Patent ID: 7565768
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: A01G,A01H,Y02A,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A plant growing system for developing potato plants that produce minitubers comprising: at least one automatically controlled environment chamber means for holding and supporting growth of potato plants over an entire life cycle, the chamber means including temperature, humidity and light sensor means, a lighting means for establishing light and dark periods of exposure having a number of fluorescent lamps located above the potato plants and separated therefrom by a substantially transparent divider, an air temperature means including an air conditioner for creating a variable temperature uniformly throughout the chamber means, an atmospheric humidity means, a nutrient and water delivery means for fertilizing and irrigating the potato plants, and a computer means for automatically and continuously monitoring and controlling the lighting, air temperature, atmospheric humidity and nutrient and water delivery means; the system enables development of both tissue culture plantlets that produce mother plants, and stem cuttings from the mother plants into minitubers; wherein the chamber means further includes maintaining an air temperature of 68-72 degrees F. during a light period of 12 hours and an air temperature that does not exceed 68 degrees F. during a dark period of 12 hours for a first week throughout which the stem cuttings are illuminated at a low level in which one-third of the fluorescent lamps are on, for a second week at a medium light level in which two-thirds of the fluorescent lamps are on and for a third week at a full light level in which all fluorescent lamps are on and further maintaining an air temperature of 65-71 degrees F. during the light period and an air temperature of 47-53 degrees F. during the dark period for about five weeks following the third week of culturing and the computer means periodically records environmental parameters in the chamber means.