System and method for the automatic pollination of a crop

Abstract

The invention concerns a system (1) for the cultivation of a crop (2), comprising rows of elongate growth trays (3, 4, 5) that are situated side by side in a cultivation area having a length direction and a transverse direction, the system comprising a frame (10) extending across one tray or a number of trays (3, 4, 5), and movable in the length direction and / or in the transverse direction, the frame carrying vertically extending pollination members (20, 21, 22) extending from the frame to a predetermined distance from the growth trays and an actuator (25, 26) connected to each pollination member for driving the pollination members (20, 21, 22) and exerting a shaking force on the crop below, wherein the actuator comprises a motor (34, 43, 44) having a vibrating drive member, the pollination member (35, 36, 37, 45, 46) comprising flexible strips or tubes for contacting the crop.

Description

[0001] System and method for the automatic pollination of a crop

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a system and a method for the automatic pollination of a crop.

[0004] Background

[0005] It is known in controlled environment agriculture to pollinate crops, such as tomato plants that are grown in greenhouses in rows of elongate growth trays, by driving a robot unit along the trays. The tomato plants grow to a height of several meters, reaching the roof of the greenhouse, and are suspended from wires in a vertically upright position. The robot unit impinges pulses of air in a sideways direction onto the leaves of the crop and is provided with a camera for detection of flowers on the crop. An automatic control system can adjust the height of the air nozzles to the position of the flowers. The known device has as a disadvantage that it is relatively complex and slow as it detects individual flowers and positions the air nozzles accordingly.

[0006] Alternatively, it is known to manually vibrate crop, for instance for the collection of pollen, by placing a hand-held vibrating unit against the stems, leaves or flowers, such that the flowers are locally shaken and release their pollen. Such a manual system is relatively labor- intensive and may not be able to easily reach high grown crop.

[0007] It is also known to use bees and bumblebees in greenhouses for pollination purposes. The bees do not function optimally under varying conditions of temperature and humidity, and light and dark. In some geographies, the use of bees is not allowed under environmental regulations. Also do the bees pose a risk to people working in the greenhouse, in particular in regard to persons having an allergy.

[0008] It is an object to provide a system for the automatic pollination of a crop that is relatively simple and that can be efficiently utilized for the pollination of crop that is cultivated indoor in a controlled environment across large floor areas of greenhouses. It is a further object to provide a system for pollination that is effective for controlled pollination of group of crops so that the fruits on the plants ripen simultaneously and can be harvested at the same moment.

[0009] Summary

[0010] Hereto a system for the cultivation of crops according to the disclosure comprises rows of elongate growth trays that are situated side by side in a cultivation area having a length direction and a transverse direction, the system comprising a frame extending across one tray or a number of trays, and movable in the length direction and / or in the transverse direction, the frame carrying vertically extending pollination members extending from the frame to a predetermined distance from the growth trays and an actuator connected to each pollination member for driving the pollination members and exerting a shaking force on the crop below. The overhead pollination members are moved in the length direction along the growth trays and can reach the flowers, branches and leaves from an overhead position. The overhead access allows the pollination members to rapidly and effectively reach all branches carrying flowers at the top parts of the plants. The flexible pollination members hanging from the frame, provide a stable configuration allowing a swinging motion of the free ends of each pollination member. The provides a relatively large range of interaction with flowers that are spaced at a lateral distance from the vertical position of the pollination members.

[0011] As is used herein “driving” of the pollination members is intended to include movingthe pollination members in an oscillating or vibrating motion against the stems and leaves of the crop or providing an air stream, such as intermittent bursts of compressed air through the pollination members onto the crop. In an alternative embodiment, a downward air stream may be generated by fans.

[0012] The system according to the invention allows pollination of large surface area using a single actuator. As no distinction is made between separate flowers and all flowers in the area passing belowthe pollination members are shaken, a high throughput is achieved.

[0013] The frame and the pollination members of the system according to the disclosure are adapted to interact with a crop having a height no higher than 1 .5 m, preferably no higher than 1 m above the growth tray, most preferably no higher than 0.5 m

[0014] The actuator may comprise a compressor, the pollination members comprising a flexible tube, optionally carrying a nozzle at their end, which tube is connected to the compressor via a manifold.

[0015] By using air exiting from the nozzles of the pollination members for moving the branches, leaves and flowers, physical contact with the crop can be avoided. The air stream minimizes stress of the plants and prevents causing physical damage to the stems, leaves and flowers. Avoiding direct contact with the plants helps in containing contamination and prevents the spread of pests and diseases via the pollination members.

[0016] The actuator may comprise an accumulator for storing compressed air, the accumulator being arranged connected to the manifold and adapted for supplying pulses of airto the crop.

[0017] By pulsing air onto the crop, a shaking movement of the branches, leaves and flowers is obtained, the effectively transfers pollen. Furthermore, the air pulses cause the flexible tubes to swing and increase the reach of the air blasts.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the actuator comprises a plurality of fans suspended overhead the crop and adapted to direct a vertically downward travelling airflow onto the crop. A system according to the invention may comprise a motor having a vibrating drive member, the pollination member comprising flexible strips ortubes for contactingthe crop.

[0019] The vibrations that are generated by the motor are transmitted to the flexible strips or tubes and cause them to move in swinging contact with the branches, leaves and flowers.

[0020] By using a vibrating motor as an actuator, homogeneous pollination can be achieved using a relatively simple and light-weight construction that effectively shakes the flowers to cause pollination.

[0021] In an embodiment, the frame is supported by a vertical support structure and is movable in a vertical direction for adjustment of the distance of the pollination members relative to the trays.

[0022] The height of the frame along the support can be adjusted automatically to match the height of plants, that varies for different growth trays and with the growth stage of the plants, and to maintain a preset distance between the pollination members and the plants. The distance of the pollination members from the plants may be observed by a sensor, that feeds its signal to a controller that vertically displaces the frame above the growth trays.

[0023] The support structure may be suspended from rails along the roof of a greenhouse the support structure being suspended from rails extending in the length direction along the roof.

[0024] The frame that is suspended from an overhead structure allows efficient use of the floor area below. This is particularly suitable for automated growing systems in which the trays are placed closely together.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the support structure has wheels on or near the floor and extends upward from the floor to above the trays, the support structure being movable in the length direction via the wheels.

[0026] The system may comprise a transverse displacement member situated on at least one end of the trays, for displacing the vertical support structure transversely to the length direction.

[0027] By transverse displacement, groups of trays extending side by side in the length direction of the greenhouse can be pollinated using a single frame.

[0028] A disinfecting unit can be placed in the cultivation area or may be attached to the frame that is interacting with the flexible strips ortubes for disinfecting the strips ortubes. The disinfecting unit may be situated at or near the transverse displacement member When changing lanes at the end of the row of trays, the pollination members may be disinfected by spraying or dipping in a disinfecting substance, of by irradiation of the pollination members with UV light.

[0029] A method of pollination of a crop growing in rows of elongate growth trays that are situated side by side, comprises: placing a frame extending across one tray or a number of trays, the frame carrying vertically extending pollination members extending from the frame, adjusting a vertical distance of the frame to the growth trays such that the pollination members are at a predetermined distance from the growth trays, moving the frame over the trays, and operating an actuator connected to each pollination member, drivingthe pollination members and exerting a shaking force on the crop below.

[0030] An embodiment of a method may comprise: providing a frame that is supported by a vertical support structure from a roof structure of the greenhouse, the frame carrying vertically extending pollination members extending from the frame to a predetermined distance from the growth trays, moving the frame in a vertical direction for adjustment of the distance of the pollination members relative to the trays, moving the frame along rails extending in a length direction and / or in a transverse direction along the roof structure, operating a mechanical actuator or an air-blowing actuator connected to the pollination members for drivingthe pollination members and exerting a shakingforce on the crop below by contacting of the crop with the pollination members or by blowing an air stream onto the crop.

[0031] The method may include for a row of growth trays having a predetermined length, operating the actuator member for a part of the predetermined length.

[0032] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] Some embodiments of a system according to the invention will byway of non-limiting example, be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an overhead pollinating system according to the invention, supported on the floor of a greenhouse,

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an overhead pollinating system according to the invention, suspended from a roof structure a greenhouse,

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a frame comprising vibrating flexible pollination members on an enlarged scale,

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a wide frame comprisingvibratingflexible pollination members having two vibrating motors, Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a pollinating system comprising a compressor and an accumulator, and

[0038] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of greenhouse comprising a pollinating system accordingto the invention.

[0039] Detailed Description

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a system 1 for the cultivation of crop, such as a greenhouse. The greenhouse comprises a conditioned environment in which plants 2 are grown in elongate growth trays 3, 4, 5 that are supported on a floor 6. Liquid and nutrient are supplied to the trays, for instance via ducts of via a nutrient film technique (NFT). The greenhouse may be closed or may be partially open to the outside air. The lighting in the greenhouse may be formed by artificial lighting in a daylight-free environment or may include natural sun light that is admitted through the transparent greenhouse roof.

[0041] The crop 2 in the trays 3, 4, 5 has a relatively low height of no more than 1 .5 m, such as bonsai tomatoes, or other low growing fruit-bearing crop or vegetables. A system for growing fruit-bearing crop of low height, in particular bonsai tomatoes, is described in detail with reference to PCT / NL2023 / 050259 which was filed in the name of the applicant. The present system improves over the system that is described in the above- mentioned patent application in that no separate rooms for pollination need to be used, as is the case when pollination is carried out by bees or bumble bees. The method according to the invention provides controlled pollination in which for individual plants the timing of the pollination can be accurately set.

[0042] A frame 10 is supported over the trays 3,4,5 on vertical supports 11 , 12 that are movable in a length direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The vertical supports 11 , 12 are movable on wheels 13, 14 that may run on tracks on the floor s. The frame 11 carries a number of pollination members 20, 21 , 22 that are operated by an actuator 25, 26. The actuators 25, 26 operate the pollination members 20, 21 , 22 such that the crop below the members is shaken, and pollination of the crop is effected.

[0043] In one embodiment, as further illustrated by figures 3 and 4, the actuators 25, 26 comprise a vibrating motor and a rod, the pollination members 20, 21 , 22 comprising a flexible strip of material that is on one end connected to the rod 26 and that is with a free end shaken against the branches and leaves of crop 2 below.

[0044] In another embodiment, as described in relation to figure 5, the actuators 25, 26 comprise a compressor and a manifold, and the pollination members 20, 21 and 22 are formed by flexible tubes and nozzles that blow air onto the crop below.

[0045] The frame 10 is supported by displacement members 27, 28 that can move up and down along the vertical supports 11 , 12 to change the height of the pollination members 20, 21 , 22 over the trays 3,4,5. A sensor 29 observes the height of the crop 2 and is connected to a controller 30 that can operate the displacement members 27, 28 on the basis of the sensor signal. The controller 30 may also control a motor 31 that drives the wheels 13, 14 and can control the actuator 25. The controller 30 can activate the actuator 25 along the whole of the length of the growth trays 23, 24, 25 or along predetermined sections of the length of the growth trays.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment, one or more fans may be supported from the frame 10, the fans directing a downward air stream onto the crop.

[0047] In the embodiment that is shown in figure 2, the frame 10 is suspended from a roof structure 7 of the greenhouse. The advantage of the suspended system is that all floor space of the floor 6 can be used for placement of growing trays 3, 4, 5 and no floor space is lost to the pollination system. The vertical supports 11 , 12 are suspended from rails 8, 9 along the roof structure 7.

[0048] Figure 3 shows a frame 31 with a vertical support 32 and with a carrier tube 33 supporting on one end a vibrating motor 34. Flexible tubes 35, 36, 37 are hangingfrom the carrier tube 33 and are actuated by the motor 34 to vibrate against the crop that is positioned below the tubes 35, 36, 37. The frequency of the vibrations imparted by the motor 34 may for instance be about 8 Hz at a power of about 25 W for each meter of length of the tube 33. The carrier tube 33 may be move over the crop in the length direction of the trays 3, 4, 5 with a speed of about 2.4 m / minute.

[0049] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a vertical support 40 attached to two carrier tubes 41 , 42, each provided with a vibrating motor 43, 44 for shaking of the flexible tubes or strips 45, 46.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a frame 47 supporting an accumulator 48 and a compressor 49. A manifold 50 is connected to the accumulator 48 and is attached to a number of tubes 51 , 52. The end of the tubes 51 , 52 may be open or may be provided with a nozzle. Pulses of air are blown onto the crop from the end of the tubes 51 , 52 for shaking the branches and leaves of the crop below. The accumulator 48 may operate at a pressure of 2 bar and at a frequency of 3 Hz. The duty cycle may consist of 85% close time and 15% open time. The frame 47 moves in the length direction at a speed of 2.7 m / min. The tubes 51 , 52 are situated above the crop and shake the leaves and stems without touching the crop. This provides favorable sanitary conditions and prevents pests and crop diseases from being spread bythe pollination members.

[0051] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a greenhouse 15 with rails 8, 9 extending in the length direction L along the roof structure 7. An overhead frame 16 carries the vertical supports 11 , 12 to which the frame 10 with the pollination members 20, 21 , 22 is attached. At the end 17 of the rows of trays 3, 4, 5, a transverse displacement carriage 19 is provided, for moving the overhead frame 16 in the transverse direction T to cover adjacent rows of crop. When the frames 16 and 10 are displaced in the direction T, at the end of the greenhouse 17, the pollination members 20, 21 , 22 are moved through a disinfecting station 18. In the station 18, the pollination members 20,21 , 22 may be sprayed with a disinfectant or dipped into a disinfecting solution. Alternatively, the disinfecting station 18 may comprise one or more UV-C lamps. The disinfecting station 18 is preferably applied in combination with vibrating pollination members 20-21 that contact the stems and leaves of the crop.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, one or more fans may be supported from the overhead frame 16, the fans directing a downward air stream onto the crop.

Claims

Claims1 . System (1 ) for the cultivation of a crop (2), comprising rows of elongate growth trays (3, 4, 5) that are situated side by side in a cultivation area having a length direction and a transverse direction, the system comprising a frame (10) extending across one tray or a number of trays (3, 4, 5), and movable in the length direction and / or in the transverse direction, the frame carrying vertically extending pollination members (20,21 , 22) extending from the frame to a predetermined distance from the growth trays and an actuator (25, 26) connected to each pollination member for driving the pollination members (20, 21 , 22) and exerting a shaking force on the crop below, wherein the actuator comprises a motor (34, 43, 44) having a vibrating drive member, the pollination member (35, 36, 37, 45, 46) comprising flexible strips or tubes for contacting the crop.

2. System (1 ) for the cultivation of a crop (2), comprising rows of elongate growth trays (3, 4, 5) that are situated side by side in a cultivation area having a length direction and a transverse direction, the system comprising a frame (10) extending across one tray or a number of trays (3, 4, 5), and movable in the length direction and / or in the transverse direction, the frame carrying vertically extending pollination members (20,21 , 22) extending from the frame to a predetermined distance from the growth trays and an actuator (25, 26) connected to each pollination member for driving the pollination members (20, 21 , 22) and exerting a shaking force on the crop below, wherein the frame (10) is supported by a vertical support structure (11 , 12, 27, 28) and is movable in a vertical direction for adjustment of the distance of the pollination members (20, 21 , 22) relative to the trays, the system comprising a greenhouse (15), the support structure (11 , 12, 27, 28) being suspended from rails (8,9) extending in the length direction and / or in the transverse direction along a roof structure (7) of the greenhouse (15).

3. System (1) accordingto claim 1 or 2, the frame (10) and the pollination members (20, 1 , 22) being adapted to interact with a crop (2) having a height no higher than 1 .5 m, preferably no higher than 1 m above the growth trays (3, 4, 5).

4. System (1) accordingto claim 1 , 2 or 3, the actuator comprising a compressor (49), the pollination members comprising a flexible tube (51 ,52), optionally carrying a nozzle at its end, which tube is connected to the compressor via a manifold (50).

5. System (1) accordingto claim 4, the actuator comprising an accumulator (48) for storing compressed air, the accumulator being connected to the manifold (50) and adapted for supplying pulses of air to the crop.

6. System (1) accordingto claim 1 ,2 or 3, the actuator comprising on or more fans configured to direct a downward airstream onto the crop.

7. System (1 ) according to any of claims 3-6 referring to claim 1 , the system comprising a floor (6) supporting the trays (3, 4, 5), the support structure (11 , 12, 27, 28) having wheels (13, 14) on or near the floor (6) and extending upward from the floor to above the trays (3, 4, 5), the support structure (11 , 12, 27, 28) being movable in the length direction via the wheels.

8. System (1 ) according to claim 3-6 referring to claim 2, the system comprising a transverse displacement member (19) situated at least one end (17) of the trays (3, 4, 5), for displacing the vertical support structure (11 , 12, 27, 28) transversely to the length direction.

9. System (1) accordingto any of the preceding claims, comprising a disinfecting unit (18) that is interacting with the pollination members (20, 21 , 22) for disinfecting.

10. System (1) accordingto claim 9, the disinfecting unit (18) being situated at or near the transverse displacement member (19).11 . System (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, the system comprising a sensor (29) for detecting a distance of an upper part of the crop (2) above the trays (3, 4, 5), a height adjustment drive member (27, 28) for moving the pollination members (20, 21 , 22) in a vertical direction and a control unit (30) for receiving the sensor signal and controlling the height of the pollination members (20, 21 , 22) relative to the trays (3, 4, 5), on the basis of the sensor signal.

12. Method of pollination of a crop growing in rows of elongate growth trays that are situated side by side, the method comprising:- placing a frame extending across one tray or a number of trays , the frame carrying vertically extending pollination members extending from the frame,- adjusting a vertical distance of the frame to the growth trays such that the pollination members are at a predetermined distance from the growth trays,- moving the frame over the trays, and- operating an actuator connected to each pollination member, drivingthe pollination members and exerting a shaking force on the crop below, wherein the actuator comprises a motor (34, 43, 44) having a vibrating drive member, the pollination member (35, 36, 37, 45, 46) comprising flexible strips or tubes for contacting the crop.

13. Method of pollination of a crop growing in growth trays that are situated side by side in a cultivation area of a greenhouse having a length direction and a transverse direction, the method comprising: providing a frame (10) that is supported by a vertical support structure (11 , 12, 27, 28) from a roof structure (7) of the greenhouse (15), the frame (10) carrying vertically extending pollination members (20, 21 , 22) extending from the frame to a predetermined distance from the growth trays, moving the frame (10) in a vertical direction for adjustment of the distance of the pollination members (20, 21 , 22) relative to the trays, moving the frame (10) along rails extending in a length direction and / or in a transverse direction along the roof structure (7), operating a mechanical actuator or an air-blowing actuator (25, 26) connected to the pollination members for drivingthe pollination members (20, 21 , 22) and exerting a shaking force on the crop below by contacting of the crop with the pollination members or by blowing an air stream onto the crop.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, the method comprising for a row of growth trays having a predetermined length, operating the actuator member for a part of the predetermined length.

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