Method for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce

Abstract

A method for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce includes, between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, packaging the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce for moisture retention, and exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to green light emitted from a monochromatic LED and having a peak wavelength of between about 500 nm and about 580 nm, inclusive.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, comprising:
 a. between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, packaging the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce for moisture retention; and   b. between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce and while the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce is packaged for moisture retention, exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to green light emitted from a monochromatic LED and having a peak wavelength of between about 500 nm and about 580 nm, inclusive.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein packaging the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce for moisture retention comprises wrapping the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce in a film. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the green light is emitted at approximately the light compensation point for the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce at the peak wavelength. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the green light has a peak wavelength of about 500 nm or of about 560 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step a. comprises exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to only the green light for a daily photoperiod. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein between harvesting and consumption, the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce is exposed to only the green light for an integrated photoperiod of between 8 and 16 hours daily. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce comprises a leafy green, a fruit, a vegetable, and/or a flower. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising refrigerating the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce during steps a. and b. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sensing a light parameter around the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, and adjusting at least one of an irradiance and a wavelength of the green light based on the sensed light parameter. 
     
     
         10 . A method for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, comprising:
 a. between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, controlling a relative humidity in an environment of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce; and   b. between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce and while the relative humidity is controlled, exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to green light emitted from a monochromatic LED and having a peak wavelength of between about 500 nm and about 580 nm, inclusive.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the relative humidity is controlled to about 75%. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein step a. comprises storing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce in a humidity controlled chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein step a. comprises packaging the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce for moisture retention. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the green light is emitted at approximately the light compensation point for the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce at the peak wavelength. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the green light has a peak wavelength of about 500 nm or of about 560 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein step a. comprises exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to only the green light for a daily photoperiod. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein between harvesting and consumption, the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce is exposed to only the green light for an integrated photoperiod of between 8 and 16 hours daily. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce comprises a leafy green, a fruit, a vegetable, and/or a flower. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising refrigerating the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce during steps a. and b. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising sensing a light parameter around the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, and adjusting at least one of an irradiance and a wavelength of the green light based on the sensed light parameter.