WO1998049283A1

WO1998049283A1 - Plant treatment process and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1998049283A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/007244
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tian Zhen Hou; John S. Destito; Brian E. Cheney
Original assignee: Kendron Sports Ltd.
Priority date: 1995-02-23
Filing date: 1997-04-29
Publication date: 1998-11-05

Abstract

A process and apparatus are presented for determining plant-influencing frequencies of sound waves for plant stimulation, disease resistance enhancement, nutrient and water absorption improvement. Additionally, a process and apparatus are presented for generating and applying these plant-influencing frequencies of sound waves. Plant-influencing sound wave frequencies are less than about 4,000 Hz, and preferably between about 40 Hz and 1,800 Hz at a sound pressure level greater than or equal to about 70 dB. The Figure is a block diagram which illustrates the preferred acoustic generating apparatus.

Description

PLANT TREATMENT PROCESS AND APPARATUS

Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 08/394,020, hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to use of sound waves to positively influence a plant, and specifically this invention relates to application of a time-varying plant-influencing signal including a frequency about equal to a resonant frequency of a component of the plant to be influenced. The prior art has applied time-invariant audio signals to plants in efforts to promote growth. These signals are typically mono-frequency and are of a relatively high frequency, typically greater than 4000 Hz. The prior art has not, however, agreed upon the frequency, or frequencies, or frequency ranges, best suited to influence various plant characteristics. In the prior art, it is known to attach probes to a seed or plant component and measure impedance as a function of frequency and to find a preferred frequency wherein the impedance is minimized. This impedance measurement is a function of temperature and humidity. Therefore, any determination of a preferred frequency under actual field conditions is subject to the many, and continual, variations in the weather. Additionally, since many plants are delicate and fragile, attachment of probes and other types of measuring devices directly to a plant or plant component may alter or otherwise interfere with such a direct indication of a desired frequency for the plant.

Further, positive correlation between a frequency resulting in minimized impedance for a plant and any benefits resulting from application of that frequency to the plant has yet to be established. Moreover, prior art systems have not heretofore differentiated between various plant components. That is, a main stem component may respond to a different frequency than a leaf component of the same plant. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in its preferred embodiment, applies a periodic or other time- varying plant-influencing signal to a plant according to a treatment profile, wherein the plant-influencing signal includes a preferred frequency that about matches a resonant frequency of a component of the plant to be influenced. The application of such a plant- influencing signal results in promoted plant growth, improved disease resistance, enhanced nutritional content, and increased absorption of moisture and nutrients with attendant increases in crop yields. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides for accurate determination of instantaneous resonant frequencies of a plant component (e.g. stalk, stem, leaf, etc.) using a LASER Doppler Vibration Detector that implements laser interferometry. Preferably, the detector is used in a seismically isolated and soundproofed growing area to measure the resonant frequencies of all of the plant components over the full course of the growth cycle of the plant. Experimental data has been collected over several growing seasons for many commercial food crops (e.g., radish, spinach, lettuce, corn, potatoes, cabbage, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower) to create profiles for each of these plants.

In another preferred embodiment, a sound applying device includes a power supply for providing electrical power, an audio signal generator, coupled to the power supply, for generating a time- varying signal in response to a first control signal, an audiblizer, coupled to the generator, for producing a periodic plant-influencing audio signal from the time-varying signal; and a controller, coupled to the audio signal generator, for generating the control signal. In yet another preferred embodiment, a device for determining an approximate resonant frequency of a component of a plant includes an audio source for delivering a plurality of frequencies to the plant component, a monochromatic radiation source for irradiating the component of the plant subjected to the plurality of frequencies, a detector for detecting a plurality of interference maxima between a first radiation beam reflected from the component and a second radiation beam generated from the radiation source by generation of a detector signal, a Doppler signal preprocessor, coupled to the detector, for filtering and shaping the detector signal to generate a preprocessed signal, a phase locked frequency discriminator, coupled to an output of the Doppler signal preprocessor, for demodulating the preprocessed signal to reinstate a real-time vibrating wave form of the component as a velocity signal, a signal reprocessor, coupled to an output of the phase locked frequency discriminator, for integrating the velocity signal to generate a displacement signal of the component as a function of the plurality of frequencies; and a processor, coupled to an output of the signal reprocessor, for determining a particular one frequency of the plurality of frequencies resulting in a maximum displacement for the component.

Reference to the remaining portions of the specification, including the drawings and claims, will realize other features and advantages of the present invention. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present embodiment, are described below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a top elevation plan view of a plant-influencing acoustic device in a field of commercial plants according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment for acoustic device;

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified acoustic device that may be advantageously used in certain types of applications;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a LV-I type laser vialog; Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an improved laser vialog according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 lists a performance comparison for several kinds of phase-locked frequency discrimination circuits;

Fig. 7 is a proposed outlet laser Doppler signal without demodulation; Fig. 8 is the demodulated vibrating waveform of the improved instrument described herein;

Fig. 9 is a vibrating power chart;

Fig. 10 is vibrating autocorrelation function; Fig. 11 illustrates use of CD 4046 as the typical applied circuit for phase- locked frequency discrimination; and

Fig. 12 is a preferred VCO circuit for CD 4046.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Table of Contents

I. Acoustic Device

II. LASER Doppler Detector

III. Nutrients

IV. Experimental Data (Set One)

V. Experimental Data (Set Two)

VI. Conclusion

I. Acoustic Device

Fig. 1 is a top elevation plan view of a plant-influencing acoustic device 100 in a field of commercial plants 105 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Acoustic device 100 includes an environmental housing 110 and a plurality of audiblizers 115. Audiblizers 115 serve to distribute a time-varying plant- influencing signal to all the plants 105 of the field at a sufficient sound pressure level. Commercial plants 105 include, for example, radish, spinach, lettuce, corn, potatoes, cabbage, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower, though other plants may advantageously be treated with acoustic device 100. Environmental housing 110 is sufficient to protect internal components (not shown) of acoustic device 100 from weather conditions experienced by plants 105. In the preferred embodiment, acoustic device 100 influences commercial plants 105 in their typical environment, namely outdoors. Therefore, environmental housing 110 is designed to protect acoustic device 100 from operational degradation due to the anticipated ranges of temperature, humidity, and precipitation experienced by plants 105. Audiblizers 115 generate the time-varying plant-influencing signal as will be more fully explained. In the preferred embodiment, each audiblizer 115 is an all-weather speaker arranged so that collectively all plants 105 are subjected to the plant-influencing signal. The low frequency sound waves of the preferred embodiment are generated in any convenient manner. For example, any speaker of the type sufficient to respond to the amplified time-varying signal to provide an acceptable response and to generate desired sound pressure levels may be used. While the use of a speaker to audiblize the plant- influencing signal is preferred, in some applications a sound recording may be used (for example, for small scale farming (e.g. home gardening)). As will be more further described below, plant-influencing signals of the preferred embodiment are time- varying.

In the preferred embodiment, acoustic device 100 weighs approximately 85 pounds and is shaped as an inverted truncated pyramid with audiblizers 115 mounted to each face of the four faces. Housing 110 is angled downward, in the preferred embodiment, at between about fifteen degrees and sixty degrees. Housing 110 is mounted with its base at about the height of the crops to be influenced.

In operation, acoustic device 100 delivers a time-varying plant- influencing signal to the field of commercial plants 105 at about a resonant frequency of one or more components of the plants, at a sound pressure level of greater than 50dB, and preferably at least about 70 dB, and less than about 120 dB. In the preferred embodiment, the plant- influencing signal includes signal components less than about 1800 Hz, preferably less than about 1000 Hz, and most preferably in the range of about 20 Hz and about 600 Hz.

In the preferred embodiment, the plant-influencing signal is a periodic signal of one of two types. The first type of signal is a rapid repetition of the resonant frequency at a rate of two pulses per second. The second type is a monotonic sinusoidal sweep from a first frequency below the resonant frequency to a second frequency above the resonant frequency. The sweep repeats itself every 0.5 seconds to 3 seconds. The values of the first frequency, the second frequency, the resonant frequency and the repetition rate are dependent upon a particular application.

In some cases, it may be desirable to influence more than one plant component at a time. The first type of periodic signal may include multiple frequency components, one for each plant component. The second type of periodic signal may include a first frequency lower than every resonant frequency and a second frequency greater than every resonant frequency. Optionally, multiple ranges may be established and repeated, with each range including one or more resonant frequency. In addition to the parameters of the plant- influencing signal, acoustic device 100 may operate intermittently, say 1-4 hours every other day at dusk for example. These treatment profiles are dependent upon the desired application and type of plant to be influenced. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment for acoustic device 100. Acoustic device 100 includes a power supply 200, a signal generator 205, an amplifier 210, audiblizer 115, a receiver 215, a controller 220, and a memory 225. Power supply 200 provides operational power to the subsystems of acoustic device 100. As acoustic device 100 is designed to be a self-contained unit for stand-alone operation in a field, power supply 200 is preferably a battery. In other applications, power supply

200 may include well-known circuitry for interfacing with conventional AC supply lines. Signal generator 205 generates signals in the audio range in response to a control signal from controller 220. Amplifier 210 receives the signals from signal generator 205 and amplifies them in response to a control signal from controller 220. In some applications, amplifier 210 may be incorporated directly into signal generator 205, or signal generator 205 may produce sufficient sound pressure levels that amplifier 210 is not necessary. Audiblizer 115 audiblizes the amplified signals provided by amplifier 210.

Controller 220 issues control signals to signal generator 220 and amplifier 210 to produce the desired plant- influencing signals. Controller 220 may operate to produce a single plant- influencing signal. In other applications, the plant- influencing signal is adjustable depending upon the status of the maturity of the crops, or upon other parameters. As acoustic device 100 is preferably a portable device, in some situations, it may be desirable to relocate acoustic device 100 to another field for a different type of crop. The acoustic device 100 may be moved from one field to another depending upon the desired influencing signals to be applied to the plants.

In an alternate preferred embodiment, memory 225 stores a plurality of influencing profiles that set parameters for controller 220. These parameters may include, for example, a preferred frequency, a repetition rate, a low and high frequency rate, a daily application duration, a time of day for starting application, a week day schedule identification for application, and an audiblizer volume. Controller 220 optionally includes a clock and timer to facilitate control of these parameters, as needed. A user is able to select a predetermined influencing profile and have controller 220 properly treat the crops.

In another alternate preferred embodiment, controller 220 is responsive to a remote control signal provided by receiver 215 to select an influencing profile from memory 225, to adjust a particular parameter of the influencing parameter, or to overide the profile and set a custom influencing profile.

In operation, a user sets controller 220 to cause signal generator 205 to produce a time-varying signal including at least one audio component that about matches a resonant frequency of a component of the plant to be influenced. Amplifier 210 amplifies the signal to the desired amplitude level, as determined by controller 220. Thereafter, audiblizer 115 generates the time-varying plant-influencing signal.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified acoustic device 300 that may be advantageously used in certain types of applications. Modified acoustic device 300 includes either a cylindrical or rectangular enclosure 305 having a single audiblizer 310 mounted in bottom of enclosure 305. A plurality of sound ports 315 in the base of enclosure 305 permits omnidirectional (360 degree) application of the plant-influencing signal. Modified acoustic device 300 has a preferred use in greenhouses or other indoor use such that walls and floors may reinforce the plant-influencing signal.

II. LASER Doppler Detector A. Introduction

The laser technology has enjoyed a wide application in agriculture, industry, medical care, scientific research and etc. since the time when the first set of ruby laser appeared in 1960. However, in late 1980s, the laser know-how got to be known by people and further drew much attention with its unique strong points of non- touching measurement, more accurate measurement and higher resolution for time & space as one of t he essential detection means in many specified conditions. In these years, some new characteristics have come out of the laser vibrating technology, which brings about new breakthrough and improvement in the wake of rapid development of semi-conductor, optical fibre and computer technology.

In 1991, Xinjiang Forestry Scientific Institute joined with Qinghua University in a joint effort to study plants' echo upon the sound stimulus of different frequency in varying growth state. In view of light weight for tested substance (leaf part of plant) and small size for tested parts (main vein, side vein and mesophyle), after making a comparison, we have chosen the laser vibration method characterized by higher space resolution and nontouching measurement. In order to quicken the progress of scientific research, we have made a thorough alteration to the circuit of the LV-14 type laser vialog manufactured in the Lab-plant attached to China Metrological Scientific Academy and compiled matching applied software while keeping its optical parts with advanced electronic circuit and computer technology, which enables the measuring, instrument for absolute vibration only to detect or record vibrating wave and analyze power curve as well as- autocorrelation function and finally meet with the current demands of scientific research at the present stage as a relatively complete laser vialog system when it connects with mini-computers.

B. Components of the system and its working principle:

1. The working principle for LV-I type laser vialog. The LV-I type laser vialog is used to measure vibration amplitude of simple harmonic oscillation substance. It adopts automatic interfering feedback principle of laser as a measuring apparatus of absolute amplitude. The working principle for LV-I type laser vialog is shown in Fig. 4.

The laser beam from a He-Ne laser tube comes back to the capillary tube via the same path after reflection from the surface of the vibrating substance. While the vibrating substance is making simple harmonic vibration, the photo cell preamplifier turns stripes of light interference in the light path into electrical signal and sends it to a mainframe after going through amplification.

The frequency ratio counter calculates the stripe numbers of interference occurred in the vibration machine for one cycle and produces counter value and then prints out the amplitude rate from the vibration source after calculation by computers.

The main characteristics of the LV-1 laser vialog can be summed up as follows on the basis of the above-mentioned principles:

(a) Measure the substance of simple harmonic vibration only.

(b) Measurements must keep the same step with the vibration signals, without measuring the spontaneous vibration of vibrating substance. (c) Measurement record is an average value for a certain period without real time wave forms.

As for the characters related to our test requirements and the structure specialty of LV-1 laser vialog, we have made a substantial improvement to this instrument so that the improved instrument might overcome the above-mentioned limitations.

2. An improvement to LV-1 laser vialog circuit:

Fig. 5 illustrates an improved laser vialog. The circuit of the improved laser vialog is mainly made up of a doppler signal pre-treatment circuit, phase locked frequency discrimination circuit and the processing circuit of the demodulated signals.

After the treatments by these circuits, the laser vialog can send out actual vibration wave of the vibrating substance.

Different functional circuit structure and functional characters will be described in detail as follows:

(1) Doppler signal preprocessing circuit:

The circuit is mainly used to handle the output signals from photo cell amplifiers in filtration and shaping. After that, the signal is sent direct to the external oscilloscope for signal monitoring in one part through one stage of buffering and enlarging, another part is sent to the infiltrator of eighth order (3dB Chebyshev) for filtration treatment. Since PIN diode to extract laser Doppler signals needs higher working pressure (approximately +90V), which is produced by contra variant circuit of 50KHz in the apparatus, the output signal from the photo cell amplifier contains stronger interference signals of 50KHz which mainly contributes to the signal noise ratio' s reduction of proposed output signals. When the vibrating amplitude becomes smaller or vibrating frequency lower, the filtrator of eighth order (Chebyshev) should be used to get rid of interference signals effectively and increase the signal noise ratio of proposed signals in a big way. When the vibrating amplitude becomes bigger or frequency higher, the Doppler signal frequency is a little bit higher than 50KHz, the filtrator can be bypassed so as to expend the measuring scope of the instrument.

As a result of the digital frequency discrimination adopted by the instrument, hysteresis comparison or level transference circuits have been added to the preprocessed circuit so as to adapt outlet signals at former stage to the treatment at latter stage.

(2) The phase locked frequency discrimination circuit: The circuit is used to demodulate the outlet Doppler signals at former stage so as to reinstate real-time vibrating wave form.

Now suppose X as the amplitude of the vibrating source, fl as the frequency at the lower limit of vibrating source, f2 as the upper frequency of the vibrating source, N as stripe numbers of Doppler signal in each cycle of signal vibration. In the light of structural characters of laser vialog, we have got the following formulae:

X_p = l/8λN Of which λ is the wavelength of He-Ne, laser with its value of 6328 xlO^" ¹⁰m.

Based on the pre-test result, the choice we have got is X_p: lμm-50μm. fi = 30Hz f₂= 200Hz Hence, we can roughly estimate the frequency range of the Doppler signals:

f_τ = N *f. = ^Xp * f , = 379 Hz * 0.0791 ^l

f„ = N * £, = — ^- * f, = 126Hz ^{H 2} 0.0791 ²

Considering necessary margin, actual frequency band takes: f_L= 300Hz f_H= 150Hz In order to make the seizing range of phase-locked circuit to cover the whole frequency bandwidth of Doppler signals, we have worked out several kinds of phase locked loop demodulating circuit through experiments. The comparison of performance among some kinds of circuit is shown as follows: Fig. 6 lists a performance comparison for several kinds of phase-locked frequency discrimination circuits. After a comprehensive comparison and consideration, we finally decided on the phase-locked frequency discrimination circuit with CD 4046 as its core. In order to expand the seizing range and tackle the matter of saturation in the circuit in case of bigger M_f, we have added a digital frequency division chain circuit to the preceding stage so as to make seizing range of phase-locked discrimination circuit to hit the international demands in this aspect.

When U_c = E₀, VCO upper frequency will be:

As shown, R^nd R₂ make different contributions to VCO vibrating frequency.

There are three unknown parameters in above-mentioned two formulae, so we learn that - R_, R₂ and 's values are not the only one. Experiments are needed to choose a group of R_1} R₂ and values. The best parameters we have chosen are as follows: = 0.01 μF

R₂ = maximum or open-circuit parameter

The actual measurement shows that VCO lower frequency is about 0 Hz, upper frequency 20 KHz to match with 1:60 frequency division chain, which can fully cover the whole Doppler signal frequency band.

(3) Reprocessing circuit The circuit can deal with the vibrating signals from the frequency discrimination in both filtration and integration. As the signal from the phase-locked frequency discrimination shows the speed message of vibration, the down-mentioned relationship really exists between V (velocity) and S (shift). V = -^ dt

Therefore, you can get the displacement message of vibration after making an integral treatment to the velocity signals and finally send out output signals through filtration and buffering amplification.

3. Project on the interfacing circuit for computers and compiling of applied program:

In order to make a mini-computer to handle output message from the laser vialog, we especially design a sort of high-speed data-collecting card of ISA trunk line for PC minicomputer series. The card can reach 100 KHz specimen collecting rate at the distinguishing rate of 12™ place with hardware timing system and digital-controlled amplification to meet with the experiment demands in a better way. This applied program is mainly made up of four parts:

(1) Data collecting module (2) The display module of the actual vibrating wave form

(3) Signal processing module

(4) The display module of signal treatment result

The module for collecting data is mainly written out in the assembly language with the main function of collecting data, the result of which is deposited into a prescribed file coded ASCII and then handled in sequential program.

Both wave display module for actual vibration and the display module for signal treatment effect are compiled in C language and treated by rectification, normalization, and dynamic compression. As a result of which the content in the data file is displayed on the screen in a curve form.

Signal processing module is compiled in FORTRAN language. The module estimates and collects signal power charts and autocorrelation function by means of periodogram and then deposit the processed results into the prescribed data files. The process owns the function of signal processing with the maximum length of 1024 for FFT once. C. Experiment & its result

Experiment results for improved laser vialog are shown respectively in Fig. 7 through Fig. 10. Fig. 7 is a proposed outlet laser Doppler signal without demodulation. Fig. 8 is the demodulated vibrating wave form of the improved instrument described herein. Fig. 9 is a vibrating power chart and Fig. 10 is vibrating autocorrelation function.

Shown by the experiment results, the improved instrument can measure the vibrating wave forms of vibrating substance and analyze the vibrating power charts and autocorrelation functions. Fig. 11 illustrates use of CD 4046 as the typical applied circuit for phase- locked frequency discrimination. Of which, R_{1 ;} R₂ and are important links to determine the circuit specialty of phase-locked frequency discrimination as well as a core to design phase-locked frequency discrimination. In order to describe the choosing process for key coefficients of phase-locked frequency discrimination circuit, we'll show the relevant parts of CD 4046 and practical lines by Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 is a preferred VCO circuit for CD 4046. Shown in the Fig. as No. 5, the end marked 1^ is a start end. When No. 5 angle marked 1^ inputs higher electric potential, P₃ cuts off, E_s cannot be added to VCO; meanwhile 1^ cannot be added to Not gate input end and paling pole so as to ensure the circuit stops vibrating, with phase-locked circuit of frequency discrimination not functioning. When No. 5 end inputs lower electric potential, VCO starts, P₂ provides the timing capacitor with chargeable current. When both P_! and P₂ tubes are agreeable in their coefficients, P_l5 P₂ form mirror electric current source when Nj paling pole is added by controlling pressure U, it can play the part of controlling chargeable current like U₀ by letting current flowing over Pj as well as P₂. Based on the analysis, chargeable current is about:

When U_TN or U_TP are respectively used as valve pressure for channel tube N and channel tube B, VCO vibrating frequency F is

When U₀ = 0, lower frequency for VCO is: u₀ - u. TN E₀ - U. TP

0K C, ORJCJ

_f _ ^Eo ^Tp

BR₂C₁

D. References: (Hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes) L.E. Drain, The laser doppler technique, Chichester, New York, 1980. Yasan Kiemnra, et al , Appl. Dpt, 1988;27(4):668. Bobb, S., et al. , Small laser doppler anemometers using semi-conductor laser and avalauch photodioder, Proc. 4th Int. Symp. on appl. of LDA to Fluid Mechuies,

Lisbon, 1988.

Tonxon, L., et al , An antomatic signal processor for System, Proc. 4th Int.

Symp. on Appl. of LDA to Fluid Mechanics, Lisbon, 1988. The phase-locked technique, written by Zhang Jesheng, published by the

Northwestern Telecommunication Industrial Publishing House, 1986.

The Laser Technology, written by Zhao Jianxin, 1993; 17(3): 168.

The Laser Journal, written by Wang Zhenya, 1986;7(3) 142.

The Laser Technology, written by Gong Ma-li, 1990, 14(4): 46. The Measuring System of Laser, written by A.C. Bartlakov; translated by Zhang

Huazhong, published by the Electric Industrial Publishing House, Beijing, 1989.

E. Conclusion:

As mentioned above, the phase-locked frequency discrimination technique is used in combination with the light path of laser self- interference principles, which can timely measure the power chart of vibrating substance and autocorrelation function as a laser vialog system with a comprehensive function after connecting with the minicomputer. The system, which is simple in structure, accurate in measurement, cheap in cost, is expected to be applied in other fields to a certain degree. In the preferred embodiment, to determine the optimum sound wave influencing frequency for a given plant or plant component, the laser detector is used on each part of the plant that is important to growth or nutrient absorption. Leaf, leaf stem, main stem, and mesophyle, for example, are individually examined for harmonic vibration in response to a broad sound wave frequency sweep. The detector is sufficiently accurate to discriminate between higher levels of harmonic vibration at fundamental resonance frequencies of each plant component, and the lower levels and deteriorated waveforms of the plant vibratory motion at harmonics of the resonance frequencies. It is preferable, to insure reduced disturbance of the plant under test, to house the vibration detector in a seismically and acoustically isolated laboratory. Measurements are made at each stage of the plant under test's growth cycle, beginning at germination, but most advantageously when the plant first reaches a height of approximately 10 centimeters, and then about twice weekly until the plant is ready for harvest or otherwise reached full maturity. In this fashion, a range of influencing frequencies for each plant is determined and this data used in conjunction with one of the acoustic devices described previously. Short sweeps covering all of these determined frequencies, and dependent upon stage of growth, may be used with the acoustic device.

III. Nutrients

In an alternate preferred embodiment, plants 105 may have a foliar nutrient applied before, during or after being subjected to the plant- influencing signal generated from said acoustic device 100. Preferably, the foliar nutrient compound is about 61 % purified water, about 1 % humic acid, about 10% lignisulfonate, about 5% urea, about 10% Epsom salts, about 2.5% of each of manganese sulfate, zinc sulfonate, potassium nitrate, and about 0.5% or less of each of phosphoric acid, caustic potash, iron sulfonate, solubar, sodium molybdate, copper sulfanate, molasses, kelp, and EDTA. Composition of this nutrient compound may be varied for specific needs or growth condition of certain plants 105. This nutrient compound has been found, through experimentation, to be efficacious for use in conjunction with the application of plant- influencing signals.

Table 1 provides an example of a formulation concentrate (to be diluted about 1:500 with water prior to use) for use in the preferred embodiment. This formulation may be applied to the plant using any of the various modes of application as well known in the art. Foliar spraying is the preferred application method. Parameters of the application, such as quantity applied or application schedule for example, may be adjusted or optimized depending upon particular growing conditions. Table 2 illustrates some typical applications.

Table 2

50-120 Hz

Phylodendron (Alocasia)

Daikon Japanese Radish

Green Leaf Spinach

Red Loose Leaf Lettuce

Salinas Iceberg Lettuce

Red Sails Loose Leaf Lettuce

Pickling Cucumbers

Japanese Burpless Cucumbers

Earligold Cantaloupe

Yellow Doll Watermelon

150-300 Hz

Sweet Corn

Red Pontiac Potato

Early Green Cabbage

Oregon Shelling Pea

Kentucky Brown Pole Bean

Japanese Soybean

300-500 Hz

Green Valiant Broccoli

Snow Crown Cauliflower

The volume of sound waves suitable for use in the present process should be at least 50 decibels at the site of the plant or seed, 70 to 80 decibels being preferred. The volume may be optimized, for example, for any particular plant or growth conditions. The amount of applied nutrient and the application regimen used can be optimized for any particular plant and/or set of growth conditions (see Table 3 for examples of typical applications).

Advantageously, application of the nutrient formulation is made after the plant has reached a height of about 5 to 30 cm, preferably, about 10 cm, and the frequency of application is, preferably, about once or twice per week. In the case of seeds, application can be made by soaking the seeds in the formulation for a period of, for example, 4 to 24 hours, more preferably, about 12 hours prior to sawing. In accordance with the present invention, the plant or seed can be in contact with the nutrient formulation as the plant or seed is subjected to the sound waves. Seeds can be subjected to the sound waves for a period, for example, of 4 to 24 hours, preferably, 4 to 12 hours, more preferably, about 12 hours. Advantageously, the seeds are in contact with the nutrient formulation throughout the broadcast period.

Plants can be subjected to the sound waves for a period, for example, of 2 to 8 hours, preferably 2 to 4 hours. Advantageously, the plant is subjected to the sound waves for a period of, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 hours, preferably, 0.5 to 1.0 hours prior to contacting the plant with the nutrient formulation. The broadcasting is then, advantageously, continued during the nutrient formulation application period (e.g. foliar spraying period) and further continued for a period of, for example, 1 to 3 hours after completion of the application, preferably, 1 to 2 hours, more preferably, about 2 hours. The plants can also be subjected to the sound waves in the absence of nutrient application. In plants where nutrients are applied primarily to the foliage, a single optimum treatment frequency for the leaf is programmable into the acoustic device, which frequency is preferably pulsed at a rate of approximately 2 Hz for the duration of the treatment. The process of the present invention is applicable to virtually any plant, the following are merely examples: row crops such as lettuce, spinach, soy beans and onions; bush crops such as raspberries, tomatoes and bush beans; tree orchards, including apple trees, cherry trees, and peach trees; and ornamentals including flowers and Taxus baccata (ornamental yew).

Certain aspects of the present invention are described in greater detail in the non-limiting examples that follow.

IV. Experimental Data (Set One) Test Field The Rainier site is located within the suburban area of Olympia,

Washington, USA. Two test sections were used in the same general area and placed 200 meters apart. The treated experimental group was in an area slightly more shaded than the non-treated control group. Nine seed beds were set up and 10 divided into 4 x 2 sections (8cm²) The soil in the seed beds was changed over to a mixture that was purchased for this test. The irrigation water that was used was from a local underground well.

Plants

The test crops planted were: Pontiac red potatoes, Japanese soybeans, Kentucky Wonder brown pole beans, Oregon shelling peas, and sweet corn. Vegetables were: Japanese Daikon radish, leaf spinach, 3 varieties of Lettuce, Early Green cabbage, 2 varieties of cucumbers, Earligold cantaloupe, Yellow Doll watermelon, Green Valiant broccoli, and Snow Crown cauliflower.

Broadcast System

An audio frequency speaker was used that has 5 variable low frequencies and that produces an intermittent pulse of sound waves. The instrument (a box speaker with on/off switch and volume control) can use 220V/50 Hz, 110V/60 Hz AC or 12V DC.

Nutrient formulation

The nutrient formulation used was derived from a concentrate including Mount Rainer glacier water, humic acid, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfonate, iron sulfonate and copper sulfate. Concentrations of these components in the formulation as applied corresponded to 1:500 dilutions of the concentrations of these components as shown in Table 1.

Treatment methodology

Seeds were treated before sowing in the experimental group. Seeds of above-referenced plants (except potatoes) were soaked separately for 12 hours in a solution of the nutrient formulation described immediately above. While being soaked, the seeds were subjected to a broadcast of sound waves of a frequency of 300 Hz for 4 hours at about 70 decibels. The control groups were soaked in water for 12 hours and were not subjected to the sound broadcast.

Field Treatment

Planting (except for potatoes) occurred on July 13. When the seedlings were nearly 10 cm in height, treatment began at 2 times each week (a few days apart). Prior to treatment, a broadcast of sound waves of 100 Hz frequency at about 80 decibels for a half hour was provided in the experimental group only. Foliar spraying of the fertilizer to the face of the plant leaves by a hand sprayer while the frequency broadcast continued was the next step in the treatment. After spraying, the sound waves continued to be broadcast for about another 2 hours.

Meanwhile, the control group was only sprayed with water. Irrigation of both groups was done by hand bucket each day as necessary. Loosening of the soil, weeding, and thinning were carried out as necessary. Each day, a visual inspection and recording of the growth and development of the plant was made. Except for the radish and spinach, which were harvested on September 9th, all other plants were harvested on October 2nd when they were subjected to the first hard frost of the season.

Results:

1. Pontiac Red Potato

Eight seed potatoes were planted on June 30th in both the control group and the treated experimental grouts. Harvest was on October 2nd. The total growth period was 94 days. After the harvest, the potatoes in both groups were classified into large, medium, and small grades: > 0.4 lb ./each was large; 0.1-0.4 lb . each was medium grade; <0.1 lb ./each was small grade.

Table 4 shows that the differences between treated and untreated groups were significant. The yield amount of potatoes in the treated group increased 75 % over the yield amount of potatoes in the control group. The weight of the large potato yields in the treated experimental group increased 46.82% over the untreated control group.

The physical quality and texture of the potato were also improved in the treated group.

2. Japanese Daikon Radish

The radish seeds were planted on July 13th. Because many of the seedlings began to go to seed on September 9th and a determination of the effects of the treatment on 2nd and 3rd generation seeds was sought, the two biggest radish were harvested in each group for basic comparisons. Table 5 shows a 119.23 % increase in weight by the treated experimental group over the untreated control group.

3. Leaf Spinach

Planting was on July 13th and harvest was on September 9th. The total growth period was 58 days. Most of the mature spinach plants were retained to monitor the heredity properties of the seed. Only the largest spinach plants in both the treated experimental and untreated control groups were harvested for test comparisons.

Table 6 shows the results of treated spinach as the most dramatic out of all the test results. The weight of treated spinach not only increased approximately 5.6 times (557%) over the untreated control group, but the resistance of the treated group to disease increased as well. One third of the spinach seedlings died by a disease in the control group. Seedling growth was sturdy and without disease in the treated experimental group.

4. Lettuce

Table 7 shows that the weight of all three varieties of lettuce was increased at least 100% in the treated group (growth period as described above for leaf spinach). The Salinas iceberg lettuce registered an increase of 4.7 times (472.22%) over the untreated control group.

5. Early green cabbage

The treated cabbage head was weighed at 2.62 lbs. The untreated cabbage head weighed 1.91 lbs. The weight of the treated experimental group increased 37.17% over the untreated control group.

The following crops and vegetables were planted on July 13th. Due to the cold weather and a hard frost on October 2nd, many species could not fully mature. Each was harvested separately for basic comparison purposes. 6. Cucumber

Tables 8 and 9 show that the amount of blossoms increased and the weight of treated cucumbers was increased more than one time over the untreated -lo control group.

(A) Pickling Cucumber

7. Earligold cantaloupe

There were 15 young cantaloupes found on the vines in the treated experimental group while there were only 7 found on the vines in the untreated control group. The amount of cantaloupes in the treated group demonstrates an increase 114.29% over the untreated control group.

8. Yellow Doll watermelon

There were 17 young watermelons found on the vines in the treated experimental group, while there were only 7 found on the vines in the untreated control group. The amount of watermelons in the treated group demonstrates an increase of 142.86% over the untreated control group. 9. Oregon shelling pea

When frost first appeared on October 2nd, the pea seedlings were in the state of bearing pods. The mature pea pods weighted 0.75 lbs. in the treated experimental group, and 0.83 lbs. in the untreated control group. The weight of the treated group yield was 9.6% less than the yield in the control group. The pea seedlings in the untreated control group were badly diseased with a white powder-like disease. However, there was not a seedling in the treated experimental group that had any trace of the same disease.

10. Japanese soybean and Kentucky Brown pole bean

All the branches, leaves and pods of the soybeans and part of the pole beans in the treated experimental group were eaten by wild rabbits, while test crops in the untreated control group were not attacked and eaten by the same wild rabbit population. No calculations were possible.

11. Sweet corn

All the corn was not fully developed when harvested on October 2nd because the actual planting was somewhat late in the local season. 57 heads of corn were harvested in the treated experimental group, while only 43 heads of corn were harvested in the untreated control group. The yield of the treated experimental group represents an increase of 30.2% over the untreated control group.

12. Green Valiant broccoli and Snow Crown cauliflower

The biggest broccoli head was 0.45 lbs in the treated experimental group, while the biggest broccoli head in the untreated control group was 0.72 lbs. The yield weight of treated broccoli showed a decrease of 37.5% relative to the untreated broccoli. The largest cauliflower head in the treated experimental group was 0.79 lbs while the largest cauliflower head in the untreated control group was 1.15 lbs. The yield weight of treated cauliflower showed a decrease of 31.30% relative to the untreated cauliflower. All documents cited above are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. Also incorporated in is their entirety by reference are the following: Hou et al, Am. J. Chinese Med. 22(1):1 (1994); Hou et al, Am. J. Chinese Med. 22(2): 103 (1994); and Hou et al, Am. J. Chinese Med. 22(3-4):205 (1994) V. Experimental Data (Set Two)

TEST I: Iceberg Lettuce (magnum hybrid variety)

The following test was performed in Castroville California USA in 1996. The site was the Jefferson and Sons ranch. Two lots 2000 feet apart were chosen due to similarity of soil and environmental conditions. Care was taken to insure no measurement sound pressures from the field under treatment were detected on the control site. Lot 12 (175 acres) was selected for sound wave treatment and lot 10 (235 acres) remained as a control. No changes in farming methods were made on either lot. The sound wave treatments according to the preferred embodiment were applied in addition to normal farming methods used on the control.

Lot 12 was planted with iceberg lettuce on July 16, 1996 and lot 10 was planted with the same on July 17, 1996. A total of four different treatments on the experimental group were performed: A Group (5 acres in lot 12, sound plus application of foliar nutrient as per the preferred embodiment), B Group (12.5 acres in lot 12, sound only), C Group (5 acres in lot 10, foliar nutrient only), and D Group (18.5 acres in lot 10, control). Sound treatments commenced July 10, 96 in lot 12 and were repeated on 12 days spaced over the growth cycle. Foliar nutrient was applied to the test areas on lots 12 and 10 on July 17, 25, 28 and again on August 7, 1996. Lot 12 was harvested on August 19, 1996. Samples were randomly taken in mid-field for Group A (S+N) and B Group (N only) adjacent to the acoustic devices. Each lettuce bed had two rows of plants. Ten heads were cut from each of three different rows from the same side of the bed (30 heads per group). Each head was individually weighed and recorded. Lot 10 was harvested on August 24, 1996 (five days after lot 12).

Samples were taken from locations suggested by the grower where boxes harvested weighed the most. The same harvesting procedure was used on Group C and Group D plants as on the experimental group.

Data analysis: results are in Table 10. Average weight in pounds of the three groups under treatment were 2.86 (Group A, S+N), 2.67 (S only), and 2.44 (N only) respectively, while the D group of untreated control averaged 2.04 lbs. each. Yield for the treated groups increased 40.2% (Group A), 30.39% (Group B), and 19.61 % (Group C) over the untreated control. Student's T-Test showed a significant statistical difference between the treated groups and the control (P less than 0.0001).

TEST II: Almonds

J B Ranch and HB Ranch of Giesbrecht Farmers are located in Atwater, CA USA. Each test site is approximately 20 acres. Soil conditions on the JB Ranch were considerably better than on the HB Ranch. No changes in general farming methods were made at either site. Two varieties of almonds, Nonpareil and Carmel were present, with one row of each variety alternating at both sites. Trees on JB Ranch were 12 years old and trees on the HB Ranch were 18 years old. Treatment and control sites were separated by at least 1000 feet. On the JB ranch, 10 acres were treated with sound 3 days a week, 3 hours per day, plus biweekly foliar applications of the nutrient formula. On the HB Ranch, 10 acres were treated with sound only two days a week, 4 hours per day, and foliar application of the nutrient applied biweekly. The program began April 15, 1996; harvest of the Nonpareil variety was on August 15, 1996. Nuts were harvested from ten trees at random locations at treatment and control sites and individually weighed. Average weight of both varieties of almonds increased 16.03 % in the treated group of the Nonpareil variety and 8.11 % in the Carmel variety. However, the T-test (p=0.3584 and 0.2296, respectively) indicated that the differences measured were not statistically significant. TEST III: Grapes

San Iness vineyards are located at San Iness, California, USA where about 129 acres of grapevines were subjected to the preferred sound wave and foliar nutrient treatment. Lot A (48 acres) had vines of the Chardonnay variety planted in 1982. Lot B (80 acres) had Merlot grapes planted in 1991. A 33-acre section of lot A was treated by the preferred method and 16 acres remained untreated as a control. The two sections were at least 1000 feet apart. Both lots have similar soil conditions. Treatment commenced on April 10, 1996 with sound 3 days a week, for 3 hour periods each day, plus biweekly application of foliar nutrient (total of 9 foliar applications). On Lot B, 40 acres were treated with sound 2 days a week for four hour periods each day and given biweekly foliar nutrient applications.

Sugar content of the grapes was tested at random twice during the growth cycle using a handheld refractometer in the field. Sugar was tested on July 18 and again on July 26, 1996. Lot A harvest was on September 4 and Lot B on September 27, 1996. Samples were randomly taken from one row of treated and untreated vines. All fruit from each plant was picked and weighed by hand.

Results indicate that sound and nutrient treatment substantially increased the sugar contents of the grapes by 23.93% (first check) and 22.92% (2nd check) respectively over the control. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P less than 0.0001). Yields of the treated plants increased 10.91 % in the Chardonnay variety and 11.17% on the Merlot variety.

TEST TV: Cotton

The Eddie Silva farm is located in El Nido California USA. Approximately 37 acres of cotton were divided into three groups. An A group (10 acres) was treated with sound and nutrients. The B group (16.7acres) was treated with sound only. The C group (10 acres) was untreated as a control. Cottonseeds of the Maxi variety were sown on April 28, 1996 with germination on May 20, 1996. The test sites A and B were separated at least 1000 feet from the control site. Application of sound waves and nutrient treatment commenced after seedlings reached a height of 30 cm with each displaying about 10 to 12 leaves. Trials began on June 21 with sound 3 days a week for 3 hour periods each day, plus biweekly application of foliar nutrient. Inspection of growth height, flower and cotton ball was performed 3 times on a random selection of 30 seedlings. The results are in Table 12. Harvest was on Oct 24, 1996.

Table 12 indicates that the preferred treatment increased heights of cotton plants 79.11 % to 92.84% in the A group (S+N), number of flowers 63.98% to 166.67% in the A group (S+N), and number of bolls increased at least 92.71 % over the control. The B group (sound only) also increased all three parameters, but the range of increase was lower than that of the A group. P was less than 0.0001 in both A and B groups and was statistically significant. The A Group showed a Mean SE (lbs.) of 2.69 +/-0.15

(132.51 % increase) and the B group 2.36 +/-0.31 (116.26%), Mean SE (lbs.) over the control. Weight of the harvested cotton in the A group increased 32.51 % . All data was statistically significant (P less than 0.0001).

TEST : Strawberries

The Tonney Francisco Serano Co. is located in Castroville California, USA and has tested the preferred method on their crops in 1995 and 1996 with good results. Average yield of strawberries in the treated field was increased 58.94% over the control group. Sugar content, vitamin content and mineral element content of the treated strawberries also increased. In addition, the preferred method increased the useful growth life of the strawberry plants. Usually growers will replace strawberry plants with new ones each year, since the second year harvest from the same plant usually is considerably smaller and lower in quality. To save money and labor, some growers will use the same plants for two years before destroying them and replacing them with new plants. The preferred method has allowed treated plants to provide large high quality fruit for three years in a row from the same plant, which became larger, thicker and showed an increase in the number of leaves and flowers. Third year harvest was equivalent in quality to first year plants.

The test data from the above experiment could not be properly gathered due to a change in market conditions and the appearance of a Cyelospora infection which destroyed many plants under treatment. However, the grower continues to test the preferred treatment and has achieved a 14.8% increase in sugar content over the control group. He is in the process of treating and harvesting fruits from fourth year strawberry plants.

VI. Conclusion

The present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments. One skilled in the art will appreciate from a reading of the present disclosure that various changes and modifications in form, detail and structure can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the preferred method uses a Doppler Interferometer to determine a preferred resonant frequency for various plant components. While the interferometer is useful, other ways of determining plant component resonant frequency may be used, particularly if greater sound pressure levels are applied to the plant/component under test. Therefore the preceding description is not limiting, but representative, of the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus, comprising: a power supply for providing electrical power; an audio signal generator, coupled to said power supply, for generating a time- varying signal in response to a first control signal; an audiblizer, coupled to said generator, for producing a periodic plant- influencing audio signal from said time-varying signal; and a controller, coupled to said audio signal generator, for generating said control signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an amplifier, coupled to an output of said audio signal generator and responsive to a second control signal, for amplifying said time- varying signal to produce an amplified time- varying signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an environmental housing for enclosing said power supply, said audio signal generator, said amplifier, said audiblizer, and said controller in a manner to inhibit their operational degradation due to environmental conditions experienced by a plant to which said audiblizer will apply said periodic plant-influencing audio signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller controls said control signal to produce said periodic plant-influencing audio signal having a frequency less than about 2000 Hz.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said amplified time-varying signal is of a level sufficient for said audiblizer to produce said plant-influencing audio signal having a sound pressure level greater than about 70dB.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controller controls said control signals to produce said periodic plant-influencing audio signal having an audio pcomponent with a frequency in the range of about 40 Hz to about 1800 Hz at a sound pressure level greater than or equal to about 70dB.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a nutrient compound is applied to said plant in conjunction with application of said plant- influencing signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nutrient compound comprises about 61 % purified water, about 1 % humic acid, about 10% lignisulfonate, about 5% urea, about 10% Epsom salts, about 2.5% of each of maganese sulfate, zinc sulfonate, potassium nitrate, and about 0.5% or less of each of phosphoric acid, caustic potash, iron sulfonate, solubar, sodium molybdate, copper sulfanate, molassess, kelp, and EDTA.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said nutrient compound does not include gibberellin.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plant-influencing signal effects enhanced plant growth.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plant-influencing signal effects enhanced disease resistance.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plant-influencing signal effects enhanced nutrient absorption.2

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plant-influencing signal effects enhanced water absorption.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said periodic plant-influencing signal includes a preferred frequency that about matches a resonant frequency of a component of a plant to which said periodic plant-influencing signal is to be applied.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said component is a stem of said plant.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said component is a main stem of said plant.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said component is a leaf stem of said plant.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said component is a leaf of said plant.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said component is a mesophyll of said plant.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said component is a bud of said plant.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said periodic plant-influencing signal comprises a monotonic sinusoidal sweep from a first frequency to a second frequency and includes said preferred frequency.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said second frequency is greater than said first frequency.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said first frequency is greater than or equal to about 20 Hz and said second frequency is less than or equal to about 1800 Hz.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said periodic plant- influencing signal repeats every about 0.5 seconds to about 3 seconds.

25. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said periodic plant- influencing signal comprises a single frequency about equal to said preferred frequency.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said single frequency repeats every about 0.5 seconds.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said periodic plant- influencing signal includes a plurality of preferred frequencies that about matches a plurality of resonant frequencies of each of a plurality of components of a plant to which said periodic plant-influencing signal is to be applied.

28. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said controller includes a microprocessor coupled to a memory wherein said memory stores a plant-influencing signal profile for said plant.

29. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said controller includes a microprocessor coupled to a memory wherein said memory stores a plurality of plant- influencing signal profiles for a plurality of plants.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a selector for choosing a particular one profile of said plurality of profiles that identifies a desired plant-influencing signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said profile identifies at least one of a preferred frequency, a repetition rate, a low and high frequency rate, a daily application duration, a time of day for starting application, a week day schedule identification for application, and an audiblizer volume.

32. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said audiblizer is a speaker.

33. A method for influencing a plant, comprising the step of: applying a periodic plant-influencing signal to the plant wherein said signal includes a preferred frequency that about matches a resonant frequency of a component of the plant.

34. A method for influencing a plant, comprising the step of: applying a periodic plant-influencing signal to the plant wherein said signal includes a plurality of preferred frequencies that about matches a plurality of resonant frequencies of a plurality of components of the plant.

35. An apparatus for determining an approximate resonant frequency of a component of a plant, comprising: an audio source for delivering a plurality of frequencies to the component; a monochromatic radiation source for irradiating the component of the plant subjected to said plurality of frequencies; a detector for detecting a plurality of interference maxima between a first radiation beam reflected from the component and a second radiation beam generated from said radiation source by generation of a detector signal; a doppler signal preprocessor, coupled to said detector, for filtering and shaping said detector signal to generate a preprocessed signal; a phase locked frequency discriminator, coupled to an output of said doppler signal preprocessor, for demodulating said preprocessed signal to reinstate a real- time vibrating wave form of the component as a velocity signal; a signal reprocessor, coupled to an output of said phase locked frequency discriminator, for integrating said velocity signal to generate a displacement signal of the component as a function of said plurality of frequencies; and a processor, coupled to an output of said signal reprocessor, for determining a particular one frequency of said plurality of frequencies resulting in a maximum displacement for the component.