Plant Light Control for Glucose Pathway Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for plant cultivation fail to optically control the distribution of glucose generated by photosynthesis to primary and secondary metabolic pathways and independently control metabolite production, often causing plant damage and inefficient substance production.
Innovation Solution
A plant cultivation method and device that utilize additional light sources emitting additional signal light with periodically fluctuating intensity and additional relaxation light with slower intensity change to control phytochrome states, allowing optical regulation of glucose distribution and metabolite production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If light having a relatively low duty ratio is emitted under a light environment in which photosynthesis of plants is not performed, then the production of useful components can be accelerated, but plants are damaged by relatively strong stimuli and degenerate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed light irradiation with a duty ratio of 10% or less during the dark period. The light is emitted in short pulses (irradiation time 0.1-10 seconds per cycle) at regular intervals, creating a periodic stimulation pattern that activates photoreceptors without causing plant damage. This periodic pulsed light enables accumulation of useful components while avoiding the harmful effects of continuous strong light exposure.
2Productivity
If gene recombination technology and genome editing technology are applied for efficient production of plant metabolites, then the production efficiency of metabolites is improved, but the distribution of glucose to primary and secondary metabolic pathways cannot be independently controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using light intensity sensors to detect the actual light environment and adjusting the pulsed light irradiation parameters accordingly. The control unit modifies the duty ratio, pulse width, and irradiation timing based on real-time feedback from sensors, enabling dynamic optimization of glucose distribution between primary and secondary metabolic pathways to independently control metabolite production.
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 and device enable precise control over metabolic pathways, reducing photostress and enhancing the production of useful components in plants by accelerating photosynthesis and secondary metabolism.
Implementation Method 1
main light for photosynthesis and additional light for accelerating photosynthesis of a plant
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength of the additional signal light includes a light absorption wavelength band of a red light receptor in the plant
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a plant cultivation method that performs light control of distribution of glucose produced by photosynthesis to a primary metabolic pathway and a secondary metabolic pathway, and that can control metabolite production in each metabolic reaction. In at least a part of a cultivation period from sowing to harvest, irradiation is performed with main light for photosynthesis and additional light for promoting photosynthesis of a plant via the main light. The additional light includes additional signal light the light intensity of which varies periodically and additional relaxation light the light intensity of which changes more gently than the additional light. The wavelength of the additional signal light includes a light absorption wavelength band of a red light receptor in the plant.