MXPA06007860A - Porous, light transmissive material and method for using same - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method to isolate at least a part of a plant from passage of things or materials of certain size or characteristics. In one aspect, a shroud or sock (10) of material can be removably placed over at least a part of the plant (3) with a releasable closure (13). The material is highly permeable to air and moisture and is substantially light transmissive. However, it has a pore size which blocks the undesirable materials or things (e.g., pollen or insects). The material can have a relatively light weight so that it can be optionally suspended by the plant (3) without significant effect on the growth or health of the plant. The material can have substantial tensile strength to resist deformation, tearing, or puncture during normal handling or in moderate to high winds. It can be utilized to provide a barrier over a part of a plant, substantially an entire plant, or a plurality of plants.

Description

LIGHT TRANSMITTER MATERIAL, POROUS, AND METHOD FOR USING IT I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for a barrier system that allows the selective protection of plants from certain things; and in particular, to a barrier that passes a desired amount of things necessary for the growth of the plant while blocking unwanted substances from the plants. In one aspect of the invention, the barrier is used in pollination reproduction experiments to control or block pollen without the deleterious effect on plant growth or seed yield or other undesirable results. B. Problems in the Technique Development. of the reproduction of plants has occurred for many years. The basic concept involves the selection of a plant to reproduce it with another plant to produce an offspring with improved or desired characteristics. To be effective, cross-pollination must be accurate. The desired pollen from the male part of a plant should be collected and placed on the female part of the second plant at the appropriate time without contamination by undesirable pollen. Currently, the conventional cross-pollination methodology requires multiple steps through the experimental batch. The first step looks for feminine buds. A worker covers each female bud, typically with a small sack to protect it from receiving undesirable pollen. If it is not covered, I would be exposed to anything. Undesirable pollen could be carried by wind, insects, birds, or workers and-polluting female buds. The second step places small shells on the male parts of the plants to collect the pollen they generate. In another step the selected female shoots are pollinated with the desired pollen, which requires removing the covers of the male parts of a first plant, taking the pollen to the female part of the second floor, and depositing it physically. This typical cross-pollination process is labor intensive. This requires multiple steps in the field, putting covers, removing covers and collecting. Conventionally, it concentrates on the individual parts of the individual plants, for example, individual sacks of small size for the small parts of the individual plants. The process covers only the part of the plant at risk, uses less material in that way, and has a lower risk of atrophy 'or otherwise affecting the normal growth of the plant because only parts of leaves, not small, are covered, and only for a limited amount of time. However, the magnitude of the labor resources required is substantial. This work is very intensive. Typically, the largest seed companies can have in the order of millions of pollinations per year. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technique with respect to the consumption of human resources. Also, any system that is used must be of good cost. There are other problems. For example, the quality of pollination must be very high. This raises the problems of human error for such labor-intensive work. While wind is a major cause of pollen loading in the air, the movement of so many people through the experimental lots increases the risk of contamination by shaking and releasing pollen and carrying pollen from other lots. The load of pollen in the air increases with the movement of people through the fields, adding and removing the sacs to the parts of the plants, and not being able to cover all the male parts of the plants instantaneously. The pollen load increases the risk of contamination. There are other problems, perhaps more subtle. Any strange addition to a plant can adversely affect its normal growth and development. Even small sacks on the female and male parts can decrease the amount of air and moisture to that part of the plant or restrict growth. As well, severe or bad weather can degrade development. The significant amount of labor involved in artificial pollination creates safety problems. Repetitive stress injury, transportation, long hours and boredom are the frequent side effects of this type of work. This can result in physical injury or problems of accuracy. Low level contamination is difficult to detect. However, the arrival of genetically modified organisms (GMO) crops has greatly increased the need to minimize or eliminate contamination. Therefore, there is a need for improvement in the technique over historical, typical cross-pollination and insertion pollination reproduction methods, particularly in view of an increased number of performance factors and regulations. There is also room for improvement in self-crossing experiments. It would be advantageous to reduce the overhead costs of labor. It would also be advantageous to provide a better barrier between the plant and the external environment for the selected blocking of things. Ideally, control or blocking of all pollen would be desirable.

Several obstacles or covers have been tested for more accurate parts of the plants. For example, cloths of the type of cheesecloth have been placed on the beds of seedlings of tobacco plants to protect them from insects and direct sunlight but allow air and water to pass sufficiently so that they can grow to the stage. where they could be transplanted to the fields. Another example is the canola, which is particularly susceptible to bees that carry pollen from pollution. Based on knowledge and belief, these attempts are limited to either the use of cloth for a short period of time and for a basic shading function, such as tobacco seedlings, or for an insect barrier, but not to the pollen particles themselves. In both examples, sufficient air and water must pass through the covers to support and not harm the plants. This, using these conventional materials would require larger pore sizes than most pollen particles. In some cases where temporary covers are used, the permeability to air, water and light is not high. The sustained coverage of the plant could result in the adverse effect on plant growth or even plant sustenance. Also, the lack of or reduced breathing capacity or fl ow of air could create overheated conditions that could burn or atrophy the plants. Some cases intentionally thermally insulate a plant. They tend to limit the flow or exchange of air and have insulating material that increases the size and reduces the flexibility of the device. They may require some structure to make them self-supporting, and thus, they often have some rigid elements. Currently there is no known adequate solution for these problems. II. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an objective, feature, aspect and / or main advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that resolves and improves on the problems and deficiencies in the art. Additional objects, features, aspects and / or advantages of the present invention include an apparatus and method for a plant barrier that: a. allows the best control of plant reproduction experiments; b. improves quality and / or provides higher pollination success rate in pollination processes or at least provides results as good as traditional methods; c. it is • less labor-intensive for plant breeding experiments; d. substantially does not adversely affect the normal development of the plants; and. it can block pollen without compromising the development of the plants; F. isolates the plants from many undesirable external things of the plant, different to the air, humidity and light; g. improves the flexibility of plant breeding experiments, which includes providing a more flexible window of time to complete pollinations for a group of plants; h. minimizes the potential for contamination of foreign pollen; i. can reduce the use of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides; j. It is relatively inexpensive; . it is durable; 1. It promotes better efficiency in the reproduction of plants. The present invention includes an apparatus and method for providing, for a plant part, a plant, or a plurality of plants, a barrier to pollen while allowing the passage of light and the exchange of desirable air. In one aspect of the invention, the barrier comprises a light, thin, water-permeable light, air, light transmissive material configured in a sheath for at least a substantial part of a plant, or a plurality of plants, where the material can be hung over and around the plant, and supported by the plant, or supported by a superstructure. In the context of plant reproduction, the material can be adapted to block substantially all the pollen relevant to the type of plant without the inhibition of the material, breakage or affect the normal growth of the plant. In another aspect, the material can retain pollen from a plant or set of plants within a wrapper or tent. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises a barrier to selected materials that can be placed on a part of or substantially a whole plant or a plurality of plants. The barrier has relatively high air and humidity permeability but relatively small pore size. It is substantially light transmitter. It is relatively light weight. It has a tensile strength that is resistant to deformation, ripping or piercing through normal handling or presence of moderate to strong winds. It includes a structure or mechanism to install it or remove it from a plant. In another aspect of the invention, a barrier comprises a material dedicated to preventing the passage of external pollen, but has sufficient permeability and transmissivity to allow the passage of air, moisture and light so that there is no inhibition, significant interruption or affectation in the normal growth of plants. The material is flexible enough to be placed on and substantially encapsulate at least a part of a plant. In another aspect of the invention, an obstacle comprises a material of relatively small pore size in the form of a cover or a bag adapted to be placed on at least a part of a plant. The properties of the material include relatively light weight, substantially permeable to water and air, with a substantial amount of light transmissivity. A releasable closure at or near an opening in the cover or bag allows it to be cinched around a portion of the plant to substantially encapsulate at least a portion of the plant. - A still further aspect of the invention comprises an obstacle for corn and insect pollen. The obstacle is substantially a lightweight, flexible, lightweight, moisture permeable material and light transmitter formed in a cover or bag with a releasable closure for substantially encapsulating at least a portion of a corn plant. A further aspect of the invention comprises a method for isolating at least a portion of a plant from undesirable things, including insects and pollen, by wrapping at least a part of the plant with a material that is substantially permeable to air and to the environment. moisture, light transmitter, light weight, and resistant to deformation, ripping or drilling by normal handling or moderate to strong winds, while at the same time blocking undesirable things including pollen from certain types and insects. These and other objects, features, aspects and / or advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification, including the drawings. III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention applied to individual corn plants. Figures 2A-G are illustrations of the manufacture of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention applied to a plurality of corn plants. Figure 4 is a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention applied to a field or experimental lot of plants. Figure 5 is a schematic elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention that uses a sheath for a plurality of smaller plants and sheaths for individual plant parts. IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY MODALITIES A. Review The present invention can take many forms and modalities. For a better understanding of the invention, specific exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail. The reference will sometimes be made to the attached drawings. The reference numbers and letters will be used to indicate certain parts and locations in the drawings. The same reference numbers or letters will be used to indicate the same parts and locations for all drawings unless otherwise indicated. B. General Environment of Exemplary Modalities Each of the exemplary modalities will be described in the context of utilization with maize plants in a maize breeding work that uses pollination. This includes, but not limited to, reproduction, production or other functions. Most of the principles that consider the invention will also apply to other types of plants, and the invention is not limited to corn.

In addition, as previously indicated, the principles of the invention are not necessarily limited to plant breeding experiments. C. Example 1 of Exemplary Modality What will be called plant cover 10 (Figure 1) is made of a flexible, semi-permeable material elongate between an open end 12 and a closed end 14. The plant cover 10 defines a space enclosed with an opening 12 and is adapted di-intensively to be inserted on the upper part 5 of a developing corn plant 2, to slide down without damage or damage to the spikelet or male part 6, female parts 7 and leaves 8 of plant 2 to bottom 4 of plant 2, and be supported by plant 2. As shown in Figure 1 with respect to the plant on the left (indicated as plant 2A1), opening 12 should be wide enough to pass completely through the foliage and reproductive parts 6, 7, 8 of plant 2A1. The low weight of the cover 10 is such that it would be installed smoothly and would be supported by the plant 2 once in position (cover further to the right 10 on the floor 2B1 in Figure 1). The cover 10 is pre-designed to have a shape that generally follows the shape of a corn plant; however, the extra space is built into the cover 10 to allow the growth of the normal plant over the normal amount of time of the cover 10 that would be deployed on the plant. For example, an extra 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches) of top space of the cover 10 should take into account the growth of the spikelet without breaking or damaging the material. The spikelet can be bent a little, but the extra space and light weight of the cover 10 should not be materially harmful to it. A tie-down 13 or other removable fastener could be used to join the bottom of the cover 10a, or around the stem 3 of the plant 2 (for example down the lowest ear of the plant "2)." Alternatively, it could be used an elastic band, a rope or an elastic cuff could be separated from the cover 10 or incorporated in the cover 10. Some examples of the material for the cover 10 for corn are listed in Table A. These materials can have the following properties and characteristics: a.permeability.The material is relatively highly permeable to air and moisture, but has relatively small pore sizes such that most, if not all, corn pollen will likely be blocked from passage to Thus, most, if not all, insects would be blocked in the same way, it is preferable that the material be breathable even in humid environments. appreciated, the pollen may vary in size. Corn pollen tends to be in the order of 80 to 100 μm in diameter. Therefore, it is preferable that the material block these sizes and have pore sizes below that range, for example, in the range of 60-80 μm, to block corn pollen but maximize permeability for air exchange. However, as it is established, corn pollen has size variability. Also, forces such as wind and rain can lead to pollen in the material, even if the pore size is smaller than pollen. Therefore, a suggested range of pore sizes for the material is that they have pore sizes of no greater than the average of 60 's and perhaps even as low as 60' s. Therefore, a suggested range of pore sizes for the material is approximately 60-80 μm. It may be preferable to use material with a mean pore size or average of 75 μm or less. For some materials a range of 60-70 μm is preferred. It will be understood that other sizes may be desirable for different purposes or for different types of plants. A Frazier value in the order of 650-1000 ft3 / ft2 / min. or higher is believed to be preferable. b. Transmissivity of light. The transmissivity of light is high. Most light, including sunlight, would pass through. Opacity is around 46%. A PAR transmissivity value of at least 50% (at least for wavelength light of 500 to 730 nm) is believed to be preferred. The quality of light is similar to the environmental one. c. Weight. The weight is relatively light (for example in the order of at least one ounce per square yard). It is preferable that the material is light enough to hang gently on the plant and not to make the foliage tilt. This must have enough volume to allow the plant to grow. d. Resistance. The tensile strength is sufficient to resist deformation, ripping, or perforation through normal handling or in the presence of moderate to strong winds. This factor varies for different materials. An example is a material with MD / XD tension of 10.3 / 4.2 Ib / in. and MD / XD rip of 1.4 / 1.5 Ib. It can be 'resistant to UV light if desired. While sufficient strength to withstand tearing or breaking in the wind or during handling is preferable, it is desirable that it be durable, washable, and non-abrasive (at least in the foregoing). Additional support can be added. For example, one or more additional layer (s) of the material can be added as a support layer (s). The support layer (s) can have much larger openings and functions to provide necessary strength for the layer having the properties described above.

Other features and properties are available from the manufacturer. The cost of the material can be a factor. Many times it might be desirable to minimthe cost. The current price range per square yard of materials as listed in Table A can vary substantially (for example, around $ 0.10 to $ 60.00 / yd2). Therefore, if cost is a factor, a low cost material could be selected. However, maybe there is an exchange between price and performance. In a mabreeding experiment, the plant cover 10 basically presents an obstacle or pollen filter for all external corn pollen to isolate an entire plant 2 from natural pollination for a desired period during the growing season. At the same time, it does not materially alter the natural growth conditions of the plant, allowing good air and moisture transfer, as well as sunlight to the plant. It does not overwhelm the plant because of its weight and resists the accumulation of heat due to its ability to breathe. It is relatively quick and easy to place it on a plant and remove it. A cover 10 is simply inserted on the floor 2 and uses a releasable closure on the bottom (for example a rope, an elastic cuff, or even a metal binding clamp of the type used to hold multiple sheets of paper together). A cord, elastic band or other fastener or tie could be used. The cover can only extend downward, or could be attached to the plant, just below its reproductive parts, rather than substantially to the bottom of the plant. The lower foliage acts as a mechanical stop to restrict the cover 10 from sliding up the plant, even in relatively high wind or if it is pulled up. The structure similar to the cover preferably deflects, absorbs or otherwise is handled even in relatively strong wind without the great risk of breaking or ripping. The cover s10 is selected to allow the plant 2 to grow substantially in height and width without shrinkage. Generally it is better to be "bagged" around the tightly fitting plant. Figures 2A-G illustrate a method for manufacturing the plant cover 10. A material sheet of 1.40 cm (56 inches) in width by 1.50 cm (60 inches) in length is produced or cut (Figure 2A) which has to be to be called here, for convenience, bottom edge 14, top edge 15, left edge 16, and right edge 17. The sheet is folded in half lengthwise (Figure 2B). The adjacent portions of the upper edge 15 can be sewn together (and / or sealed with a joining seam) (longitudinally indicated in reference numeral 18), as can the adjacent portions of the edges 16 and 17 (stitches 19) (see Figure 2C). Figures 2D-F longitudinally indicate the top, opposite and bottom side views respectively of the assembled floor cover 10. The edges are edges sewn together with resistant, durable wire (even in sunlight and exterior conditions) in a manner that basically it seals those sides of the cover 10. Figures 2A-F schematically illustrate the manufacturing steps for a cover 10. They are not to scale or accurate illustrations. Although Figures 2A-G illustrate a bag or cover that is substantially rectangular, it may be advantageous for it to be tapered, as indicated on the right-hand side of the Figure. For example, a cover that is about 1.50 cm (60 inches) tall could be 22.5 cm (9 inches) wide at the top but tapers around 70 to 80 cm (28 to 32 inches) at the bottom . This can make it easier to install and more closely follow the shape of a grown corn plant. The leaves could help better support the bag along the entire plant, rather than in just a few locations. If the stitches are worn the sof a needle, the density of the stitch, and type of thread should be selected to prevent any opening likely to allow the passage of pollen that the cover-material is designed to exclude it. An example of this modality would be standard union polyester yarn (for example, tex 92 at 6-8 stitches per inch) for the seams. A cotton coater could be used to fill the areas of the needle holes. Alternatively, the attached seams could be used (ultrasonic or adhesive bonding) with heat seal or bonded while not materially weakening the fabric. D. Second Exemplary Modality Figure 3 illustrates a superstructure or framework 27 from which a housing or barrier 20 can be suspended to simultaneously cover a plurality of floors 2. In Figure 3, the superstructure is a plurality of arches 27A , B and C spaced apart and generally parallel, having lower fixed portions in the ground (for example, buried underground or in some type of underground ground). A sheet or wrap 20 of the material having properties similar to the plant cover 10 is hung on the frame 27 to enclose the plants. The rectangular pyramid conformation of the material 20 has an open bottom, upper part 21, front 22, rear 23, left side 24 and right side 25. The lower edges of the side walls 22, 23, 24, 25 extend towards down to the ground to enclose completely the plurality of plants 2. Instead of substantially all encapsulation of, and being supported by a single plant, the envelope 20 substantially encapsulates one, two, or more plants but is supported by an independent superstructure . Stakes or other methods of securing the soil can be used to keep the lower edges of the wrapper to the ground to provide a barrier against pollen or insects in the air for plants 2. Structure members 27 can be made of relatively inexpensive lightweight materials, such as relatively lightweight metal or plastic (eg PVC), due to the relatively light weight of the wrapper material 20. The -supports 27 could be similar to those used to suspend the networks of cage of wadding. The weight, width and depth of the wrapper 20 can be designed to have all the portions of the wrapper 20 spaced apart from any part of the plants to be enclosed therein. Depending on the desire and need, the walls of the wrapper 20 could be close to the plants, to conserve material and space, or substantially spaced from any part of any plant to take into account the growth of the plant, machines, or space. head for the workers. The envelope 20 could be in the form of a rectangular prism, with generally flat top sides when lifted. It could be made from several independent sheets of stitched material or otherwise be connected together to form an integral unit. Other conformations are possible, for example, hemispherical, a rotated portion of an ellipse or parabola, pyramidal, etc., or combinations thereof. This could have an irregular conformation. The supports could be external or internal, or both. Workers could enter the interior of the envelope by lifting an edge from the bottom of a side wall. Alternatively a slot on one side of the wall could normally be held together but can be opened for entry. E. Third Exemplary Modality Figure 4 illustrates a shell or barrier 20 of material similar to that of a plant cover 10 except on an even larger scale than the shell or barrier 20 of Figure 3. Substantially the tall posts 27 (for example from 4.5-30 meters (15-100 feet)) could be distributed through a substantial area (for example an experimental lot), a field, or a portion of a field). The material 20 could be suspended on the posts 27 above the plants with the bottom edges of the wrapper 20 extending to the ground. In this example, a plurality of rows of plants is shown enclosed under a wrapper or barrier 20. A first row of plants A is enclosed, as are the additional rows B, C, ..., N. In breeding programs Conventional experiments for maize, experimental lots of few broad rows by several tents or yards in length could each be enclosed by a wrapper 20 to isolate the pollen and insect plant set, and to present a barrier between plants and the outside, above the soil environment, without materially affecting the passage of things necessary to sustain the normal growth of the plants. This could be bigger. The interior of the tent or envelope 20 shown in Figure 4 could, if desired, be subdivided by similar material. In other words, row A could be isolated from row B by a vertical sheet of material between the rows of the upper part of the interior of the envelope to the floor. Other rows, or portions of rows, could be separated in the same way. F. Fourth Exemplary Modality Figure 5 graphically illustrates a tent or wrapper 20 placed on one or more floors 2, enclosed and all sides and top with a material similar to that of the floor covering 10 of Figure 1. The wrappers small 32 (also made of similar material) could be selectively placed on a part or parts of a single plant, but not on the whole plant. For example, the male parts of both floors 1 and 2 could be covered or enclosed while each of the female part of floor 2 is covered or enclosed, while both plants are covered with a tent or enclosed by a cover dominant 20. At the appropriate time, the spikelet or male part of plant 2 could • not be enveloped, leaving all the female parts of the plant -2 enveloped, to stimulate pollination of plant 1 through plant 2, and dissuade self-pollination With multiple sets of plants 1 and 2, this could be useful in prohibiting pollination among plants in the same population, using cross pollination with plants from another population. As can be seen, instead of the smaller covers 32, the whole plant wrappers 10 can be used for certain functions under a tent 20. A cover 32 could also be placed on both male and female parts of the same plant. The envelope 20 could act simply as a barrier to other pollen or insects. 0, the selective placement or removal of covers 32 on the same plant could stimulate self-pollination. Alternatively, the whole plant covers such as plant covers 10 in Figure 1 could be placed on the selected plants within a larger envelope. The selective use of the covers 32 on the spikelets could reduce the pollen load in the air. G. Options and Alternatives It can therefore be observed, through the illustrations and each of the exemplary embodiments, that the present invention, in its various aspects and modalities, provides an advantageous barrier. In the case of corn and a breeding experiment, one modality of cover, wrapping or tent material would preferably block most if not all of the corn pollen, based on the selection of pore size that is at least Typical range of diameters of corn pollen particles. Such a relatively small pore size would block most insects. But as at the same time, material properties include high light transmissivity and high air and moisture permeability so these essential components, principal for the growth of the plant are not materially attenuated. It will be understood, however, that the invention can take many forms and modalities. The exemplary embodiments given herein are for purposes of illustration only and not for limitation. The obvious variants for those skilled in the art will be included within the invention. For example, the precise dimensions and conformations of a cover, wrapper, or tent, according to the present invention, may vary as desired or as needed. In the same way, the material itself can vary in some way according to the desire or need. Table A below establishes a plurality of examples of materials that are presented to have properties that would work with aspects of the present invention relating to corn pollen. Some are tissues, some are not tissues. Nonwoven materials tend to be less expensive than woven materials, which could be a significant advantage.

NJ TABLE A K3 C? Other materials, of course, could be used and are available from different vendors or manufacturers. For example, other candidate materials include the following commercially available products from Saatitech, Inc. (Somers, New York USA): Saatifil Nylon PA 64/47 (average pore size (in μm) / effective open area percent) Saatifil Nylon PA 70/49 Saatifil Nylon PA 55/43 Saatifil PES 53/40 Note: PA = Polyamide, PES = polyester. The numbers after each product indicate the pore size and percent open area, respectively. The specific physical properties are publicly available. Other possible materials are: a. SNS, 1 miera, composed of three layers (available from DuPont). b. Film, Delnet - 80 microns (Delstar Technologies, Inc., Austin, TX USA) Still others from Safer Nitex (Kansas City, Missouri USA) include: Nitex 64/47 ((average pore size (in μm) /% area effective open) Nitex 64/45 Nitex 70/49 The materials in TABLE A, and the other examples have the following relatively consistent characteristics: a) weight of the material, b. average or average pore size (generally in the range of 50). -80 microns, and preferably less than 70 microns for tissues (it also appears better than the pore size distribution rather than narrow-for example, maximum / minimum = 2x), for non-tissues the small average pore size can produce a better barrier for pollen due to the tendency for it to be tortuous paths through the material, which tends to trap particles that can enter (conversely, larger average pore size for non-wovens can work as well as pore size) pr smallest sieve for tissues for that same reason; c. air / water permeability; d. transmissivity of light; and. resistance to stress and resistance to tearing. Table A indicates examples of materials having materials to be considered for cover 10 or cover 20.

If the primary function of the cover or envelope is blocking pollen, the main characteristics and properties of the material would include the sufficiently small pore size but with maximum air and water permeability and maximum light transmissivity. In such situations, pore size and other factors would be selected to blog most, if not all, of the relevant pollen but not so small as to materially affect the permeability of fluid (gas and liquid) or light transmissivity. The objective would be to exclude pollen, still permeable to essential things needed for the normal growth of the plant. Differently established, the material would be a barrier or filter for pollen but the plant would grow essentially as if nothing had been covering it (for example this would have a substantially similar growth environment as if the outside covered it). The plant would essentially "assume" that it was outside, but the pollen would be blocked. As can be seen, the pore size distribution needed for an application can be refined through the test. For example, materials of different materials, including different pore sizes and permeability, could be tested on a growing season by leaving a cover over the female parts of a whole plant. If no seed is produced, the material can be considered to have effectively excluded all viable pollen. Through empirical testing, the pore size can be selected. For example, a candidate material could be placed around one or more plants during a period of full growth. If no seed is produced by cross-pollination, empirically it can be assumed that the material blocks, or at least materially blocks, the relevant pollen. The monitoring of plant growth against environmental conditions (relative to a nearby control plant located but not wrapped with the material) can establish empirically if a material adversely affects the growth of a plant. The temperature can be monitored to determine if a material causes the undesirable accumulation of heat, which could affect the well-being of the plant or cause dehydration of the plant to a level that is undesirable. Currently, it is believed that a good performance level for the exclusion of foreign pollen would be contamination by foreign pollen that does not exceed the normal contamination of hand pollinated grains (approximately 2%). The purity test of the field of the plant cover in corn has shown the effectiveness of the pollen barrier. Although contamination is unavoidable under field conditions, such as pollen being carried by small insects by dragging inside the plant cover and transmitting pollen to corn silk, the results have shown that the pollen barrier provided by the Fabrics is suitable for your needs.

Likewise, the plant cover also showed good performance in production experiments. The corn plants covered with the plant cover were effective in self-pollination. The numbers of good grains forming from each ear were adequate for the needs, and in some cases as high or higher than those of the plants traditionally pollinated by hand. The plant cover has already shown effectiveness in blocking undesirable pollen in the purity test of the field, so that with the performance of the production experiments, the inventors have confidence that those grains will have the desired genetic identity. It should be understood, however, that the pollen size may vary from plant type to plant type. Even for the same type of plant, pollen has size variability. It can also shrink in size as it dries, and remains viable while drying. The general rule of the invention would be, in use of the invention in the pollination processes of the plant, to select a pore size that will stop the viable pollen. It is also believed that maximizing the air flow, the pore size should be maximized and the material area between the pores minimized. Therefore the relevant interests of the relevant pollen block against maximum permeability should be balanced. In a way to increase permeability is to reduce the amount of material between the pores. This increases the complete ratio of the open area of the material, which is believed to be better for the increased air flow. It also tends to reduce the cost of the material, since less material is used per square inch of the material. A balance between the acceptable level of pollen filtration and air and water permeability is the goal. The pollen filtration is for pollen "relevant" to the particular plant, in the sense that the main problem is to filter the pollen that would cause the fertilization of the plant in question. The thickness and weight could preferably be minimized in certain situations, especially where increased transmissivity of light is desired or needed. Additional options and alternatives for the invention include the following. Non-woven materials of average pore size even greater than the average diameter of the relevant pollen could possibly be used if they present a tortuous path between opposite sides of the material. For example, the non-woven material with a tortuous path between the sides tends to stop particles not only larger than the average pore size (for example the average pore size of 10 microns stops the 0.3 micron particle) a fraction of the size of it. Generally, the smallest pore size is the most expensive material. Therefore, this could allow the reduction of cost • while maintaining an effective barrier against viable relevant pollen. Opening films of other materials having the types of characteristics and properties needed could be used. There may be situations where the maximum transmissivity of light is intentionally limited to specify the wavelengths to influence the growth of the plant (quality). There is usually a balance between the pore size small enough for pollen exclusion but enough light. There is often a balance between the quality of light and the amount of light. An example indicated as possibly advantageous in certain circumstances would be a material that transmits at least 5, 000 foot-spark plug in the blue or red regions of the light spectrum (eg wavelengths of 400 to 700 nm). In very hot conditions or direct sunlight, the material could be colored or coated in a manner at present either a heat absorbing or heat reflecting function. Again, such addition could be used intentionally and be beneficial for plant growth in certain situations. It might be desirable to diffuse the light and the material could be made to do so (for example neutral gray color could simulate some shadows). They could be sprays, dyes, or coatings (for example aluminized) to filter certain wavelengths of light but allow others. A guide or tool could be used to assist in the placement of a plant cover 10 over a plant and then either be removed or left in place to function as a roof structure. The guide p could have a structure for maintaining the cover 10 in an expanded state to assist in the sliding of the cover 10 over a plant. It could also be left in place to keep deck 10 away from the plant. It could also be used for weaker, smaller plants that can not support the cover 10. An example of a guide is a felt sheet of 25 by 35 centimeters (10 by 14 inches) with two wooden pegs attached or boiled in the sheet along the short sides. A hook-and-loop fastener (for example Velero®) could be attached to a short side. The guide could be used in the following procedure to deploy a cover 10 on a growing corn plant before the silk outlet. The felt sheet could be wrapped around the top of the plant (including the spikelet) and secured by connecting the free end of the hook-and-loop fastener to the felt material to gently compress and reduce the diameter of the felt. top of the plant. Care should be taken to use clean hands and to avoid disturbing or breaking the spit or leaves. Cover 10 is rolled up (like a condom), and then its bottom opening is placed over the top of the plant and the wrapped guide. The cover 10 is then rolled gently (like a condom) on the plant in a certain way. The worker can reach, gently release the hook and loop fastener and into the guide, and remove the guide through the bottom opening in the cover 10. The cover 10 is then placed relative to the plant so that the bottom is below the reproductive parts of the plant (for example two leaves below the ear) and preferably not far below (completely below the ground). Care must be taken to ensure that there is sufficient excess space in the upper part of the roof (for example 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches)) to take the vertical growth of the plant in ditch (this extra length is would fold or hang easily to accept the growth of the plant.The bottom of cover 10 would be cinched around the stem of the plant and secured (eg rope tied in a slip knot.) Also, the covering material could be used as a barrier against moving pollen (escape pollen) from a plant inside the cover or envelope before the pollen comes in. An example would be with genetically modified organism (GMO) grains. Regulations tend to outlaw the contamination of the non-GMO grains by the GMO grains.Thus, a cover of plant 10, or perhaps better a wrapping or tent 20, would of course be effective at blocking pollen from the plants. GMO numbers inside the cover or store escaping and thus risking contamination of non-GMO grains (by the wind or insects that carry it). Currently, regulations tend to require GMO grains to be placed in fields that are separated by a certain distance (can be many yards) from non-GMO grains. The distance can be substantial. This may require additional land, which is expensive, and often difficult to justify. The use of a store or cover 20 could provide sufficient assurance that non-GMO pollen would escape to allow GMO grains to be placed much closer (and even directly adjacent) to non-GMO grains (which could allow active use). of more land and / or be less expensive). It is believed possible to coat, impregnate or otherwise impart chemicals from the material of the plant, wrap or tent cover. The examples could be pesticides. Such could assist in discouraging the passage or even the presence of these potentially harmful things. The substances could be sprayed, brushed or otherwise placed on the material. This could be repeated at time intervals, or the different substances are applied concurrently or sequentially. As can be seen, the invention can be used for both exclusion and exclusion. This could keep the pollen away from a plant or collection of plants. This could keep the pollen in for a plant or plant harvest. This could be used to conserve a genotype. The invention could also be used for the purposes of maintaining the purity of the production of specially designed plants that are sometimes referred to as "nutraceuticals" or grown plants in what are sometimes called "cultivation" or "biocultivation". In such cases, plants can be genetically engineered to produce substances that are pharmaceutically active. Humans can then receive the pharmaceutically active substance or nutraceuticals by ingesting a relevant plant from the plant. This may be important to isolate such plants. As stated, the invention is believed to be applicable at least to other plants (for example hay and other grasses), sip, wheat and other small grains pollinated by the wind) and reproduction of plants. For example, this could be advantageous for small or weak plants (for example plants that can not be arched). It would be desirable if the material could be washable and reusable. The still further options or alternatives for the invention are as follows. The cover 10 could be tapered or have a larger cross-sectional area when it expands at one end or the other. For example, a narrow cross-section end could be easier to attach around the base of the. plant, uses less material, and has more expansion space for the leaves and other growth above the base. The cover 10 could generally follow the conformation of the plant, preferably with space for the plant to grow. A rope could be sewn into or otherwise installed at or near the cover opening for easier and more efficient installation. Another alternative could be an elastic band or material that could be fired or installed on the deck around and near the opening. Another option would be the use of two different materials of a hybrid type of material made of more than one fabric. For example, some portion of the top of the plant cover or the pollination cage could be shaded (like a cap or a beret) to reduce incident light as a means of keeping temperatures down (for example, neutral gray to shade the top of the plant), while the remaining material being lowered to the sides would be of lower opacity and possibly higher air permeability. The colors could be used to reduce heat. Less heat could be generated within the cover 10 by using certain colors for all or part of the cover or tent. While this could reduce some amount of useful light for the plant (s), this can be selected and configured to allow sufficient light. Conversely, color or other modifications of the fabric may be possible to increase the heat inside the cover or tent if necessary (eg colder climates). Another option could be the double texture surface on the material. For example, the interior of the roof could have a very smooth surface texture to facilitate placement / removal operations, since the cotton material tends to trap and pull the foliage of the plant. A rougher exterior surface could discourage insects and increase barrier properties for contaminants in the air. Another option could include coating the fabric with Teflon® or other substances. For example, Teflon could reduce friction or abrasion with the plant when the cover is placed on the plant, to help in sliding over the plant. It could be one or more additional covers on the base or the substrate material for a variety of functions. Thus it can be seen that the invention can take many forms and modalities. In one aspect, a cover supported by the plant is placed on a substantial part of a plant in full growth. This is made of a material that has good air / water exchange and allows enough light to not substantially change the normal growth environment of the plant, but blocks pollen or insects or other undesirable things. In another aspect, a plant or plurality of plants are covered with a tent or covered by a similar material. While the plant (s) could support the material, it could be supported by an independent frame or structure. Another aspect involves the coating of plural plants but also the coating of the individual plants or parts thereof under the larger cover. Another aspect of the invention is the selection of and a material by itself that achieves the associated objectives. Another aspect is the use of a barrier to isolate a plant or plants, such as GMO plants, nutraceuticals, or culture. Another aspect of the invention is a method to increase the time window to complete pollination by using wraps or store plants. Another aspect of the invention is the use of a cover or tent to selectively control environmental factors to control the growth or development of the plant. In addition, a material with less than the desired breathing capacity could be usable if it is also made to transmit less light so that less heat builds up inside. Both air and humidity can be controlled. As can be seen, air permeability, pollen blockage of the relevant size, and opacity to light are taken into consideration. Other factors too. they take. It is generally desirable to maximize air permeability, maximize pollen blockage, and maximize light transmission. However, sometimes a balance must be made between these competitive factors sometimes.

Claims (82)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for the control of relevant pollen to or from a plant pollinated by the wind, characterized in that it comprises: a. a cover adapted for placement over at least a substantial part of a plant; b. the sheath that forms an enclosure that has an upper part, an intermediate portion, and an open bottom; c. the sheath comprising a material that has: i. relatively high air and moisture permeability to allow effective transport of gas and water to and from the plant; ii. relatively small pore size, the pore size that is adapted to effectively block the relevant pollen from the passage to or from the plant; iii. substantially light transmissivity - to allow effective passage of light to the plant; iv. relatively light weight to allow the hanging of the material on the plant without the material damaging the plant; v. resistance to deformation, ripping and perforation during normal handling and moderate to strong wind for the growth environment. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover tapers from a narrower top to a wider bottom for installation on a single floor. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the sole plant is a corn plant and the cover is approximately 60"high, 9" transverse at the upper closed end, and 28-32"transverse. at the upper open end, adapted to be secured above the ground and has some space for plant growth. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover is configured to cover a plurality of floors. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it also comprises a structure for suspending at least part of the cover on the plants. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the open bottom is placed on or near the ground. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas comprises 02 / C02 and H20. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the moisture is in liquid form. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas permeability comprises a Frazier value of approximately 650-1000 ft3 / ft2 / min or higher. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the relatively small pore size comprises a reduced average pore size distribution. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pore size comprises between about 70/49 to 53/40 average pore size (in μm) to the% effective open area. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material blocks the relevant pollen and is respirable even in humid environments. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the relevant pollen is pollen carried by the wind for that type of plant. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the substantially light transmitter comprises a PAR transmission% for 500-730 nm of light of at least 50%. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the relatively light weight comprises approximately one oz./yd2 or less. 16. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the resistance to deformation, tearing and perforation comprises in the order of a MD / XD tension of 10.3 / 42 lb / pg, MD / XD rip of 1.4 / 1.5. Ib or better. 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is a fabric. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the material is made 15 of nano-fibers. 19. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material has a thickness of between about 2.0 and 15 mils. 20. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material has a relatively low coefficient of friction. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the coefficient of friction is between approximately 0.6 / 0.8 to 3.8 / 3.8 MD / CD and 25 38/39 and 84/80 sliding angle. 22. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is woven. 23. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is non-woven. 24. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is a film with openings. 25. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible material is 26. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material presents a sinuous path to the pollen. claim 1, characterized in that the material is washable and reusable 28. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio between the maximum and minimum average pore size is in the order of two or less. in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a chemical impregnated in the material, the selected chemical of the set comprising herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides 30. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a releasable closure. to cinch or secure the material to or around the plant 31. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized because the pore size is effective to block all external pollen. 32. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the average pore size is smaller than 75 microns. 33. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the average pore size is between 60 and 70 microns. 34. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight of the material is less than one ounce per square yard. 35. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is adapted to cover substantially all the reproductive parts of a plant. 36. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is adapted to cover a plurality of plants. 37. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is impregnated with a chemical selected from the set comprising insecticide, pesticide, fertilizer. 38. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material comprises the first and the second material with different properties. 39. The apparatus according to claim 38, characterized in that the two different materials can be used to selectively apply shade, heat regulation, or varying textures to the plant. 40. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material has areas of different textures. 41. An apparatus for excluding or retaining substantially all relevant pollen from a plant, characterized in that it comprises: a. a material having a mean pore size against the effective open area adapted to effectively block pollen related to the genotype of the plant without the inhibition of the material, interruption, affect on the development or growth of the normal plant; b. forming the material in an enclosure that can be placed around at least a part of the plant. 42. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that the material has a relatively light weight. 43. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that the pore size is adapted to be relatively permeable to air and water. 44. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that the material has a thickness, thickness and pore size adapted to be a relatively light transmitter. 45. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that the material has a tear resistance adapted to remain intact in relatively strong winds. 46. A product to control the natural pollination of a plant by enclosing at least a portion of the plant with a material which filters the relevant pollen without harming the growth of the seed of the plant, the material, characterized because it is done through the process of: a. maximize the average pore size of the material while effectively blocking pollen relevant to the plant; b. minimize the thickness of the material to increase the transmissivity of light; C. reduce the area between the pores of the material to increase the air flow. 47. The product according to claim 46, characterized in that it further comprises providing tear resistance for the material 48. The product according to claim 47, characterized in that the tear resistance comprises operatively joining a support layer to the material. 49. The product according to claim 46, characterized in that the distribution between the maximum and minimum pore size is in the order of two 50. The product according to claim 46, characterized in that it also comprises minimizing the weight of the product. 51. A method to control the natural pollination of a plant by enclosing at least a portion of the plant with a material that filters the relevant pollen without prejudice to the growth or production of seeds of the plant, the material characterized because it is done through the process of: a) maximizing the average pore size of the the material while effectively blocking pollen relevant to the plant; b. minimize the thickness of the material to increase the transmissivity of light; c. reduce the area between the pores of the material to increase the air flow. 52. A method for controlling relevant pollen to or from a plant, characterized in that it comprises: a. filter substantially all the relevant pollen to and from the female reproductive part of the plant without the loss of the material to the growth of the plant. 53. The method of compliance with the claim 52, characterized in that the filtration step comprises presenting an enclosure around at least the female reproductive part of the plant having pores, where the average pore size effectively filters pollen relevant to the plant but allows effective air transport , water, and light to the plant. 54. The method of compliance with the claim 53, characterized in that the enclosure is of relatively light weight. 55. The method according to claim 53, characterized in that the enclosure has some flexibility and resistance to tearing or drilling. 56. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that the enclosure is formed in a cover shape adapted to fit over a growth plant. 57. The method according to claim 56, characterized in that the cover shape takes place sufficient for some expansion or growth of the plant. 58. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that it is used in a plant breeding program. 59. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that it is used to isolate one or more GMO plants. 60. A method of pollination of plants that are naturally pollinated by pollen carried by the wind to conserve the genotype of the plant and / or facilitate cross-breeding, characterized in that it comprises: a. forming a sheath of flexible material having a closed top end, a bottom end that opens, a length and width defining an interior space, the sheath tapering from a narrower top to a wider bottom and having predetermined dimensions related to the plant and its growth pattern, the material that has properties to effectively block pollen related to the genotype of the plant without the inhibition of the material, interruption, or affect on the development or growth of the normal plant. b. unfolding the envelope over a portion of a growing plant before the spikelet or silken parts are present; i. roll the envelope up; ii. compress the foliage on top of the plant; iii. roll the wrapper down on the foliage compressed; iv. pull the envelope lower on the plant; c. cinching the open bottom of the wrap around the stem of the plant one or two leaves below the female part of the plant; d. Pre-determined dimensions that have enough space to allow the plant to grow taller and wider without shrinking the material. 61. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the plant is a corn plant and the female part is the ear bud. 62. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the envelope is approximately 60"high, 9" wide at the top, and 28-32"wide at the bottom when it is flat on a surface. 63. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the sufficient space is approximately 8-10"for the upper part of the plant. 64. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that it also comprises using a guide to compress the top 10-14"of the foliage, the guide that keeps the foliage close to the stem but that is releasable and removable when the wrapping is in position 65. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the envelope covers a part of a plant. 66. The method of compliance with the claim 60, characterized in that the envelope covers a substantial part of a plant. 67. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the envelope covers a plurality of plants. 68. The method according to claim 67, characterized in that the plurality of plants is a batch of plants. 69. The method according to claim 67, characterized in that the plurality of plants is a field 33 of plants. 70. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the envelope is for facilitating the reproduction of plants. 71. The method of compliance with the claim 68, characterized in that the reproduction of plants comprises cross-pollination. 72. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the envelope is to facilitate the exclusion of the genetically modified organism (GMO). 73. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the wrapping is to facilitate the containment of the pollen of the plants. 74. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the wrapping is to facilitate pollen exclusion as well or better than current hand pollination methods. 75. The method according to claim 74, characterized in that the current hand pollination methods result in approximately 2% of ears that are contaminated by unwanted pollen. 76. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the envelope is for facilitating the exclusion of pollen so that no seed is formed in the plant. 77. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the plant comprises any plant pollinated by the wind. 78. The method according to claim 77, characterized in that the plant comprises a plant that is mainly pollinated by the wind. 79. The method according to claim 70, characterized in that the plant comprises corn. 80. The method according to claim 70, characterized in that the plant comprises a plant of the grass family. 81. The method according to claim 70, characterized in that the plant comprises rye. 82. The method according to claim 70, characterized in that the plant comprises sunflower, cañola, mustard or sorghum.