Semi-Dwarf Corn Systems for Equipment Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard agricultural equipment cannot access corn fields during the growing season due to the height of modern corn plants, which exceeds the maximum above-ground clearance of most farm equipment, leading to potential damage to crops and limited application windows for fertilizers and pesticides.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a ground-based agricultural vehicle with an applicator that can apply agricultural compositions to corn fields from above, ensuring the lower exterior surface of the vehicle is at a height equal to or less than 1.8 meters, allowing access and application without damaging the plants, even at later stages of corn development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard agricultural equipment is used to access corn fields, then the equipment can apply fertilizers and pesticides, but the equipment cannot access the field without damaging the crop due to height clearance limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by reducing the corn plant height from over 6 feet to 1.8 meters or less through genetic modification (using dwarfing genes such as gb-D1, ghd7, or rht-B1b/rht-D1b). This height reduction enables standard agricultural equipment with 6-foot clearance to access the field without damaging the crop, while maintaining adequate height for equipment operation.
2Productivity
If corn plants are allowed to grow to full height for optimal yield, then crop productivity is improved, but equipment cannot access the field for over-the-top applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the height parameter of corn plants by introducing dwarfing genes that reduce plant height to 1.8 meters or less. This modification enables equipment access for over-the-top applications during critical growth stages while the patent maintains that yield is not significantly compromised, as the reduced height allows for continued fertilization and pest management.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the application window is extended to later growth stages, then more effective crop management is achieved, but equipment clearance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the plant height parameter to 1.8 meters or less, which creates sufficient clearance for standard equipment to access the field during later growth stages (V12 and beyond). This extension of the application window allows farmers to continue over-the-top applications of fertilizers and pesticides during critical development periods when the crop is most responsive to treatment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for providing compositions to corn fields prior to harvesting are provided herein. These methods provide an extended time period for the use of lower height or standard height farm equipment in-season in corn fields, while reducing the risk of damage to the corn plants. These methods also allow for late season access with lower height or standard height farm equipment, while reducing the risk of damage to the corn plants.