structure 195 includes a central column 198 that extends vertically upward from the front bar 178. The wire support structure 195 includes two wires 199 that are stretched between the front bar 178 and the tops of the central columns 198 on both sides of the front bar 178. The support structure 195 helps to avoid bending of the front bar 178. The pollen spraying device 102 further includes a water pump 194 disposed adjacent to the water tank 160. Further, the pollen spraying device 102 includes a heat protector or heat insulating cloth 193. The heat protector or heat insulating cloth 193 is disposed between a tractor (not shown) and a plant. The heat protector or heat insulating cloth 193 can be housed in a roller, and the roller includes a wound heat insulating cloth that can be spread and attached (so as to cover the engine) to the side and rear of the engine to provide heat insulation. The heat insulating cloth is made of a smooth heat insulating material that is not charged by static electricity and is made of a material that does not adsorb or hold pollen.

[0070] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a method 200 for operating a pollen dispersing device 2, which can also be used with any pollen dispersing device according to the present invention, such as the pollen dispersing device 102 in this specification. The method 200 includes a step 202 of moving the pollen dispersing devices 2, 102 along at least one row 8, 108 of crops in the fields 4, 104 at a ground speed of 2.5 km / h to 15 km / h, preferably 5 km / h to 10 km / h, particularly twice a day, for example, twice a day on a certain day. The first movement of the devices 2, 102 along the rows 8, 108 can be used to stimulate the gaps between the crops. The female plants can also be stimulated by a horizontal bar suspended from the chain of the front bar 178. The method 200 further includes a step 202 of moving the pollen dispersing devices 2, 102 along the rows 8, 108 of the crops at another time point, and the time interval between the previous pass and the current pass is particularly one day, preferably two days. The devices 2, 102 are operated in the field, in particular, under the following conditions: it is not raining, at least 30% of the male plant ears contain pollen, the female plants are receptive, in particular, at least 30% of the female plant ears contain florets with gaps, it is not substantially covered by clouds, after the morning dew has evaporated and before the temperature in the field rises above 20°C, preferably before reaching a temperature above 25°C or 30°C. The second pass can be carried out on different days to stimulate the gaps immediately after the first pass, so there are two passes on the first day and two passes on the subsequent days, and they are carried out at short intervals, particularly at intervals of 5 minutes to 30 minutes.

[0071] Subsequently, the initial indoor test results carried out to provide a proof of concept are described. Under indoor conditions, a system including the air knife and the spraying device proposed in the claimed invention of the present invention was passed along the wheat plants in the pollen-releasing state. Petri dishes containing PDA growth medium (potato dextrose agar medium) were placed at different distances from the wheat plants, and the amount and survival rate of the pollen received by the Petri dishes were analyzed.

[0072] Exemplary results of the test scenario are shown in Table 1. The petri dishes were spaced in the air knife blowing direction at an angle such that pollen was blown towards the petri dishes and lifted upwards. Each position was longitudinally spaced 500 mm from the subsequent position. At some positions, two petri dishes were provided, one on the right side of the surface and one on the left side of the surface. All other positions included only one petri dish placed at the center of the surface.

[0073] The indoor conditions were not optimal (artificial light and heated (dry) indoor space), and the amount of pollen generated in this first trial was small. However, the pollen was dispersed from the plants at 0.5 m to 4 m, and for most of the petri dishes that received pollen, the survival rate was 50% or more. The pollen survival rate was determined using standard methods by counting the number of dead and surviving pollen in a certain area observed with a microscope USB Dino-Lite. The exemplary results are summarized in Table 1 below.

[0074] [Table 1]

[0075] Based on the above data, as a first cautious conclusion, it can be drawn that while the air knife can be used to disperse pollen over a fairly wide range of about 4 meters under these settings, increasing the air humidity by using a spraying device helps to ensure that a fairly large amount of pollen remains viable. [Explanation of Signs]

[0076] 2 Pollen dispersing device 4 Field 6 Carrier structure 8 Crop row 10 Direction of movement 12 Blowing device 14 Nozzle array 16 Pollen-producing plant 18 Vaporizing device 20 Exhaust direction 21 Vertical direction 22 Vertical tilt angle 24 Longitudinal axis 26 Centrifugal blower 28 Electromagnetic valve 30 First nozzle array 32 Second nozzle array 34 (First) diagonal strut 36 Central front part 38 First outer direction 40 Rear part of the device 42 Second diagonal strut 44 Second outer direction 46 Strut 48 Outer tilt angle 50 (First) air knife 52 Second air knife 54 Air knife tilt angle 56 Air knife longitudinal axis 58 Connecting interface 60 Water tank including a compressor 62 Air manifold 64 Water manifold 66 Hose 68 Column 70 Hose 72 Additional pivotable strut 74 Carrier strut 102 Pollen dispersing device 104 Field 106 Carrier structure 108 Crop row 110 Moving direction 112 Blowing device 114 Nozzle array 116 Pollen-producing plant 118 Vaporizing device 120 Exhaust direction 121 Vertical direction 124 Longitudinal axis 130 First nozzle array 132 Second nozzle array 134 (First) diagonal strut 136 Central front part 138 First outer direction Rear part of the 140 device 142 Second diagonal strut 144 Second outer direction 146 Strut 148 Outer tilt angle 150 (First) air knife 152 Second air knife 154 Air knife tilt angle 158 Connecting interface 160 Water tank 164 Water manifold 168 Column 172 Additional pivotable strut 174 Carrier strut 176 Protection guard 177 Front bar array 178 Folding front bar 180 Chain 182 Chain mount 184 Front bar support 186 Sensor unit 188 Camera 190 Satellite navigation system receiver 192 Height sensor array 193 Heat protector / thermal insulation cloth 194 Water pump 195 Wire support structure 196 Horizontal bar 198 Column of wire support structure 199 Wire 200 Operating method 202 Move the device along at least one row of crops. 204 Move the device along at least one row of crops on the second or subsequent day v Exhaust air velocity d Nozzle array spacing l Length of air knife h Operating height c Chain overlap

Claims

1. A pollination device (2,102) for crops in a field (4,104), - A carrier structure (6, 106) configured to move in the direction of movement (10, 110) along the rows (8, 108) of the crop in the field (4, 104), - A blower (12, 112) attached to the carrier structure (6, 106), the blower (12, 112) comprising at least one nozzle array (14, 114) configured to blow air onto pollen-producing plants (16, 116) in the field (4, 104). A pollen dispersing device (2, 102) comprising the nozzle array (14, 114), wherein the nozzle array (14, 114) includes a vaporizer (18, 118) for adding humidity to the air coming out of the nozzle array (14, 114), and in particular, the vaporizer (18, 118) is configured to atomize water particles to increase the relative humidity of the air coming out of the nozzle array (14, 114) by 60% to 80%, thereby ensuring a high relative humidity suitable for maintaining pollen survival rate.

2. The exhaust direction (20, 120) of the air coming out of the nozzle arrangement (14, 114) is inclined upward by an angle (22) of 1° to 45°, preferably 10°, with respect to the vertical direction (21, 121) in order to cause the pollen to float upward, and / or The apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust direction (20, 120) of the air coming out of the nozzle array (14, 114) is tilted to the right or left with respect to the longitudinal axis (24, 124) of the apparatus, and in particular outward with respect to the longitudinal axis (24, 124).

3. The blowers (26, 126), in particular centrifugal blowers (26, 126), the blowers (26, 126) are fluidly connected to the nozzle array (30, 130), In particular, the apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 1, wherein the velocity (v) of the air coming out of the nozzle array (30, 130) is in the range of 5 km / h to 45 km / h, 8 km / h to 40 km / h, or 10 to 20 km / h.

4. The apparatus (2,102) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle array (14,114) is a first nozzle array (30,130), and the apparatus (2,120) includes a second nozzle array (32,132) spaced apart from the first nozzle array (30,130), and in particular the apparatus (2,102) includes 5 to 20 nozzle arrays (14,114), preferably 10 nozzle arrays (14,114).

5. The device (2,102) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure (6, 106) includes at least one diagonal support column (34, 134) extending diagonally outward and rearward from the central front portion (36, 136) of the device (2,102) toward the rear portion (40, 140) of the device (2,102), and at least two nozzle arrays (14, 114), in particular five nozzle arrays (14, 114), are attached to the diagonal support column (34, 134).

6. The apparatus (2,102) according to claim 5, wherein the diagonal support columns (34, 134) are first diagonal support columns (34, 134), the carrier structure (6, 106) includes second diagonal support columns (42, 142) extending diagonally outward and rearward from the central front portion (36, 136) of the apparatus (2,102) toward the rear portion (40, 140) of the apparatus (2,102), at least two nozzle arrays (14, 114), in particular five nozzle arrays (14, 114) are attached to the second diagonal support columns (42, 142), and the diagonal support columns (34, 36, 134, 136) extend in opposing outward directions (38, 44, 138, 144).

7. The carrier structure (6, 106) includes carrier columns (74, 174) arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (24, 124), the first diagonal columns (34, 134) and / or the second diagonal columns (42, 142) are attached to the carrier columns (46, 146), and the carrier columns (46, 146) and the diagonal columns (34, 42, 134, 142) form a basic triangular shape. In particular, the apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 5, wherein additional pivotable columns (72, 172) are connected to the diagonal columns (34, 42, 134, 142), and the pivotable columns (72, 172) can be positioned in a transport position parallel to or toward the longitudinal axis (24, 124) and in an extended position in which the pivotable columns (72, 172) are positioned outward to increase the overall width of the apparatus (2, 102).

8. The exhaust direction (20, 120) of the nozzle array (14, 114) arranged on the first diagonal support (34, 134) is tilted toward the first outward direction (38, 138) by an angle of 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90° (48, 148) from the longitudinal axis (24, 124), and / or The apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust direction (20, 120) of the nozzle array (14, 114) arranged on the second diagonal support (42, 142) is tilted by an angle (48, 148) of 1° to 90°, preferably 45° to 90°, from the longitudinal axis (24, 124) in particular toward the second outward direction (44, 144) in order to cause the pollen to float toward the female plant.

9. The apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 1, wherein valves (28, 128), in particular solenoid valves (28, 128), are positioned between the nozzle array (14, 114) and the blower (26, 126), and each valve (28, 128) is configured to block or allow airflow from the blower (26, 126) to the nozzle array (14, 114), in particular to block or allow airflow from the blower (26, 126) to the nozzle array (14, 114) arranged on the first diagonal support (34, 134) and / or the second diagonal support (42, 142).

10. The nozzle arrays (14, 114) are spaced apart from each other by a distance (d) of 7 cm to 45 cm, preferably 14 cm to 30 cm, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (24, 124) to correspond to the planting intervals of different rows (8, 108), and / or The apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle array (14, 114) is removably mounted to the carrier structure (6, 106) such that the spacing (d) and height of the nozzle array (14, 114) can be adjusted.

11. The nozzle array (14, 114), in particular each nozzle array (14, 114), includes an air knife (50, 150), In particular, the apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 1, wherein the air knife (50, 150) is a first air knife (50, 150), and the nozzle array (14, 114), in particular each nozzle array (14, 114), optionally includes a second air knife (52, 152).

12. The air knives (50, 150) are inclined at an angle (54, 154) of 1° to 45°, preferably 10°, with respect to the vertical plane of the crop row (8, 108) in order to blow the air onto the crop row (8, 108) first from the bottom of the air knives (50, 150) and then from the top thereof, and / or The apparatus (2, 102) according to claim 11, wherein the length (l) of the air knife (50, 150) along its longitudinal axis (56, 156) is in the range of 10 cm to 40 cm, preferably 20 cm to 30 cm.

13. The device according to claim 1 (2, 102), wherein the carrier structure (6, 106) includes an interface (58, 158) configured to connect the device to a tractor, in particular to the forward support section of the tractor.

14. The apparatus (102) according to claim 1, further comprising a protective guard (176) positioned adjacent to the air knives (150, 152), wherein the protective guard (176) is positioned substantially parallel to the air knives (150, 152).

15. The system further includes a sensor unit (186), the sensor unit (186) comprising the following sensors: - Camera (188), - Satellite navigation system receiver (190), - A height sensor array (192) configured to determine the height of the crop row (108) relative to the vertical position of the pollen dispersal device (102). The apparatus (102) according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

16. The apparatus (102) according to claim 15, wherein the camera (188) is mounted on the top of the apparatus (102) and / or adjacent to at least one of the air knives (150, 152).

17. The apparatus (102) according to claim 1, further comprising a front bar array (177), the front bar array (177) comprising a front bar (178) positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement (110) in the front portion (136) of the apparatus (102), the front bar (178) being foldable.

18. The forward bar array (177) includes at least one chain (180) attached to the forward bar (178), in particular the chain (180) being a first chain (180), and the forward bar array (177) includes at least one second chain (180) spaced apart from the first chain (180), and / or The apparatus (102) according to claim 17, wherein the front bar array (177) includes a chain mount (182) configured to releasably attach the chain (180) to the front bar (178) and / or to adjust the position of the chain (180) along the front bar (178).

19. The following crops: - Wheat (genus Triticum), including Triticale, especially winter wheat and spring wheat. - Rice (genus Oryza sativa) or the genus Rice, - Avena sativa and other wild oats (genus Avena), - Barley (genus Hordeum), including Hordeum vulgare. - Maize (genus Zea), including Zea mays. - Onions or leeks (Allium genus) containing Allium cepa, - Carrots (genus Daucus), including the subspecies Daucus carota subsp. Sativus, and - A plant from another genus or species that is desirable for cross-pollination of a pollen-receiving plant by a pollen-producing plant, and / or has an inflorescence structure suitable for mechanically assisted (cross-pollination). Use of the pollen dispersal device (2, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 for dispersing pollen while maintaining the pollen survival rate by reducing dehydration.

20. A method (200) for operating a pollen dispersing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, - The pollen dispersing device (2, 102) is moved along at least one row (8, 108) of crops in the field (4, 104) at a ground speed of 2.5 km / h to 15 km / h, preferably 5 km / h to 10 km / h, especially twice a day (202). A method including (200).

21. - Move the pollen dispersal device (2, 102) along the rows of the crop (8, 108) at another time (204) The following further includes, where the time interval between the previous pass and the current pass is particularly one day, preferably two days, and / or In particular, the apparatus (2, 102) operates in the field under the following conditions: - It's not raining. - At least 30% of the male plant's spikes must contain pollen. - The female plant is capable of pollination, and in particular, at least 30% of the spike of the female plant contains sparsely spaced florets. - It is not practically covered by clouds. - After the morning dew has evaporated, and before the temperature of the field rises above 20°C, preferably before it reaches a temperature of 25°C or 30°C. The method according to claim 20(200), which operates under the following conditions.

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