Active Management of Plant Canopy Temperature as a Tool for Modifying Plant Metabolic Activity

摘要

The water-deficit stress of plants or crops is managed using plant temperatures to maximize product quality. The temperature of the target plant is repeatedly measured over a period of interest, and after each measurement, the plant temperature is compared with a predetermined plant setpoint temperature associated with a desired water-deficit stress level, above which temperature the plant is deemed to be in an undesired metabolic state. If the measured plant temperature is greater than the setpoint temperature, and humidity is not restrictive to plant cooling, then irrigation can be triggered to retain the plant within the desired stressed level, as determined by the temperature of the plant. By this method, irrigation can be withheld to increase plant temperature or applied to reduce plant temperature. The temperature of the plant is thus continuously increased and decreased relative to a desired temperature value that is indicative of a desired water-deficit stress.

主权项

1. A method for managing water deficit stress in plants comprising:
a) measuring the temperature of a target plant; b) measuring the atmospheric humidity in the vicinity of said plant; c) comparing said temperature of said plant with a water-deficit stress setpoint temperature for said plant that is defined as the approximate plant temperature that is associated with a predetermined plant stress level, wherein said predetermined plant stress level is not optimal for metabolism of said plant, and determining if said humidity is restrictive to plant cooling; and
1) returning to said step (a) if either: (i) the measured plant temperature is less than or equal to said setpoint temperature, or (ii) said humidity is restrictive to plant cooling; or2) generating and displaying an irrigation signal or initiating irrigation if the measured plant temperature is greater than said setpoint temperature and said humidity is not restrictive to plant cooling.