Plant Biomass Determination Using Direct-Current Power and Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining plant biomass, particularly in the context of desiccation for green manure control or weed control, are prone to errors and have low resolution, making them unreliable and unsuitable for timely and accurate compensation in agricultural practices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a power determination module to detect electrical direct current power output, an area determination module to measure treated area size, and a biomass determination module to calculate biomass based on these values, using a treatment device with applicators that apply electrical direct current, combined with a substance mixture to reduce electrical contact resistance on plant surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite imagery is used to determine plant biomass, then coverage area is large, but measurement precision and timeliness are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical/satellite-based biomass determination with an electrical measurement system. Instead of using satellite imagery to infer biomass, the invention directly measures electrical parameters (current, voltage, power) of plants to determine biomass with high precision at the field level, eliminating the resolution limitations of satellite imagery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical current as an intermediary measurement parameter. Rather than directly measuring biomass or relying on optical proxies, the system uses electrical current flow through plants as a mediator to infer biomass, enabling precise local measurements that scale to large areas through systematic sampling.
2Reliability
If electrical current is applied to plants for treatment, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but electrical contact resistance reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical current to plants in advance of the biomass measurement. By treating plants with electrical current before measurement, the system ensures effective weed control has been established, then proceeds to measure the electrical parameters for biomass determination on the treated plants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the weed control function from the measurement function in time and purpose. Electrical current application for weed control is performed as a distinct preliminary action, followed by a separate measurement phase where electrical parameters are recorded for biomass determination, allowing both functions to optimize their respective goals.
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
Enables daily, high-resolution, and precise biomass determination, reducing reliance on error-prone satellite imagery and enhancing the effectiveness of electrical treatments by ensuring accurate and timely measurement of plant biomass.
Implementation Method 1
When electric current flows through plant parts, they are damaged depending on the electrical current intensity, electrical voltage, and current type
Implementation Method 2
High energy input can also lead to local thermal destruction of plant tissue
Implementation Method 3
a substance mixture is applied in a targeted manner to at least one part of the plant, wherein the substance mixture has at least one component which reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of the plant surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for biomass determination of plants, in particular during desiccation of field crops, for controlling green manure, or for controlling weeds, the method comprising the steps of: detecting (S200) at least one value indicative of an electric direct-current output (P) via applicators (21a, 21b, 21c) of a treatment device (1) for treating plants by applying an electric direct current, wherein, in order to detect at least one value indicative of an electric direct-current output (P), an electric direct voltage (U) applied to the applicators (21a, 21b, 21c) and an electric direct current (I) flowing through the applicators (21a, 21b, 21c) are detected and evaluated; detecting (S300) at least one value indicative of the size of an area (A) treated using the treatment device (1); and determining (S400) a value indicative of the biomass (B) of the plants in the treated area (A) as a measure indicative of the amount of carbon dioxide held in the ground by evaluating at least the value indicative of an electric direct-current output (P) and the value indicative of the size of the area (A) treated using the treatment device (1).