Harvesting, transmission, spectral modification and delivery of sunlight to shaded areas of plants

Abstract

A light harvester or collector collects solar radiation from an unshaded location adjacent a growing plant. The light harvester can be either imaging (e.g., parabolic reflectors) or non-imaging (e.g., compound parabolic concentrator). The concentrated solar radiation is projected into a light transmitter that conducts the light through the plant's outer canopy and into the inner canopy to a diffuser which disperses and reradiates the light into the inner canopy. The diffused light transforms a non-productive, potentially leafless zone of the plant into a productive zone so that more fruit can be produced per volume of land surface. The system can prevent transmission of infrared into the inner canopy so that the inner canopy zone is not heated and the amount of water lost to transpiration is reduced. The system can also modify other spectral components to affect plant development and to control pests and diseases.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method for delivering diffused light to an inner canopy of a plant and thereby modifying growth and development of the plant, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. collecting and concentrating light source energy from a light source above and outside of an inner canopy of the plant;   b. conducting said light source energy through an outer canopy of the plant to the inner canopy of the plant; and   c. diffusing and dispersing said light source energy into a portion of the plant's inner canopy, thereby stimulating and modifying the growth and development of the plant.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising spectrally modifying said light source energy. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein spectrally modifying said light source energy comprises adjusting a relative quantity of one or more of ultraviolet (UV), blue, yellow, red, and far-red light. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein spectrally modifying said light source energy comprises results in diffusing, dispersing and re-radiating said light source energy with an adjusted relative quantity of light having one or more wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 700 nm. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein spectrally modifying said light source energy comprises rejecting light having one or more wavelengths. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the light source energy comprises solar light. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising enhancing an amount and spectrum of light being diffused, dispersed and re-radiated to the plant by providing a supplemental light source. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising positioning a diffuser within the inner canopy of the plant for diffusing, dispersing re-radiating said light source energy. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said diffusing, dispersing, and re-radiating said light source energy comprises directing said light source energy upward into an underside of the inner canopy. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising providing:
 a. a light collector at least partially positioned adjacent to or above the plant, for said collecting and concentrating said light source energy, and   b. a light transmitter for conducting said light source energy from said light collector to the inner plant canopy.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further configuring the light collector with a large light source collection angle, wherein the light source energy comprises solar light, such that a collection efficiency of the light collector is not sensitive to a change in position of the sun. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising attaching the light transmitter to the plant, an infrastructure supporting the plant, or both. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the infrastructure supporting the plant comprises a trellis. 
     
     
         40 . A method for improving growth and productivity of a plant comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a device comprising:
 i. a light harvester which collects and concentrates solar light energy; 
 ii. a light transmitter; and 
 iii. a light diffuser; 
   b. placing the light diffuser in proximity to the plant;   c. disposing the light harvester so as to receive and collect light energy;   d. conducting the collected light energy to the light transmitter;   e. transmitting the collected light energy by means of the light transmitter to the light diffuser; and   f. diffusing the transmitted light energy by means of the light diffuser so as to illuminate a portion of a plant to thereby modify growth and development of the plant.   
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the light harvester collects light over the full course of the day without the need for solar tracking or adaptive systems. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the light diffuser is positioned within an inner canopy of the plant. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 40 , further comprising a step of adjusting a quality of the collected light energy. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein the step of adjusting the quality of the collected light energy comprises altering one or more of ultraviolet (UV), blue, yellow, red, and far-red wavelengths. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the step of adjusting the quality of the collected light energy results in diffusing, dispersing and re-radiating said light source with a wavelength from about 400 nm to about 700 nm. 
     
     
         46 . A device for delivering light to an inner canopy of a plant and thereby modifying growth and development of the plant, the device comprising:
 a. a light harvester for collecting and concentrating photosynthetically and photomorphogenetically effective solar light energy from a light source above and outside of an inner canopy of the plant;   b. an internally reflective light transmitter in optical communication with the light harvester for conducting the light source energy from the light harvester to the plant's inner canopy;   c. a filter disposed with the light harvester, the light transmitter, or a combination thereof; and   d. one or more supplementary light sources directed towards the light harvester, coupled to the light transmitter, or a combination thereof.