SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GROWING A PLANT IN AN AT LEAST PARTLY CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENT

• US 20110252705A1
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plantlab Groep B.V.
• Original Assignee: Plantlab Groep B.V.
• Inventors: Van Gemert, John, Kers, Martinus, Meeuws, Gerardus Johannes Jozef Maria
• Granted Patent: US 11,083,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/66.7
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/02 Treatment of plants with carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/02 Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes self-acting watering devices A01G27/00; hanging flower baskets, holders or containers for flower-pots A47G7/00; Glasses for cultivating flowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/24 Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature , illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/245 Conduits for heating by means of liquids, e.g. used as frame members or for soil heating
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses

Abstract

A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.

Claims

1. System for growing a plant in an at least partly conditioned environment, comprising a cultivation base for receiving a culture substrate with a root system of the plant therein, root temperature control means which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and comprising lighting means which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light, characterized in that leaf heating means are provided which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lighting means are able and adapted to emit a lighting spectrum which can be adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant to be cultivated.

3. System as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the lighting means comprise a set of light-emitting diodes, these diodes being able and adapted to emit radiation at different wavelengths and being individually controllable, optionally in groups.

4. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the leaf heating means comprise at least one heat source able and adapted to irradiate the leaf with infrared radiation.

5. System as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the lighting means and the heat source are accommodated in mutually separated fittings.

6. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the root temperature control means comprise a closed conduit system for receiving therein during operation a liquid flow with a controlled temperature, wherein the conduit system is able and adapted to enter into heat-exchanging contact with the culture substrate.

7. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a control is provided between the leaf heating means and root temperature control means which imposes a mutual dependence on the leaf temperature and the root temperature.

8. Method for growing a plant in at least partly conditioned manner, wherein actinic light is supplied to the plant and wherein a root temperature of a root system of the plant is maintained at a desired value, characterized in that a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is also influenced, and that a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.

9. Method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the carbon dioxide assimilation management is influenced by regulating a leaf temperature of the leaf system so that it differs from an ambient temperature.

10. Method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the supply of light, the root temperature and the leaf temperature are adapted to each other depending on the plant.

11. Method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that actinic artificial light is supplied with a spectrum adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant.

12. Method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the artificial light spectrum, a leaf temperature of the leaf and the root temperature are controlled individually of each other but in mutual relation, depending on the plant.

13. Method as claimed in claim 9 characterized in that actinic artificial light is supplied with a spectrum adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant.

14. Method as claimed in claim 10 characterized in that actinic artificial light is supplied with a spectrum adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant.