Methods to improve crop yield and / or quality

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for treating plant seedlings to improve long-term hardiness and / or crop yield and / or quality. [Solution] Methods and compositions relating to irradiating plant material with UV-B enriched light to improve subsequent plant performance are provided herein.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] cross reference This application claims the interests of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 526,922, filed on 29 June 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in whole. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, methods to improve crop yield and quality typically relied on fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals, or genetic breeding programs to select beneficial traits. Instead, efforts to improve crop outcomes relied on meticulous but expensive manipulation or control of environmental factors such as temperature or irrigation during crop growth.

[0003] While these approaches often increase yields, they are not without drawbacks. Fertilizers and chemicals, when used improperly, can lead to environmental pollution or health risks. Proper use often requires enormous costs and time spent on crops.

[0004] While genetic breeding offers many advantages from a crop improvement perspective, it is often a slow process, and uncertain phenotypic results are a source of frustration. For example, one commercially important trait may be improved (such as disease resistance), but this may come at the cost of adverse effects on other traits, such as taste or color.

[0005] Ultimately, carefully managing growing conditions before harvest is certainly important. Nevertheless, hardy plants often die due to stress from the outdoor environment, even when growing conditions are managed in this way, which leads to a net loss of production.

[0006] Historically, UV radiation has been considered a harmful treatment for plant seedlings. This was because it was believed that UV radiation stressed plants by exposing them to photodamage, leading to improper developmental responses. However, in recent years, research has focused on treating plants with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and visible light in order to improve defense / protection mechanisms.

[0007] According to Non-Patent Literature 1, exposing lettuce seedlings to filtered natural sunlight, including UV-B, UV-A, and visible light, leads to improved stress tolerance, but at the cost of biomass storage loss, which is thought to be due to a redirection of carbohydrate substrates from growth to secondary metabolism (i.e., protective mechanisms). While the plants showed improved defense / protection, crop yield and quality decreased.

[0008] Patent Document 1 describes a device that delivers a combination of UV-A (315-400nm), UV-B (280-315nm), violet and blue (400-500nm), red and far-red (600-800nm), and optionally green and yellow (500-600nm) light. The device is used to treat tree seedlings, and it has been suggested that this prevents transplantation shock when the plants are moved from indoor to outdoor facilities for plant growth. Specifically, it discloses that treatment with the device shortens the growth cycle of tree seedlings, increases the percentage of viable seedlings, eliminates one work stage in the growth process (e.g., eliminates the need for shade curtains), thereby improving the economic aspects of seedling cultivation. However, Patent Document 1 focuses only on seedling viability and the economic aspects of seedling cultivation, and does not focus on improving crop yield and / or quality. In addition, this document relies on multiple UV wavelength bands, which can complicate the processing and / or lead to undesirable characteristics, such as those described in Non-Patent Document 1.

[0009] Embedding by citation All publications, patents, and patent applications referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent that each individual publication, patent, or patent application is specifically and individually incorporated by reference. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] WO2012 / 085336 [Non-patent literature]

[0011] [Non-Patent Document 1] Behn et al. (Europ.J.Hort.Sci.,76(2).S.33-40,2011,ISSN 1611-4426) [Overview of the Initiative]

[0012] This disclosure is partially summarized by the claims appended to the specification. It should be understood that this disclosure also includes material not expressly detailed in the claims appended to this specification, and that the alternative language of the claims is consistent with and supported by the disclosure herein.

[0013] Methods for treating plant seedlings to improve long-term hardiness and / or crop yield and / or quality are provided herein, the methods comprising the step of exposing plant seedlings to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation having at least one wavelength between 280 and 310 nm before the later growing season. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the treatment of plant seedlings using UV irradiation is carried out indoors. Furthermore, methods are provided herein further comprising the step of exposing plant seedlings to UV light for a range of 2 to 15 days. Furthermore, methods are provided herein further comprising the step of exposing plant seedlings to repeated exposure to UV light. Furthermore, methods are provided herein further comprising the step of maintaining a temperature between approximately 12°C and 35°C during treatment. Furthermore, methods are provided herein further comprising the step of exposing to UV wavelengths in the range of 280 to 305 nm. Furthermore, methods are provided herein further comprising the step of exposing to peak UV wavelengths in the range of 280 to 290 nm. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the plant seedlings are fruit and vegetable seeds. Furthermore, a method for selecting plant seedlings from a group including green lettuce, red lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, medicinal plants, and eggplants is provided herein.

[0014] A device for irradiating plant seedlings with ultraviolet (UV) light is provided herein, characterized in that the device is configured to irradiate with ultraviolet (UV) light having at least one wavelength in the range of 280-310 nm. Furthermore, a device is provided herein that includes a moving conveyor which changes the relative position of at least one light emitter and a target area during processing. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the light emitter is at least one light-emitting diode (LED). Furthermore, a device is provided herein that is configured to also irradiate at least one wavelength in the visible spectrum between 400-800 nm. Furthermore, a device is provided herein that is configured to irradiate at least one wavelength in the blue visible spectrum between 400-500 nm. Furthermore, a device is provided herein that is configured to irradiate at least one wavelength in the red visible spectrum between 655-680 nm.

[0015] Methods for improving long-term durability and / or crop yield and / or crop quality are provided herein, comprising the steps of (a) exposing plant seedlings to ultraviolet (UV) light having at least one wavelength between 280 and 310 nm prior to the subsequent growing season; and (b) selecting plant seedlings for the subsequent growing season. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which step (b) includes predicting or evaluating the durability of plant seedlings and / or the resulting crop yield or crop quality of plant seedlings or plants in order to select seedlings or related seedlings that will undergo similar UV treatment exhibiting promising beneficial properties.

[0016] Plant seedlings, plants, or harvestable crops treated by any of the methods described herein are provided herein.

[0017] A method for improving durability and plant yield is provided herein, comprising the step of irradiating a plant material with light enriched to a UV wavelength of 280 nm to 290 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant material comprises a plant material of the Rosaceae family. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the Rosaceae material comprises a plant of the Strawberry genus. Further, a method is provided herein in which the plant material comprises a stolon. Further, a method is provided herein in which the plant material comprises a seed. Further, a method is provided herein in which the plant material comprises a seedling. Further, a method is provided herein in which the plant material comprises a plant. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light comprises blue light. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light comprises red light. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated for at least one day. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated for at least 14 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated for about 14 days. Furthermore, yield is selected from the group consisting of improved fruit fresh weight, improved number of harvested fruits, improved Brix content, improved fruit width, improved fruit length, improved leaf size, improved leaf surface area, improved dry weight, improved nitrogen content, improved shoot dry weight, improved shoot fresh weight, improved root dry weight, improved vegetable growth, improved fruit portion yield, increased fruit portion weight, improved durability, and increased seed germination rate. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which yield is improved by at least 5% compared to plants with non-UV-B irradiated seeds. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which durability is selected from the group consisting of improved resistance to stress caused by storm damage, improved resistance to stress caused by sunlight exposure, improved resistance to stress caused by disease, and improved resistance to stress caused by insects.

[0018] A method for growing crops by reducing the use of pesticides without affecting losses due to insect damage is provided herein, the method comprising: (a) irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm; (b) providing 95% or less of a standard pesticide regimen; and (c) harvesting the crop, the crop yielding a greater yield than a comparable crop provided with a standard pesticide regimen but not supplemented with UV light.

[0019] Methods for improving crop durability and plant yield are provided herein, the methods comprising: (a) irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm; (b) providing a pesticide regimen, wherein the pesticide regimen is 50% or less of a standard pesticide regimen; (c) harvesting a crop; and (d) measuring the plant yield, wherein the crop yields a greater yield than a comparable crop provided with a standard pesticide regimen but not supplemented with UV light. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the plant material comprises plant material from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry. Further, methods are provided herein in which the plant material is a stolon. Further, methods are provided herein in which the plant material is a seedling. Further, methods are provided herein in which the plant material is a plant. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light includes blue light. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light includes red light. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated for at least 1 day. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated for at least 14 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated for about 14 days. Furthermore, yield is selected from the group consisting of improved fruit fresh weight, improved number of harvested fruits, improved Brix content of harvested fruits, improved fruit width, improved fruit length, improved leaf size, improved leaf surface area, improved dry weight, improved nitrogen content, improved shoot dry weight, improved shoot fresh weight, improved root dry weight, improved vegetable growth, improved fruit portion yield, increased fruit portion weight, improved durability, and increased seed germination rate. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the yield is improved by at least 5% compared to plants with non-UV-B irradiated seeds.Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which durability is selected from the group consisting of improved resistance to stress caused by storm damage, improved resistance to stress caused by sunlight exposure, improved resistance to stress caused by disease, and improved resistance to stress caused by insects. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the pesticide regimen is 60% or less of a standard pesticide regimen. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the pesticide regimen is 70% or less of a standard pesticide regimen. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the pesticide regimen is 80% or less of a standard pesticide regimen.

[0020] Crops derived from any of the methods described herein are provided herein.

[0021] Fields that have been subjected to treatment including one of the methods described herein are provided herein.

[0022] Methods for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants are provided herein, the methods comprising: irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm at least seven weeks before the fruit is harvested. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light includes blue light. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light includes red light. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for at least one day. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for about 14 days. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the light is irradiated for about 10 hours per day. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry. Furthermore, methods are provided in which the plant material is derived from a fruit plant. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the plant material to be derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Further, methods are provided herein for the plant material to be a stolon. Further, methods are provided herein for the plant material to be a seed. Further, methods are provided herein for the plant material to be a plant. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be selected from the group consisting of fruit fresh weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be fruit fresh weight. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the fruit fresh weight to be improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be the number of harvested fruits.Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the number of harvested fruits is improved by at least 10% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the improved yield is increased flower portion. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the improved yield is improved Brix content. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the yield is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material.

[0023] A method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants is provided herein, the method comprising: irradiating the plant material with light loaded with at least one UV wavelength, such as in the range of 280-320 nm, or in a narrower range of wavelengths such as 280-300 nm, 280-295 nm, or 280-290 nm, during the propagation stage of the plant material. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with UV light at at least one wavelength of 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, or 320 nm. In some such methods, light is enriched with UV at a wavelength of 290 nm. In some such methods, light is enriched with UV at a wavelength of 280 nm. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with blue light. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light includes red light. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for at least one day, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 days, or for a period exceeding 30 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for about 14 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for only 14 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the light is irradiated for about 10 hours per day. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is derived from a Rosaceae plant, such as a Rosaceae plant of the genus Strawberry. Furthermore, a method is provided in which the plant material is derived from a fruit plant. Furthermore, methods are provided herein in which the plant material is derived from at least one of tomatoes, strawberries, and hemp.Furthermore, methods are provided herein for determining an improved yield, selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, durability, and seed germination rate. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for determining an improved yield, where fresh fruit weight is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for determining an improved yield, where the number of harvested fruits is improved by at least 10% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for determining an improved yield, where the number of harvested fruits is improved by at least 10% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for determining an improved yield, where the number of flower portions is increased. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for determining an improved yield, where the Brix content is improved. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for determining a yield, where the yield is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Furthermore, methods are provided for determining an improved yield occurring at least one week after light irradiation. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for which improved yields occur one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight weeks after light exposure. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for which the propagation stage includes stolons. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for which the propagation stage includes shoots. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for which the propagation stage includes cuttings.

[0024] A method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants is provided herein, the method comprising: (a) irradiating plant material with light loaded to at least one UV wavelength, such as UV in the range of 280-320 nm, 290-300 nm, or 280-290 nm; and (b) harvesting an increased number of fruits than the number of fruits expected for an untreated field. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with UV light at at least one wavelength such as 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, or 320 nm, such as 280 nm or 290 nm. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with blue light. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with red light. Furthermore, the following methods are provided herein: Light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for at least one day, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 days, or for a period exceeding 30 days. Furthermore, the following methods are provided herein: Light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Furthermore, the following methods are provided herein: Light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for approximately 14 days. Furthermore, the following methods are provided herein: Light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for only 14 days. Furthermore, the following methods are provided herein: Light is irradiated for approximately 10 hours per day. Furthermore, the following methods are provided herein: The plant material is derived from crop plants such as row crops or fruit crops. In some cases, the plant is a plant of the family Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, Cannabaceae, or Rosaceae. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the plant to be of the genera Solanum, Tomato, Cannabis, or Strawberry. Furthermore, methods are provided for the plant material to be derived from a fruit plant. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the plant material to be derived from at least one of Tomato, Strawberry, and Cannabis.Furthermore, methods are provided herein for increasing the number of fruits by at least 5%. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for measuring the above increase against criteria such as the national average for growing portions or untreated fields, the expected number of fruits determined by historical averages, among other things. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for including adjacent fields as untreated fields. Furthermore, untreated fields include fields of approximately the same size, same latitude, same climate zone, same direct sunlight exposure, same daytime temperature, same nighttime temperature, same water immersion, or other parameters that facilitate comparison.

[0025] A method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants is provided herein, the method comprising: irradiating plant material with light loaded with at least one UV wavelength, such as UV wavelengths in the range of 280-290 nm, 290 nm-300 nm, or 300 nm-320 nm, wherein the yield is improved by at least 5%. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with UV light at at least one wavelength of 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, or 320 nm, such as 280 nm or 290 nm. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with blue light. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for enriching light with red light. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for irradiating light with a treatment regimen for at least one day. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which light is irradiated using a treatment regimen for about 14 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which light is irradiated for about 10 hours per day. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the Strawberry genus. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is derived from a fruit plant. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, durability, and seed germination rate. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the improved yield is fresh fruit weight. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the improved yield is the number of harvested fruits.Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the improved yield is an increased portion of the flower. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the improved yield is an improved Brix content. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the improved yield is compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material.

[0026] Compared to fields not irradiated with UV-B, fields with at least 10% improved yield of fruit components of crop plants after irradiation with UV-B enriched light in the 280nm-290nm range are provided. Compared to fields not irradiated with UV-B, fields with at least 50,000 pounds or more of fruit components of crop plants after irradiation with UV-B enriched light in the 280nm-290nm range are provided. Furthermore, fields with 95% or less of at least one of the following regimens are provided: standard fertilizer regimen, standard pesticide regimen, standard herbicide regimen, standard insecticide regimen, and standard water regimen. Furthermore, fields with 80% or less of at least one of the following regimens are provided: standard fertilizer regimen, standard pesticide regimen, standard herbicide regimen, standard insecticide regimen, and standard water regimen are provided. Furthermore, fields with 70% or less of at least one of the following regimens are provided. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that are treated with 60% or less of at least one of a standard fertilizer regimen, a standard pesticide regimen, a standard herbicide regimen, a standard insecticide regimen, and a standard water regimen. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that are enriched with light at a 280 nm UV wavelength. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that are enriched with light at a 290 nm UV wavelength. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that include blue light. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that include red light. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that are irradiated with light using a treatment regimen for at least one day. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that are irradiated with light using a treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that are irradiated with light using a treatment regimen for about 14 days. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that are irradiated with light for about 10 hours per day. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that the crop plants are derived from plants of the Rosaceae family. Furthermore, fields are provided herein that the Rosaceae plants are of the Strawberry genus. Furthermore, fields in which crop plants originate from at least one of tomatoes, strawberries, and hemp are provided herein.Furthermore, fields are provided herein in which the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable development, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Furthermore, fields are provided herein in which the improved yield is fresh fruit weight. Furthermore, fields are provided herein in which the improved yield is the number of harvested fruits. Furthermore, fields are provided herein in which the improved yield is increased flower portion. Furthermore, fields are provided herein in which the improved yield is improved Brix content.

[0027] A method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants is provided herein, the method comprising: exposing plant material to a treatment regimen, wherein the treatment regimen is light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm–295 nm, and the treatment distance from the plant material is approximately 30 mm–120 mm, the speed of the moving light source is approximately 40–60 mm per second, the light source timing cycle is approximately 90–280 seconds, the number of cycles per day is approximately 380–500 cycles per day, and the amount of light is approximately 15–40 umol cm -2 s -1 Irradiance of UV wavelengths in the range of approximately 440nm-460nm, blue light wavelengths of approximately 30-150µl m -2 s -1 The irradiance of blue light, the wavelength of red light in the range of approximately 640nm-680nm, and approximately 60-300 µl m -2 s -1The process includes a red light irradiance in the range of and at least one of the number of days of a processing regime in the range of about 5 to about 20 days. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 282 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 285 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 287 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 291 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 292 nm. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Further, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is a stolon. Further, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is a seed. Further, a method is provided herein in which the plant material is a plant. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the crop plant is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Furthermore, a method is provided herein in which the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the crop plant to be derived from at least one of tomatoes, strawberries, and hemp. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable development, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be fresh fruit weight. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be the number of harvested fruits. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be an increased flower portion. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be an improved Brix content. Furthermore, methods are provided herein for the improved yield to be improved by at least 5%.

[0028] Apply a treatment regimen containing light enriched in at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm - 295 nm to the plant material, and the treatment distance from the plant material, as well as a light source in the range of about 30 mm - about 120 mm, a speed of the moving light source in the range of about 40 - 60 mm per second, a light source timing cycle in the range of about 90 - about 280 seconds, the number of cycles per day in the range of about 380 - about 500 cycles per day, a irradiance of UV wavelength in the range of about 15 - about 40 umol cm -2 s -1 and an irradiance of blue light in the wavelength range of about 440 nm - about 460 nm, a wavelength of red light in the range of about 640 nm - about 680 nm, an irradiance of red light in the range of about 60 - about 300 umol m -2 s -1 and an irradiance of blue light in the wavelength range of about 440 nm - about 460 nm, a wavelength of red light in the range of about 640 nm - about 680 nm, an irradiance of red light in the range of about 60 - about 300 umol m -2 s -1Apparatuses configured to control the irradiance of red light in the range of and at least one of the number of days of a treatment regimen in the range of about 5 to about 20 days are provided herein. Furthermore, apparatuses in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 282 nm are provided herein. Furthermore, apparatuses in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 285 nm are provided herein. Furthermore, apparatuses in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 287 nm are provided herein. Furthermore, apparatuses in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 291 nm are provided herein. Furthermore, apparatuses in which at least one UV wavelength peaks at 292 nm are provided herein. Furthermore, apparatuses in which the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp are provided herein. Further, apparatuses in which the plant material is stolons are provided herein. Further, apparatuses in which the plant material is seeds are provided herein. Further, apparatuses in which the plant material is seedlings are provided herein. Further, apparatuses in which the plant material is plants are provided herein. Furthermore, apparatuses in which the crop plant is derived from plants of the Rosaceae family are provided herein. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the Rosaceae plant is of the Strawberry genus. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the crop plant is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable development, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the improved yield is fresh fruit weight. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the improved yield is the number of harvested fruits. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the improved yield is an increased flower portion. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the improved yield is an improved Brix content. Furthermore, a device is provided herein in which the improved yield is improved by at least 5%. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] Further aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description, which is given as just one example, and from reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the UV spectral analysis that yields useful durability results. [Figure 2] The graphs show the average shoot dry weight (DW) of the control group and the strawberry cultivar after 280 nm UV-B irradiation.

[0030] Further aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description, which is given as just one example, and from reference to the accompanying drawings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Methods, apparatus, and recipes for processing plant seedlings or other plant material to improve long-term durability and / or crop yield and / or crop quality are disclosed herein, characterized by the step of exposing plant seedlings to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation having at least one wavelength between 280 and 310 nm before the subsequent growing season.

[0032] In another aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided for irradiating plant seedlings or plant material with ultraviolet (UV) light, such as 280 or 290 nm, or in the range of 280 nm to 310 nm, including 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 30 The process is characterized by being configured to irradiate with ultraviolet (UV) light at at least one wavelength in the range of approximately 280 to approximately 320 nm, such as UV light having a peak wavelength at at least one wavelength of 0, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, or 320 nm. The process is further characterized by the processing distance from the plant material, as well as the number of cycles per day in the range of approximately 30 mm to approximately 120 mm, the speed of the moving light source in the range of approximately 40 to 60 mm per second, the light source timing cycle in the range of approximately 90 to approximately 280 seconds, the number of cycles per day in the range of approximately 380 to approximately 500 cycles per day, and the amount of radiation at approximately 15 to approximately 40 umol cm -2 s -1 Irradiance of UV wavelengths in the range of approximately 440nm-460nm, blue light wavelengths of approximately 30-150µl m -2 s -1 Blue light irradiance in the range of approximately 640nm-680nm wavelength, red light wavelength in the range of approximately 60-300umol m -2 s -1 This includes the irradiance of red light in the range.

[0033] A method is provided, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, for improving long-term durability and / or crop yield and / or crop quality, the method comprising (a) exposing plant seedlings or plant material to ultraviolet (UV) light having at least one wavelength between 280 and 310 nm prior to a later growing season, and (b) selecting or determining an appropriate level of durability in the plant seedlings or plant material during a later growing season.

[0034] In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, plant seedlings, plants, or harvestable crops are provided that have been processed using the methods described herein.

[0035] Methods for treating plant seedlings or plant material to increase crop yield and / or quality are provided herein. In some examples, a direct correlation has been observed between the treatment of plant seedlings or plant material with specific wavelengths in the UV-B spectrum and the yield and quality of commercially important crops. In some examples, methods such as those described herein involve irradiation with UV-B enriched or supplemented light. In some examples, some of this set of wavelengths are not found in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface and therefore differ from any form of treatment using natural sunlight.

[0036] Furthermore, this treatment also appears to achieve desirable or improved tolerance (i.e., protection) from stresses such as abiotic and biological stresses. For example, preliminary studies have shown that cucumbers exhibit increased tolerance / protection (reduced environmental stress) to cold stress in older plants at the final harvest 12 days after UV treatment of the first cucumber seedlings.

[0037] As another example, green lettuce has been shown to have increased resistance to fungal diseases (reduced biological stress) even in older plants. This illustrates the sustained protective effect of UV treatment in older plants. Importantly, in both examples, crop yield also increased at harvest. Thus, this disclosure improves durability and, unlike Non-Patent Document 1, also improves crop yield and quality. Non-Patent Document 1 taught results far removed from those of this disclosure, because it leads readers to UV treatment that causes plants to build protective mechanisms at the loss of increased crop yield.

[0038] In addition, unlike Non-Patent Document 1, this disclosure requires only UV irradiation in one defined spectrum (and in particular only a subset thereof), whereas Non-Patent Document 1 could not control the processing with UV-A, UV-B, and visible light via filtered natural sunlight.

[0039] Unlike prior art broad-spectrum UV treatment methods for improving stress tolerance (e.g., avoiding transplant shock), this disclosure may use treatment within a single UV spectrum (within UV-B), which significantly simplifies the required treatment processes and equipment.

[0040] Furthermore, many treatments utilize sunlight as a UV-B, UV-A, and visible light source, resulting in a lack of dosage specificity and often leading to undesirable and / or unpredictable results. This disclosure often avoids this unpredictability by using only specific wavelengths within a single defined wavelength band during treatment. In some examples, plant seedlings are exposed to other background light during treatment.

[0041] In some cases, using specific and focused wavelength ranges within UV-B radiation between 280–310 nm yields beneficial results. In some cases, portions of the UV-B spectrum above approximately 310 nm do not yield the beneficial results seen. As will be further discussed, the UV-B spectrum covers from 280 nm to approximately 315 nm (however, the defined separation between UV wavelength bands is approximate and subject to at least two common modifications in the literature, namely, an upper limit for UV-B at 320 nm (IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Volume 55-Solar and ultraviolet radiation; Chapter 1; Exposure data (1992)). Extensive or uncontrolled UV treatment within the UV-B spectrum may lead to harmful consequences.

[0042] Long-term hardiness of plants refers to improved resistance to stresses encountered during the plant's growing season before harvest, such as storm damage, sun exposure, disease, and / or pest attacks. Without being bound by theory, the commercial end result of improved crop yield and / or quality at harvest is considered to be at least partially attributable to the improved long-term hardiness resulting from the treatment. Regardless, the end result of improved crop yield and / or quality has been observed as a result of this treatment method.

[0043] In some cases, the use of UV radiation outside the UV-B range (e.g., UV-A or UV-C wavelengths) does not lead to beneficial results. In some cases, the beneficial effect dramatically diminishes or disappears completely when the radiation moves out of the UV-B spectrum and into, for example, the UV-A spectrum (400 nm to 315 nm).

[0044] Methods for improving crop quality, including at least one of improved taste, size, shape, color, texture, visual appearance, shelf life, and / or ability to withstand post-harvest treatment, are described herein. In some examples, the methods include the step of tracking, selecting, or predicting plants that exhibit improved durability and / or crop yield / quality after the described UV treatment. In some examples, this is beneficial in reducing plant atrition before harvest, and therefore in improving crop quality and / or yield.

[0045] Throughout this specification, the phrase “before the later growing season” should be interpreted as meaning, at a specific point in time based on the age, size, or other characteristics of the plant seedling, or environmental characteristics, before the plant seedling is moved to an outdoor environment, or, in some cases, before it is kept in an indoor environment. The growing season is typically the period when a plant exhibits substantial growth and development towards a mature plant before harvest.

[0046] Throughout this specification, the term “endurance” should be interpreted as the ability of a plant to withstand or be protected from one or more stresses during crop production, thereby enabling a more desirable yield and / or quality of the plant at harvest.

[0047] Throughout this specification, the term “plant seedling” should be interpreted as meaning a young plant after germination from a seed. Plant seedlings may include vegetables, fruits, trees, shrubs, medicinal plants, grass-origin plants, and so on.

[0048] Throughout this specification, the term “plant” should be interpreted as meaning a mature plant seedling that will ultimately be used for a crop or other purpose.

[0049] While this disclosure has specific applications for the production of vegetable and fruit crops, it may also be used to improve the endurance of other types of plants, such as trees, grasses, flowers, and medicinal herbs. For the sake of brevity, the remainder of the specification refers to crop production (vegetables in particular), but it should be understood that this is not intended to be limiting.

[0050] Throughout this specification, the term “crop” should be interpreted as meaning cultivated plants that are typically harvested by human or machine at multiple points in the growth stage for further use or human consumption. However, it should be understood that the application of the method to grasses, trees, etc., may be used solely to improve their durability without the intention of harvesting.

[0051] Throughout this specification, the term “indoor” should be interpreted as meaning a house, typically a greenhouse, a plastic polytunnel, a shade cloth without walls, or a fully indoor system that may also use artificial lighting.

[0052] In the example of a greenhouse, it may include transparent walls and / or a ceiling that allow natural light to enter. Indoor housing may be used to induce the initial germination and seedling development stages and before the subsequent growing season in an outdoor environment, during the UV radiation exposure of this disclosure.

[0053] In some embodiments, the treatment of plant seedlings or plant material takes place indoors. For example, one of the methods may take place indoors, for example, in a greenhouse. In some examples, UV-B is irradiated indoors. In some examples, UV-B is irradiated outdoors. In some examples, UV-B is irradiated in an outdoor field.

[0054] In some cases, the advantage of performing the treatment indoors is that it may be easier to adjust conditions while the plant seedlings are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, this may also mean that the devices used to apply the UV treatment may be better protected. However, depending on the condition and type of seedlings or plant material being treated, the treatments disclosed herein may also be performed in an outdoor environment.

[0055] Throughout this specification, the term “transplant” should be interpreted as the act of moving plant seedlings to an outdoor environment, such as a field, that allows for continued growth before the final harvest of the crop. The term “transplant shock” specifically refers to the stress or shock that plants experience at the time of transplanting due to various sun shocks, for example, caused by different levels of sunlight exposure between indoor and outdoor environments.

[0056] Throughout this specification, the term “ultraviolet (UV) irradiation” should be interpreted as referring to electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays, and in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm (corresponding to 3 eV to 124 eV). The ultraviolet (UV) irradiation spectrum is considered invisible to humans and is therefore distinct from visible light, which is in the spectrum of approximately 400 nm to 700 nm.

[0057] The ultraviolet spectrum can be further divided into UV-A (400-320 nm), UV-B (320-280 nm), and UV-C (280-100 nm).

[0058] Methods described herein, in some embodiments, involve exposure to UV wavelengths of about 280 to about 305 nm. In some examples, beneficial effects are most pronounced within a narrower band of the UV-B spectrum, particularly between 280 nm and 305 nm.

[0059] In some cases, beneficial results are still observed beyond 305 nm, but they decline sharply after wavelengths above approximately 310 nm. For example, treatment with UV light peaking at 319 nm, while still within the UV-B wavelength band of the spectrum, does not appear to produce the desired effect. In some cases, this disclosure uses wavelengths in the shortwave range of the UV-B spectrum, the proportion of which lies outside the natural spectrum of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface. In some cases, UV treatment with the UV-A spectrum (354 nm) or UV treatment with the UV-C spectrum (270 nm) is not effective in improving durability.

[0060] In some examples, the method involves exposure to a peak UV wavelength of approximately 280–290 nm. In some examples, treatment with UV light peaking between 280 nm–290 nm has shown promising results. In some examples, the method involves only a specific wavelength (or at least a wavelength peak) between 280–310 nm. In some examples, the method described herein involves a small amount of UV light extending beyond a portion of the 280–310 nm range. In some examples, the method includes mostly meaningless background radiation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this effect is small and has no actual impact on the merits of this disclosure.

[0061] Methods described herein include irradiation with UV-B in the range of approximately 280 nm to approximately 320 nm. In some cases, UV-B is irradiated at 280 nm (±5 nm), 286 nm (±5 nm), 294 nm (±5 nm), or approximately 317 nm. UV-B is irradiated at approximately 280 nm, approximately 281 nm, approximately 282 nm, approximately 283 nm, approximately 284 nm, approximately 285 nm, approximately 286 nm, approximately 287 nm, approximately 288 nm, approximately 289 nm, approximately 290 nm, approximately 291 nm, approximately 292 nm, approximately 293 nm, approximately 294 nm, approximately 295 nm, approximately 296 nm, approximately 297 nm, approximately 298 nm, approximately 299 nm, and approximately 300 nm. UV-B may be approximately 301nm, 302nm, 303nm, 304nm, 305nm, 306nm, 307nm, 308nm, 309nm, 310nm, 311nm, 312nm, 313nm, 314nm, 315nm, 316nm, 317nm, 318nm, 319nm, or 320nm. In some cases, UV-B peaks at 280nm (±5nm), 286nm (±5nm), 294nm (±5nm), or approximately 317nm. UV-B is approximately 280nm, approximately 281nm, approximately 282nm, approximately 283nm, approximately 284nm, approximately 285nm, approximately 286nm, approximately 287nm, approximately 288nm, approximately 289nm. , about 290nm, about 291nm, about 292nm, about 293nm, about 294nm, about 295nm, about 296nm, about 297nm, about 298nm, about 299nm, about 300nm m, approx. 301 nm, approx. 302 nm, approx. 303 nm, approx. 304 nm, approx. 305 nm, approx. 306 nm, approx. 307 nm, approx. 308 nm, approx. 309 nm, approx. 310 nm, approx. 31 It can be 1 nm, about 312 nm, about 313 nm, about 314 nm, about 315 nm, about 316 nm, about 317 nm, about 318 nm, about 319 nm, or about 320 nm. In some cases, UV-B is irradiated or peaks at approximately 280nm to 290nm, 280nm to 300nm, 280nm to 310nm, 280nm to 320nm, 290nm to 300nm, 290nm to 310nm, 290nm to 320nm, 300nm to 310nm, 300nm to 320nm, or 310nm to 320nm.In some cases, UV-B is irradiated or peaks at 280nm (±5nm) to 284nm (±5nm), 279nm to approximately 288nm (±5nm), approximately 289nm to approximately 300nm, or 286nm to approximately 305nm (±5nm). In some cases, UV-B peaks at 282nm. In some cases, UV-B peaks at 292nm.

[0062] Optionally, the wavelength within the 280-310 nm range during processing by the above method for a given plant species may be changed. In some examples, various combinations of wavelengths within the UV-B spectrum are used simultaneously.

[0063] In some examples, the LED light is configured to emit light with a peak irradiance wavelength centered around approximately 290 nm. In some examples, the light source is an LED. Often, the LED light is configured to emit light with a peak irradiance wavelength of approximately 280 nm, 10 nm, 9 nm, 8 nm, 7 nm, 6 nm, 5 nm, 4 nm, 3 nm, 2 nm, or 1 nm, or just 280 nm, approximately 286 nm, 10 nm, 9 nm, 8 nm, 7 nm, 6 nm, 5 nm, 4 nm, 3 nm, 2 nm, or 1 nm, or just 286 nm. Alternatively, the LED light is configured to emit light from a standard white light spectrum, supplemented by light in the range of approximately 280nm, 10nm, 9nm, 8nm, 7nm, 6nm, 5nm, 4nm, 3nm, 2nm, or 1nm, or just 286nm, approximately 286nm, 10nm, 9nm, 8nm, 7nm, 6nm, 5nm, 4nm, 3nm, 2nm, or 1nm, or just 286nm UV-B range.

[0064] LED light or light sources may irradiate plant materials at various distances. In some cases, the distance between the plant material and the light source is at least or approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, or 200 millimeters (mm) or more. In some cases, the distance between the plant material and the light source is in the range of approximately 5 to 300, approximately 10 to 200, approximately 20 to 140, approximately 30 to 120, or approximately 40 to 60 mm. In some cases, the distance between the plant material and the light source is approximately 50 mm. In some cases, the distance between the plant material and the light source is approximately 70 mm. In some cases, the irradiated light is enriched or supplemented with UV-B.

[0065] In some examples, the light source is fixed. In some examples, the light source moves along a conveyor belt, for example. In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is at least or about 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200 millimeters per second (mm / sec) or greater than 200 millimeters per second (mm / sec). In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is at least or about 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 mm / sec or greater than 60 mm / sec. In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is in the range of about 5 to about 200, about 10 to about 160, about 20 to about 100, or about 40 to about 60 mm / sec. In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is approximately 50 mm / second. In other examples, the speed of the moving light source is approximately 53 mm / second.

[0066] In some examples, the methods described herein do not involve the use of other UV wavelengths, such as UV-A or UV-C, in combination with specific UV-B treatments. In some examples, wavelengths other than UV-B treatments in the 280-310 nm range are not included in the methods described herein. In some examples, this offers significant advantages over treatment methods that use multiple wavelengths in more than one spectrum.

[0067] The preferred dosage regimen may vary and is not limited to the seedling type, UV light intensity (W m). -2 s -1 Various parameters may be taken into consideration, including the length of the treatment (in days) and the rest period (on / off) between each UV irradiation during the treatment.

[0068] For example, the treatment duration may be kept short, around 2-4 days, but as a result, high-intensity UV irradiation may be used to provide a sufficient application during the treatment period. One consideration is that higher intensities are more likely to cause seedling damage, and therefore sufficient rest periods between irradiations may be particularly useful. Furthermore, simultaneous irradiation using blue and red visible light may be particularly beneficial.

[0069] Furthermore, it should be understood that the UV exposure time, the timing of UV exposure to seedlings after germination, temperature, number of cycles, and specific UV wavelengths can each be modified to suit different plant varieties, while remaining within the spirit of this disclosure. Preferably, the above method includes a step of exposing plant seedlings to ultraviolet light for approximately 2–15 days. In some examples, the treatment is less than 2 days. In some examples, the treatment is longer than 2 days. In some examples, the method described herein includes a step of exposing plant seedlings or plant material to UV light for about 4–7 days.

[0070] Many UV-B irradiation durations are consistent with the disclosures herein. For example, UV-B irradiation durations are up to 72 hours, up to 60 hours, up to 48 hours, up to 36 hours, up to 24 hours, up to 23 hours, up to 22 hours, up to 21 hours, up to 20 hours, up to 19 hours, up to 18 hours, up to 17 hours, up to 16 hours, up to 15 hours, up to 14 hours, up to 13 hours, up to 12 hours, up to 11 hours, up to 10 hours, up to 9 hours, up to 8 hours, up to 7 hours, up to 6 hours, up to 5 hours, up to 4 hours, up to 3 hours, up to 2 hours, up to 1 hour, or less than 1 hour. In some cases, UV-B treatment lasts approximately 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours, 14 hours, 16 hours, 18 hours, 20 hours, 24 hours, 30 hours, 32 hours, 50 hours, 72 hours, or more than 72 hours. Some treatments last less than, about, or at least the following times. (Least) 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes, 10 minutes, 11 minutes, 12 minutes, 13 minutes, 14 minutes, 15 minutes, 16 minutes, 17 minutes, 18 minutes, 19 minutes, 20 minutes, 21 minutes, 22 minutes, 23 minutes, 24 minutes, 25 minutes, 26 minutes, 27 minutes, 28 minutes, 29 minutes, 30 minutes, 31 minutes, 32 minutes, 33 minutes, 34 minutes, 35 minutes, 36 minutes, 37 minutes, 38 minutes, 39 minutes, 40 minutes, 41 minutes, 42 minutes, 43 minutes, 44 minutes, 45 minutes, 46 minutes, 47 minutes, 48 ​​minutes, 49 minutes, 50 minutes, 51 minutes, 52 minutes, 53 minutes, 54 minutes, 55 minutes, 56 minutes, 57 minutes, 58 minutes, 59 minutes, 60 minutes, or 60 minutes or more. In some cases, UV-B irradiation time ranges from approximately 0 to 60 hours, or from approximately 5 to 30 hours. In some cases, UV-B treatment lasts for approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 32, 50, 72 days, or more than 72 days. In some cases, UV-B treatment lasts for approximately 1 to 30 days, 2 to 25 days, 4 to 20 days, 6 to 18 days, or 8 to 16 days. In some cases, UV-B treatment lasts for approximately 5 to 20 days, or from approximately 2 to 30 days. In some cases, UV-B treatment lasts for less than approximately 2 days.In some cases, UV-B treatment lasts longer than approximately 30 days. In other cases, UV-B treatment lasts approximately 14 days.

[0071] UV-B irradiation may be performed once before the fruit is harvested. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is performed before the flowers open. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is performed before the buds begin to form. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is performed before the first pollen release. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is performed before fertilization. UV-B irradiation may be performed once before the fruit biomass can be measured. Methods for evaluating fruit biomass include, but are not limited to, the steps of measuring the number of fruits, measuring the number of all stems of the plant material that produces the fruit, and measuring the soil cover of the plant material that produces the fruit. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is performed for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 32, 50, 72, or 72 days or more, before at least one of the following events: when the fruit is harvested, when the flowers open, when buds begin to form, when pollen is released, when fertilization occurs, and when fruit biomass is measured. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is performed for at least 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, or more, before at least one of the following events: when the fruit is harvested, when the flowers open, when buds begin to form, when pollen is released, when fertilization occurs, and when fruit biomass is measured.

[0072] UV-B treatment can be achieved in a single dose. In some embodiments, UV-B treatment is a single or multiple time point treatment. In the case of multiple time point treatments, the UV-B treatment may be divided into any appropriate intervals. In some examples, the UV-B treatment is less than, about, exactly, or at the following values. They are spaced apart at intervals of 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes, 10 minutes, 11 minutes, 12 minutes, 13 minutes, 14 minutes, 15 minutes, 16 minutes, 17 minutes, 18 minutes, 19 minutes, 20 minutes, 21 minutes, 22 minutes, 23 minutes, 24 minutes, 25 minutes, 26 minutes, 27 minutes, 28 minutes, 29 minutes, 30 minutes, 31 minutes, 32 minutes, 33 minutes, 34 minutes, 35 minutes, 36 minutes, 37 minutes, 38 minutes, 39 minutes, 40 minutes, 41 minutes, 42 minutes, 43 minutes, 44 minutes, 45 minutes, 46 minutes, 47 minutes, 48 ​​minutes, 49 minutes, 50 minutes, 51 minutes, 52 minutes, 53 minutes, 54 minutes, 55 minutes, 56 minutes, 57 minutes, 58 minutes, 59 minutes, or 60 minutes. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is less than, about, exactly, or at least the following values. At least) they are separated by an interval of 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours, 15 hours, 16 hours, 17 hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, 20 hours, 21 hours, 22 hours, 23 hours, 24 hours, 25 hours, 26 hours, 27 hours, 28 hours, 29 hours, 30 hours, 31 hours, 32 hours, 33 hours, 34 hours, 35 hours, 36 hours, 37 hours, 38 hours, 39 hours, 40 hours, 41 hours, 42 hours, 43 hours, 44 hours, 45 hours, 46 hours, 47 hours, 48 ​​hours, 49 hours, 50 hours, 51 hours, 52 hours, 53 hours, 54 hours, 55 hours, 56 hours, 57 hours, 58 hours, 59 hours, 60 hours, or more than 60 hours.

[0073] In some examples, the above method includes the step of exposing plant seedlings or plant material to repeated exposure to UV-B light. For example, UV-B exposure is given as approximately 12 hours on and approximately 12 hours off over a 7-day period. In some examples, UV-B exposure is given as approximately 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours, 15 hours, 16 hours, 17 hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, 20 hours, 21 hours, 22 hours, or 23 hours on, and 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours, 15 hours, 16 hours, 17 hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, 20 hours, 21 hours, 22 hours, or 23 hours off. In some cases, UV-B exposure is at least or approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 days. In some cases, UV exposure is at least or approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 weeks, or longer. In other cases, UV-B exposure may be given for 10 minutes per day for a week. It should be understood that different conditions may be adapted to different plant varieties and / or specific results desired by the grower.

[0074] Repeated exposure to UV-B light can involve a variety of cycle counts per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day is at least or approximately 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, or more than 1000 cycles per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day ranges from approximately 50 to 100, 100 to 900, 200 to 800, 300 to 700, or 400 to 600 cycles per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day ranges from approximately 380 to 500 or 250 to 600 cycles per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day is less than approximately 250 cycles per day. In some cases, the number of cycles per day is greater than approximately 250. In some cases, the number of cycles per day is approximately 430. In some cases, the number of cycles per day is approximately 433.

[0075] In some cases, the regularity of light exposure varies. In some cases, light is enriched or supplemented with UV-B. In some cases, light exposure is at least or about 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 400 seconds, or more than 400 seconds. In some cases, light exposure is in the range of about 20 to about 300 seconds, about 40 to about 200 seconds, about 60 to about 140 seconds, about 80 to about 100 seconds, or about 90 to about 180 seconds. In some cases, light exposure is less than 20 seconds. In some cases, light exposure is more than 300 seconds. In some cases, light exposure is about 130 seconds. In some cases, light exposure is about 133 seconds.

[0076] A method for irradiating plant material with UV-B is described herein, wherein the method includes the step of maintaining a temperature in the range of about 12°C to about 35°C during treatment. In some examples, the temperature is maintained at or above 5°C, 6°C, 7°C, 8°C, 9°C, 10°C, 11°C, 12°C, 13°C, 14°C, 15°C, 16°C, 17°C, 18°C, 20°C, 22°C, 24°C, 26°C, 28°C, 30°C, 32°C, 34°C, 36°C, 38°C, 40°C, or 40°C or above. The temperature may be maintained in the range of about 5°C to about 40°C, about 10°C to about 30°C, or about 15°C to about 25°C. In some examples, the temperature is maintained to avoid thermal damage to seedlings during the treatment stage.

[0077] Various doses of UV-B are intended herein. In some examples, the dose is approximately 0.01 kJm -2 ~Approx. 368kJ m -2 The range is as follows: In some cases, the dosage is approximately 0.01 kJ m² to 368 kJ m². -2 , 0.1kJ m -2 -300kJ m -2 , 1kJ m -2 -250kJ m -2 , 10kJ m -2 -200kJ m -2 , 100kJ m -2 -150kJ m -2 , 200kJ m -2 -300kJ m -2 , 250kJ m -2 -350kJ m -2 , or 300kJ m -2 -368kJ m -2 In some cases, the dosage is approximately 0.1 to 12 kJ / m³. -2 The range is approximately 13 kJ m³. In some cases, the dose is approximately 13 kJ m³. -2 Phototherapy uses approximately 13 kJ m -2 , exactly 13kJ m -2 , or at least 13 kJ m -2 The dosage may be as follows. In some cases, the dosage is approximately 37 kJ m³.-2 In some cases, the dose is approximately 69 kJ m³. -2 In some cases, the dose is approximately 78 kJ m³. -2 In some cases, the dose is approximately 98 kJ m³. -2 In some cases, the dose is approximately 100 kJ m³. -2 Phototherapy uses approximately 100 kJ m -2 , exactly 100kJ m -2 , or 100kJ m -2 The above dosage may also be used. In some cases, the dosage is approximately 125 kJ m³. -2 In some cases, the dose is approximately 204 kJ m³. -2 Phototherapy uses approximately 13 kJ m -2 ~100kJ m -2 The dosage range may also be acceptable. UV-B is approximately 1 kJ m -2 -1000kJ m -2 , 10kJ m -2 -800kJ m -2 , 20kJ m -2 -600kJ m -2 , 30kJ m -2 -400kJ m -2 , 50kJ m -2 -200kJ m -2 , 100kJ m -2 -150kJ m -2 , 30kJ m -2 -60kJ m -2 , or 150kJ m -2 -250kJ m -2 The dosage can be in the range of 0 kJ m. In some cases, UV-B is 0 kJ m -2 -20kJ m -2 , 20kJ m -2 -40kJ m -2 , 40kJ m -2 -60kJ m -2 , 60kJ m -2 -80kJ m -2 , or 80kJ m -2 -100kJ m -2 It is within the range of [the specified range].

[0078] Various irradiances of UV-B may be used. In some cases, the irradiance is about 4x10 -5 W cm -2 s -1 ~ about 1.3x10 -4 W cm -2 s -1 in the range of. The irradiance range can be about 4x10 -5 W cm -2 s -1 , exactly 4x10 -5 W cm -2 s -1 , or at least 4x10 -5 W cm -2 s -1 . In some cases, the irradiance is about 1.3x10 -4 W cm -2 s -1 , exactly 1.3x10 -4 W cm -2 s -1 , or 1.3x10 -4 W cm -2 s -1 or more. The irradiance range is about 4x10 -5 W cm -2 s -1 -6x10 -5 Wcm -2 s -1 , 6x10 -5 W cm -2 s -1 -8x10 -5 Wcm -2 s -1 , 8x10 -5 W cm -2 s -1 -1x10 -4 Wcm -2 s -1 , or 1x10 -4 W cm -2 s -1 -1.5x10 -5 Wcm -2 s -1 and can vary depending on treatment protocols such as the hydration protocol.

[0079] In some cases, the UV-B irradiance is at least or approximately 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, and 100 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 , or 100 umol cm -2 s -1 That concludes the explanation. In some examples, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 15–80, 15–25, 16–24, or 25–40 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 This is within the range. In some examples, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 15 μl cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 It is lower than that. In some cases, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 25 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 It exceeds this. In some cases, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 80 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 It exceeds [amount]. In some cases, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 20 μL cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 In some cases, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 30 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 That is the case.

[0080] In some cases, when UV-B is administered simultaneously with light of another wavelength, UV-B is enriched compared to light of the other wavelength. In some cases, UV-B is enriched by at least or about 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, 225%, 250%, 275%, 300%, or more than 300% compared to light of the other wavelength. In some cases, UV-B is supplemental. In some cases, UV-B is the dominant wavelength during light irradiation. In some cases, UV-B makes up at least or about 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the light used for light irradiation.

[0081] A method for irradiating plant seedlings or plant material with UV-B is described herein, which in some embodiments includes irradiation of visible light in the range of about 400 to about 800 nm. The visible light may be irradiated simultaneously with or separately from the UV light. In some cases, the visible light may be about or up to 500 μm -2 s -1 It is irradiated with light. In some cases, visible light is approximately or up to 400 umol m -2 s -1 Approximately or up to 300 umol m -2 s -1 Approximately or up to 200 umol m -2 s -1 Approximately or up to 100 umol m -2 s -1 Approximately or up to 50 umol m -2 s -1 , or approximately 50 umol m -2 s -1 Or 50 umol m -2 s -1 It is administered at a dose of less than 50 µl. Often, visible light is approximately 50 µl m -2 s -1 It is irradiated with approximately 20 μL m³. In some cases, approximately 20 μL m³ is used. -2 s -1 Visible light is emitted. Often, visible light is emitted at 10 m-2 s -1 -550 m -2 s -1 , 20 m -2 s -1 -500 m -2 s -1 , 40 m -2 s -1 -450 m -2 s -1 , 45 m -2 s -1 -400 m -2 s -1 , 50 m -2 s -1 -350 m -2 s -1 , 100 m -2 s -1 -300 m -2 s -1 , or 100 m -2 s -1 -200 umol m -2 s -1 It can have a photon number in the range of [this range].

[0082] Notably, visible light is not UV light, and therefore can be distinguished from the prior art treatments described in Non-Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 1, which utilize both UV-B and UV-A in the treatment. In some cases, including visible light prevents any DNA damage to plants. In some cases, including visible light facilitates the extension of beneficial durability properties obtained through UV exposure.

[0083] Methods for irradiating plant seedlings or plant materials with UV-B are described herein, and in some embodiments, these methods include irradiation with blue visible light. In some examples, blue visible light helps to avoid the potentially harmful effects of UV damage to DNA. In some examples, blue light is beneficial for photon repair. In some examples, blue visible light or blue light is irradiated or peaked at approximately 450 (±5 nm) to approximately 500 nm, or approximately 455 to approximately 492 nm. In some examples, blue visible light or blue light is irradiated or peaked at at least approximately 430 nm, 435 nm, 440 nm, 445 nm, 450 nm, 455 nm, 460 nm, 465 nm, 470 nm, 475 nm, 480 nm, 485 nm, or 490 nm. In some examples, blue visible light or blue light is irradiated or peaked in the range of 430 nm to 480 nm, or 440 nm to 460 nm. In some cases, blue visible light or blue light is emitted or peaks at approximately 450 nm. In some cases, blue visible light or blue light is emitted or peaks at approximately 453 nm.

[0084] The irradiance of blue light is not limited, but is typically 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 umol m -2 s -1 , or 6000umol m -2 s -1 This includes the above. The irradiance of blue light is approximately 5 to 5000, 5 to 2000, 20 to 800, 40 to 600, 60 to 400, 80 to 200, 30 to 130, or 33 to 133 umol m -2 s -1 It may be in the range of . In some examples, the irradiance of blue light is approximately 60 umol m -2 s -1 In some examples, the irradiance of blue light is approximately 66 umol m -2 s -1That is the case.

[0085] Methods for irradiating plant seedlings or plant material with UV-B are described herein, and in some embodiments, these methods include irradiation with red visible light. In some examples, the benefit of red visible light is a complementary effect on plant growth, such as the regulation of stem growth. The red visible light or red light is irradiated or peaked in the range of approximately 655–680 nm, approximately 620–690 nm, or approximately 640–680 nm. In some examples, the red visible light or red light is irradiated or peaked at 620 nm (±5 nm), approximately 630 nm, approximately 640 nm, approximately 660 nm, approximately 670 nm, approximately 680 nm, approximately 690 nm, approximately 700 nm, approximately 710 nm, approximately 720 nm, approximately 730 nm, approximately 740 nm, or approximately 750 nm (±5 nm). In some examples, the red visible light or red light is irradiated or peaked at approximately 660 nm. In some examples, red visible light or red light is emitted at approximately 659 nm, or its peak is reached at that wavelength.

[0086] The radiant flux density of red light is not limited to 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 umol m -2 s -1 , or 6000umol m -2 s -1 This includes the above. The irradiance of red light is approximately 5 to 5000, 30 to 3000, 20 to 800, 40 to 600, 60 to 400, 66 to 266, 70 to 300, 80 to 200, or 30 to 130 umol m -2 s -1 It may be in the range of . In some examples, the irradiance of red light is approximately 130 umol m -2 s -1 In some cases, the irradiance of red light is approximately 133 umol m -2 s -1 That is the case.

[0087] Furthermore, processing conditions may depend on the type of device used, as certain devices may be particularly efficient at irradiating with UV light.

[0088] Various treatment conditions and combinations of treatments described above may be used. Treatment conditions are not limited to, but may include the treatment distance from the plant to the light source (mm), the speed of the moving light source (mm / sec), the light source timing cycle (regularity of each exposure, in seconds), the number of cycles per day, and the UV-B irradiance (umol cm). -2 s -1 ), UV-B peak wavelength, red light irradiance (umol m -2 s -1 ), peak wavelength of red light (nm), irradiance of blue light (umol m -2 s -1This includes the peak wavelength (nm) of the blue light and the total number of days of treatment. In some examples, the treatment conditions may include one, two, three, four conditions, and sorts and combinations thereof. For example, the treatment conditions may include various distances of the light source to the plant material. In some examples, the distance from the plant material to the light source is in the range of approximately 5 to 200, 10 to 160, 20 to 140, 30 to 120, or 40 to 60 mm. In some examples, the distance between the plant material and the light source is approximately 50 mm. In some examples, the distance between the plant material and the light source is approximately 70 mm. In some examples, the treatment conditions may include the movement of the light source. In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is at least or approximately 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200 millimeters per second (mm / sec) or greater than 200 millimeters per second (mm / sec). In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is in the range of approximately 5–200, 10–160, 20–100, or 40–60 mm / second. In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is approximately 53 mm / second. In some examples, the light source emits UV-B light. In some examples, the treatment conditions include repeated exposure to UV-B light. In some examples, repeated exposure to UV-B light includes at least or approximately 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, or more cycles per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day is greater than approximately 250 cycles per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day is approximately 433 cycles per day. In some cases, the processing conditions include irradiation with UV-B enriched or supplemented light. In some cases, UV-B is irradiated or peaks at approximately 280nm to 290nm, 280nm to 300nm, 280nm to 310nm, 280nm to 320nm, 290nm to 300nm, 290nm to 310nm, 290nm to 320nm, 300nm to 310nm, 300nm to 320nm, or 310nm to 320nm.In some cases, UV-B is irradiated or peaks at 280nm (±5nm) to 284nm (±5nm), 279nm to approximately 288nm (±5nm), approximately 289nm to approximately 300nm, or 286nm to approximately 305nm (±5nm). In some cases, UV-B peaks at 282nm. In some cases, UV-B peaks at 292nm. In some cases, treatment conditions include various durations of UV-B treatment. In some cases, UV-B treatment is approximately 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 12 days, 14 days, 16 days, 18 days, 20 days, 24 days, 30 days, 32 days, 50 days, 72 days, or more than 72 days. In some cases, UV-B treatment ranges from approximately 1 to 30 days, 2 to 25 days, 4 to 20 days, 6 to 18 days, or 8 to 16 days. Treatment conditions may also be light exposure. In some cases, light exposure is at least or approximately 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 400 seconds, or more than 400 seconds. In some cases, light exposure ranges from approximately 20 to 300 seconds, 40 to 200 seconds, 60 to 140 seconds, 80 to 100 seconds, or 90 to 180 seconds. In some cases, light exposure is approximately 133 seconds. Light exposure may include light enriched or supplemented with UV-B. In some cases, the treatment conditions include various irradiances of UV-B. In some cases, the irradiance of UV-B is at least or about 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, and 100 umol cm. -2 s -1 , or 100 umol cm -2 s -1 That concludes the explanation. In some examples, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 15–80, 15–25, or 25–40 umol cm⁻¹. -2s -1 This is within the range. In some examples, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 20 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 In some cases, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 30 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 The processing conditions may include irradiation with at least one blue and red light. In some examples, blue visible light or blue light is irradiated or peaks at at least approximately 430nm, 435nm, 440nm, 445nm, 450nm, 455nm, 460nm, 465nm, 470nm, 475nm, 480nm, 485nm, or 490nm. In some examples, blue visible light or blue light is irradiated or peaks in the range of 430nm to 480nm or 440nm to 460nm. In some examples, blue visible light or blue light is irradiated or peaks at approximately 453nm. The irradiance of blue light is not limited, but is typically 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 umol m -2 s -1 , or 6000umol m -2 s -1 This includes the above. In some examples, the irradiance of blue light is approximately 66 umol m -2 s -1In some cases, red visible light or red light is irradiated or peaks at 620nm (±5nm), approximately 630nm, approximately 640nm, approximately 660nm, approximately 670nm, approximately 680nm, approximately 690nm, approximately 700nm, approximately 710nm, approximately 720nm, approximately 730nm, approximately 740nm, or approximately 750nm (±5nm). In some cases, red visible light or red light is irradiated or peaks at approximately 659nm. The irradiance of red light is 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 umol m2 s -1 , or 6000umol m -2 s -1 The above values ​​are included. In some examples, the irradiance of red light is approximately 133 umol m -2 s -1 That is the case.

[0089] Irradiation of various types of seedlings and plant materials, and irradiation of many plant materials, are consistent with the disclosure herein. Illustrative plant materials exposed to the treatments herein include plant seedlings or other materials, e.g., stolons, post-seedling plants, leaves, roots, shoot meristems, whole-plant irradiation, whole-plant utilization, e.g., whole plants grown hydroponically or aeroponically. In some cases, the plants are selected from the group consisting of fruits and vegetables. In some examples, the plant seedlings or plant materials are selected from the group consisting of green lettuce, red lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, herbaceous crops, hemp, strawberries, and eggplants. In some examples, the plant material is derived from at least one of tomatoes, strawberries, and hemp. In some examples, the plant seedlings or plant materials are commercially important crops. The above methods may be applicable to a wide variety of other crop types, without limitation.

[0090] Methods and devices for irradiating crop plants with UV-B enriched or supplemented light are described herein. In some examples, the crop plants are fruit plants. In some examples, the crop plants are plants of the Rosaceae family. In some examples, the Rosaceae plants are of the genus Fragaria. The crop plants may include species such as Fragaria chiloensis, Fragaria daltoniana, Fragaria glauca, Fragaria iinumae, Fragaria iturpensis, Fragaria moschata, Fragaria moupinensis, Fragaria nilgerlensis, Fragaria nipponica, Fragaria nipponica yakusimensis, Fragaria nubicola, Fragaria orientalis, Fragaria vesca, Fragaria wirginiana, Fragaria viridis, Fragaria izoensis, Fragaria × ananassa, Fragaria × comarum, and Fragaria × vescana. In some cases, the plant is a strawberry plant. In some cases, the strawberry plant is at least one of the following: June-bearing, constantly bearing fruit, and mezzonite.

[0091] Methods and devices as described herein may be used to administer plant material. In some examples, the plant material is a stolon. In some examples, the plant material is a seed. In some examples, the plant material is a seedling. In some examples, the plant material is a growing plant that has progressed past the seedling stage, either through development or through reliance on postembryonic tissue for most of its photosynthesis.

[0092] UV-B radiation may be applied to plant materials during their reproductive stages. In some cases, the reproductive stage includes stolons. In some cases, the reproductive stage includes shoots. In some cases, the reproductive stage includes cut branches.

[0093] Various cultivation systems may be used in conjunction with the methods and devices described herein. For example, plant material is grown in soil. In some examples, plant material is grown using hydroponics or aeroponics. Plants are grown under controlled greenhouse conditions, such as conventional greenhouse conditions or vertical farming conditions. Alternatively, plants are grown outdoors.

[0094] device

[0095] Many devices are consistent with carrying out methods and processing recipes as disclosed herein. In some examples, the devices have the ability to administer predefined UV dosing regimens, such as those described in this application, and the parameters preferred in this disclosure can be easily adjusted and controlled.

[0096] In some examples, the device includes a moving conveyor that changes the relative position of at least one light-emitting element and the target area during processing. In this way, as the conveyor moves the position of the light-emitting element, many plant seedlings can be processed favorably and accurately during the processing period.

[0097] In some examples, the device irradiates UV light in accordance with this disclosure via a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0098] In some cases, the device is configured to emit visible light along with UV light simultaneously, which is beneficial for the reasons discussed above.

[0099] Some of these devices are configured to apply processing conditions and processing combinations as described herein. For example, the device may have processing distance from the plant to the light source (mm), speed of the moving light source (mm / sec), light source timing cycle (regularity of each exposure, seconds), number of cycles per day, and UV-B irradiance (umol cm). -2 s -1 ), UV-B peak wavelength, red light irradiance (umol m -2 s -1), peak wavelength of red light (nm), irradiance of blue light (umol m -2 s -1 ), control at least one of the following: the peak wavelength of blue light (nm), and the total number of processing days.

[0100] In some examples, the device is configured to adjust or hold the light source at a fixed or predetermined distance from the plant material. In some examples, the distance from the plant material to the light source is in the range of approximately 5 to 200 mm, 10 to 160 mm, 20 to 140 mm, 30 to 120 mm, or 40 to 60 mm. In some examples, the distance between the plant material and the light source is approximately 50 mm. In some examples, the distance between the plant material and the light source is approximately 70 mm.

[0101] In some examples, the device controls the movement of the light source. In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is at least or about 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, or 200 millimeters per second (mm / sec), or greater than 200 millimeters per second (mm / sec). In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is in the range of about 5 to about 200, about 10 to about 160, about 20 to about 100, or about 40 to about 60 mm / sec. In some examples, the speed of the moving light source is about 50 mm / sec.

[0102] The devices herein are configured to emit UV-B light, or UV light alone or in combination with visible light, in wavelength ranges that coincide with the overall wavelength disclosure of this disclosure, peaking in the range of approximately 280 nm to approximately 290 nm, approximately 280 nm to approximately 300 nm, approximately 280 nm to approximately 310 nm, approximately 280 nm to approximately 320 nm, approximately 290 nm to approximately 300 nm, approximately 290 nm to approximately 310 nm, approximately 290 nm to approximately 320 nm, or approximately 300 nm to approximately 320 nm. In some examples, UV-B is emitted or peaks at 280 nm (±5 nm) to 284 nm (±5 nm), 279 nm to approximately 288 nm (±5 nm), approximately 289 nm to approximately 300 nm, or 286 nm to approximately 305 nm (±5 nm). In some examples, UV-B peaks at 282 nm. In other examples, UV-B peaks at 292 nm.

[0103] The devices described herein are configured for continuous single exposures or regular repetitive exposures such as repeated exposure to UV-B light. In some examples, repeated exposure to UV-B light includes at least or about 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, or more cycles per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day is greater than about 250 cycles per day. In some examples, the number of cycles per day is about 430 cycles per day.

[0104] Devices are often configured to manage a set processing time. For example, UV-B treatment can be approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 32, 50, 72 days, or more than 72 days. In some examples, UV-B treatment can range from approximately 1 to 30 days, 2 to 25 days, 4 to 20 days, 6 to 18 days, or 8 to 16 days. In some examples, the device controls light exposure. In some cases, light exposure is at least or about 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 400 seconds, or more than 400 seconds. In some cases, light exposure is in the range of about 20–300 seconds, about 40–200 seconds, about 60–140 seconds, about 80–100 seconds, or about 90–180 seconds. Light exposure may include UV-B enriched or supplemented light.

[0105] Devices described herein may be configured to emit light at a specified dose or irradiance. For example, a device may be configured to emit UV-B at various irradiances. In some examples, the UV-B irradiances may be at least or about 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, and 100 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 , or 100 umol cm -2 s -1 That concludes the explanation. In some examples, the UV-B irradiance is approximately 15–80, 15–25, or 25–40 umol cm⁻¹. -2 s -1 It is within the range.

[0106] The device may be configured to emit only UV-B or UV-B in conjunction with blue light and at least one of red light. In some examples, the blue light is emitted or peaks at at least approximately 430nm, 435nm, 440nm, 445nm, 450nm, 455nm, 460nm, 465nm, 470nm, 475nm, 480nm, 485nm, or 490nm. In some examples, the blue light is emitted or peaks in the range of 430nm to 480nm or 440nm to 460nm. In some examples, blue visible light or blue light is emitted or peaks at approximately 450nm. The irradiance of blue light is not limited, but is typically 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 umol m -2 s -1 , or 6000umol m -2 s -1 This includes the above. In some examples, red visible light or red light is irradiated or peaks at 620 nm (±5 nm), approximately 630 nm, approximately 640 nm, approximately 660 nm, approximately 670 nm, approximately 680 nm, approximately 690 nm, approximately 700 nm, approximately 710 nm, approximately 720 nm, approximately 730 nm, approximately 740 nm, or approximately 750 nm (±5 nm). In some examples, red visible light or red light is irradiated or peaks at approximately 660 nm. The irradiance of red light is not limited, but is 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 umol m -2 s -1 , or 6000umol m -2 s -1 This includes the above.

[0107] A method for quantifying or predicting the yield or quality of durable and / or improved crops.

[0108] While various methods can be used to evaluate young plants, there is currently no single and sufficiently effective method, as described herein, that is particularly relevant to the use of UV light to enhance crop yield and / or quality at harvest time.

[0109] Plant performance in plant material treated using methods described herein may result in improved plant performance compared to untreated counterpart plant material. In some examples, the durability of plant material is improved using methods described herein. In some examples, plant performance includes at least one of flavonoid levels, anthocyanin levels, size, dry weight, nitrogen index, shoot dry weight, shoot length, root length, pigment production, leaf size, hypocotyl length, chlorophyll level, leaf area, and root dry weight. In some examples, plant performance is yield. In some examples, yield is at least one of fruit fresh weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, durability, and seed germination rate. In some examples, yield is fruit fresh weight. In some examples, yield is Brix content. In some examples, yield is the number of harvested fruits. In some examples, yield is branching. In some cases, yield is the number of flowering parts.

[0110] In some examples, methods and devices as described herein result in yield improvements determined by an increase in the number of harvested fruits. In some examples, methods and devices as described herein result in harvested fruits of at least or about 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 24,000, 28,000, 32,000, 36,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 80,000, 100,000, or more than 100,000 pounds per acre. In some examples, methods and devices as described herein yield approximately 3,000 to 100,000 pounds, 4,000 to 80,000 pounds, 6,000 to 60,000 pounds, 10,000 to 40,000 pounds, or 20,000 to 30,000 pounds of fruit per acre. In some examples, methods and devices as described herein yield more than 50,000 pounds of harvested fruit per acre. In some examples, methods and devices as described herein yield at least or more than 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 24,000, 28,000, 32,000, or more trays per acre. In some examples, each tray contains approximately 9.5 to 10 pounds.

[0111] In some examples, methods and devices as described herein result in yield improvements as determined by an increase in average fruit biomass. In some examples, methods and devices as described herein yield at least or about 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 5.0, or 5.0 pounds or more of fruit per foot of row. In some examples, methods and devices as described herein yield fruit in the range of about 0.1 to about 5.0, about 0.2 to about 4.0, about 0.3 to about 3.5, about 0.4 to about 3.0, or 0.5 to about 2.5, or 0.75 to about 2 pounds per foot of row. In some examples, the fruit is tomatoes, strawberries, or hemp. In some examples, the fruit is a strawberry.

[0112] In some cases, yields are significantly improved compared to unirradiated plant material using the UV-B regimens disclosed herein. Yields may be improved by approximately 5%–100%, 10%–90%, 20%–80%, 30%–70%, 40%–60%, 50%–95%, 65%–85%, or 75%–95%. Yields may be improved by at least approximately 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100%. Yields may be improved by at least approximately 5%. Yields may be improved by at least approximately 10%. Yields may be improved by at least approximately 30%. Yields may be improved by at least approximately 50%.

[0113] In some cases, improved yields occur after irradiation with UV-B enriched or supplemented light. In some cases, improved yields occur approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 32, 50, 72, or more than 72 days after irradiation with UV-B enriched or supplemented light. In some cases, improved yields occur at least from irradiation with UV-B enriched or supplemented light, or approximately 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, or more than 12 weeks later.

[0114] Improved yield may be measured by resistance to infection. Infections may be caused by organisms including, but are not limited to, fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, viroids, virus-like organisms, phytoplasmas, protozoa, nematodes, and parasitic plants. In some cases, after UV-B treatment of plant material as described herein, yields are unaffected or improved despite infections caused by such organisms. In some cases, after UV-B treatment of plant material as described herein, yields are improved compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material despite infections caused by such organisms. In some cases, yields are examined for infections caused by such organisms. Often, yields are examined for at least one of leaf diseases, smut, stem rot, and seed and root diseases.

[0115] In some cases, improved yields are measured by a reduction in the use of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides without affecting crop yield. The reduction in the use of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, or pesticides may be determined by comparing the industrial use of the crop over a decade to the statewide average or the national average. The reduction in fertilizer use may be at least 5%. In some cases, the reduction in costs ranges from approximately 5%–100%, 10%–90%, 20%–80%, 30%–70%, 40%–60%, 50%–95%, 65%–85%, or 75%–95%. In some cases, the reduction in herbicide use is at least 5%. In some cases, the reduction in herbicide use ranges from approximately 5%-100%, 10%-90%, 20%-80%, 30%-70%, 40%-60%, 50%-95%, 65%-85%, or 75%-95%. In some cases, the reduction in insecticide use is at least 5%. In some cases, the reduction in insecticide use ranges from approximately 5%-100%, 10%-90%, 20%-80%, 30%-70%, 40%-60%, 50%-95%, 65%-85%, or 75%-95%. In some cases, the reduction in pesticide use is at least 5%. In some cases, the reduction in pesticide use ranges from approximately 5%-100%, 10%-90%, 20%-80%, 30%-70%, 40%-60%, 50%-95%, 65%-85%, or 75%-95%.

[0116] Accordingly, UV-B supplementation or enrichment enables crop cultivation methods that allow for reduced use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or water compared to untreated plant material without simultaneous yield reduction. In some cases, UV-B supplementation allows for a substantial reduction in overall environmental impact without yield reduction.

[0117] Improved yields may be determined by comparing non-UV-B irradiated plant material with UV-B irradiated plant material. In some examples, yield improvements are determined in crops resulting from UV-B irradiated plant material compared to crops grown under similar conditions, and from plant material not irradiated with UV-B using the methods described herein. Similar conditions may be similar environments or similar growth conditions. Environmental factors include, but are not limited to, sunlight exposure, temperature, soil composition, soil moisture, wind, humidity, and soil pH. Growth conditions include, but are not limited to, the amount of irrigation, the amount of pesticides, the amount of herbicides, the amount of insecticides, the duration of priming, the duration of germination, and the timing of sowing. In some examples, the resulting crops are compared to crops grown at the same time. For example, crops grown at the same time are grown in adjacent or nearby fields. In some examples, the resulting crops are compared to crops from the previous growing season. In some examples, the yield of the resulting crops is compared to comparable crops. In some examples, the yield of comparable crops is called the standard yield. In some cases, comparable crops are those grown at the same time or exposed to similar growth conditions.

[0118] Improved yields may be determined by comparing a field containing non-UV-B irradiated plant material with a field containing UV-B irradiated plant material. In some examples, yield improvements are determined in crops resulting from a field of UV-B irradiated plant material compared with a field containing crops grown under similar conditions, compared with a field containing plant material not irradiated with UV-B using the method described herein. Similar conditions may be similar environmental conditions or similar growth conditions. Environmental factors include, but are not limited to, sunlight exposure, temperature, soil composition, soil moisture, wind, humidity, and soil pH. Growth conditions include, but are not limited to, the amount of irrigation, the amount of pesticides, the amount of herbicides, the amount of insecticides, the duration of priming, the duration of germination, and the timing of sowing. In some examples, a field containing UV-B irradiated plant material is compared with a field containing non-UV-B irradiated plant material grown at the same time. The fields may be adjacent or nearby fields. The fields may be fields of comparable size. In some cases, fields containing UV-B irradiated plant material are compared to fields containing non-UV-B irradiated plant material from the previous growing season. In some cases, fields containing UV-B irradiated plant material are compared to the historical average of fields containing non-UV-B irradiated plant material. In some cases, fields containing UV-B irradiated plant material are compared to the expected average yield of fields containing non-UV-B irradiated plant material. In some cases, the expected average yield of a field is based on the national average. In some cases, the expected average yield of a field is based on the historical average of a specific growing area.

[0119] An exemplary method for evaluating the benefits of this disclosure is the “Hardiness Index,” as detailed below. This is an integrated method for evaluating the response of seedlings to UV light, such as in relation to important combined physiological changes in the plant in response to the treatment. In other words, the observation of several important physiological responses occurring simultaneously is one indicator that the plant responded to the treatment in a way that should be beneficial for long-term plant growth and subsequent crop yield and / or quality improvement.

[0120] It will be understood that seedlings of different crop types, varieties, and growing locations may require a modified hardiness index to adequately assess the hardiness of these particular seedlings. Modifications to the hardiness index may include the integration of other seedlings or growth environment variables as needed.

[0121] Durability index

[0122] Throughout this specification, the term "durability index" is defined according to the calculation provided below:

[0123]

number

[0124] Shoot specific leaf weight (SSLW) defines the ratio of dry leaf weight per unit leaf area, while shoot leaf area (SLA) simply defines the leaf area.

[0125] Furthermore, it will be understood that the use of the "1 / SLA" function may be merely for the purpose of providing a positive H value for convenience of reference and is not essential to this disclosure.

[0126] Without this 1 / SLA function, the H value can be more difficult to understand in certain situations (though not impossible). This is because the H value can, in some cases, decrease along with improved hardiness. This can occur when the shoot leaf area (SLA) of a plant increases as a result of UV exposure as described in this disclosure. This increase in SLA may also be considered an improvement in the hardiness of multiple plant varieties.

[0127] However, in other plant varieties, UV treatment can lead to an increase in SLA, which can actually increase the hardiness of that variety. In such cases, it may be beneficial to apply a hardiness index as shown below, and as a result, the SLA will no longer be 1 / SLA.

[0128]

number

[0129] Nevertheless, it is clear that the hardiness index can be applied and may be able to explain these differences among plant varieties.

[0130] For example, plant seedlings with H values ​​between 3.01 and 15 may be identified as exhibiting increased hardiness after treatment. The low H value of 3.01 reflects that each of the three values ​​should be equal to or greater than 1, which reflects a positive change in the plant seedling as a result of UV treatment. Thus, an H value of 15 represents a very significant improvement or prediction of plant hardiness. The H value range between 3.01 and 15 is considered beneficial because this range corresponds to overall plant characteristics that are likely to withstand typical stresses in an outdoor environment.

[0131] Even a slight increase in the H value can mean a relatively large increase in relative durability. For example, an increase of 0.1 in the H value represents a 10% increase in relative durability.

[0132] It will be understood that measuring the H value typically requires destroying plant seedlings. Therefore, a typical H value for a batch may be determined using individual test seedlings from a batch before selecting the batch or individual seedlings from the batch.

[0133] In some cases, hardiness includes improved resilience after at least one of heat, flood, drought, frost, abnormal weather events, salinity stress, and high visible light stress. In some cases, improved resilience of UV-B irradiated plant seedlings or plant materials includes the ability to germinate despite exposure to stress. In some cases, plant seedlings or plant materials are examined after at least one of heat, flood, drought, frost, abnormal weather events, salinity stress, and high visible light stress.

[0134] Compared to corresponding seedlings or plant materials not irradiated with the UV-B regimen disclosed herein, the durability of seedlings or plant materials irradiated with UV-B may increase by a significant percentage. Durability may improve by approximately 5%-100%, 10%-90%, 20%-80%, 30%-70%, 40%-60%, 50%-95%, 65%-85%, or 75%-95%. Durability may be improved by at least approximately 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100%. Durability may be improved by at least approximately 5%. Durability may be improved by at least approximately 10%. Durability may be improved by at least approximately 30%. Durability may be improved by at least approximately 50%.

[0135] Further methods for assessing or predicting the hardiness and / or yield of crops at harvest include, but are not limited to, the relative growth rate, or "RGR" (the change in growth parameters between a first and second time point separated by several days, expressed relative to the original size at the first time point) (which is often used to measure the actual crop yield at harvest), the uptake of increased phenolic chemicals in leaves; the uptake of increased photosynthetic health of seedlings; and / or the uptake of decreased hypocotyl length of seedlings.

[0136] In some cases, methodological treatments as described herein, along with the use of hardiness indices and / or RGRs, are used to measure beneficial results related to increased hardiness and / or subsequent crop yield or quality. In some cases, this methodology allows for a mechanism for selecting seedlings or related seedlings that will receive the same or similar UV treatment during subsequent growing seasons, or for using specific UV dosage regimens during subsequent seedling treatments. For example, seedlings initially shown to have an increased hardiness index are often subsequently advanced to result in increased crop yield and quality. Alternatively, subsequent treatments may be fine-tuned depending on the RGR of preliminary tests to further improve results.

[0137] Methods are provided herein that include a step of using UV-B in a specific wavelength range to produce beneficial results. In some examples, the method has been shown to beneficially improve crop yield and / or quality in a wide range of plants. In some examples, the method has been shown to increase seedling dry weight, increase leaf weight or specific leaf weight, and / or decrease leaf area. In some examples, the method also appears to protect plants from stress, including storm damage, disease, and pest attacks, which can be detrimental to vulnerable plants. In some examples, the method has been shown to work well in a wide variety of plants in preliminary studies.

[0138] definition Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art in which this disclosure pertains. All patents and publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference.

[0139] As used herein and in the claims, singular nouns ("a," "and," and "the") include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0140] The term "including" is used to mean "including but not limited to." "Including" and "including but not limited to" are interchangeable.

[0141] The terms “comprising” or “comprise” are intended to refer to an unrestricted set, as used herein, so as not to prevent a claim or list “comprising” elements from listing additional elements that are not enumerated.

[0142] As used herein, the term “seeds for sowing” refers to any embryonic plant intended for use in planting for any form of plant or crop to be grown later (typically, but not limited to, ingested by humans and animals). Substantially all kinds of seeds can be used in accordance with this disclosure, of which there are approximately 35,000 species known worldwide at present, as specified in U.S. Patent No. 8,001,722. The results demonstrate that UV-B treatment of seeds improved plant performance that is scalable to any plant species.

[0143] Some non-exclusive examples of seeds are seeds of agricultural or ornamental plants such as lettuce, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, spinach, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelons, alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat, mint, sunflowers, or other plant species associated with agriculture or ornamental purposes.

[0144] The term "seed" refers to a plant embryo enclosed by a protective outer covering. Seed formation is part of the reproduction process in seed plants, which are seed plants that include gymnosperms and angiosperms. A seed is the product of a mature ovule after fertilization by pollen within the mother plant and some growth. The embryo develops from the zygote and the seed coat of the ovule's outer layer.

[0145] The term "seed germination" refers to the process by which a seed embryo develops into a seedling. It involves the activation of metabolic pathways that drive growth and the development of rootlets or seed roots and buds or shoots. Generally, seed germination is initiated by stratification, which varies among plant species according to their original ecological setting. Though often not uniform, seed germination occurs through a three-phase process involving water absorption, induction, and root emergence. Seed germination can be influenced by environmental factors, including, but not limited to, water, oxygen, temperature, and light.

[0146] The term “plant performance” as used herein refers to improving at least one of resilience and growth. Resilience, as used herein, refers to biological or abiotic environmental stresses that may affect seeds, seedlings, resulting plants, and resulting crops before and after harvest. “Growth” generally refers to performance in the absence of biological or abiotic stresses, such as performance under healthy or “best-case scenario” growth conditions. Depending on the growth conditions, it has been observed that increased resilience and improvements in growth can increase yields, depending on the growth conditions. Improving both growth and resilience has been observed to have the effect of improving the yield of harvestable crop material-related plants derived from untreated seeds, regardless of growth conditions. Plant performance also refers in some cases to improving the quality of harvestable crop material such that the value of the plant increases per unit yield, even if the yield is not affected, as broadly defined. Some non-limiting examples of improved stress resilience include improved drought tolerance, salinity stress, transplant shock, long-term endurance, high visible light stress, pest stress, fungal or bacterial stress, or other disease-related stresses. The term "crop productivity" may, in some cases, be used interchangeably with "plant performance."

[0147] As used herein, the terms “long-term endurance” or “endurance” refer to a plant’s ability to withstand one or more stresses during crop production and to enable the plant to produce a desirable yield and / or quality at harvest. Some non-limiting examples of how improved yield is measured include the weight of harvestable crop material, such as lettuce leaves, soybeans, and tomato fruits, compared to harvestable crop material where the seeds for sowing were not treated with UV-B. Other examples of how improved yield is measured include the weight of fresh shoots or the dry weight of the entire plant, improved seed germination due to the treatment method, and the resulting improved water-use efficiency of the plant. In some cases, improved quality is assessed as the absence of blemishes (either internal or external; generally insect damage) in the crop, improved shelf life, improved resistance to damage and other post-harvest handling, absence of malformations, absence of uneven shape, absence of uneven size, improved taste, size, shape, color, and texture, or at least one quantitative or qualitative assessment. The advantage of this disclosure is that both stress elasticity and plant yield were observed (often these traits act inversely, in which case tolerance is achieved at the expense of yield, as seen with UV-C treatment).

[0148] As used herein, the term "ultraviolet (UV) irradiation" refers to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays, and in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm (corresponding to 3 eV to 124 eV). The UV irradiation spectrum is considered invisible to humans and is therefore distinguished from visible light, which is in the spectrum of approximately 400 nm to 700 nm.

[0149] As used herein, the term "UV-B irradiation" refers, in particular, to radiation in the frequency band from 320 nm to 280 nm (as described herein as the UV-B range). This is distinguishable from the UV-C frequency band (280–100 nm) and the UV-A frequency band (400–320 nm). It must be distinguishable from natural sunlight, which provides UV-B irradiation but also includes other UV irradiations. In some cases, UV-B irradiation is irradiated via LED light.

[0150] As used herein, the term “harvestable crop material” refers to any material derived from a plant that can be harvested for a later purpose or for consumption by humans or animals. Often, crop material is harvested seeds that are consumed as food or used for later planting or propagation purposes. Harvested material includes, but is not limited to, fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs, grasses, medicinal plants, and extracts or components of any one of the crop materials described above. In some cases, this disclosure is material that is actually harvested or material used to build plant performance without being harvested. A non-limiting example of material not intended to be cultivated is forest regeneration. Some non-limiting examples of harvestable crop material are lettuce, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, spinach, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelons, alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat, and combinations thereof.

[0151] Strictly speaking, "fruit" refers to any seed-containing organ of a plant. Informally, the term can sometimes refer to any material that can be harvested.

[0152] As used herein, the term “flavonoid” refers to a class of plant secondary metabolites having a general structure of 15 carbon skeletons consisting of two phenyl rings and a heterocyclic (C6-C3-C-6) ring. Flavonoids are sometimes associated with stress tolerance, such that an increase in their accumulation level corresponds to an increase in plant stress tolerance. The terms “improved crop yield,” “improved growth,” “improved plant performance,” or “improved endurance” are used interchangeably herein. These terms refer to plants that may have large fruits, large stems, large leaves, large flowers, or any combination of any of the above. The tissue of a hypertrophied plant is at least 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 99%, or more than that of a wild-type plant.

[0153] The term “light intensity” as used herein refers to the measurement of light as described herein, including, but not limited to, radiant intensity, luminous intensity, irradiance, radiance, intensity, brightness, brightness, photometrics, and radiometric measurements.

[0154] The term "radiant intensity" refers to the amount of radiation measured in watts per steradian (W / sr).

[0155] The term "luminous intensity" refers to a photometric quantity measured in lumens per steradian (lm / sr) or candela (cd).

[0156] The term "irradiance" refers to watts (W / m²) per square meter. 2 This refers to the amount of radiation measured by ().

[0157] The term "radiance" refers to intensity (W·sr). -1 ·m -2 ) refers to.

[0158] The term "luminance" refers to radiance (lm·sr). -1 ·m -2 This refers to photometry equivalent to ).

[0159] The term "photometry" refers to the measurement of light in terms of its perceived brightness to the human eye.

[0160] The term "brightness" refers to subjective perception induced by the luminance of a source.

[0161] The term "standard regimen" refers to industry standards.

[0162] The term "approximately" as used in reference to a number refers to a range from less than 10% of that number to more than 10% of that number. The term "approximately" as used herein in reference to a range refers to a range from less than 10% of the lowest value of the stated range to more than 10% of the highest value of the stated range.

[0163] With respect to wavelength, the term "approximately" as used herein refers to a range from less than 1% of the number to more than 1% of the number.

[0164] Throughout this specification, the application of this definition of “about” is optional; “about any number” is understood to mean + / - 10% of that number, or alternatively, that number, or that number plus a single unit or other approximation thereof.

[0165] Numbered Embodiments Numbered Embodiment 1 includes a method for treating plant seedlings to improve long-term durability and / or crop yield and / or quality, the method comprising the step of exposing plant seedlings to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation having at least one wavelength between 280 and 310 nm before the later growing season. Numbered Embodiment 2 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1, wherein the treatment of plant seedlings using UV irradiation is carried out indoors. Numbered Embodiment 3 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-2, further comprising the step of exposing plant seedlings to UV light for a range of 2-15 days. Numbered Embodiment 4 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-3, further comprising the step of exposing plant seedlings to repeated exposure to UV light. Numbered Embodiment 5 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-4, further comprising the step of maintaining a temperature between approximately 12°C and 35°C during treatment. Numbered Embodiment 6 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-5 and further comprises exposure to UV wavelengths in the range of 280-305 nm. Numbered Embodiment 7 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-6 and further comprises exposure to peak UV wavelengths in the range of 280-290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 8 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-7, wherein the plant seedlings are fruit and vegetable seeds. Numbered Embodiment 9 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-8, wherein the plant seedlings are selected from the group including green lettuce, red lettuce, tomato, cucumber, broccoli, herbaceous crops, and eggplant. Numbered Embodiment 10 comprises a device for providing ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to plant seedlings, characterized in that the device is configured to provide ultraviolet (UV) irradiation having at least one wavelength in the range of 280-310 nm. Numbered Embodiment 11 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-10, the device including a moving conveyor that changes the relative position and target area of ​​at least one light-emitting element during treatment. Numbered Embodiment 12 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-11, the light-emitting element being at least one light-emitting diode (LED).Numbered Embodiment 13 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-12, the device configured to emit at least one wavelength in the visible spectrum between 400 and 800 nm. Numbered Embodiment 14 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-13, the device configured to emit at least one wavelength in the blue visible spectrum between 400 and 500 nm. Numbered Embodiment 15 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-14, the device configured to emit at least one wavelength in the red visible spectrum between 655 and 680 nm. Numbered Embodiment 16 includes a method for improving long-term durability and / or crop yield and / or crop quality, the method comprising (a) exposing plant seedlings to ultraviolet (UV) light having at least one wavelength between 280 and 310 nm before a later growing season; and (b) selecting plant seedlings for a later growing season. Numbered Embodiment 17 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-16, wherein step (b) includes predicting or evaluating the durability of plant seedlings and / or the resulting crop yield or crop quality of plant seedlings or plants in order to select seedlings or related seedlings that will undergo similar UV treatment exhibiting promising beneficial properties. Numbered Embodiment 19 includes plant seedlings, plants or harvestable crops after any one of the treatments of Numbered Embodiments 1-18. Numbered Embodiment 20 includes a method for improving durability and plant yield, which includes irradiating plant material with light enriched to UV wavelengths from 280 nm to 290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 21 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-20, wherein the plant material includes material from Rosaceae plants. Numbered Embodiment 22 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-21, wherein the Rosaceae material is a plant of the genus Strawberry. Numbered Embodiment 23 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-22, wherein the plant material is a stolon. Numbered Embodiment 24 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-23, wherein the plant material is a seed. Numbered Embodiment 25 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-24, wherein the plant material is a seedling.Numbered Embodiment 26 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-25, wherein the plant material is a plant. Numbered Embodiment 27 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-26, wherein the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Numbered Embodiment 28 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-27, wherein the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 29 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-28, wherein the light includes blue light. Numbered Embodiment 30 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-29, wherein the light includes red light. Numbered Embodiment 31 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-30, wherein the light is irradiated for at least one day. Numbered Embodiment 32 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-31, wherein the light is irradiated for at least 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 33 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-32, wherein the light is irradiated for about 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 34 comprises the methods of Numbered Embodiments 1-33, and yield is selected from the group consisting of improved fruit fresh weight, improved number of harvested fruits, improved Brix content, improved fruit width, improved fruit length, improved leaf size, improved leaf surface area, improved dry weight, improved nitrogen content, improved shoot dry weight, improved shoot fresh weight, improved root dry weight, improved vegetable growth, improved fruit portion yield, increased fruit portion weight, improved durability, and increased seed germination rate. Numbered Embodiment 35 comprises the methods of Numbered Embodiments 1-34, and yield is improved by at least 5% compared to plants with non-UV-B irradiated seeds. Numbered Embodiment 36 comprises the methods of Numbered Embodiments 1-35, and durability is selected from the group consisting of improved resistance to stress caused by storm damage, improved resistance to stress caused by sunlight exposure, improved resistance to stress caused by disease, and improved resistance to stress caused by insects.The numbered embodiment 37 includes a method for growing crops by reducing the use of pesticides without affecting losses due to insect damage, the method comprising: (a) irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm; (b) providing 95% or less of a standard pesticide regimen; and (c) harvesting the crop, wherein the crop yields a greater amount than a comparable crop provided with a standard pesticide regimen but not supplemented with UV light. Numbered Embodiment 38 includes a method for improving the hardiness and plant yield of a crop, the method comprising: (a) irradiating a plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm; (b) providing a pesticide regimen, wherein the pesticide regimen is 50% or less of a standard pesticide regimen; (c) harvesting a crop; and (d) measuring the plant yield, wherein the crop yields a greater yield than a comparable crop provided with a standard pesticide regimen but not supplemented with UV light. Numbered Embodiment 39 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-38, wherein the plant material is plant material from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 40 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-39, wherein the plant of the Rosaceae family is the genus Strawberry. Numbered Embodiment 41 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-40, wherein the plant material is a stolon. Numbered Embodiment 42 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-41, where the plant material is seeds. Numbered Embodiment 43 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-42, where the plant material is seedlings. Numbered Embodiment 44 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-43, where the plant material is plants. Numbered Embodiment 45 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-44, where the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Numbered Embodiment 46 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-45, where the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 47 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-46, where the light includes blue light. Numbered Embodiment 48 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-47, where the light includes red light.Numbered Embodiment 49 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-48, wherein light is irradiated for at least 1 day. Numbered Embodiment 50 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-49, wherein light is irradiated for at least 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 51 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-50, wherein light is irradiated for about 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 52 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-51, wherein the yield is selected from the group consisting of improved fruit fresh weight, improved number of harvested fruits, improved Brix content of harvested fruits, improved fruit width, improved fruit length, improved leaf size, improved leaf surface area, improved dry weight, improved nitrogen content, improved shoot dry weight, improved shoot fresh weight, improved root dry weight, improved vegetable growth, improved fruit portion yield, increased fruit portion weight, improved durability, and increased seed germination rate. Numbered Embodiment 52 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-51, and yields are improved by at least 5% compared to plants with non-UV-B irradiated seeds. Numbered Embodiment 53 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-52, and durability is selected from the group consisting of improved resistance to stress caused by storm damage, improved resistance to stress caused by sunlight exposure, improved resistance to stress caused by disease, and improved resistance to stress caused by insects. Numbered Embodiment 54 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-53, and the pesticide regimen is 60% or less of the standard pesticide regimen. Numbered Embodiment 55 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-54, and the pesticide regimen is 70% or less of the standard pesticide regimen. Numbered Embodiment 56 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-55, and the pesticide regimen is 80% or less of the standard pesticide regimen. Numbered embodiment 57 includes one of the crops from numbered embodiments 1-56. Numbered embodiment 58 includes one of the fields from numbered embodiments 1-57.Numbered Embodiment 59 includes a method for improving the yield of fruit components of a crop plant, the method comprising: irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm at least seven weeks before the fruit is harvested. Numbered Embodiment 60 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-59, wherein the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Numbered Embodiment 61 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-60, wherein the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 62 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-61, wherein the light includes blue light. Numbered Embodiment 63 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-62, wherein the light includes red light. Numbered Embodiment 64 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-63, wherein the light is treated for at least one day. The light is irradiated using the treatment regimen. Numbered Embodiment 65 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-64, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 66 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-59, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for about 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 67 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-66, wherein the light is irradiated for a total of about 10 hours per day. Numbered Embodiment 68 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-67, wherein the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 69 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-68, wherein the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry. Numbered Embodiment 70 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-69, wherein the plant material is derived from a fruit plant. Numbered Embodiment 71 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-70, wherein the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Numbered Embodiment 72 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-71, where the plant material is a stolon. Numbered Embodiment 73 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-72, where the plant material is a seed. Numbered Embodiment 74 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-73, where the plant material is a seedling. Numbered Embodiment 75 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-74, where the plant material is a plant. Numbered Embodiment 76 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-75, where the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, durability, and seed germination rate. Numbered Embodiment 77 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-76, where the improved yield is fresh fruit weight. Numbered Embodiment 78 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-77, wherein the fresh fruit weight is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Numbered Embodiment 79 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-78, wherein the improved yield is the number of harvested fruits.Numbered Embodiment 80 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-79, wherein the number of harvested fruits is improved by at least 10% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Numbered Embodiment 81 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-80, wherein the improved yield is an increase in the flowering portion. Numbered Embodiment 82 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-81, wherein the improved yield is an improved Brix content. Numbered Embodiment 83 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-82, wherein the yield is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Numbered Embodiment 84 comprises a method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants, the method comprising: irradiating the plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm during the propagation stage of the plant material. Numbered Embodiment 85 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-84, wherein the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Numbered Embodiment 86 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-85, wherein the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 87 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-86, wherein the light includes blue light. Numbered Embodiment 88 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-87, wherein the light includes red light. Numbered Embodiment 89 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-88, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least one day. Numbered Embodiment 90 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-89, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 91 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-90, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for approximately 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 92 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-91, wherein the light is irradiated for a total of approximately 10 hours per day. Numbered Embodiment 93 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-92, and the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 94 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-93, and the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the Strawberry genus. Numbered Embodiment 95 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-94, and the plant material is derived from a fruit plant.Numbered Embodiment 96 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-95, wherein the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Numbered Embodiment 97 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-96, wherein the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Numbered Embodiment 98 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-97, wherein the improved yield is fresh fruit weight. Numbered Embodiment 99 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-98, wherein the fresh fruit weight is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Numbered Embodiment 100 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-99, wherein the improved yield is the number of harvested fruits. Numbered Embodiment 101 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-100, and the number of harvested fruits is improved by at least 10% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Numbered Embodiment 102 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-101, and the improved yield is an increase in the flowering portion. Numbered Embodiment 103 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-102, and the improved yield is an improved Brix content. Numbered Embodiment 104 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-103, and the improved yield is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Numbered Embodiment 105 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-104, and the improved yield occurs at least one week after light irradiation. Numbered Embodiment 106 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-105, wherein the improved yield occurs after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 weeks of light exposure. Numbered Embodiment 107 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-106, wherein the propagation stage includes stolons. Numbered Embodiment 108 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-107, wherein the propagation stage includes shoots.Numbered Embodiment 109 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-108, wherein the propagation stage includes pruning. Numbered Embodiment 110 includes a method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants, the method comprising: (a) irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm; and (b) harvesting an increased number of fruits than the number of fruits expected for an untreated field. Numbered Embodiment 111 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-110, wherein the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Numbered Embodiment 112 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-111, wherein the light is enriched to a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 113 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-112, wherein the light includes blue light. Numbered Embodiment 114 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-113, wherein the light includes red light. Numbered Embodiment 115 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-114, wherein light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least one day. Numbered Embodiment 116 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-115, wherein light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 117 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-116, wherein light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for approximately 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 118 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-117, wherein light is irradiated for a total of approximately 10 hours per day. Numbered Embodiment 119 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-118, wherein the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 120 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-119, wherein the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry. Numbered Embodiment 121 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-120, wherein the plant material is derived from a fruit plant. Numbered Embodiment 122 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-121, wherein the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Numbered Embodiment 123 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-122, wherein the number of increased fruits is increased by at least 5%.Numbered Embodiment 124 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-123, wherein the expected number of fruits for an untreated field is determined by the national average. Numbered Embodiment 125 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-124, wherein the expected number of fruits for an untreated field is determined by the historical average of the growing area. Numbered Embodiment 126 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-125, wherein the untreated field includes adjacent fields. Numbered Embodiment 127 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-126, wherein the untreated field includes fields of approximately the same size. Numbered Embodiment 128 includes a method for improving the yield of fruit components of a crop plant, the method comprising: irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm, wherein the yield is improved by at least 5%. Numbered Embodiment 129 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-128, wherein the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 280 nm. Numbered Embodiment 130 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-129, wherein the light is enriched with a UV wavelength of 290 nm. Numbered Embodiment 131 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-130, wherein the light includes blue light. Numbered Embodiment 132 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1-131, wherein the light includes red light. Numbered Embodiment 133 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1-132, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least one day. Numbered Embodiment 134 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1-133, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 135 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1-134, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for approximately 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 136 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-135, where the light is irradiated for a total of about 10 hours per day. Numbered Embodiment 137 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-136, where the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 138 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-137, where the Rosaceae plant is of the Strawberry genus.Numbered Embodiment 139 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-138, wherein the plant material is derived from a fruit plant. Numbered Embodiment 140 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-139, wherein the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Numbered Embodiment 141 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-140, wherein the improved yield is measured by the fresh weight of the fruit, the number of fruits harvested, the Brix content, the fruit width, the fruit length, the leaf size, and the leaf surface area. The improved yield is selected from the group consisting of dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, durability, and seed germination rate. Numbered embodiment 142 includes the method of numbered embodiments 1-141, and the improved yield is fruit fresh weight. Numbered embodiment 143 includes the method of numbered embodiments 1-142, and the improved yield is the number of fruits harvested. Numbered embodiment 144 includes the method of numbered embodiments 1-143, and the improved yield is an increase in the flowering portion. Numbered embodiment 145 includes the method of numbered embodiments 1-144, and the improved yield is an improved Brix content. Numbered embodiment 146 includes the method of numbered embodiments 1-145, and the improved yield is compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material. Numbered Embodiment 147 includes a field having at least 10% improved yield of fruit components of crop plants after irradiation with UV-B enriched light in the 280nm–290nm range compared to a field not irradiated with UV-B. Numbered Embodiment 148 includes a field having at least 50,000 pounds or more of fruit components of crop plants per acre after irradiation with UV-B enriched light in the 280nm–290nm range compared to a field not irradiated with UV-B. Numbered Embodiment 149 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1–148, and is administered at 95% or less of at least one of a standard fertilizer regimen, a standard pesticide regimen, a standard herbicide regimen, a standard insecticide regimen, and a standard water regimen. Numbered Embodiment 150 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1-149 and is administered at 80% or less of at least one of the following: a standard fertilizer regimen, a standard pesticide regimen, a standard herbicide regimen, a standard insecticide regimen, and a standard water regimen. Numbered Embodiment 151 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1-150 and is administered at 70% or less of at least one of the following: a standard fertilizer regimen, a standard pesticide regimen, a standard herbicide regimen, a standard insecticide regimen, and a standard water regimen.Numbered Embodiment 152 includes the field of Numbered Embodiments 1-151, and is administered at least 60% of one of the following: a standard fertilizer regimen, a standard pesticide regimen, a standard herbicide regimen, a standard insecticide regimen, and a standard water regimen. Numbered Embodiment 153 includes the field of Numbered Embodiments 1-152, and the light is enriched with a 280 nm UV wavelength. Numbered Embodiment 154 includes the field of Numbered Embodiments 1-153, and the light is enriched with a 290 nm UV wavelength. Numbered Embodiment 155 includes the field of Numbered Embodiments 1-154, and the light includes blue light. Numbered Embodiment 156 includes the field of Numbered Embodiments 1-155, and the light includes red light. Numbered Embodiment 157 includes the field of Numbered Embodiments 1-156, and the light is irradiated with the treatment regimen for at least one day. Numbered Embodiment 158 ​​includes the field of numbered Embodiments 1-157, where light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for at least 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 159 includes the field of numbered Embodiments 1-158, where light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for approximately 14 days. Numbered Embodiment 160 includes the field of numbered Embodiments 1-159, where light is irradiated for a total of approximately 10 hours per day. Numbered Embodiment 161 includes the field of numbered Embodiments 1-160, where the crop plants are derived from plants of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 162 includes the field of numbered Embodiments 1-161, where the Rosaceae plants are of the Strawberry genus. Numbered Embodiment 163 includes the field of numbered Embodiments 1-162, where the crop plants are derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Numbered Embodiment 164 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1-163, and the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable development, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Numbered Embodiment 165 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1-164, and the improved yield is fresh fruit weight.Numbered Embodiment 166 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1-165, and the improved yield is the number of fruits harvested. Numbered Embodiment 167 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1-166, and the improved yield is an increase in the flowering portion. Numbered Embodiment 168 includes the fields of Numbered Embodiments 1-167, and the improved yield is an improved Brix content. The numbered embodiment 169 includes a method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants, the method comprising: a step of exposing plant material to a treatment regimen, wherein the treatment regimen comprises light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm–295 nm, and a treatment distance from the plant material, as well as a light source in the range of about 30 mm–about 120 mm, a moving light source speed in the range of about 40–60 mm per second, a light source timing cycle in the range of about 90–about 280 seconds, a number of cycles per day in the range of about 380–about 500 cycles per day, and about 15–about 40 umol cm. -2 s -1 Irradiance of UV wavelengths in the range of approximately 440nm-460nm, blue light wavelengths of approximately 30-150µl m -2 s -1 The irradiance of blue light, the wavelength of red light in the range of approximately 640nm-680nm, and approximately 60-300 µl m -2 s -1The process includes at least one of the following: a red light irradiance in the range of 5 to 20 days; and the number of days of the processing regime in the range of about 5 to about 20 days. Numbered Embodiment 170 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-169, wherein at least one UV wavelength peaks at 282 nm. Numbered Embodiment 171 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-170, wherein at least one UV wavelength peaks at 285 nm. Numbered Embodiment 172 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1-171, wherein at least one UV wavelength peaks at 287 nm. Numbered Embodiment 173 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1-172, wherein at least one UV wavelength peaks at 291 nm. Numbered Embodiment 174 includes the method of Numbered Embodiment 1-173, wherein at least one UV wavelength peaks at 292 nm. Numbered Embodiment 175 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-174, and the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Numbered Embodiment 176 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-175, and the plant material is a stolon. Numbered Embodiment 177 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-176, and the plant material is a seed. Numbered Embodiment 178 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-177, and the plant material is a seedling. Numbered Embodiment 179 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-178, and the plant material is a plant. Numbered Embodiment 180 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-179, and the crop plant is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 181 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-180, and the Rosaceae plant is of the genus Fragaria. Numbered Embodiment 182 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-181, wherein the crop plant is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp.Numbered Embodiment 183 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-182, and the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable development, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Numbered Embodiment 184 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-183, and the improved yield is fresh fruit weight. Numbered Embodiment 185 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-184, and the improved yield is the number of harvested fruits. Numbered Embodiment 186 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-185, and the improved yield is an increase in the flowering portion. Numbered Embodiment 187 includes the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-186, and the improved yield is an improved Brix content. Numbered Embodiment 188 comprises the method of Numbered Embodiments 1-187, wherein the improved yield is improved by at least 5%. Numbered Embodiment 189 applies a treatment regimen to plant material comprising light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm-295 nm, and the treatment distance from the plant material, as well as the light source in the range of about 30 mm-about 120 mm, the speed of the moving light source in the range of about 40-60 mm per second, the light source timing cycle in the range of about 90-about 280 seconds, the number of cycles per day in the range of about 380-about 500 cycles per day, and about 15-about 40 umol cm. -2 s -1 Irradiance of UV wavelengths in the range of approximately 440nm-460nm, blue light wavelengths of approximately 30-150µl m -2 s -1 The irradiance of blue light, the wavelength of red light in the range of approximately 640nm-680nm, and approximately 60-300 µl m -2 s -1The device includes a device configured to control the irradiance of red light in the range of approximately 5 to approximately 20 days, and at least one of the number of days in a treatment regimen. Numbered Embodiment 190 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-189, with at least one UV wavelength peaking at 282 nm. Numbered Embodiment 191 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-190, with at least one UV wavelength peaking at 285 nm. Numbered Embodiment 192 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-191, with at least one UV wavelength peaking at 287 nm. Numbered Embodiment 193 includes the device of Numbered Embodiment 1-192, with at least one UV wavelength peaking at 291 nm. Numbered Embodiment 194 includes the device of Numbered Embodiment 1-193, with at least one UV wavelength peaking at 292 nm. Numbered Embodiment 195 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-194, and the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp. Numbered Embodiment 196 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-195, and the plant material is a stolon. Numbered Embodiment 197 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-196, and the plant material is a seed. Numbered Embodiment 198 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-197, and the plant material is a seedling. Numbered Embodiment 199 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-198, and the plant material is a plant. Numbered Embodiment 200 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-199, and the crop plant is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family. Numbered Embodiment 201 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-200, and the Rosaceae plant is of the genus Strawberry. Numbered Embodiment 202 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-201, and the crop plant is a tomato The improved yield is derived from at least one of the following: sorghum, strawberries, and hemp. Numbered embodiment 203 includes the device of numbered embodiments 1-202, and the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fruit fresh weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable development, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, endurance, and seed germination rate. Numbered embodiment 204 includes the device of numbered embodiments 1-203, and the improved yield is fruit fresh weight. Numbered embodiment 205 includes the device of numbered embodiments 1-204, and the improved yield is the number of harvested fruits. Numbered embodiment 206 includes the device of numbered embodiments 1-205, and the improved yield is an increase in flowering portion. Numbered embodiment 207 includes the device of numbered embodiments 1-206, and the improved yield is an improved Brix content. Numbered Embodiment 208 includes the device of Numbered Embodiments 1-207, with an improved yield of at least 5%. [Examples]

[0166] Example 1 - An example of using UV light to increase durability and / or crop yield.

[0167] Green lettuce plants were germinated in vermiculite, and after the appearance of cotyledons, they were transferred to a standard potting mixture. The plants were then incubated for 10 days under a 14-hour / 10-hour light / dark cycle at a rate of 400 μmol m³. -2 s -1 The plants were maintained under visible light intensity. Subsequently, the plants were exposed to a narrowband UV exposure peaking at 290 nm using an LED (light-emitting diode) array. Simultaneously, a portion of the same number of lettuce plants were exposed to a narrowband UV exposure peaking at 354 nm using an LED (light-emitting diode) array.

[0168] The plants were exposed to the UV dose for 7 days for the same amount of time they were exposed to background visible light. At the end of the 7-day UV treatment, these plants were planted in a rotivated soil bed in an adjacent outdoor field, with destructively harvested plants selected for evaluation of the three parameters of the mean hardiness index (H).

[0169] The plants were then left in the field for 11 weeks to withstand the field's weather conditions. Six replica plants were evaluated at the end of the 11 weeks of field growth for total shoot fresh weight (i.e., stem-to-leaf combination). Total shoot fresh weight is an important indicator of the final yield size for many crop plants.

[0170] The results are shown in Table 1 below. It is clear that samples treated with 290 nm UV light according to this disclosure show a dramatic increase in total shoot fresh weight after 11 weeks in the field compared to samples treated with 354 nm UV light (outside the UV-B spectrum).

[0171] In comparison, the H value determined using the endurance index according to this disclosure at the end of a 7-day UV treatment period is shown to provide a useful predictive and / or selection method for long-term plant endurance and crop yield and / or quality. In this example, the H value for the sample treated at 290 nm according to this disclosure is 3.04, compared to an H value of 2.96 for the sample treated at 354 nm. The difference of 0.08 between the two samples corresponds to a predicted increase of nearly 10% in endurance. This prediction is in good agreement with preliminary results observed in the field 11 weeks after transfer from the greenhouse.

[0172] While only lettuce was tested in this preliminary study, many other crops and / or other plants are expected to exhibit the same beneficial results observed. Further ongoing studies are being conducted on various vegetable crops and medicinal herbs to illustrate this disclosure across different species.

[0173] [Table 1]

[0174] Example 2 - Diseases and raw weight of green lettuce evaluated in the field

[0175] Green lettuce seedlings grown as described above were planted in a lettuce field infected with Sclerotina fungal disease 24 hours after UV treatment (according to this disclosure). A moving light array treatment method was used in accordance with New Zealand Patent Application No. 621039. The UV application regimen was 0.16798 W m [at a peak wavelength of 303 nm]. -2 s -1 The study included a 7-day (12 hours on / 12 hours off) treatment of 2-week-old plants. Twenty-four hours after the end of the UV treatment, evaluations were performed to determine the "hardiness" of the seedlings treated with UV according to this disclosure compared to untreated seedlings. The results in Table 2 show that leaf area (or "SLA" as an element of the hardiness index) was reduced in seedlings treated immediately after the UV treatment, which is an indicator that increased hardiness was achieved.

[0176] [Table 2]

[0177] Disease incidence and fresh weight were then evaluated in all plants five weeks after treatment. The results are shown in Tables 3 and 3A below.

[0178] The results show that UV-treated lettuce seedlings exhibit increased fresh weight and greater resistance to fungi, as assessed by a rating scale, and also describe the number of plants showing specific severity levels of disease infection.

[0179] [Table 3]

[0180]

Table 4

[0181] Example 3 - Evaluation of the Durability and Crop Yield of Red Lettuce

[0182] As described above, the red lettuce seedlings grown and then planted in the field after UV treatment were tested, and the claimed effects of the UV treatment were determined by comparison with the control group. The method of moving light array treatment was used according to New Zealand Patent Application No. 621039. The UV application dosage regimen was [at a peak wavelength of 286 nm] 0.06374 W m -2 s -1 and was used for a 7-day (12 hours on / 12 hours off) treatment in 2-week-old plants.

[0183] The results are shown in Table 4 below. After a 9-day outdoor standing period, an H value of 3.08 was measured for the UV-treated plants. Furthermore, the UV-treated samples showed a clear improvement in fresh weight and leaf area at the final harvest 9 days after treatment and 5 weeks after planting compared to the UV-free control.

[0184]

Table 5

[0185] Example 4 - Evaluation of the Durability and Crop Yield of Cucumber

[0186] (Using the cultivation conditions as described above), the cucumber seedlings were tested, and the claimed effects of the UV treatment were determined by comparison with the control group. The method of moving light array treatment was used according to New Zealand Patent Application No. 621039. The UV application dosage regimen was [at a peak wavelength of 286 nm] 0.06374 W m -2 s -1The study included a 7-day (12 hours on / 12 hours off) treatment of 2-week-old plants. The results are shown in Table 5 below. UV-treated samples showed lower fresh weight than untreated samples 7 days after treatment (during the outdoor growing season). However, by day 12, UV-treated samples showed higher fresh weight values ​​than those observed in untreated samples. Plant leaf area also increased more in UV-treated samples between days 7 and 12 compared to untreated samples. This example demonstrates a "springboard" effect of UV treatment on plant productivity in the first few days (or weeks) after treatment.

[0187] [Table 6]

[0188] Further tests were conducted to evaluate the durability of cucumbers. The results are shown in Table 6 below. The results indicate that the UV treatment described herein led to an improvement in the durability of cucumber plants.

[0189] [Table 7]

[0190] A total of 49 plants were evaluated per treatment: % represents the number of plants with a specific stress score up to day 12.

[0191] Example 5 - Evaluation of tomato durability and crop yield

[0192] The experiment was conducted on tomato seedlings (grown as described above) to determine the claimed effects of UV treatment compared to control plants. A moving light array treatment method was used in accordance with New Zealand Patent Application No. 621039. The UV application regimen was 0.06374 W / m² [at a peak wavelength of 286 nm]. -2 s -1This involved a 7-day treatment (12 hours on / 12 hours off) on 3-week-old plants.

[0193] The results are shown in Table 7 below. When measured on day 7, the UV-treated samples showed a significant increase in fresh weight, leaf area, and dry weight compared to the samples treated without UV. This was equivalent to an overall H value of 3.55 seven days after UV treatment. This supports the conclusion that UV treatment of tomato seedlings resulted in an overall increase in yield at harvest. To illustrate this, further plant biomass was harvested after a 6-day outdoor standing period. This harvest showed that the described increase in plant growth continued even after the completion of UV treatment.

[0194] [Table 8]

[0195] Example 6 - Evaluation of eggplant durability and crop yield

[0196] The experiment was conducted on eggplant seedlings (grown as described above) and the claimed effect of UV treatment was measured compared to a control group. A moving light array treatment method was used according to New Zealand Patent Application No. 621039. The UV application regimen was 0.06374 W / m² [at a peak wavelength of 286 nm]. -2 s -1 This involved a 7-day treatment (12 hours on / 12 hours off) on 3-week-old plants.

[0197] The results are shown in Table 8 below. When measured on the 7th day (immediately after UV treatment), the UV-treated samples showed similar or lower values in fresh weight, leaf area, and dry weight compared to the samples treated without UV. However, by the final harvest on the 6th day after a 6-day outdoor standing period, all of the fresh weight, leaf area, dry weight, and specific leaf weight increased beyond the values seen in the samples treated without UV. Thus, beneficial results can be observed from the durability index (or any one or arbitrary number of variables related to plant growth), which shows an H value of 3.01 at harvest 7 days after UV treatment. The data support that the yield at harvest overall increased as a result of the UV treatment of the eggplant seedlings.

[0198]

Table 9

[0199] Example 7 - Evaluation of the UV Spectrum for Beneficial Effects

[0200] Experiments were conducted to evaluate useful UV wavelength ranges for regulating plant growth (as a criterion for endurance) in green lettuce. This was measured by evaluating the dry weight of shoots (as an element of the endurance index). Lettuce plants were grown as described above and exposed for 6 days to a wide range of UV exposures (three doses per wavelength) at selected wavelength peaks (listed in Table 9) using a series of LED (light-emitting diode) arrays. Control plants that were not exposed to UV were used for comparison with the UV-treated plants. The total dry weight of shoots was measured after the irradiation period. The measurements of dry weight of stems and leaves were expressed relative to the untreated control to estimate the exposure response per wavelength band. Subsequently, the dose response was advanced based on the exposure range response described above. Then, the responses based on the relative exposures of different selected wavelengths were normalized to zero at 303 nm and interpolated to derive a description of spectral sensitivity for this aspect of endurance (or quantum effectiveness; in other words, an increased value indicates an increase in the dry weight of the shoot for that given wavelength). The results of this interpolation are shown in Table 10 and illustrated in Figure 1 for clarity. A sharp decline in the improvement of this durability property can be observed at wavelengths below 290 nm, and the spectral sensitivity to this durability property can be observed to drop to <1.0 at 304 nm.

[0201] [Table 10]

[0202] Table 10 shows a table of interpolated quantum effects for regulating the plant growth of green lettuce. While linear interpolation was used to interpolate the quantum effect values ​​in this example, it should be understood that there are various methods available for interpolating between quantum effect values.

[0203] [Table 11-1]

[0204] [Table 11-2]

[0205] Dry weight of shoots was measured at the end of the 7-day irradiation treatment and before a period in the subsequent life cycle of the plants in an outdoor environment. Using wavelengths of 290 nm–354 nm, preliminary results are shown in Figure 1. In this preliminary study, wavelengths of 280 nm–290 nm were not tested because the LEDs used had the lowest peak irradiation at 290 nm. However, an upward trend toward 280 nm is observed, which is reasonably expected, as can be seen from the curves in Figure 1.

[0206] Similar studies (results shown in Table 11 below) have shown that even small fluctuations outside the claimed range of UV-B wavelengths between 280 nm and 310 nm can lead to a substantial decrease in the endurance index during the seedling stage (from 3.76 to 2.79) and a loss and / or absence of improvement in plant leaf area at the final harvest on day 70 (measured as a percentage of untreated control plants). Furthermore, as in the interpolated example above, the dry weight of seedling plants was substantially improved within the wavelength range of the desired treatment.

[0207] [Table 12]

[0208] Example 8 - UV-B irradiation of strawberry varieties

[0209] The effects of UV-B treatment on strawberry seedlings were evaluated. UV-B wavelengths of 280 nm or 290 nm were tested on strawberry seedlings in two production systems. UV-B irradiation was accompanied by simultaneous irradiation with red and blue light. The strawberry seedlings were propagated using cuttings and treated as stolons. Two production systems were used: a hydroponic system and a soil system. The hydroponic system lacked soil and contained a liquid propagation medium. The soil system contained strawberry seedlings grown from stolons in pots.

[0210] The plants grew while fruits were harvested and evaluated for various parameters. UV / light treatment was performed for 14 days using a total of 10 hours of UV / light photoperiod. The photoperiod included periodic moving light treatments performed in a standard greenhouse.

[0211] For the hydroponic systems, 10 plants were used in Experiment 1 and 10 plants in Experiment 2. See Tables 12 and 13. The Albion strawberry cultivar was used in Experiment 1 and the Monterey strawberry cultivar was used in Experiment 2. The plants were harvested at the end of the study period. The measurements obtained are listed in Tables 12 and 13. The study period lasted approximately 10 weeks. The total number of fruits harvested in each of Experiments 1 and 2 was more than 130 in each experiment. The total number of samples obtained in each of Experiments 1 and 2 was approximately 30 in each experiment. The data for Experiments 1 and 2 are shown in Tables 12 and 13. A summary of the rates of change at different wavelengths for Experiments 1 and 2 is shown in Table 14.

[0212] [Table 13]

[0213] [Table 14]

[0214] [Table 15-1]

[0215] [Table 15-2]

[0216] These results demonstrate that UV irradiation has a positive effect on plant growth and fruit production, which is consistent with the disclosure herein that UV-B treatment increases both plant yield and plant durability.

[0217] For the soil system, the Camarosa strawberry cultivar was used. A total of 15 plants were used. As shown in Table 15, the plants were harvested and measured at the end of the study period. The study period lasted approximately 12 weeks. Samples were harvested at multiple time points during the study period. There were 28 time points, and the number of fruits sampled at each time point was less than 40. Data from the above experiment are shown in Table 15. A summary of the rates of change in the experiment is shown in Table 16 and Figure 2.

[0218] [Table 16]

[0219] [Table 17]

[0220] Data from the hydroponic system showed that, compared to the control, the proportion of fruits with a fresh fruit weight (FW) greater than 16 grams, the proportion of fruits with a Brix mean greater than 7 (minimum % fruit Brix 7), the proportion of fruits with a diameter greater than 25 mm and a Brix of 7, the proportion of fruits with a diameter greater than 25 mm and a Brix of 7, and fresh fruit weight greater than 16 grams increased after UV-B treatment at 280 nm and 290 nm. Data from the soil system showed a significant increase (p<.05) in the number of harvested fruits per plant. There was also a significant increase in plant biomass of approximately 26%, measured as dry weight (Figure 2).

[0221] This example demonstrates that improved productivity parameters for strawberries are achieved in both the number of strawberry plants grown in soil and those grown hydroponically after UV-B irradiation. These results show that UV irradiation has a positive effect on plant growth and fruit production, which is consistent with the disclosure herein that UV-B treatment increases both plant yield and plant durability.

[0222] This example supports the idea that UV treatment of seeds provides protection against yield-limiting stresses encountered in the growing environment, such as drought or salinity stress, and that the benefits of this disclosure can be achieved by using treatment at different wavelengths within the UV-B wavelength band.

[0223] Example 9 - Treatment regimen

[0224] An exemplary processing recipe is shown in Table 17-27.

[0225] [Table 18]

[0226] [Table 19]

[0227] [Table 20]

[0228] [Table 21]

[0229] [Table 22]

[0230] [Table 23]

[0231] [Table 24]

[0232] [Table 25]

[0233] [Table 26]

[0234] [Table 27]

[0235] [Table 28]

[0236] The embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and may be modified and added to without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants, The aforementioned method is: A process of exposing plant material to a treatment regimen, wherein the treatment regimen comprises light enriched with at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm–295 nm, a treatment distance from the plant material, a light source in the range of approximately 30 mm–120 mm, a moving light source speed in the range of approximately 40–60 mm per second, a light source timing cycle in the range of approximately 90–280 seconds, a number of cycles per day in the range of approximately 380–500 cycles per day, and approximately 15–40 umol cm⁻¹ －２ s －１ Irradiance in the UV wavelength range, blue light wavelengths of approximately 440 nm to 460 nm, and approximately 30 to 150 umol m －２ s －１ The irradiance of blue light, the wavelength of red light in the range of approximately 640 nm to approximately 680 nm, and approximately 60 to approximately 300 umol m －２ s －１ A method comprising a step, the step comprising an irradiance of red light in the range of 5 to 20 days, and at least one of the number of days in a processing regime in the range of about 5 to about 20 days.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one UV wavelength is peaked at at least one of 282 nm, 285 nm, 287 nm, 291 nm, and 292 nm.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant material is at least one of a stolon, a seed, a seedling, and a plant.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crop plant is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, durability, and seed germination rate.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the improved yield is at least one of the fresh fruit weight, the number of harvested fruits, an increase in the flowering portion, and an improved Brix content.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the improved yield is improved by at least 5%.

10. A method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants, The aforementioned method is: A method comprising the step of irradiating plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm at least seven weeks before the fruit is harvested.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the light is enriched with at least one UV wavelength of 280 nm and 290 nm.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the light includes at least one of blue light and red light.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen over at least one period of at least one day and at least fourteen days.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for approximately 14 days.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the light is irradiated for a total of approximately 10 hours per day.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plant material is derived from a fruit plant.

19. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plant material is at least one of a stolon, a seed, a seedling, and a plant.

21. The method according to claim 10, wherein the improved yield is selected from the group consisting of fresh fruit weight, number of harvested fruits, Brix content, fruit width, fruit length, leaf size, leaf surface area, dry weight, nitrogen content, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, vegetable growth, fruit portion yield, fruit portion weight, durability, and seed germination rate.

22. The method according to claim 10, wherein the improved yield is at least one of the fresh fruit weight, the number of harvested fruits, an increase in the flowering portion, and an improved Brix content.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the fresh fruit weight is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the number of harvested fruits is improved by at least 10% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the yield is improved by at least 5% compared to non-UV-B irradiated plant material.

26. A method for improving the yield of fruit components of crop plants, The aforementioned method is: (a) A step of irradiating a plant material with light enriched to at least one UV wavelength in the range of 280 nm to 290 nm; and, (b) A method comprising the step of harvesting an increased number of fruits from an untreated field compared to the expected number of fruits.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the light is enriched with at least one UV wavelength of 280 nm and 290 nm.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the light includes at least one of blue light and red light.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the light is irradiated using a treatment regimen over at least one period of at least one day and at least fourteen days.

30. The method according to claim 26, wherein the light is irradiated using the treatment regimen for approximately 14 days.

31. The method according to claim 26, wherein the light is irradiated for a total of about 10 hours per day.

32. The method according to claim 26, wherein the plant material is derived from a plant of the Rosaceae family.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the plant of the Rosaceae family is of the genus Strawberry.

34. The method according to claim 26, wherein the plant material is derived from a fruit plant.

35. The method according to claim 26, wherein the plant material is derived from at least one of tomato, strawberry, and hemp.

36. The method according to claim 26, wherein the number of increased fruits increases by at least 5%.

37. The method according to claim 26, wherein the expected number of fruits for an untreated field is determined by at least one of the national average and historical average for the growing area.

38. The method according to claim 26, wherein the untreated field includes at least one adjacent field and a field of substantially the same size.

Images