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US 9,429,521 B2Granted
Plant phenometrics systems and methods and devices related thereto
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of Michigan State University
InventorsDavid Kramer, Jeffrey Cruz, Christopher Hall, William Kent Kovac, Robert Zegarac
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Abstract
Chlorophyll fluorescence may be studied in response to a variety of environmental cues or conditions by growing phototrophic organisms under actinic illumination. Such illumination may be punctuated or disrupted to gain information about the photosynthetic properties or performance of the phototrophic organism. Instruments or devices for carrying out the method are also described.
Claims27
A method of measuring a photosynthetic parameter comprising:
- illuminating a phototrophic organism with actinic illumination;
- switching off the actinic illumination for a period that minimizes perturbations to photosynthesis;
- pulsing the phototrophic organism with a measuring light during the period when the actinic illumination is switched off;
- collecting chlorophyll fluorescence data within the period when the actinic illumination is switched off;
- and
- determining a photosynthetic parameter from the fluorescence data.
3 more elements
A system for measuring a photosynthetic parameter of a phototrophic organism comprising:
- an actinic light source and a measuring light source;
- a sensor for capturing chlorophyll fluorescent data on the phototrophic organism;
- and
- one or more processing units capable of switching the actinic and measuring light sources on and off in a manner which allows the phototrophic organism to be pulsed with the measuring light source during a period when the actinic light source is switched off, wherein the duration of the period when the actinic light source is switched off is short enough to minimize perturbations to photosynthesis.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.