Mobile Rig Illuminating Open Fields for Plant Photoperiod Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of reliable and commercially attractive methods to manipulate the photoperiodic responses of photoperiodically sensitive plants grown in open fields, as existing methods are confined to greenhouses or controlled settings, limiting the ability to control blooming and maintain plants in a vegetative state for longer periods or induce flowering at desired times.
Innovation Solution
A mobile irrigation rig equipped with light sources that emit light in specific wavelength ranges (250 nm to 800 nm) is used to navigate across open fields and selectively illuminate short-day plants during nighttime hours, controlling their photoperiodic response by varying the duration and intensity of light exposure to prevent blooming or induce flowering, while also incorporating an irrigation system to optimize plant growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are used to illuminate plants in open fields to control photoperiodic response, then the ability to control blooming and maintain plants in vegetative state is improved, but the device complexity and operational challenges in open field conditions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile irrigation rig is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both irrigation water through sprinklers and photoperiodic control through integrated light sources. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address both water needs and light exposure requirements of plants in open fields, reducing the need for separate specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a mobile rig that can move dynamically across open fields rather than being fixed in place. The rig's mobility allows it to adapt to different field conditions, plant locations, and irrigation zones while providing controlled light exposure. The dynamic positioning enables flexible adjustment of which plants receive light treatment and for how long.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile rig with light sources is deployed in open fields, then photoperiodic control capability is improved, but reliability of photoperiodic manipulation is reduced due to uncontrolled environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit monitors environmental conditions and plant responses to adjust light exposure timing and duration. By incorporating feedback mechanisms, the system can compensate for variations in ambient light, weather conditions, and plant developmental stages, thereby maintaining reliable photoperiodic control despite the challenges of open field environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile rig acts as an intermediary between the natural environment and the plants, providing controlled light exposure that mediates the photoperiodic response. The rig's light sources serve as an artificial mediator that can override or supplement natural light conditions, ensuring consistent photoperiodic manipulation regardless of external environmental variability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light exposure duration is extended to control photoperiodic response, then blooming control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous light exposure, the system employs periodic illumination cycles with specific durations and intervals. The control circuit is programmed to provide light exposure only during critical photoperiodic windows, rather than continuously throughout the night or day. This periodic action achieves effective blooming control while minimizing overall energy consumption by keeping light sources off during non-critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light exposure parameters such as duration, intensity, and timing based on plant developmental stage, species requirements, and environmental conditions. By changing these parameters optimally rather than using fixed high-energy settings, the system achieves effective photoperiodic control with reduced energy consumption. For example, light duration may be extended during early growth stages and reduced when plants approach flowering.
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 solution allows for the control of photoperiodic responses in open fields, delaying blooming in short-day plants like Stevia rebaudiana and managing blooming times in long-day plants, thereby optimizing harvesting times and yields by keeping plants in a vegetative state or inducing flowering as needed.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light sources attached to at least the support structure at a position for emitting light on an upper surface of the at least one photoperiodically sensitive plant subject
Implementation Method 2
The subject of photoperiodism concerns the influence of light and dark periods in the daily cycles of 24 hours on the living processes in plants
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for a mobile rig configured to control a photoperiodic response of a photoperiodically sensitive plant subject (e.g., a short-day plant) planted in an open field. The mobile rig includes a support structure; wheels; and light sources attached to the support structure at a position for emitting light on an upper surface of the photoperiodically sensitive plant subject. The mobile rig includes or is coupled to a control circuit having processing circuitry configured to cause the mobile rig to navigate across an open field having the photoperiodically sensitive plant subject planted therein and selectively illuminate the photoperiodically sensitive plant subject using the light sources attached to the mobile rig, for instance, during nighttime hours in a wavelength range between approximately 250 nm and approximately 800 nm to control the photoperiodic response of the photoperiodically sensitive plant subject planted therein.