System and method for growing a plant in an at least partly conditioned environment

Abstract

A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.

1 . System for growing a plant in a daylight-free environment, in which said environment is at least partly conditioned, comprising a cultivation base for receiving a culture substrate with a root system of the plant therein, wherein an artificial light source is able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light, wherein root temperature control means are provided in said environment which are able and adapted to control a root temperature of the root system, wherein leaf heating means are provided in said environment which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature that differs from an ambient temperature, and wherein said artificial light source, said root temperature control means and said leaf heating means are collectively controlled and individually adjustable in dependence of one another. 
     
     
         2 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the artificial light source is configured to emit a lighting spectrum which can be adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant to be cultivated. 
     
     
         3 . System as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the artificial light source comprises a set of light-emitting diodes, said diodes being configured to emit radiation at different wavelengths and being individually controllable, optionally in groups. 
     
     
         4 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the leaf heating means comprise at least one heat source configured to irradiate the leaf with infrared radiation. 
     
     
         5 . System as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the artificial light source and the leaf heating means are accommodated in mutually separated fittings. 
     
     
         6 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the root temperature control means comprise a closed conduit system for receiving therein during operation a liquid flow with a controlled temperature, wherein the conduit system is configured to enter into heat-exchanging contact with the culture substrate. 
     
     
         7 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a control is provided between the leaf heating means and root temperature control means which imposes a mutual dependence on the leaf temperature and the root temperature, wherein a change of one of said leaf temperature and said root temperature results in a change a another of said leaf temperature and the root temperature in a defined proportion. 
     
     
         8 . Method for growing a plant in at least partly conditioned manner, wherein actinic light is supplied to the plant by means of an artificial light source in a daylight-free environment, wherein a root temperature of a root system of the plant is maintained at a desired value by means of root temperature control means, wherein a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is influenced by regulating a leaf temperature of the leaf system by means of leaf heating means so that said leaf temperature differs from an ambient temperature, and wherein the artificial light source, the root temperature control means and the leaf heating means are collectively controlled thereby adapting a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management to one another. 
     
     
         9 . Method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the supply of light, the root temperature and the leaf temperature are adapted to each other depending on the plant. 
     
     
         10 . Method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said actinic artificial light is supplied with an artificial light spectrum adapted to an intended photosynthesis and/or mode of growth of the plant. 
     
     
         11 . Method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the artificial light spectrum, the leaf temperature of the leaf and the root temperature are controlled collectively in mutual relation, depending on the plant, and wherein a change in one of the artificial light spectrum, the leaf temperature and the root temperature results in a change one other of the artificial light spectrum, the leaf temperature and the root temperature.