IL307200A - Movable blower and method for treating plants - Google Patents

Description

SHMO-P-001-IL 1 MOVABLE BLOWER AND METHOD FOR TREATING PLANTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] The present invention relates generally to methods for treating plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to movable hot blower and method for treating plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] Many bacteria, fungi, insects, mites, and nematodes can be controlled by short exposure of infested plants to aerated steam, dry heat, or hot water. Using hot air can decrease or even prevent/avoid the need for chemical pesticides, which can be toxic, dangerous, and very expensive in common agriculture. It is also a very important solution in organic agriculture which is characterized by pesticides that hold only partial activity. The idea is to harm the pest without causing any damage to the plant and is usually done during the growth of plants such as vegetables, fruit trees, and vines. [003] Weed control, however, is different. Weed control is required already at the early stages of plant growth, even right after planting when the plants are most susceptible. Hot air may harm weeds but can also harm newly planted plants. [004] Therefore, it is required to find a safe way to control weeds a short time after planting seedlings in field crops and vegetables and further to safely control pests. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [005] Some aspects of the invention are directed to a method of treating plants, comprising: a. moving a blower, at a speed of between 1 to 10 kMH, along at least one row or bed of plants; and b. directing hot air from the blower toward the plants, and wherein the plants are selected from field crops and vegetables. [006] In some embodiments, the hot air is provided at a temperature of between 50 to 3C. In some embodiments, the directing comprises directing the hot air from above the plants toward the ground. In some embodiments, directing the hot air toward the plants is by setting a predetermined distance between an outlet of the blower and the ground. In some SHMO-P-001-IL 2 embodiments, the predetermined distance is determined to maintain 0-30 cm between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants. [007] In some embodiments, hot air is provided to reduce the amount of weeds in the row or bed. In some embodiments, hot air is provided to reduce the number of pests on the plants. In some embodiments, the treatment of weed control is provided between 1 to 40 days after planting. In some embodiments, the treatment for pest control occurs 1 day after planting till picking/harvesting. [008] In some embodiments, the method further comprises repeating steps a) and b) after a predetermined number of days, determined based on at least on of: a lookup table, and a threshold number of pests on the plants. In some embodiments, the method further comprises spraying a pesticide after the hot blowing. [009] Additional aspects of the invention include a movable blower for treating plants, comprising: a movable platform configured to move at a speed of between 1 to 10 kMH; a blowing unit, carried by the movable platform, and a frame holding the blowing unit and configured to direct the hot air from above the plants toward the ground. [0010] In some embodiments, the blower is configured to provide hot air at a temperature of at least 50 C. In some embodiments, the movable blower further comprises at least one temperature sensor located at the exit of the outlet of the blower. In some embodiments, the frame is configured to set a predetermined distance between an outlet of the blower and the ground. In some embodiments, the predetermined distance is determined to maintain 0-cm between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants. [0011] In some embodiments, the movable blower further comprises a sensor configured to measure the distance between the outlet of the blower to the ground, or the distance between the outlet of the blower to the upper part of the plants. [0012] In some embodiments, the movable blower further comprises a controller configured to control the frame to control at least one of: the distance between the outlet of the blower and the ground, or the distance between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants, based on measurements received from the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages SHMO-P-001-IL 3 thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: [0014] Figs. 1A and 1B are an image and an illustration of a movable blower for treating plants according to some embodiments of the invention; [0015] Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for treating plants according to some embodiments of the invention; and [0016] Figs 3A and 3B are images of lettuce beds, a first lettuce bed in 3A was treated using a method and blower according to some embodiments of the invention and a second lettuce bed is a non-treated control bed. [0017] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0018] One skilled in the art will realize the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. [0019] Some aspects of the invention may refer to an agronomical method of treating plants, more specifically field crops and vegetables already at the early stages after planting, for example, from 1 day after plating to the end of the growth (harvesting /picking) season. The method may include controllably blowing and directing hot air toward plants in the row or bed at an amount that will at least treat weeds or reduce the number of pests. [0020] A method of controlling weeds in vegetable seedlings and field crops after planting/sowing, according to embodiments of the invention, may be suitable in organic agriculture where there are no herbicides and the only way to control the weeds is by weeding. The method can also be suitable in common agriculture when the use of herbicides is not entirely selective. In some embodiments, the method is based on applying hot air to SHMO-P-001-IL 4 plant seedlings and exterminating/damaging the weeds shortly after they emerge, when they are still susceptible to the hot air and without causing damage to the growth. [0021] As used herein, "pests" may include all types of biotic factors that may infect plants. For example, pests may include worms, insects, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, viruses, and the like.. [0022] As used herein "plants" may include all plants that are seasonally planted in the open field/greenhouse, such as, field crops and vegetables. Some nonlimiting examples for field crops and vegetables may include Chenopodiaceae (beets, spinach, etc.), Solanaceae (tomatoes, eggplants, etc.), Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, (carrot, parsley, etc.), Composita (artichoke, lettuce, etc.), Brassicaceae (cabbage, broccoli, etc..), Cruciferae (cucumbers, zucchini, etc...) [0023] The agronomical method according to some embodiments of the invention may be performed by a dedicated movable blower, for example, the movable blower discussed and disclosed with respect to Figs. 1A and 1B. Alternatively, the agronomical method according to some embodiments of the invention may be performed by different equipment. [0024] Reference is now made to Figs 1A and 1B which are illustrations of a movable blower for treating plants according to some embodiments of the invention. A movable blower 100 may include a movable platform 110 configured to move at a speed of between to 10 kMH; and a blowing unit 120, carried by movable platform 130. Movable platform 110 can be operated by a user (e.g., a vehicle (tractor) driven by a user, as shown), or can be autonomously operated. Movable platform 110 may include a single platform for both driving and carrying blowing unit 120 or may include two sub-platforms a driving platform (e.g., a tractor) and a trailer carrying blowing unit 120. Movable platform 110 may be configured to move at a speed of between 1 to 10 kMH, for example, between 2 to 3 kMH, between 2 to 5 kMH, between 3 to 5 kMH, between 3 to 65 kMH, between 4 to 7 kMH, between 6 to 10 kMH, and any value in between. [0025] Blowing unit 120 may be any blower configured to produce streams of hot air. Blowing unit 120 may include one or more burners 126 for heating air, a blower 127 for blowing the hot air, via outlet 122 for providing the hot air. In a nonlimiting example, outlet 122 has substantially the width of the bed. In some embodiments, the amount of heat and the capacity of air may be controlled, therefore, the temperature provided at the exit of the blower may be controlled. In some embodiments, movable blower 100 may include a SHMO-P-001-IL controller 125 and one or more blower temperature sensors (not illustrated) located at the exit of the blower for monitoring and controlling the air’s temperature, for example, by controlling the power provided to the heating elements and/or capacity of the one or more compressors. Additionally or alternatively, one or more plant temperature sensors may be placed near the area of treatments (e.g., on the ground of the bed and/or near the plants) or may be a remote temperature sensor, located at outlet 122 and configured to measure the temperature at or near the one or more treated plants. These sensors may wirelessly communicate with controller 125, therefore, allowing to control the power provided to the heating elements /or capacity of the one or more compressors also based on reading from these sensors. [0026] In some embodiments, blowing unit 120 may be configured to provide hot air at at least, 50 C, 60 C, 70 C, 80 C, 90 C, 100 C, 110 C, 120 C, 130 C, 140 C, 150 C, 160 C, 170 C, 180 C, 190 ¸200 C, 220 C, 250 C, 375 C, 300 C and any value in between. [0027] In some embodiments, movable blower 100 may further include a frame 130 holding the blower and configured to direct the hot air from above the plants toward the ground, as illustrated by the white arrows in Fig. 1A. In some embodiments, frame 130 may be configured to set a predetermined distance D between an outlet of the blower and the ground, For example, frame 130 may include a movable arm 132 configured to change the distance between an outlet of blower with respect to the ground. Movable arm 132 may include any unit/device or component that may allow controlling and adjusting the distance D between an outlet of the blower and the ground or the distance d between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants. [0028] In some embodiments, movable blower 100 may further include a sensor 1configured to measure the distance D between the outlet of the blower and the ground, or the distance d between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants. Sensor 1may be selected from a proximity sensor, a camera, a gyroscope, and the like. [0029] In some embodiments, controller 125 may control arm 132 to maintain the distance to be between 0 to 40 cm between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants. [0030] In some embodiments, movable blower 100 may further include a spryer, not illustrated, for spraying chemical pesticides as a complementary treatment to the hot air SHMO-P-001-IL 6 provision treatment. The sprayer may be any known and suitable sprayer. The sprayer may be located behind the outlet of the blower and the spraying will be performed accordingly. [0031] Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which is a flowchart of a method of treating plants according to some embodiments of the invention. The method of Fig. 2 can be performed by movable blower 100 or by any other suitable equipment. The method may be used for the treatments of field crops and vegetables, in the open field and greenhouses. [0032] In step 210, the method may include moving a blower, at a speed of between 1 to kMH, along at least one row or bed of plants. For example, movable blower 100 may travel at a speed of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and more KMH between the rows and/or beds in the open field and greenhouses. [0033] In step 220, the method may include directing hot air from the blower toward the plants and or the ground, for example, from above the plants toward the ground, as illustrated in Fig. 1A. [0034] In some embodiments, the hot air may be provided at a temperature of between to 300 C. For example, hot air may be provided at a temperature of 50 C, 60 C, 70 C, C, 90 C, 100 C, 110 C, 120 C, 130 C, 140 C, 150 C, 160 C, 170 C, 180 C, 1¸200 C, 220 C, 250 C, 275 C, 300 C and any value in between. In a nonlimiting example, hot air may be provided at elevated temperatures, above 130 when the only applied treatment is hot air blowing and the pests/weeds must be treated with hot air only. In a case that chemical spraying is to be provided, by the sprayer, lower treatment temperatures may be provided, for example, between 50 to 120 C, which together with the chemical pesticide may suffice for treating the pests. In such case the spraying may be conducted right after the hot blowing. Such a combined treatment may result in a reduced amount of pesticide in comparison to standard methods. [0035] In some embodiments, directing the hot air from the blower may include directing the hot air from above the plants toward the ground. In some embodiments, directing the hot air toward the plants is by setting a predetermined distance D between an outlet of the blower and the ground and/or plants. The distance D may be determined to allow effective treatment of weeds/pests while avoiding harming the plants. For example, the D may be between to 100 cm. [0036] In some embodiments, the predetermined distance D is determined to maintain a distance d of 0-40 cm between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants.

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[0037] In some embodiments, the hot air is provided to reduce the amount of weed in the row or bed. In such case the treatment for weed control will be performed between 1 to days after planting. [0038] In some embodiments, the hot air is provided to reduce the number of pests on the plants. In such cased the treatment is for pest control and may be carried out from 1 day after planting till the end of the crop (picking/harvesting). [0039] In some embodiments, steps 210 and 220 may be repeated after a predetermined number of days determined based on at least on of:, a lookup table, and a threshold number of pests on the plants, for example, after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and days, or according to the results and data obtained. In some embodiments, a threshold number of pests on the plants is the maximum allowed number of pests for each type of plant an is known in the art. Experimental results [0040] Example [0041] A movable blower, such as movable blower 100 was operated during the winter for weed control in winter vegetables. Table 1 summarizes the various plants tested, the time for the first treatment after planting, and whether damage was caused to the planted plants. All plants were treated with an air blow at 150 C blown at a distance d of 10-15 cm. The platform moved at two speeds 3 kMH and 5kMH. [0042] Table 1. crop species Days from planting to first treatment leave burns (0 to 5) Developmental delay in comparison to a untreated control Lettuce 21 0 No Lettuce 8 0.5-1 Partially Lettuce 13 0 No Broccoli 10 0 No White Cabbage 21 0 No Anis 14 3 No Green Onion 30 0 No Parsley 30 0 No SHMO-P-001-IL 8 id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43"

[0043] All treated beds had less weeds than untreated beds. The best results were achieved in the lettuce beds. [0044] Example [0045] In order to check the influence of the traveling speed, specific tests were done in lettuce beds only. The blower blew hot air at 150 C while driving in two driving speeds kMH and 5 kMH. Table 2 summarizes the results. [0046] Table Treatment speed Average weeds per measurement unit (*) Average weeds per measurement unit (bed 2) Average weeds per measurement unit Damage to lettuce leaves 3 kMH 3.5 5.5 4.5 5 kMH 10.0 11.5 11.0 Control 18.0 16.5 17.0 (*) the measurement unit was a 1.5 m x 1.5 m wooden frame. The hot air treatment reduced the amount of weed in comparison to the untreated control. Driving at a speed of 3 kMH results in a reduction of 75% in the amount of weeds. Images taken during this trial are given in Figs. 3A and 3B. Fig. 3A shows the lettuce beds treated with hot air at 150 C while driving at 3 kMH and Fig. 3B shows the untreated control lettuce beds. [0047] The experiment of Example 2 was repeated 5 times at different lettuce crops during the winter and had substantially similar results. [0048] The weight of the lettuce was measured after three repeated hot treatments at two different harvesting times 14 days after the 3rd treatment and 24 days after the 3rd treatment in comparison to control groups. For each weighing the average lettuces from 6 examination bed sections (3 meters) were measured for each group. Table 2 summarizes the weighing tests. Treatment Average weight 14 days after the 3rd treatment (g) Average weight 24 days after the rd treatment (g) kMH- 150  529 915 SHMO-P-001-IL 9 4 kMH- 150  475 8 Control 1 513 8Control 2 409 7 [0049] AS shown in table 2, providing hot air blows at 3 kMH- 150  increased the weight of the harvested lettuce by 29%. 4 kMH- 150  gave an increase of 17%. [0050] Example [0051] The effect of the hot air on reducing the number of Thrips (adults and larvae) was tested in broccoli. Two different treatment regimes were tested providing hot air blows at a temperature of 170 C  at speeds of 3 kMH and 4 kMH. The average number of Thrips per leave was counted. Table 3 summarizes the test results. [0052] Table 3 summarizes the test results one day after the hot air treatment. Treatment Average Thrips per leave 3 kMH- 170  4. 4 kMH- 170  3.

Control 1 12.[0053] As clearly shown, hot air treatment reduced the number of thrips by at least 70%. [0054] Example [0055] The effect of the hot air on reducing the number of Thrips (adults and larvae) was tested in spring onion. A single treatment regime was tested, the treatment included providing hot air blows at a temperature of 180 C  at a speed of 3 kMH. The average number of Thrips per plant was counted. Table 4 summarizes the test results. [0056] Table Treatment Right after treatment A day later 3 days after 3 kMH- 180 c 0.5 1.3 18.

Control 24.7 25.9 44. [0057] As shown the effect of the hot air blowing was shown even 3 days after treatment. [0058] The treatment was repeated 4 days after. Table 5 summarizes the test results of the second treatment.

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[0059] Table Treatment Right after treatment days after 3 kMH- 180 c 0.2 3.

Control 35.4 34.[0060] Repeating the treatment every 4 days allows to maintain low number of Thrips (adults and larvae) during the growing season. [0061] Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Furthermore, all formulas described herein are intended as examples only and other or different formulas may be used. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof may occur or be performed at the same point in time. [0062] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. [0063] Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments presented, and embodiments not specifically described may include various features described herein.

Claims (18)

1. SHMO-P-001-IL 11 CLAIMS 1. A method of treating plants, comprising: c. moving a blower, at a speed of between 1 to 10 kMH, along at least one row or bed of plants; and d. directing hot air from the blower toward the plants, and wherein the plants are selected from field crops and vegetables.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hot air is provided at a temperature of between 50 to 300 C.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the directing comprises directing the hot air from above the plants toward the ground.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein directing the hot air toward the plants is by setting a predetermined distance between an outlet of the blower and the ground.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance is determined to maintain 0-40 cm between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hot air is provided to reduce the amount of weeds in the row or bed.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hot air is provided to reduce the number of pests on the plants.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the treatment of weed control is provided between 1 to 40 days after planting.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the treatment for pest control occur 1 day after planting till picking/harvesting.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) after a predetermined number of days, determined based on at least on of:, a lookup table, and a threshold number of pests on the plants.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising spraying a pesticide after the hot blowing.

12. A movable blower for treating plants, comprising: a movable platform configured to move at a speed of between 1 to 10 kMH; a blowing unit, carried by the movable platform; and SHMO-P-001-IL 12 a frame holding the blowing unit and configured to direct the hot air from above the plants toward the ground.

13. The movable blower of claim 12, wherein the blower is configured to provide hot air at a temperature of at least 50 C.

14. The movable blower of claim 12, or claim 13, further comprising at least one temperature sensor located at the exit of the outlet of the blower.

15. The movable blower according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the frame is configured to set a predetermined distance between an outlet of the blower and the ground.

16. The movable blower of claim 15, wherein the predetermined distance is determined to maintain 0-40 cm between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants.

17. The movable blower according to any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising a sensor configured to measure the distance between the outlet of the blower to the ground, or the distance between the outlet of the blower to the upper part of the plants.

18. The movable blower of claim 17, further comprising a controller configured to control the frame to control at least one of: the distance between the outlet of the blower and the ground, or the distance between the outlet of the blower and an upper part of the plants, based on measurements received from the sensor.