Methods and apparatus for plant cultivation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cultivating at least one plant that is rotated at least temporarily during its growth stage is described. The described technical instruction is characterized in that the plant is rotated discontinuously, and during the rotational phase, the plant is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the plant extending in the principal elongation direction and / or the short axis extending perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, in the non-rotational phase, in which the rotational speed is reduced at least temporarily to 0, the plant is positioned at least temporarily such that the longitudinal axis of the plant is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at the plant's position in a plane stretched between the direction of gravity and the longitudinal axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cultivating at least one plant that is at least temporarily rotated during its growth stage, more particularly for modifying the plant via rotation, wherein the rotation is performed about a longitudinal axis or a transverse axis extending in the main growth direction of the plant.

Background Art

[0002] Various automated plant cultivation systems have been known for many years, and particularly in recent decades, they have become cultivation systems intensively used especially for greenhouse-grown crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce. The mass production of agricultural products in a fully air-conditioned building under strictly controlled external influences is also referred to as so-called "indoor farming".

[0003] Against this background, Patent Document 1 discloses a special greenhouse designed in the form of a tower-type greenhouse in which plants to be cultivated are moved during their growth stage. An important feature of the described technical teaching is that the height of the building is utilized to realize transport paths for plant cultivation. The described greenhouse is provided with a plurality of meanderingly arranged conveyor belts for transporting plants, the conveyor belts are designed as circulation paths and are provided with upper and lower deflection rollers, so that the plants can be moved vertically in different directions. Appropriate fluorescent lamps are installed between the vertically arranged conveyor belts to ensure effective illumination.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes further technical teachings relating to automated plant cultivation. The described equipment includes a conveyor belt arranged in a meandering manner, with a portion extending vertically. Corresponding deflection rollers are provided to deflect the conveyor belt. Furthermore, special containers for transporting plants are provided, which contain retaining materials for receiving seeds or plants and are connected to the circulating conveyor belt by special hook elements. The containers for receiving plants extend across the entire width of the conveyor belt and can each receive multiple plants side by side.

[0005] Despite increasing energy demands, well-known automated plant cultivation systems offer many advantages over traditional field farming. In addition to being completely independent of weather conditions, they allow for optimal adjustment of climatic conditions within the greenhouse to suit each plant throughout the entire season, ensuring stable plant growth. Dedicated water recovery systems significantly reduce the amount of water required for plant growth compared to cultivating outdoor fields. Furthermore, cultivating plants in a fully climate-controlled environment requires relatively little fertilizer and enables pesticide-free cultivation.

[0006] A common problem with well-known automated plant cultivation systems in fully climate-controlled indoor environments is that adapting the equipment used for different plants can often require considerable effort. When changing the plants being cultivated, it is necessary to consider that different plant sizes have different degrees and durations of change during their growth stages. Adapting well-known automated plant cultivation systems to these altered conditions is challenging.

[0007] However, in well-known systems where plants are often cultivated on multiple levels (so-called vertical farming systems), it is possible to increase plant yield per unit of available cultivation area compared to conventional single-level plant production. However, due to limitations in technical process control, currently, vertical farming systems are limited to small plants that typically grow to less than 1 meter in height. To date, large plants, especially highly profitable medicinal plants such as cannabis, have only been cultivated relatively inefficiently on a single level or a very small number of levels in high-rise rack systems, resulting in a small total number of plants per unit of available cultivation area. Therefore, it has not been possible to fully utilize the vertical spatial potential in plant production. Furthermore, producing large plants on a very small number of levels in high-rise racks comes with various drawbacks. Thus, in addition to ease of access, monitoring, and harvesting of individual plants, compliance with the necessary cultivation environmental conditions is a major challenge. Moreover, beyond the approach of plant density per unit of available cultivation area, there is also the technical challenge of increasing plant yield by easily and efficiently changing the phenotype of individual plants, for example, by increasing the number of lateral branches or the biomass of the plant.

[0008] Well-known methods for altering plant phenotypes include using conventional breeding techniques. In recent years, specific gene editing techniques have also been employed. However, these methods are time-consuming and difficult, especially when considering complex combinations of active ingredients and secondary metabolites of plant lines, in addition to characteristics related to size and yield. Furthermore, gene-edited plants are considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in various countries, and as a result, they are handled according to the GMO directive and subject to complex approval procedures.

[0009] Furthermore, chemicals are sometimes used to suppress plant growth height or increase the number of lateral branches, but these are undesirable in many applications and can have adverse effects on plant health. In controlled indoor growing systems, it is also known that certain cultivation parameters, such as the use of specific artificial light wavelength ranges or fertilizer compositions, can affect plant size and yield.

[0010] While all of these methods have already been used for phenotypic adaptation, they are not suitable for simple and efficient modification of phenotypes.

[0011] Furthermore, a clinostat is a device that can influence plant growth by specifically altering the effects of gravity. By appropriately rotating the plant, a clinostat can eliminate the effects of gravity on plant growth (gravitropism) and development (gravitropic morphogenesis).

[0012] A single-axis or horizontal clinostat consists of a disc connected to a motor. The disc is positioned vertically and rotated by an electric motor at a speed of approximately one revolution per minute. Simultaneously, a plant is mounted on the disc so as to be oriented horizontally. The slow, continuous rotation causes the plant to experience an averaged gravitational force over 360 degrees, creating a near-weightless environment. In contrast, if the clinostat is tilted horizontally, the plant experiences net gravity, the magnitude of which is determined by the tilt angle. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Austrian Patent No. 250728 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0279122 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] Based on conventional automated plant cultivation systems and the problems described above, the present invention aims to provide a plant cultivation system that can accurately and effectively control plant growth. Here, it should be possible to specifically modify the phenotype of the plants in a relatively simple manner. Furthermore, the prescribed technical teachings should be usable in a closed space and allow for relatively easy integration into an automated process that can extend from sowing to harvesting fully mature plants. In addition, the supply of water and nutrients to the plants to be cultivated should be ensured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The above objective is achieved by the method for cultivating at least one plant as described in claim 1 and the apparatus having the features described in claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims and will be described in more detail below with partial reference to the drawings.

[0016] The present invention relates to a method for cultivating at least one plant that is rotated at least temporarily during its growth stage. The method according to the present invention is characterized in that the plant is rotated discontinuously, and during the rotation stage, the plant is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the plant extending in the principal elongation direction and / or the short axis extending perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis, and in the non-rotation stage, in which the rotation speed is reduced at least temporarily to 0, the plant is at least temporarily positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the plant is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at the plant's position in a plane stretched by the direction of gravity and the longitudinal axis.

[0017] The term "direction of gravity" refers to the local direction of gravitational acceleration perpendicular to the equipotential plane of the Earth's gravitational field, in the direction of the resultant force of Earth's gravity and the centrifugal force due to Earth's rotation. For simplicity, we may assume that the direction of gravity is the direction from a point on the Earth's surface toward the Earth's center. Therefore, the direction of gravity extends perpendicular to the Earth's surface or ground where the cultivated plant is located. Furthermore, the rotation of the plant must occur discontinuously. That is, there must be a rotational stage in which the plant rotates around its longitudinal axis and / or a transverse axis extending perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis, and a non-rotational stage in which rotational motion does not occur at least temporarily and the rotational speed decreases to 0 (zero).

[0018] The present invention allows cultivated plants to undergo rotation-based plant phenotypic modification by receiving stimulation during growth. This requires the plant to grow in a direction deviating from the direction of gravity relative to the Earth's gravitational field. Specifically, gravity acts on the plant at different angles, causing it to rotate discontinuously around its longitudinal axis (extending in the direction of primary elongation) and / or its transverse axis (extending perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis), thereby alternating the orientation of different sides of the plant's stem toward the Earth's gravitational field. The rotation is discontinuous and pauses during non-rotational phases. This can induce at least one of the following plant phenotypes compared to plant growth without rotation according to the present invention: - Reduced growth height, mainly accompanied by straight stems. - Reduced growth height accompanied by wavy stems - Reduction in internode spacing - Increase in the number of segments - Increase in lateral branches - Increase in stem thickness - Increase in leaf biomass - Increase in root biomass - Increased number of flower formation sites.

[0019] The present invention is based on the finding that plants respond to gravity only when the gravity stimulus is maintained for longer than a critical time, the so-called minimum presentation time (MPT). In many plant organs, the MPT is 10 to 200 seconds. Accordingly, when implementing the method according to the present invention, the non-rotating phase is advantageously selected such that a gravitropic response is achieved in at least one plant that is at least temporarily rotated. Here, since the presentation time is cumulative, if the interruption of the rotational movement at the same position is repeated, even if the non-rotating phase is very short, as long as the interruption of rotation at the same position is repeated with sufficient frequency, it can be taken into account that a gravitropic response can be induced. In contrast to the growth of permanently statically oriented plants in which a gravitropic response is permanently induced, the present invention enables directed, discontinuous gravitropic responses in different regions of the plant, resulting in the aforementioned unexpected phenotype.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the at least one plant to be moved is discontinuously rotated according to the present invention about its longitudinal axis and / or a transverse axis extending perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] This advantageously makes it possible to achieve rotation and / or movement of the plant in at least one plane. Rotational movements and / or linear movements in different planes may occur at least partially simultaneously, or may occur at different points in time, or may occur over different periods of time. In general, the radius selected for the rotational movement on the circular orbit on which the rotational movement is performed is not critical.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the movement of rotating the plant about a transverse axis extending perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal axis is performed at a specific portion of the conveying path, for example, a reversal point or a transition point of the at least partially linear conveying path along which the conveyor belt moves. Therefore, for example, it is envisaged that the plant, which is rotated discontinuously, i.e. at generally freely selectable time intervals, such that overall rotation phases and non-rotation phases are provided about the longitudinal axis extending in the main extension direction of the plant, is moved along the conveying path and is at least temporarily rotated about the transverse axis extending perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal axis. Particularly preferably, the transverse axis extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the plant.

[0023] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, during the growth stage of the moved plant, at least temporarily, the non-rotation phase of the rotational movement about the longitudinal axis extending in the main extension direction of the plant and / or the transverse axis extending perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal axis is defined to be at least as long as the rotation phase. Here, as described above, the non-rotation phase refers to a period during which the rotational speed of the rotational movement decreases to 0 (zero). Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the non-rotation phase is longer than the rotation phase, for example, it can be assumed to be 2 to 4 times or more the value of the rotation phase.

[0024] Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first side portion of the main stem extending in the main extension direction of the plant is defined to be oriented similarly with respect to the direction of gravity in at least two non-rotation phases. In this way, the main stem is oriented such that different sides of the main stem face the ground, or the earth's surface, or the center of the earth, in at least two non-rotation phases, which are preferably interrupted by only one non-rotation phase.

[0025] In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first lateral and a second lateral of a main stem extending in the main elongation direction of a plant, which are positioned opposite each other on the main stem of the plant, are defined to rotate in a second non-rotating stage following a first non-rotating stage with a rotational stage in between, such that the first lateral takes the position that the second lateral occupied in the first non-rotating stage. In this embodiment, the opposite laterals of the main stem are thus oriented so that the opposite laterals of the main stem alternately face the ground, or the surface of the earth, or the center of the earth.

[0026] In another embodiment, both of a pair of plant stems branching off from the main stem extending in the main direction of plant elongation are oriented in the direction of gravity in different non-rotating stages. For example, in the first non-rotating stage, the first stem of the pair of plant stems is positioned in the direction of gravity and preferably hangs down toward the ground, and in the second non-rotating stage, the second stem of the pair is positioned in the direction of gravity and preferably hangs down toward the ground. Thus, the plant stems branching off from the main stem and positioned on opposite sides of each other are alternately positioned in the direction of gravity.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageously assumed that the discontinuously rotating plant is positioned at least temporarily such that its longitudinal axis, extending in the principal elongation direction, makes an angle α with respect to gravity, and that angle α is -90° < α < 90°. According to this embodiment, when α = 0°, the longitudinal axis of the plant is positioned horizontally, i.e., at least substantially parallel to the ground or surface; when angle α is -90° < α < 0°, the tip of the plant is inclined toward the ground; and when angle α is 0 < α < 90°, the tip of the plant is oriented diagonally upward. In this invention, it is always important that the longitudinal axis of the plant to be cultivated is, in the non-rotating stage, at least temporarily inclined with respect to gravity in the plane stretched by gravity and the longitudinal axis, and therefore the longitudinal axis is not positioned perpendicular to the ground or surface.

[0028] In a more specific embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the plant is positioned, at least temporarily during the non-rotating stage, such that its longitudinal axis, extending in the principal elongation direction, is perpendicular to the direction of gravity. This means that the longitudinal axis extends horizontally and is therefore at least substantially parallel to the ground or surface.

[0029] Furthermore, in a specific further development of the method according to the present invention, the non-rotational phase is specified to be at least partially 10 to 200 seconds. The time range that falls within the above period has the advantage of effectively inducing the gravitropic response of the plant.

[0030] A general form of the above method or at least one of the above specific further developments is particularly suitable for the cultivation of medicinal plants, edible plants, fodder plants, ornamental plants, and / or woody plants. Preferably, multiple such plants are cultivated simultaneously, at least temporarily, by the method according to the present invention.

[0031] The method according to the present invention or at least one of the above specific further developments is preferably particularly suitable for cultivating medicinal plants belonging to the Cannabaceae family.

[0032] In addition to the method, the present invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the present invention and / or further developments thereof. The apparatus comprises at least one fixing device for detachably fixing a plant to be cultivated, and a drive unit at least indirectly connected to the fixing device for initiating the movement of the fixing device. According to one specific further development of the apparatus, the fixing device and / or drive unit is configured to move the plant to be cultivated in at least two planes, the arrangement of these planes being neither identical nor parallel to one another.

[0033] Generally, a fixing device that functions to secure a plant being cultivated is assumed to be linearly movable and / or rotatable.

[0034] According to one particular embodiment, a nutrient solution supply unit is further provided, which can supply nutrient solution to the plant being cultivated. Here, the nutrient solution supply unit is equipped with appropriate elements for receiving, storing, and transporting the required nutrient solution and supplying it toward the plant, and the plant is rotated at least discontinuously around its longitudinal axis and / or a short axis extending perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis.

[0035] Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide a light source to irradiate the plants being cultivated with photons, at least temporarily. In this embodiment, sunlight or at least one lighting unit is provided as the light source, thereby precisely irradiating the plants. Shading elements may be provided to precisely darken the plants, or, for example, the illumination may be precisely switched on and off to define the day-night rhythm.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the use of a climate control device is specified to set the environment of the plant to be cultivated and / or the environment surrounding the plant as needed, in particular to cool and / or dehumidify the plant compared to the surrounding environment.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention, which is based on discontinuously rotating a plant to be cultivated around a longitudinal axis extending in the main direction of the plant's elongation and / or a short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, is envisioned to be combined with a device for promoting plant growth. This device is particularly for automated plant cultivation and includes a conveyor belt that is movable along a transport path for transporting plants at least partially. The plants thus transported are preferably irradiated at least temporarily while moving along the transport path, supplied with nutrients and water by a nutrient supply unit, and move at least substantially horizontally in at least one first section and at least substantially vertically in at least one second section while being transported along the transport path. During this alternating horizontal and vertical movement, the plants are also discontinuously rotated around their longitudinal axis and / or a short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis. This embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the plant is at least temporarily fixed to the conveyor belt while being transported along the transport path, with the plant's roots at least partially extending to the area located below the lower surface of the conveyor belt, while the plant's leaves and / or fruits extend at least partially to the area located above the upper surface opposite to the lower surface. Furthermore, a nutrient solution supply unit is located below the conveyor belt, and the nutrient solution is supplied to the plant fixed on the conveyor belt, particularly to the roots below the conveyor belt, in an aerial cultivation manner. By using a conveyor belt, the rotation of the plant to be cultivated, around its short axis extending perpendicular to its long axis, can be performed in the region of a deflection point with a horizontal rotation axis. Basically, combinations can also be envisioned, and discontinuous rotation of the plant around its long axis can also be performed on the conveyor belt. However, a clinostat is particularly suitable for discontinuous rotation of the plant around its long axis.

[0038] In this context, a key feature of the present invention is that the plants are fixed on a conveyor belt during their growth stages, moved continuously in one direction, and rotated discontinuously around their longitudinal axis and / or a short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plants are transported along a light source at least temporarily. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a nutrient solution supply unit, particularly using a spray nozzle, be positioned away from the underside of the conveyor belt, thereby ensuring that the plants are reliably supplied with nutrient solution in an aerial cultivation manner within this range. In addition, nutrients are preferably continuously supplied to the root region during transport. The transport path according to this embodiment has a special configuration in which it has at least sections extending substantially vertically up and down, with a reversal point of the transport path located between them. Therefore, the plants are not only rotated discontinuously around their longitudinal axis and / or a short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, but also, particularly in the region of the reversal point, around the short axis that is then perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the plant is positioned perpendicular to the short axis.

[0039] In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor belt is provided with a retaining material in at least a portion of the area, which holds plants at least temporarily in place during transport along the conveying path. Preferably, the retaining material is selected so that seeds or plants are well supported and further so that the retaining material can conduct water and / or nutrient solution for at least temporary storage. In this case, discontinuous rotation about the longitudinal axis of the plant and / or the transverse axis extending perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis preferably occurs at least partially together with the retaining material.

[0040] In addition to discontinuous rotation around the longitudinal axis of the plant and / or the short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, if the plant is transported at least partially substantially vertically by a specially designed device, according to a particular further development of the present invention, it is possible to transport the plant continuously along and / or toward natural or artificial light sources during its growth stage, particularly preferably, as soon as the plant is moved vertically. At the same time, the root region located on the underside of the conveyor belt is advantageously supplied with nutrients and water in an aerial manner. The aerial supply of nutrients to the root region is preferably performed at least temporarily while the plant is being moved vertically. In this context, it is assumed that an upper deflection point is provided between two vertically extending sections of the transport path, thereby causing the plant to move vertically upward with the conveyor belt and then vertically downward after passing the deflection point. At this deflection point, in addition to discontinuous rotation around the longitudinal axis of the plant, additional rotation of the plant around the short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis is also advantageously generated. It is particularly advantageous to position the plants so that their longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

[0041] Generally, lighting is expected to use natural light and / or artificial light from lighting units, which include, for example, at least one fluorescent lamp and / or one LED. The advantage of installing lighting units to generate light is that precise lighting can be provided, particularly in accordance with the target plant species and / or the plant's growth, and can be provided whenever needed. According to a specific further development of the present invention, lighting to plants is provided in a specific range of the transport path, particularly in a selected range where the plants are moved vertically, especially preferably in only half of the entire provided vertical range, thereby mimicking the rhythm of day and night. Advantageously, lighting is provided by vertically arranged LED panels or other lighting systems.

[0042] In one specific further development, the lighting unit is specified to be designed to illuminate plants in a specific selected portion of the transport path. In addition to discontinuous rotations around the longitudinal axis extending in the main direction of plant growth and / or the transverse axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, lighting is advantageous even while the plants are moving continuously or similarly discontinuously upward on the vertically positioned portion of the transport path. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the plants are at least temporarily de-illuminated after passing a deflection point, particularly as soon as they are moved vertically downward.

[0043] In one particularly advantageous embodiment, plants fixed on a conveyor belt, especially the roots below the conveyor belt, are supplied with aerial nutrient solution as soon as they are moved vertically. If the transport path has a deflection point in the lower region between at least two transport path sections extending substantially vertically, it can be assumed that the plants, especially the roots located below the conveyor belt, are moved so as to pass at least partially through an immersion tank, in which region hydroponic nutrient supply to the plants, especially the root system, takes place. In a meandering or bendy transport path according to this particular embodiment, which has vertically extending path sections with lower and upper deflection points or deflection regions located between the sections, a continuous supply of nutrients and water to the plants is thus achieved. Aerial nutrient solution spraying equipment is preferably used for aerial water supply to the root system of the plants.

[0044] The automated plant cultivation system, designed according to specifications, allows for continuous aerial watering to the roots located beneath the conveyor belt, while simultaneously creating hydroponic cultivation tanks for plant support materials in the lower deflection area as the conveyor belt passes through its tank stage.

[0045] By fixing plants to a conveyor belt and rotating them discontinuously around their longitudinal axis and / or transverse or oblique longitudinal axis, continuous or at least long-term aerial watering can be achieved without unnecessarily wetting the plant leaves. In this way, diseases affecting the foliage are reliably prevented. In particular, the temperature and humidity of the air beneath the conveyor belt in the vertical transport path section are monitored by sensors and adjusted appropriately by a central control unit, thus ensuring that humidity in this area does not become excessively high.

[0046] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally to the above embodiments, it is advantageous to adapt the automated plant cultivation system to the size requirements of each plant by changing the spacing of the points where individual plants are fixed to the conveyor belt and the spacing of the points where elements are positioned to rotate the plants as needed around their longitudinal axis and / or transverse axis perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, mechanical elements are provided for this purpose, thereby allowing adjustment as needed of the spacing of the individual fixing points and, consequently, the spacing of the rotating elements provided within this range. Thus, for example, as the plant transport period lengthens and the plants grow, it can be assumed that the individual fixing points will move further apart from each other, and different stopping positions can be assumed. According to a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor belt comprises a continuous, rigid lamellae or plate, which can be made of various materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Such lamellae or plates allow for easy plant fixation while simultaneously possessing high flexibility, thus enabling the guidance of the conveyor belt on the deflection rollers.

[0047] By adjusting the transport route or conveyor belt to accommodate changes in plant size, the increasing space requirements of plants are addressed while minimizing the use of materials and energy. In this way, costs such as watering and lighting during the seedling stage are significantly reduced, resulting in particularly efficient operation of the equipment from both an economic and environmental perspective.

[0048] In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the conveying path or conveyor belt moving along the conveying path is defined as moving along a closed circular or elliptical path. This provides two vertical sections and two horizontal sections in the region of the deflection point, with the horizontal sections connecting the vertical sections to each other. By changing the length of the vertical sections of the conveyor belt, such plant cultivation equipment can be constructed at substantially any height. Preferably, it is equipped with an internal aerial nutrient supply unit for cultivating the plants being moved. Such plant cultivation equipment is particularly suitable for cultivating herbs, leafy vegetables, fruit trees including grain legumes, fodder plants, ornamental plants, woody plants, and / or medicinal plants, especially plants belonging to the Cannabaceae family. Furthermore, when moving along a closed circular or elliptical conveying path, the plants are also discontinuously rotated around their longitudinal axis and / or short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, so that in the non-rotating phase, the plants are at least partially oriented so that their longitudinal axis does not extend in the direction of gravity.

[0049] Harvesting plants or fruits, especially in the lower turning point area using an automated harvesting machine, can yield advantageous harvests.

[0050] With regard to fixing plants in or on a conveyor belt, it is basically assumed that seeds and / or seedlings are fixed directly or indirectly in or on the conveyor belt via retaining materials. It is always important that elements are provided to enable discontinuous rotation of the plant around its longitudinal axis and / or its transverse axis, which extends perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, according to the present invention.

[0051] According to an alternative embodiment, the conveyor belt is equipped with suitable plant containers capable of holding plants, and these containers are fixed to the circulating conveyor belt by fixing elements. In this context, for example, the conveyor belt may have at least one conveyor chain, and it can be assumed that hooks of the plant containers, which act as fixing elements, are hooked onto the conveyor chain as the plants are transported along the transport path. When plant containers that can be connected to a conveyor belt are used in this manner, preferably the plant containers are removed from the conveyor belt or conveyor chain for the harvesting process, cleaned after the completion of the harvest, and finally returned to the loading equipment. After the seeds or seedlings are loaded, the corresponding plant containers are sequentially engaged with the conveyor belt or the starting point of the transport path.

[0052] The present invention makes it possible to cultivate plants in which the phenotype of a plant is modified solely by changing the orientation of the plant, particularly its main stem, relative to the Earth's gravitational field during cultivation. Here, the initial orientation of the plant, in which the main stem extends in the direction of the plant's longitudinal axis relative to the ground and thus the Earth's gravitational field, is changed at least once during the cultivation period by discontinuous rotation, in which case the time interval between rotational movements, i.e., the non-rotational phase, is longer than the longest rotational movement during the rotational phase. The change in the orientation of the plant's main stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field results in different sides of the main stem facing the ground, and can occur by rotation around the plant's longitudinal axis extending in the direction of main elongation and / or rotation around the plant's short axis extending perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis.

[0053] During rotation around the short axis of the plant, preferably, the opposite sides of the main stem of the plant are oriented so that they alternately face the ground. In the case of rotation around the long axis of the plant and / or the short axis of the plant extending perpendicular or obliquely to the long axis, it is advantageously possible to set the orientation of one side or one region of the main stem of the plant facing the ground, depending on the rotation angle used. A preferred rotation angle for the rotational motion in the rotational stage is 180°, which allows technical features to be initiated with a minimum number of rotations. During cultivation between the rotational stages, i.e., during the non-rotational stages, the orientation of the long axis of the cultivated plant is not parallel to the direction of gravity and therefore extends in a direction different from the Earth's gravity vector. According to this embodiment, the long axis of the cultivated plant and the gravity vector form an angle that is not equal to 0 (zero). Therefore, the long axis of the cultivated plant is inclined with respect to the gravity vector.

[0054] Surprisingly, when using the present invention, by altering the orientation of the plant's longitudinal axis relative to the gravity vector, at least partially different regions of the plant's main stem face the ground after plant movement, resulting in a decrease in growth height, a decrease in internode spacing, an increase in internode number, an increase in lateral branches, an increase in stem thickness, an increase in leaf biomass, an increase in root biomass, and / or an increase in flower formation sites compared to other cultivation methods. All of these unexpected technical effects are advantageous in increasing plant yield per available cultivation base area or available cultivation volume. Furthermore, this technical effect has the advantage that it is achieved purely physically by orienting different lateral parts, lateral ranges, or regions of the plant's main stem toward the ground for at least partially different periods. In particular, it does not require breeding techniques or chemicals. Moreover, the method according to the present invention is applicable in addition to the use of specific cultivation parameters such as a specific wavelength range of artificial light or fertilizer composition.

[0055] Based on the present invention, it becomes possible to easily and quickly produce plants with specific phenotypes, which is particularly beneficial overall in commercial plant production, especially in the field of vertical farming. The present invention opens up the possibility of efficiently producing large plants that have previously been little or no suitable for vertical farming. Furthermore, the present invention also provides the possibility of specifically adapting the standard phenotype of a plant, thereby improving both the quality and yield of the plant. The present invention is particularly suitable for the cultivation or production of profitable medicinal plants that grow large under standard conditions, such as medical cannabis. Furthermore, the present invention can be advantageously used in the cultivation or production of edible or ornamental plants.

[0056] Herein, the method according to the present invention is based on discontinuously rotating the plant to be cultivated around its longitudinal axis and / or one of its transverse axes, and is assumed to be feasible in both large-scale plant cultivation facilities equipped with conveyor belts or other transport devices, and facilities designed, for example, in the form of clinostats, as used in research and development.

[0057] In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, using exemplary embodiments without limiting the general concept of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0058] [Figure 1] This schematic diagram illustrates various possibilities regarding the rotation and orientation of plants that are positioned at an angle to the direction of gravity within Earth's gravitational field, as they rotate around their short axis. [Figure 2] This schematic diagram illustrates various possibilities regarding the rotation and orientation of plants that are positioned at an angle to the direction of gravity within Earth's gravitational field, as they rotate around their longitudinal axis. [Figure 3] This is a comparison of the average height of the fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75". [Figure 4] This is a comparison of the average number of internodes in the fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75". [Figure 5] This study compares the phenotypes of the fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75" with and without alternating inclinations relative to gravity. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing an automated plant cultivation system equipped with an elliptical transport path that rotates the plants to be cultivated in a discontinuous manner. [Figure 7] This figure compares the average growth height of the fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75" over a 36-day cultivation period, under two conditions: one where the orientation of the plant stem's lateral direction relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant, and another where it was alternating between the two orientations. [Figure 8] This figure compares the average number of internodes in the fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75" after a 36-day cultivation period, under two conditions: when the orientation of the lateral sides of the plant stems relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant and when it was alternating between these two orientations. [Figure 9] This shows the phenotype of fiber hemp after a 36-day cultivation period under identical indoor climate conditions, with the orientation of the plant stem's lateral direction relative to the Earth's gravitational field being constant and alternating between the two. [Figure 10] This study compares the average growth height, biomass (fresh weight) of the green parts, biomass (fresh weight) of the roots, and number of lateral branches of the fiber hemp variety "Comporti" after a 21-day aerial cultivation period, under two conditions: one where the orientation of the lateral parts of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant, and another where the orientation was alternating between the two conditions. [Figure 11] This figure compares the average growth height and stem thickness of the hemp variety "Finola" after a 21-day aerial cultivation period, under two conditions: when the orientation of the lateral side of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant, and when it was alternating between these two orientations. [Figure 12] These figures and photographs show a comparison of the average growth height of the grain pea plants "Astronaut" and "Ostinato" after approximately 6 weeks of aerial cultivation, under two conditions: when the orientation of the lateral side of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant and when it was alternating between these two orientations. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0059] Figures 1 and 2 show schematic diagrams illustrating various possibilities for the rotation and orientation of a cultivated plant 8 in the Earth's gravitational field. The plant 8 is positioned at an inclination with respect to the gravity direction 27 in the Earth's gravitational field, where the gravity direction 27 extends perpendicularly to the ground 30 at the location where the plant 8 is positioned, or perpendicular to the surface of this region. By schematically demonstrating a method of discontinuously rotating a cultivated plant 8 that is positioned at an inclination with respect to the gravity direction 27, at least in the non-rotational phase, it is possible to advantageously induce a specific phenotypic modification of the plant.

[0060] The change in orientation of the main stem of a plant, particularly the longitudinal axis 28 of the plant 8 extending in the main elongation direction, with respect to the Earth's gravitational field may be a rotation around the short axis 29 of the plant 8 extending perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, as shown in Figure 1, or it may be a rotation around the longitudinal axis 28 extending in the main elongation direction, as shown in Figure 2.

[0061] In the two non-rotational stages, it is always important that the intermediate rotation positions different lateral portions 31 of the plant stem in different orientations relative to the Earth's gravitational field, in which case the plant stems 33 positioned on the corresponding lateral portions 31 face the ground 30, in addition to the different lateral or lateral regions of the main stem 32.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, as shown in partial figures a) to f), the cultivated plants 8 are inclined at different angles with respect to the direction of gravity 27 and rotate around a short axis 29 positioned perpendicular to the long axis 28 of the plant 8. Generally, in this context, it is also assumed that the short axis 29 extends diagonally with respect to the long axis 28. Here, the lateral portion 31 of the opposite stem of the plant or the lateral region of the main stem 32 of the plant are alternately oriented facing the ground.

[0063] In contrast, Figure 2 shows one embodiment of the method according to the present invention, in which, according to partial figures a) to f), the plants to be cultivated 8, which are inclined at different angles with respect to the direction of gravity 27, are rotated around a longitudinal axis 28 extending in the main elongation direction of the plants during a rotational stage between two non-rotational stages.

[0064] In this embodiment, the orientation of the respective lateral regions of the plant's stem 31 or the plant's main stem 33 depends on each rotation angle by which the plant 8 rotates during the rotation phase.

[0065] The illustrated plant orientations represent an effective angular range for inducing specific phenotypic modifications of the plants, where -90° < α < 90° is applied to angle α. Within this angular range, gravity acts on the plant 8 and its stem at least approximately in the short axis direction along the gravity vector. When α = 0° is selected, the maximum gravity acts in the short axis direction, and the longitudinal axis 28 of the cultivated plant 8 is therefore oriented perpendicular to the gravity direction in the plane spanned by the longitudinal axis 28 and the gravity direction 27, as shown in Figures 1c), 1d), 2c), and 2d), respectively.

[0066] Figure 3 shows a graph comparing the average plant height of fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75" after a 36-day cultivation period, under identical cultivation conditions, with and without alternating the orientation of the plant stems relative to the ground or surface. Alternating the orientation of the cultivated plants relative to the direction of gravity reduces growth height by 21.92% for Comporti and 25.22% for Futura 75. Error bars represent the standard deviation (+ / - 1SD).

[0067] Figure 4 shows a graph comparing the average number of internodes in fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75" after a 36-day cultivation period, under identical cultivation conditions, with and without alternating the orientation of the plant stems relative to the ground or surface. Alternating the orientation of the cultivated plants relative to the direction of gravity increases the number of internodes by 25.41% for Comporti and 20% for Futura 75. Error bars represent the standard deviation (+ / - 1SD).

[0068] Figure 5 shows a detailed comparison of the phenotypes of the fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75" after a 36-day cultivation period, under identical cultivation conditions, with and without alternating the orientation of the plant stem's lateral sides relative to the Earth's gravitational field. Partial figures a) and b) show the fiber hemp variety "Comporti," where partial figure a) shows the orientation of the plant's longitudinal axis 28 relative to the direction of gravity 27, and partial figure b) shows the orientation of the plant's lateral sides relative to the ground 30 after cultivation. Furthermore, partial figures c) and d) show the cultivation of the fiber hemp variety "Futura 75," where partial figure c) shows the case where the orientation of the plant's lateral sides relative to the ground 30 was not altered during cultivation, and partial figure d) shows the case where it was altered. By alternating the orientation of the plant's stem sides relative to the ground, in the subsequent non-rotating stage, different lateral regions of the plant's main stem 32 or the sides 31 of the plant's stem face the ground, resulting in reduced growth height, increased internode number, narrower internode spacing, increased lateral branches, increased leaf biomass, thicker stems, and increased flower formation sites.

[0069] Figure 6 shows a specific cultivation setup in which plants 8 are fixed to a conveyor belt 2 and transported discontinuously along an elliptical, closed path. Movement along a circular path can also be envisioned. One or more such setups may be operated simultaneously as an option. As mentioned above, it is important that the plants 8 to be cultivated are moved discontinuously, and according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the rotation of the plants 8 occurs around the short axis 29 during the rotation stage.

[0070] The setup shown in Figure 6 can be configured in a more flexible manner. According to the exemplary embodiment described herein, the plants, which are rotated discontinuously, are fixed to the conveyor belt so that their root systems can freely protrude into the area below the conveyor belt. Here, the plants are supplied with nutrient solution in an aerial manner by a nutrient solution supply unit 9a. Alternatively or additionally, a hydroponic nutrient solution supply unit 9b can also be envisioned. Furthermore, a lighting unit 10 is provided on the outside of the setup to allow for illumination of the plants being cultivated, particularly the leaves, as needed.

[0071] The advantage of the illustrated equipment is that it can rotate even larger plants without problems, and for this purpose, it can deflect them at the upper and lower deflection points.

[0072] In general, the equipment shown in Figure 6 can be used to implement the method according to the present invention, with or without the above-described embodiments. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to fix the plants 8 on the conveyor belt 2 and rotate them discontinuously only around the short axis 29, or alternatively or additionally, to initiate rotation around the long axis 28.

[0073] Such plant cultivation facilities are particularly suitable for cultivating medicinal plants, fodder plants, ornamental plants, and / or woody plants. Such facilities are particularly suitable for cultivating medicinal plants belonging to the Cannabaceae family using the method according to the present invention.

[0074] According to the method of the present invention, edible plants such as herbs, leafy vegetables, and / or fruit trees, including grain-bearing legumes, can also be cultivated using such equipment. Advantageous harvesting is possible, particularly when harvesting plants or fruits in the lower inversion area using an automated harvesting machine.

[0075] Figures 7-10 show cultivation experiments using the fiber hemp varieties "Comporti" and "Futura 75," illustrating the cases where the orientation of the plant stem's lateral direction relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant and when it was alternating (alternating orientation due to rotation around the plant's short axis).

[0076] Figure 7 shows a comparison of the average growth height of the fiber hemp varieties 'Comporti' and 'Futura 75' over a 36-day cultivation period, under two conditions: one where the orientation of the plant stem's lateral direction relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant, and the other where this orientation was alternated. Under identical indoor climate conditions, after 36 days of comparative soilless cultivation with alternating orientations of the plant stem's direction relative to the Earth's gravitational field, the growth height of the fiber hemp variety 'Comporti' (upper figure) decreased by 21.92%, and that of the fiber hemp variety 'Futura 75' (lower figure) decreased by 25.22%. Error bars represent the standard deviation (+ / - 1SD).

[0077] Figure 8 shows a comparison of the average number of internodes in the fiber hemp varieties 'Comporti' and 'Futura 75' after a 36-day cultivation period, under two conditions: when the orientation of the plant stem's lateral direction relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant and when it was alternating. Under identical indoor climate conditions, after 36 days of soilless cultivation for comparison, with alternating orientations of the plant stem's direction relative to the Earth's gravitational field, the number of internodes increased by 25.41% in the fiber hemp variety 'Comporti' and by 20% in the fiber hemp variety 'Futura 75'. Error bars represent the standard deviation (+ / - 1SD).

[0078] Figure 9 shows the phenotype of fiber hemp after a 36-day cultivation period under the same indoor climate conditions, with and without the lateral orientation of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field being constant or alternating. Fiber hemp variety 'Comporti' with constant (A) and alternating (B) orientation of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field. Fiber hemp variety 'Futura 75' with constant (C) and alternating (D) orientation of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field. Alternating the lateral orientation of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field results in a shorter growth height with a straighter stem, narrower internode spacing and an increased number of internodes, more lateral branches, increased leaf biomass, thicker stems, and an increased number of flower formation sites.

[0079] Figure 10 shows a comparison of the average growth height, biomass (fresh weight) of green parts, biomass (fresh weight) of roots, and number of lateral branches of the fiber hemp variety "Comporti" after a 21-day aerial cultivation period, under two conditions: when the orientation of the lateral parts of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field was constant and when it was alternating. This comparative cultivation was carried out under identical cultivation conditions (identical temperature and humidity, identical LED lighting module and lighting time, identical fertilizer, pH and EC values, identical aerial cultivation nutrient supply, and identical cultivation period). (A) After 21 days of comparative cultivation, alternating the orientation of the lateral parts of the plant stem relative to the Earth's gravitational field resulted in a 30.61% decrease in growth height with straight stems, a 35.56% increase in biomass (fresh weight) of green parts, a 78.11% increase in biomass (fresh weight) of roots, and a 38.57% increase in the number of lateral branches. (B) and (C) show exemplary images of fiber hemp plants after a 21-day cultivation period, with the orientation of the lateral sides of the plant stems constant relative to the Earth's gravitational field (hemp plants on the right side of the image in each example) and with alternating orientations (hemp plants on the left side of the image in each example).

[0080] Figure 11 shows a cultivation experiment using the hemp variety "Finola" under two conditions: one where the orientation of the lateral side of the plant stem relative to Earth's gravity was constant, and another where it was alternating (alternating orientation due to rotation around the plant's short axis). In particular, Figure 11 shows a comparison of the average growth height and stem thickness of the hemp variety "Finola" after a 21-day aerial cultivation period, under the conditions where the orientation of the lateral side of the plant stem relative to Earth's gravity was constant and the other where it was alternating. This comparative cultivation was conducted in the same aerial cultivation system under the same cultivation conditions (same temperature and humidity conditions, same LED lighting module and same lighting time, same fertilizer, pH and EC values, same aerial cultivation nutrient supply, and same cultivation period). As a result of the 21-day comparative cultivation in the same cultivation system, alternating the orientation of the lateral side of the plant stem relative to Earth's gravity resulted in a 55.80% decrease in growth height accompanied by curved stems (upper figure) and a 36.18% increase in stem thickness (lower figure). Error bars represent the standard deviation (+ / -1SD).

[0081] Figure 12 shows the results of cultivating grain pea plants under two conditions: keeping the orientation of the plant stem's lateral direction constant relative to the Earth's gravitational field, alternating orientations (alternating orientations due to rotation around the plant's short axis), and (an example of reduced growth height accompanied by curved stems). In particular, Figure 12 shows a comparison of the average growth height of grain pea plants 'Astronaut' and 'Ostinato' after approximately 6 weeks of aerial cultivation, under two conditions: keeping the orientation of the plant stem's lateral direction constant relative to the Earth's gravitational field, and alternating orientations. This comparative cultivation was conducted under identical cultivation conditions (identical temperature and humidity, identical LED lighting module and lighting time, identical fertilizer, pH and EC values, identical aerial cultivation nutrient supply, and identical cultivation period). After approximately six weeks of comparative cultivation, alternating the orientation of the plant stems' lateral directions relative to Earth's gravitational field resulted in a reduction in growth height of 1 / 3.7 for the seedling pea variety 'Astronaut' and 1 / 3.8 for the seedling pea variety 'Ostinato' (see figure above). Error bars represent the standard deviation (+ / - 1SD). The reduction in growth height is attributed to the multiple bending of the seedling pea stems, which is caused by changes in the orientation of the plant stem's lateral directions relative to Earth's gravitational field (photo). [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Transport route 2 Conveyor belts 3 Receptor Units 4 Upper deflection point 5 Lower deflection point 6. Vertical path section 7 Horizontal path section 8 plants 9. Culture medium supply unit 9a Aerial cultivation type nutrient solution supply unit 9b Hydroponic nutrient solution supply unit 10 Lighting Units 11 levels of light blocking 12 Loading Units 13 Harvest Units 14. Washing and sterilization unit 15 Conveyor Chain 16 Transfer belt 17 Elastic connection element 18 Retaining material 19. Range under the conveyor belt 20 Range on the conveyor belt 21 Adjustment Unit 22 Electric motors 23 Worm Gear 24 spray nozzles 25 culture medium tanks 26 Central Control Unit 27 Gravity direction 28 Long axis 29 Short axis 30 ground 31. Side of a plant stem 32 Main stem 33. Plant stems

Claims

1. A method for cultivating at least one plant that is moved at least temporarily during a growth stage, wherein the plant is rotated discontinuously, and during the rotation stage, the plant is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the plant extending in the principal elongation direction and / or a short axis extending perpendicular or obliquely to the longitudinal axis, and in a non-rotation stage where the rotation speed is reduced at least temporarily to zero, the plant is at least temporarily positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the plant is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at the plant's position in a plane stretched by the direction of gravity and the longitudinal axis.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-rotating stage is at least temporarily at least the same length as the rotating stage.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first lateral portion of the main stem of the plant extending in the main elongation direction is similarly oriented with respect to the direction of gravity in at least two non-rotational stages.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion of a main stem of the plant extending in the main elongation direction, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being arranged on opposite sides of the main stem of the plant, rotate in a second non-rotating stage following a first non-rotating stage with a rotational stage in between, such that the first lateral portion takes the position that the second lateral portion occupied in the first non-rotating stage.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plant is positioned such that, at least temporarily during the non-rotating stage, its longitudinal axis makes an angle α with respect to the direction of gravity, and -90° < α < 90°.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plant is positioned at least temporarily during the non-rotation stage such that its principal elongation direction is perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the non-rotation period lasts for at least partially 10 to 200 seconds.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, compared to the growth of a plant that is not discontinuously rotated during growth, at least one plant phenotype of the plant is induced, and the plant phenotype is selected from a group of phenotypes including a decrease in growth height mainly with straight stems, a decrease in growth height mainly with wavy stems, a decrease in internode spacing, an increase in internode number, an increase in lateral branches, an increase in stem thickness, an increase in leaf biomass, and an increase in root biomass.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that medicinal plants, edible plants, fodder plants, ornamental plants, and / or woody plants are cultivated.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by cultivating a medicinal plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the plants are moved at least temporarily by a conveyor belt or clinostat.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the plant is rotated during the rotation step about a longitudinal axis of the plant that extends in the main elongation direction and a short axis that extends perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal axis.

13. An apparatus for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a fixing device for detachably fixing the plant to be cultivated, and a drive unit at least indirectly connected to the fixing device for starting the movement of the fixing device.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that linear displacement and / or rotation is performed on the fixing device.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the fixing device and / or the drive unit are configured to move the plant to be cultivated in at least one plane.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by comprising a culture medium supply unit for supplying culture medium to the target plant at least partially, a light source for irradiating the target plant at least temporarily, and / or a climate control device for setting the environment around the plant as necessary.

Images