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

• US 20150237810A1
• Filed: 05/08/2015
• Published: 08/27/2015
• 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 10,667,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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. A system for growing a plant, comprising:

a substantially daylight-free, at least partly conditioned environment, said environment comprising a cultivation base for receiving a root system of the plant therein, an artificial light source that exposes the leaves of the plant to artificial actinic light having a lighting spectrum that is adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant to be cultivated;

a root temperature controller that controls the root temperature of the root system; and

a leaf heater that imposes on the leaves of the plant a leaf temperature that differs from an ambient temperature within said environment,

wherein the root temperature controller comprises a conduit system for receiving therein, during operation, a fluid flow with a controlled temperature, said fluid entering into heat-exchanging contact with said root system of said plant.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source emits light with a lighting spectrum that is adaptable to said intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant to be cultivated.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light source comprises a set of light-emitting diodes, said light-emitting diodes being able and adapted to emit radiation at different wavelengths and being individually controllable.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light source comprises a set of light-emitting diodes, said light-emitting diodes being able and adapted to emit radiation at different wavelengths and being controllable in groups.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leaf heater comprises at least one heat source adapted to irradiate the leaf with infrared radiation.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the light source and the heat source are accommodated in mutually spaced fittings.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control is provided between the leaf heater means and root temperature controller which imposes a mutual dependence on the leaf temperature and the root temperature.

8. A method for growing a plant in at least partly conditioned manner, comprising:

supplying artificial actinic light to the plant in a substantially daylight-free environment with a lighting spectrum that is adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant to be cultivated,

wherein a root temperature of a root system of the plant is maintained at a desired value,

a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is influenced by imposing a leaf temperature on the leaves of the plant that differs from an ambient temperature, and

said exposure to actinic light, said root temperature and said leaf temperature are adapted to an intended carbon dioxide assimilation mechanism by said plant.

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

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

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

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein 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.