# US 10,117,385 B2 · Method and apparatus for selective photomorphogenesis in plants

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- Number: US 10,117,385 B2
- Document ID: US10117385B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/381,408
- Filed: 2013-03-01
- Published: 2015-05-07
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2012-03-01
- Applicants: Thomas Jenner
- Inventors: Thomas Jenner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117385B2

## CPC

- A01G 7/045: {with electric lighting}
- Y02P 60/14: Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for selective photomorphogenesis of plants by directly illuminating the plant stem or other plant structures using various wavelengths of light and various light sources. The methods and apparatus disclosed can be used in commercial agriculture, plant breeding research programs, genetically engineered plant research and development programs or anytime a plant grower desires to maximize the volumetric efficiency or reduced the height of a plant.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for inhibiting the length of a plant stem, comprising growing a plant having a plant stem while directly illuminating at least a portion of the plant stem with direct light focused on the portion of the plant stem, wherein the direct light has a wavelength of from about 320 nm to about 450 nm, and wherein the direct light is generated within one inch of the plant stem.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the plant stem directly illuminated is selected from the group consisting of a main stem, a side shoot of the main stem, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein directly illuminating the main stem comprises directly illuminating a portion of the main stem selected from the group consisting of a zone of elongation, an early zone of maturation, a zone of division, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein directly illuminating the side shoot of the main stem comprises directly illuminating a portion of the side shoot selected from the group consisting of a zone of elongation, an early zone of maturation, a zone of division, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the direct light is produced by a light source selected from the group consisting of LEDs, electroluminescent strips, filtered fluorescent light, any other selective light source, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein directly illuminating comprises an unimpeded optical path between the light source and the plant stem.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plant stem is the stem of a plant selected from the group consisting of a monocotyledon plant and a dicotyledon plant.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the plant is an apple tree.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the plant is a tomato plant.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the plant is a corn plant.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the direct light does not impinge on leaves of the plant.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the direct light is the only light source illuminating the portion of the plant stem.

### Claim 13

A method for growing a plant having a plant stem, comprising growing a plant having a plant stem while directly illuminating at least a portion of the plant stem with direct light focused on the portion of the plant stem, wherein the direct light has a wavelength of from about 320 nm to about 450 nm and wherein the direct light is generated within one inch of the plant stem.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the portion of the plant stem directly illuminated is selected from the group consisting of a main stem, a side shoot of the main stem, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the direct light is produced by a light source selected from the group consisting of LEDs, electroluminescent strips, filtered fluorescent light, any other selective light source, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the plant stem is the stem of a plant selected from the group consisting of a monocotyledon plant and a dicotyledon plant.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of an apple tree, tomato plant, and corn plant.