Organic Crop Frost Protection Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protecting crops from black frost are either ineffective, costly, or environmentally unfriendly, and none can survive the severe damage caused by black frost due to internal cell damage from cold air attacking plant tissues.
Innovation Solution
An organic composition combining alcohols, glycols, a bactericide, and a fungicide, calculated using the Filo Index to achieve optimal component percentages and application timing, which creates a humidity equilibrium to prevent frost from occurring inside plant tissues by ensuring the dew point is above 0°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If irrigation is used to protect crops from frost, then the temperature around the soil is maintained favorable and thermal conductivity is increased, but the risk of crop diseases increases due to increased water vapor content
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the protective substance by formulating specific ratios of alcohols (20-65% v/v) and glycols (20-65% v/v) to modify the freezing point depression effect. This allows protection at lower concentrations than traditional methods, reducing the amount of substance applied and thereby reducing the risk of disease while maintaining effective temperature protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite protective substance combining multiple alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol) and glycols (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol) in specific ratios. This composite formulation creates a synergistic effect that enhances freezing point depression while maintaining biodegradability and reducing disease risk compared to single-substance traditional methods.
2Temperature
If heaters or fans are used to heat the soil or environment, then frost damage is reduced, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The protective substance is applied to the crop surfaces and works autonomously to prevent frost damage through freezing point depression. The formulation self-regulates the temperature protection mechanism without requiring external energy input from heaters or fans, eliminating operational costs while maintaining effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical chemistry parameters of the protective substance by optimizing the ratio of alcohols to glycols, achieving effective freezing point depression at lower concentrations. This reduces material costs compared to traditional high-concentration formulations while maintaining the same protective effect against frost damage.
3Temperature
If smoke is used to prevent concentration of low temperature air, then some protection is achieved, but the heat is lost to high altitudes and sunlight entry is blocked the following day
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/physical method of using smoke to block cold air with a chemical solution applied directly to crop surfaces. The chemical formulation creates a protective barrier through freezing point depression, eliminating the need for smoke generation and its associated energy losses and sunlight blockage problems.
4Temperature
If abundant water is applied to crops during frost, then temperature around the soil is maintained favorable, but the method enhances the risk of crop diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the concentration parameters of the protective substance to achieve effective freezing point depression at lower amounts than traditional irrigation methods. This reduces the total quantity of substance applied to crops, thereby minimizing the enhancement of disease risk while maintaining effective temperature protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective substance is formulated to be biodegradable and environmentally friendly, acting as a temporary protective barrier that breaks down naturally. This eliminates the need for long-term chemical treatments or excessive water application, reducing disease risk while providing effective short-term frost protection.
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
The composition effectively prevents frost damage by ensuring freezing occurs outside plant tissues, reducing necrosis and extending protection for 20 to 30 days without wasting natural resources, with results validated through experiments with the National Institute of Argentina Technology.
Implementation Method 1
the dew point occurs above 0 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 2
freezing occurs outside plant tissues
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an organic composition for the protection of crops against black frost and the method for its application over the crops. The novelty of this invention consists not only in the composition of the product itself, but also in the calculation of the percentages of the organic components that intervene in the product; and, in the determination of the moment when the product must be applied over the crops. This invention is a very simple composition where the calculation of the percentages of the two main components is obtained by multiplying the “Filo Index” (real humidity and temperature/historical values of humidity and temperature for the area) by the component; and, the percentage of the second component is calculated by subtracting the first result from 100.