Dynamic Photoperiod Control for Cannabis Flowering Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for growing Cannabis plants in greenhouses or indoor settings to produce high-quality medicinal Cannabis are limited in terms of yield and efficiency, as they rely on fixed photoperiods that do not allow for optimal development and production cycles, leading to longer harvest times and higher operational costs for lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically control the photoperiod during the flowering stage of Cannabis plants by gradually increasing the exposure to horticulture light, allowing for a first photoperiod followed by a longer second photoperiod, and potentially a third, to enhance flower development and yield, while using lower intensity light sources and varying spectral compositions to optimize growth and prevent reversion to the vegetative phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed photoperiod of approximately 12 hours per day is maintained during the flowering stage, then the Cannabis plant maintains stable flowering without reverting to vegetative phase, but the production cycle becomes prolonged and yield per unit time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static fixed photoperiod to a dynamic progressive photoperiod. The photoperiod is gradually increased from the initial 12 hours through multiple stages (13h, 14h, 15h, 16h, 17h, 18h) over the flowering period. This dynamic adjustment allows the plant to adapt to longer light exposure without reverting to vegetative growth, thereby extending the effective flowering period and increasing yield per unit time while maintaining flowering stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically modifying the photoperiod parameter throughout the flowering stage. Instead of maintaining a constant 12-hour photoperiod, the method progressively increases the photoperiod from 12 hours to up to 18 hours over approximately 10-12 weeks. This parameter change enables extended photosynthetic activity and flower development without triggering vegetative reversion, thus improving both productivity and yield.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high intensity light sources are used during the flowering stage, then sufficient photosynthetically active radiation is provided to the plant, but the operational costs and technical requirements for lighting systems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by extending the duration of light exposure throughout the flowering stage. Instead of using high-intensity light for limited periods, the progressive photoperiod method provides continuous photosynthetically active radiation from 12 hours and gradually increasing to 18 hours over the flowering period. This continuous exposure at progressively extended durations allows the use of lower intensity light sources while maintaining sufficient total photosynthetic input, thereby reducing lighting system operational costs and technical requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach shortens production cycles, increases yield, reduces the technical requirements for lighting systems, and improves the quality of harvested Cannabis by providing more photosynthetically active radiation, thus enhancing the return on investment for horticulture lighting and maintaining flower quality.
Implementation Method 1
The method enables the use of lower intensity light sources, compared to prior art, while still being able to provide the plant with an equal or sufficient total amount of photosynthetically active radiation over the course of the flowering stage
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing light to a Cannabis plant is disclosed. The method comprises, during a first time period of a flowering stage of the Cannabis plant, the first time period being one or more days, controlling a horticultural illumination system to provide horticulture light to the Cannabis plant such that the Cannabis plant is exposed to a first photoperiod. The method further comprises, thereafter, during a second time period of the flowering stage of the Cannabis plant, the second time period being one or more days, controlling the horticultural illumination system to provide horticulture light to the Cannabis plant such that the Cannabis plant is exposed to a second photoperiod. Herein, the second photoperiod is longer than the first photoperiod.