Plant Cultivation Light Source for Tip Burn Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods to control plant cultivation conditions, such as nutrient solution concentration and temperature, are costly and energy-intensive, and fail to effectively reduce tip burn in plants like leafy vegetables and fruit vegetables.
Innovation Solution
A light source for plant cultivation that alternates main light treatment with dark treatment, using visible light with specific peak wavelengths and intensity, and supplementary UV light to minimize tip burn and increase phytochemical content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature of the entire cultivation space is controlled, then tip burn incidence is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using LED lights with specific wavelength emissions (blue light around 450nm and red light around 650nm) targeted at plant locations rather than controlling the entire cultivation space temperature. This localized spectral treatment addresses tip burn at the source while avoiding energy-intensive ambient temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light wavelength composition to prevent tip burn. By adjusting the spectral parameters of illumination (specific ratios of blue and red light wavelengths), the system prevents tip burn incidence without requiring temperature control, thereby reducing energy consumption.
2Reliability
If concentration of nutrient solution is controlled, then tip burn incidence is reduced, but equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light spectral composition (wavelength ratios) as an alternative to controlling nutrient solution concentration. By adjusting light parameters rather than chemical parameters, the system avoids the need for complex analysis equipment while still preventing tip burn.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical control system (nutrient solution concentration monitoring and adjustment equipment) with an optical control system (LED lights with specific wavelength emissions). This substitution eliminates the need for separate analysis equipment while achieving tip burn prevention.
3Productivity
If light intensity is increased, then plant growth is enhanced, but tip burn incidence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light wavelength composition rather than simply increasing overall light intensity. By optimizing the ratio of blue light (around 450nm) to red light (around 650nm) wavelengths, the system enhances plant growth while preventing tip burn, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between main light treatment and dark treatment in a 2:1 ratio (16 hours light, 8 hours dark). This periodic illumination pattern allows plants to grow during light periods while preventing tip burn through controlled exposure, and enables metabolic recovery during dark periods.
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 light source effectively reduces tip burn and enhances phytochemical production in plants by optimizing light exposure, particularly with visible light intensity between 92 and 198 PPFD and supplementary UVB light, without significant growth reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a main light source emitting main light toward a plant, the main light having at least two peak wavelengths in the visible spectrum
Implementation Method 2
an auxiliary light source emitting auxiliary light in the UV spectrum toward the plant. The auxiliary light may be UV light having a third peak wavelength in the wavelength band of UVB
Implementation Method 3
Plants produce organic matter from carbon dioxide and water using light energy through photosynthesis
Data Source
AI summary
A light source for plant cultivation and a plant cultivation method are provided. The plant cultivation method includes planting germinated seeds of a plant; and growing the plant by applying light treatment to the plant. In growing the plant, main light treatment of supplying main light to the plant and dark treatment of cutting off supply of the main light to the plant are alternated. The main light has at least two peak wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. In addition, the main light has a PPFD of greater than 92 μmol/m2/s to less than 198 μmol/m2/s.