Plant Light Control Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial growers face challenges in setting appropriate light levels for plant growth, as plants adapt to their conditions, and existing methods fail to account for individual growth targets and resource efficiency in supplemental lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
A method using chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to estimate the relationship between photosynthetic activity and light intensity, combined with solar forecasts, to generate a light conditions plan that meets growth targets while minimizing resource use and preventing damage, using a system with a chlorophyll fluorescence sensor and controller to control supplemental light sources and shades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If supplemental lighting systems use controllable photosynthetically active light sources to supplement sunlight, then plant growth can be supported during low light periods, but resource usage increases and growth targets become difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses chlorophyll fluorescence measurements as feedback to continuously monitor plant photosynthetic activity and adjusts supplemental lighting accordingly. The controller receives fluorescence data, compares it against growth targets, and modifies light source operation to meet productivity goals while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes lighting parameters (intensity, duration, timing) of supplemental photosynthetically active light sources based on real-time chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and solar forecasts, allowing optimization of resource usage while maintaining growth targets.
2Productivity
If light intensity is increased to meet growth targets, then photosynthetic activity increases, but plants may be damaged by excess light
Solution Approach 1:
Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements provide real-time feedback on plant photosynthetic status and light stress. The controller uses this feedback to adjust light intensity, ensuring growth targets are met while preventing light damage by stopping or reducing illumination when photosynthetic activity plateaus or shows signs of stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light intensity based on real-time plant responses measured by chlorophyll fluorescence, transitioning between different lighting regimes (supplemental, reduced, or blocked) to optimize the balance between productivity and preventing light damage.
3Productivity
If growers use trial and error to discover generic light recipes, then they can achieve satisfactory yield and quality, but the process is time-consuming and does not account for individual growth targets
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables plants to self-regulate their photosynthetic activity through chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, which automatically indicate when growth targets are met. This eliminates the need for grower trial and error, as the plant's own physiological responses guide the lighting adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual trial-and-error optimization with an automated control system that uses chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and solar forecasts to algorithmically determine optimal lighting conditions, significantly reducing the time required for light condition optimization.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If controllable shades are used to block sunlight, then plant damage from excess light is prevented, but light availability for growth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements provide feedback on plant photosynthetic response to light, allowing the controller to precisely control shade positioning. The system blocks sunlight only when and where necessary to prevent damage, while maintaining adequate light availability for growth by adjusting shade coverage based on real-time plant status.
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 method allows growers to efficiently meet growth targets while reducing resource usage and minimizing damage, ensuring optimal plant health and quality by dynamically adjusting light conditions based on real-time measurements and forecasts.
Implementation Method 1
taking one or more chlorophyll fluorescence measurements of at least one of said plants; estimating a relationship between photosynthetic activity of the plant and photosynthetically active light intensity incident upon the plant based on the one or more chlorophyll fluorescence measurements
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling light conditions for the growth of one or more plants grown in a setting in which said plants are exposed to sunlight is described, which comprises receiving a target in respect of photosynthetic activity of one or more plants over a predetermined interval. One or more chlorophyll fluorescence measurements of at least one of said plants are taken. A relationship between photosynthetic activity of the plant and photosynthetically active light intensity incident upon the plant is estimated based on the one or more chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. A solar forecast is obtained in respect of at least part of the predetermined interval. A light conditions plan in respect of the predetermined interval is generated for the one or more plants based on the target in respect of photosynthetic activity, the estimated relationship between photosynthetic activity of the plant and photosynthetically active light intensity incident upon the plant, and the solar forecast. One or more supplemental photosynthetically active light sources arranged to irradiate the one or more plants and/or one or more light shades arranged to selectively block a proportion of sunlight incident upon the one or more plants are controlled in accordance with the light conditions plan.