Abstract

Rapid pulse programming of seeds, to obtain improved germination probability, increased root mass, and crop yield, by illuminating seeds with radiation of a wavelength distribution from 300 nm to 20 microns, with a minimum average irradiance of 0.2 Watts/cm2 and a maximum average irradiance of 7 Watts/cm2, and having a narrow specific range of cumulative illumination energy from ½ Joules/cm2 to 3 Joules/cm2 or a higher transition point cumulative illumination energy, so as to specifically engage an irradiance-sensitive and energy-sensitive hidden stimulative exposure response in the seed and so as to avoid illumination of higher cumulative illumination energy that would cause a different and destructive exposure response in the seed. Wavelengths include one or both of Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation and an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and they may be used to illuminate seeds in an illuminated agricultural planter.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01C 1/02 - Germinating apparatusDetermining germination capacity of seeds or the like
• A01G 7/04 - Electric or magnetic treatment of plants for promoting growth

Abstract

A hybrid twin process uses an independent mechanical destructive process and an illumination process to change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination viability by illuminating a seed with at least one of 2 J/cm2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm2 irradiance, but no more than 7 W/cm2 average irradiance, of at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation, preferably 2-8 microns. The process can be incorporated into a harvester combine to convert a tailings flow prior to discharge on an agricultural field. For the mechanical destructive process, high required applied energy, noise, wear, and difficulty treating impact-resistant seeds are avoided by modifying a driven load flow via increased capability of exposure to illumination and underdriving the mechanical destructive process. This can include randomization, rarefaction and enhanced circulation.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01M 21/00 - Apparatus for the destruction of unwanted vegetation, e.g. weeds
• A01F 12/40 - Arrangements of straw crushers or cutters
• B01J 19/12 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiationApparatus therefor employing electromagnetic waves
• B02C 9/04 - Systems or sequences of operationsPlant
• B02C 13/20 - Disintegrating by mills having rotary beater elements with two or more co-operating rotors

Abstract

2 to 3 Joules/cm2 or a higher transition point cumulative illumination energy, so as to specifically engage an irradiance-sensitive and energy-sensitive hidden stimulative exposure response in the seed and so as to avoid illumination of higher cumulative illumination energy that would cause a different and destructive exposure response in the seed. Preferred wavelengths include one or both of Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation and an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), which may be applied to an illuminated agricultural planter.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01C 1/02 - Germinating apparatusDetermining germination capacity of seeds or the like
• A01G 7/04 - Electric or magnetic treatment of plants for promoting growth

Abstract

Plant eradication and stressing of plants using illumination signaling where a short-time dual component, low energy, unnatural set of irradiances is applied, with no mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any wavelength for eradication by substantial high temperature thermally-induced leaf and plant component failure or incineration. An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of wavelength 300 nm to 550 nm is directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, while infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation of 2-20 microns wavelength, 2.4-8.0 microns preferred, is directed to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent the root crown. The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution can pass through the MWIR emitter to form a compact illuminator that uses specific unnatural irradiances that provide unexpected plant control. The MWIR emitter can comprise borosilicate glass at 400° F. to 1000° F.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01M 21/00 - Apparatus for the destruction of unwanted vegetation, e.g. weeds
• H05B 3/00 - Ohmic-resistance heating
• H05B 35/00 - Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• A01M 21/04 - Apparatus for destruction by steam, chemicals, burning, or electricity
• G21K 5/00 - Irradiation devices

Abstract

2 average irradiance, of at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation, preferably 2-8 microns. The MWIR radiation from heated borosilicate glass or glass powder at just under 500 C offered a peak MWIR emission of 3.75 microns was unexpectedly effective, and can be used in a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator transport belt. The process can be incorporated into a harvester combine to convert a tailings flow prior to discharge on an agricultural field. An illuminated harvest combine using an illuminator according to the invention allows reduction of the weed seed bank.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01M 21/04 - Apparatus for destruction by steam, chemicals, burning, or electricity
• A01D 41/12 - Details of combines
• A01D 61/00 - Elevators or conveyors for binders or combines
• A01F 17/02 - Mechanical conveyors

Abstract

Plant eradication and stressing of plants using illumination signaling where a short-time dual component, low energy, unnatural set of irradiances is applied, with no mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any wavelength for eradication by substantial high temperature thermally-induced leaf and plant component failure or incineration. An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of wavelength 300 nm to 550 nm is directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, while infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation of 2-20 microns wavelength, 2.4-8.0 microns preferred, is directed to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent the root crown. The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution can pass through the MWIR emitter to form a compact illuminator. The MWIR emitter can comprise borosilicate glass at 400° F. to 1000° F.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01M 21/04 - Apparatus for destruction by steam, chemicals, burning, or electricity
• A01M 21/00 - Apparatus for the destruction of unwanted vegetation, e.g. weeds
• H05B 3/00 - Ohmic-resistance heating
• H05B 35/00 - Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• G21K 5/00 - Irradiation devices

Abstract

A field image is formed using a tristimulus color model and used to detect target plants or entities on a field. Through the use of a luminance parameter floor, hue and saturation selection steps, feature recognition, a sizing floor and an aspect ratio ceiling, a very fast way is devised to recognize a target plant without need for consulting plant attribute databases, or to analyze spectral or other specialized data for comparison with known attributes. This allows a low calculational processing load and use of simple hardware such as a single board computer to handle machine vision in real time. Treatment steps can include a spray event, a light treatment, and a thermal/mechanical trauma.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 7/00 - Image analysis
• H04N 5/232 - Devices for controlling television cameras, e.g. remote control
• H04N 9/00 - Details of colour television systems
• H04N 9/04 - Picture signal generators
• G06T 7/90 - Determination of colour characteristics
• G06T 11/60 - Editing figures and textCombining figures or text
• G06T 7/11 - Region-based segmentation
• G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
• G06K 9/46 - Extraction of features or characteristics of the image
• G03B 11/00 - Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• A01M 7/00 - Special adaptations or arrangements of liquid-spraying apparatus for purposes covered by this subclass
• A01M 21/02 - Apparatus for mechanical destruction
• A01M 21/04 - Apparatus for destruction by steam, chemicals, burning, or electricity

Abstract

Non soil-invasive four-parameter rapid unnatural dual component selective illumination protocol (UDCIP) for plant eradication using a process time under one minute. Application of a relatively low level of non-mutating UV-A optical energy to root crowns and/or soil grades allows below-ground UV-A penetration into soil to illuminate root crowns, and when preceded by or coincident with an above ground near-IR defoliation and root crown illumination step, results in an unexpected rise in lethality. Very high lethality, including 100 percent, is obtained using low deposited energy. UV-A optical energy can be delivered to root crowns and adjacent soil via a UV-transmissive knive blade.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01M 21/00 - Apparatus for the destruction of unwanted vegetation, e.g. weeds