Double Trunk Plant Structure for Orchard Light Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing fruit tree orchards with double trunk structures are hindered by the lack of techniques for creating double trunk plants in the nursery, leading to issues such as excessive shading, heterogeneity in fruit size and ripening, and reduced photosynthetic effectiveness, as well as increased pruning and vigor control difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the transplantation of a rootstock, grafting of propagating material, and selective positioning of shoots to form two symmetric scions on a single rootstock, allowing for the cultivation of double trunk plants with improved branch positioning and reduced vigor, using techniques like 'chip'-like, triangle-like, and double-grafted 'chip'-like grafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If monocaulis plants (single trunk) are used in orchard production, then the plant structure is simple and easy to manage, but excessive shading occurs on basal branches and photosynthetic effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single trunk is segmented into two separate trunks (bicaulis structure), allowing light to reach basal branches more effectively. Each trunk functions as an independent photosynthetic unit, eliminating the shading problem of single-trunk structures while maintaining manageable complexity through symmetric dual-trunk architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The plant structure transitions from one-dimensional (single trunk) to two-dimensional (double trunk) architecture. This dimensional change creates spatial separation between trunks, enabling light to penetrate to basal branches that would otherwise be shaded, thus improving photosynthetic effectiveness without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If monocaulis plants with anticipated branches are used, then the plant can be cultivated in nursery, but manual positioning of branches and vigor control become necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The double trunk structure is formed in the nursery before orchard implantation, with both trunks and their anticipated branches pre-positioned and pruned to desired configurations. This preliminary formation eliminates the need for complex manual positioning operations after orchard establishment, as the structural framework is already optimized for production.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the plant are given different functions: the two trunks are positioned to optimize light exposure for their respective branches, and anticipated branches are selectively pruned to control vigor distribution. This localized optimization reduces the need for general vigor control operations while maintaining nursery cultivability.
3Productivity
If branches are placed at the basis of the productive wall to reduce excess vigor, then growth of distal foliage is controlled, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The single basal trunk is segmented into two separate trunks, each with its own set of anticipated branches. This segmentation naturally divides the vigor control function between two independent structural units, reducing the complexity of managing a single complex basal structure while maintaining effective vigor control through selective pruning of anticipated branches on each trunk.
4Device complexity
If single trunk plants are used, then the plant structure is simple, but heterogeneity in fruit size and ripening occurs due to branches of different order
Solution Approach 1:
The single trunk is segmented into two symmetric trunks, each bearing branches of similar order and position. This segmentation creates more uniform developmental conditions for fruits, as branches on each trunk are at comparable distances from the rootstock and receive similar light exposure, thereby reducing heterogeneity in fruit size and ripening while maintaining relatively simple dual-trunk structure.
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 method results in reduced pruning needs, increased fruit quality and uniformity, enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, and quicker fructification, along with reduced orchard amortization time and increased load-bearing capacity, while minimizing the risk of production alternation.
Implementation Method 1
graft onto said rootstock of propagating material of the variety to be reproduced for producing shoots
Implementation Method 2
enhanced photosynthetic efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing propagating material, in particular whole plants, to be used in tree cultivations of double trunk type and the obtained material.