Abstract:
An apparatus and method for biological growth enhancement is disclosed. Organisms that will benefit from the apparatus and method of the present invention include seeds, fungus, bacteria, and the like. In one example, seeds are hydro-primed, exposed to a high voltage electric field, and prepared for germination. The resulting sprouts are larger than those that have not been treated by the apparatus for biological growth enhancement. In addition, the root systems of sprouts treated by the apparatus for biological growth enhancement were more advanced than those that were not treated. Benefits include increased production rate of edible sprouts, seedlings that are able to withstand adverse conditions such as drought at an earlier age, and a reduction in the resources required to grow sprouts and plants.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/654,901 filed Jun. 3, 2012 entitled “System, Apparatus And Method For Electrostatically Enhanced Seed Priming And Treatment”. The disclosure of this U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/654,901 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to agriculture, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for the growth enhancement of biological organisms such as seeds, seedlings, sprouts, plants, fungi, and bacteria. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The germination and growth of seeds is of vital importance to the ongoing viability of human civilization. Over the years, there have been various attempts to improve factors such as germination percentage, speed of germination, hardiness of seedlings, survivability of seedlings in unfavorable conditions, and the like. When a seed is planted in less than ideal growing conditions, there are many ways in which an emerging seedling can be damaged or destroyed. Drought poor soil and nutrients, birds, insects, fungus, and other such maladies all play a factor in poor crop yield. Lack of a proper and adequate crop yield in many parts of the world can mean starvation, poor nutrition, and related illnesses. Advancing a young seedling into a strong and thriving plant as quickly as possible greatly improves crop yield and improves the wellbeing of the grower and their community. Various techniques such as fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, row covers, increased watering, and the like all help in seedling growth and development; getting to a strong, thriving and producing plant quicker. One such simple technique is that of hydro-priming. Hydro-pruning is simply soaking a seed in water for a period of time before planting. The seed will swell with water and germinate quicker. Any technique that provides a stronger and larger seedling in a shorter amount of time has great value in agriculture. Besides hydro-priming and chemical treatments such as fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides, there have been few advances in techniques to improve germination time and seedling vigor that are not chemical based. The ability to enhance the growth rate of seedlings has important implications for agriculture. A more vigorous and advanced seedling is better able to withstand drought conditions and other environmental conditions that are detrimental to seedling and plant growth. Growth enhancement of seedlings also means a more advanced root system that is able to extract nutrients and water more efficiently. 
         [0006]    In addition to field crops, the growth of sprouts such as alfalfa sprouts, mung bean sprouts, pea sprouts, and the like, is a crop unto itself. Sprouts are used in salads, stir fry, and other prepared dishes. To increase the production of sprouts by a grower, more building space is needed, as the growth time from seed to marketable product has heretofore been fixed. Increased building space also must include increased electric and heat usage, increased water use, real estate taxes, increased maintenance equipment costs, and the like. 
         [0007]    Other organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, would also benefit from an apparatus and method to enhance growth rates. For example, fungi are grown for many purposes. Edible mushrooms are grown commercially, with some varieties taking many months to mature. Fungi are also grown to produce chemicals used for pharmaceuticals and industrial applications. A well known example of the use of a fungus for pharmaceutical production is that of the penicillium fungi, which is used to produce penicillin. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for biological growth enhancement comprising an enclosure having a top, a bottom, three sides and an access door; a first electrode having a generally planar form and disposed within said enclosure; a second electrode spaced apart from said first electrode; electrode adjustment points to vary the spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode; an electronics module comprising a variable output high voltage power supply having a two conductor output; the two conductor output of the high voltage supply being electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively; and at least one removable tray for retaining organisms to be treated; whereas the removable tray is sized to fit within the enclosure and between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
         [0009]    The foregoing paragraph, has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification, claims and the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0010]    The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a seed priming and treatment system of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a process flowchart depicting a method of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an exemplary seed priming and treatment system of the 
           [0014]    present invention performing a hydro-priming step; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the seed priming and treatment system depicted in  FIG. 3  evacuated of water and ready for electrostatic treatment of seeds; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a growth enhancement apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an alternate side plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a front plan view of the growth, enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5  with the door removed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5  with the door and top removed; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an electrical diagram of the growth enhancement apparatus of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a method of determining optimal treatment parameters for the growth enhancement apparatus of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0027]    The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, claims and the attached drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for biological growth enhancement. An example of biological growth enhancement, as used herein, is that of seed priming and treatment. This specification discloses a growth enhancement system as well as an exemplary seed priming and treatment system, and related methods thereof, it should be noted that the growth enhancement system of the present invention, while well suited for seed priming and treatment may also be used to enhance the growth of other organisms such as fungi, bacteria, and the like. The treatment parameters of the growth enhancement system of the present invention may vary based on the target organism, and the results desired. For example, the voltage and exposure time needed for Mung bean seeds to produce robust sprouts may be different from the voltage and exposure time needed for wheat seeds to produce robust root systems. And the voltage and exposure time for Reishi mushrooms may again be different than that of various seeds. 
         [0029]    There are various techniques for the design and construction of a growth enhancement system of the present invention. The shape, size, materials and components selected for the growth enhancement system may vary based on the intended application. Such adaptations and modifications will become evident to one skilled in the art after reading this specification and viewing the attached drawings. 
         [0030]    For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a seed priming and treatment system of the present invention  100 . Depicted in  FIG. 1  is a first electrode  101  and a second electrode  103 . The first electrode  101  is electrically connected to ground (for example, but not limited to the ground reference of the high voltage supply  105 ), and the second electrode  103  is electrically connected to the high voltage supply  105 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the second electrode  103  is connected to a negative high voltage supply, and in other embodiments of the present invention the second electrode  103  is connected to a positive high voltage supply. In some embodiments of the present invention, the second electrode  103  is connected to a negative high voltage supply, and in other embodiments of the present invention the second electrode  103  is connected to a positive high voltage supply. The order and naming of the first and second electrodes is arbitrary, where the second electrode  103  may be the ground connection. The high voltage supply  105  may be a simple buck-boost circuit to provide high voltage, or it may be a commercial high voltage power supply such as the high voltage supplies manufactured by Emco High Voltage, Inc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the voltage provided by the high voltage power supply  105  may be in the range of 3,000-7,000 volts D.C., however, other high voltage values may also be suitable. In some embodiments of the present invention, the high voltage power supply  105  may provide pulsed D.C. or A.C., or high voltage with a frequency component, or various high voltage waveforms and frequencies with various associated current components. In some embodiments of the present invention, the high voltage provided to the electrodes is electrostatic, where there is low current but high voltage and there is no arcing or related breakdowns such as corona discharge. In other embodiments of the present invention, arcing or corona discharge may be applied either for the duration of the treatment of the seeds  107 , or for a portion of the electrostatic treatment time with the remainder of the electrostatic treatment time being electrostatic. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the seeds  107  are resting on the first electrode  101 . Seeds  107  may also be, in some embodiments of the present invention, other biological material such as fungi or bacteria. The fungi may be in the form of mycelium, or may include fruiting bodies and other features. The fungi may also be in the form of spores, in some embodiments of the present invention, the seeds  107  may be placed on a suitable seed holder that may electrically or mechanically a part of the first electrode  101 , or the seed holder may be placed between the first electrode and the second electrode. In some embodiments of the present invention, one or both of the electrodes may be a part of the apparatus itself, such as, for example, a metal or partially metal housing being adapted to serve as an electrode through appropriate electrical fittings and proper insulation from the other electrode. The seed priming and treatment system  100  allows the seeds  107  to be exposed to a high voltage electric field for a specified time interval. The seeds  107 , prior to being exposed to the high voltage electric field, may be hydro-primed. Hydro-priming involves soaking the seeds in water for a specified period of time to allow the seed to swell and uptake water. Hydro-priming may be performed within the apparatus of the present invention, or may be performed outside the apparatus of the present invention with the seeds  107  subsequently being placed between the electrodes for electrostatic treatment. Without being bound to any one particular theory, water, being a polar molecule, can be moved by electrostatic forces. It is believed that electrostatic treatment of a seed after, or in conjunction with hydro-priming moves water into the seed in ways that are beneficial to germination and seedling vigor. Thus, a form of enhanced and improved hydro-priming is provided that improves seedling germination rate, reduces germination time, and improves seedling vigor. As can be envisioned after reading this disclosure, the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1  teaches the basic requirements for the present invention, namely a high voltage electric field, provisions to place seeds in the generated high voltage electric field, and in some embodiments of the present invention, provisions to hydro-prime the seeds. In some embodiments of the present invention, hydro-priming may be omitted and the dry seed treated with high voltage prior to growth. A timer to control the high voltage exposure time may also be included in some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a process flowchart depicting a method of the present invention  200 . The basic premise is to expose seeds that have been hydro-primed to a high voltage electric field.  FIG. 2  depicts several optional steps of stratification and scarification that may be required or suitable for certain seed types. Stratification involves cooling the seed for a period of time, and scarification Involves mechanically abrading, cutting or nicking the hard outer layering of some seeds. In optional step  201 , a seed undergoes stratification, and then in optional step  203  the seed undergoes scarification. The seed undergoes hydro-priming (hydro-prime) in step  205 . Hydro-priming involves soaking the seed for a specified period of time that may be seconds, minutes, hours, or even days. The seed may then undergo an optional stratification step  207 , and then undergo electrostatic treatment  209  where the seed is exposed to a high voltage electric field for a specified time interval. Electrostatic treatment  209  has been previously described by way of accompanying  FIG. 1 , and may, in some embodiments of the present invention, contain an arcing or corona discharge component for a portion of the electrostatic treatment. The seed may undergo an optional stratification step  211  and then undergo a germination step  213  where the seed is placed in a suitable growing medium such as soil and allowed to germinate. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention, the seeds may be hydro-primed, electrostatically treated, and then stored or further processed to delay start of germination to accommodate factors such as shipping, inclement weather, or the like. Further processing to delay germination may include steps such as, for example, lowering the moisture content, cooling the seeds, or the like. 
         [0033]    In April of 2012, several experiments were conducted at a private research lab in the Lennox Tech Center, Rochester, N.Y. to determine the impact of the methods of the present invention on germinating seeds. The test system comprised a system similar to that depicted in  FIG. 1 . Green Bean seeds (Earliserve Bush from Livingston Seed Company) were hydro-primed for 24 hours before undergoing electrostatic treatment, 16 hydro-primed green bean seeds were exposed to 7,000 volts for 7 minutes with an electrode spacing of 3.5 cm., and then placed on a wet cloth in a Petri dish, where the water in the Petri dish contained 10-15-10 fertilizer. As a control, 16 hydro-primed green bean seeds from the same lot (no electrostatic treatment) were also simultaneously placed on a wet cloth in a Petri dish where the water in the Petri dish contained 10-15-10 fertilizer. Growing conditions for both sets was the same. In two days, in the group of electrostatically treated seeds, all seeds had sprouted and there were 6 of the total of 16 seeds that possessed a reticle greater than 0.3 inches long. By contrast, the control set (no electrostatic field exposure) had only 2 of the 16 total seeds with reticles greater than 0.3 inches long. After five days, all of the green bean seeds were sprouted. Generally, by visual Inspection, the green bean seeds that were electrostatically treated after hydro-priming had slightly thinner reticles than the green bean seeds that were not electrostatically treated. 
         [0034]    In another experiment using Mung Bean seeds, 5 grams of mung bean seeds were hydro-primed for 29.5 hours, and 5 grams of mung bean seeds (control) were also hydro-primed for 29.5 hours. The mung bean seeds had sprouted by 24 hours in both instances. At 29.5 hours, the 5 grams of hydro-primed mung bean seeds that, had sprouted were exposed to 7,000 volts for 7 minutes with an electrode spacing of 3.5 cm. The control of 5 grams of hydro-primed mung bean seeds was not exposed to any high voltage electric field. Both the electrostatically treated mung bean seeds and the control group of mung bean seeds were maintained in separate Petri dishes on moist tissue paper with identical growing conditions next to each other. In 72 hours, it was observed that the electostatically treated mung bean sprouts were more advanced, with longer and generally larger sprouts, lire sprouts were allowed to grow for one week, and each day it was observed that the electrostatically treated sprouts were larger and generally more vigorous. Photos were taken to document this observed difference. 
         [0035]    In a similar experiment using alfalfa seeds, 0.5 grams of alfalfa seeds were hydro-primed for 29.5 hours, and 0.5 grams of alfalfa seeds (control) were also hydro-primed for 29.5 hours. The alfalfa seeds sprouted by 24 hours in both instances. At 29.5 hours, the 5 grams of hydro-primed alfalfa seeds that had sprouted were exposed to 7,000 volts for 7 minutes with an electrode spacing of 3.5 cm. The control of 5 grams of hydro-printed alfalfa seeds was not exposed to any high voltage electric field. Both the electrostatically treated alfalfa seeds and the control group of alfalfa seeds were maintained in separate Petri dishes on moist tissue paper with identical growing conditions next to each other. In 72 hours, it was observed, that the electostatically treated alfalfa seed sprouts were more advanced, with longer and generally larger sprouts. The sprouts were allowed to grow for one week, and each day it was observed that the electrostatically treated sprouts were larger and generally more vigorous. Photos were taken to document this observed difference. 
         [0036]    Further experimentation continued, and in January of 2013 wheat seeds were treated for five and ten minutes at 3 kilovolts, 6 kilovolts, and 11 kilovolts using the same experimental setup as before. The electrode spacing was 3.5 cm. and a control of 0 kilovolts was also used. Each sample set consisted of 200 wheat seeds in a Petri dish with adequate water. The seeds were soaked overnight before treatment. Six clays later, there was a noticeable height difference in the wheat grass sprouts, with 3 kilovolts for 5 minutes resulting in approximately 4.5 cm. sprouts, and 6 kilovolts for 10 minutes resulting in approximately 4.5 cm. sprouts. While the control (no voltage) produced sprouts of approximately 3.0 cm. and exposure to 11 kilovolts for five and ten minutes resulted in approximately 2.5 cm. sprouts. The sprouts exposed to 3 kilovolts for 5 minutes and 6 kilovolts for 10 minutes also had more extensive root systems. 
         [0037]    The ability to hydro-prime and electrostatically treat seeds in a single apparatus that may, in some embodiments, be a continuous process, may be desirable for some applications such as, for example, commercial growing operations, operations that lack skilled operators, operations that require enhanced safety or simplicity, and the like. Many continuous process or self-contained devices may be envisioned after reviewing this disclosure and the accompanying drawings, and are to be considered within the spirit, and broad scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    For example,  FIG. 3  is a plan view of an exemplary seed priming and treatment system of the present invention performing a hydro-priming step. A vessel  301  or other suitable container is depicted that Is capable of retaining water. The vessel  301  may, in some embodiments, have a water connection  311  that may provide water fill or water drain capabilities. The water connection  311  may comprise more than one connection, or be placed in various locations on or within the vessel  301 . in  FIG. 3 , the vessel  301  is filled with water  309 , and the first electrode  303  and the second electrode  305  are submerged in the water  309 . The electrodes act to retain the seeds  307  while being hydro-primed, and may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be in close proximity to each other to ensure that the seeds stay in place in the water, and do not float or otherwise move from their intended location. The high voltage supply  313  is appropriately connected to the electrodes, as previously described herein, and may have various electrical performance characteristics, also as previously described herein. The first electrode  303  is electrically connected to ground (for example, but not limited to, the ground reference of the high voltage supply). In some embodiments of the present invention, the second, electrode  305  is connected, to a negative high, voltage supply, and in other embodiments of the present invention the second electrode  305  is connected to a positive high voltage supply. The order and naming of the first and second electrodes is arbitrary, where the second electrode  305  may be the ground connection in some embodiments of the present invention. The high voltage supply may be a simple buck-boost circuit to provide high voltage, or it may be a commercial high voltage power supply such, as the high voltage supplies manufactured by Emco High Voltage, Inc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the voltage provided by the high voltage power supply may be in the range of 3,000-7,000 volts D.C. In some embodiments of the present invention, the high voltage power supply may provide pulsed D.C., or A.C., or high voltage with a frequency component, or various high voltage waveforms and frequencies with various associated current components. In some embodiments of the present invention, the high voltage provided to the electrodes is electrostatic, where there is low current but high voltage and there is no arcing or related breakdown such as corona discharge. In other embodiments of the present invention, arcing or corona discharge may be applied either for the duration of the electrostatic treatment of the seeds  307 , or for a portion of the electrostatic treatment time with the remainder of the electrostatic treatment time being electrostatic. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the seeds  307  are resting on the first electrode  303 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the seeds  307  may be placed on a suitable seed holder that may be electrically or mechanically a part of the first electrode  303 , or the seed holder may be placed between the first electrode and the second electrode. In some embodiments of the present invention, one or both of the electrodes may be a part of the apparatus itself, such as, for example, a metal or partially metal housing being adapted to serve as an electrode through appropriate electrical fittings and proper insulation from the other electrode. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the Seed Priming and Treatment system depicted in  FIG. 3  evacuated of water and ready for electrostatic treatment of seeds. The spacing of the first electrode  303  and the second electrode  305  has increased to ensure that shorting between electrodes and subsequent voltage drop or voltage instability does not occur. The spacing may be increased through any of a variety of means, including mechanical stops, gears, screws, or the like. In addition, in some embodiments of the present invention, the spacing between electrodes may change by way of an appropriate motor or actuator and associated mechanical components. As one can envision, such a continuous process may be further automated through a suitable microprocessor based control system that controls such functions as water flow and evacuation, electrode spacing, electrostatic dwell time, hydro-priming time, temperature, and the like. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a growth enhancement apparatus  500  of the present invention. The apparatus for biological growth enhancement comprises an enclosure  501  having a top, a bottom, three sides and an access door  503 . The access door  503  is removably connected to the enclosure  501  with hardware such as a first hinge  505  and a second hinge  507 , and may also include an access door handle  509 . A safety interlock circuit may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be present where a mechanical switch is employed between the access door  503  and the enclosure sides. The enclosure  501  is preferably non-conductive, and may be made from any of a variety of materials, for example, plastics. Examples of suitable plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, and other materials that may be suitably formed may also be used. The enclosure  501  may be made by injection molding, blow molding, machining, extruding and assembling, or the like. Disposed within the enclosure  501  is a first electrode  903  (see  FIG. 9 ) having a generally planar form. A second electrode  905  is spaced apart from said first electrode  903 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the second electrode  905  is embedded in or otherwise attached to or made a part of the enclosure  501 . The electrodes may be made from any suitable conductive material such as stainless steel, copper, brass, or the like. As depicted in  FIG. 9 , electrode adjustment points  907 , such as slots in at least one side of the enclosure, accommodate the first electrode and allow for adjustment of the spacing between the two electrodes, and thus, the field strength. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments of the present invention, retainer protrusions  511  are employed to securely stack multiple growth enhancement apparati. The retainer protrusions  511  may be bumps or similar raised features that engage with a negative of that feature on another growth enhancement apparatus. 
         [0042]    The growth enhancement apparatus further comprises an electronics module  513  having a variable output high voltage power supply having a two conductor output, the two conductor output of the high voltage supply being electrically connected to the first electrode  903  and the second electrode  905  respectively. Details of the electronics module  513  can be seen in  FIG. 14 . A user interface  515  can be seen in  FIG. 5  attached to the electronics module  513 . The user interface  515  may include voltage output and time adjustment settings, and may, in some embodiments of the present, invention, include a display and associated functionality. 
         [0043]    At least one removable tray  901  for retaining organisms to be treated is sized to fit within the enclosure  501  and between the first electrode  903  and the second electrode  905 . The removable tray  901  can be seen in  FIG. 9 . The removable tray  901  may be made from any of a variety of materials such as plastics, for example. Examples of suitable plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, the removable tray  901  has drain holes, retention ridges, or other features. The removable tray  901  may accommodate seeds alone, growth medium with seeds or spores, or the like. Once the tray  901  is inserted into the apparatus for biological growth enhancement, the access door  503  is closed, activating the safety interlock circuit and allowing the electrodes to become energized for the duration and voltage specified on the electronics module user interface  515 . Should the access door  503  be opened inadvertently during high voltage treatment, the safety interlock circuit will disable the high voltage power supply. In addition, the high voltage power supply should be current limited for an additional level of safety. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5  showing clearly the retainer protrusions  511  used to stack multiple biological growth enhancement apparati. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  is a front plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 . The access door  503  and related hardware can be clearly seen. In some embodiments of the present, invention, the access door  503  is a clear material such as glass or acrylic to allow a user to view the contents of the enclosure  501 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 . Retainer recesses  801  can be seen. The retainer recesses mate with the retainer protrusions  511  on the top of another apparatus to secure a stack of multiple growth enhancement apparati. 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in.  FIG. 5  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7 . The tray  901  can be seen between the first electrode  903  and the second electrode  905 . Electrode adjustment points  907  can be seen along the sides of the enclosure  501 , thus allowing the electric field strength to be varied by manipulation of the distance between the first and second electrode. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  is a side plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 11  is an alternate side plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  is a front plan view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5  with the door removed, showing the tray  901  between the first electrode  903  and the second electrode  905 . A second electrode electrical connection  1201  can be seen which connects the second electrode  905  with the high voltage power supply contained within the electronics module  513 . A first electrode electrical connection  1203  can also be seen, which connects the first electrode  903  with the high voltage power supply contained within the electronics module  513 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the growth enhancement apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5  with the door and top removed. The first electrode  903  can be seen below the tray  901 . The second electrode  905  is not shown for clarity in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 14  is an electrical diagram of the growth enhancement apparatus of  FIG. 5 . The high voltage supply  1401  may be a simple buck-boost circuit to provide high voltage, or it may be a commercial high voltage power supply such as the high voltage supplies manufactured by Emco High Voltage, Inc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the voltage provided by the high voltage power supply  1401  may be in the range of 1,000-10,000 volts D.C., however, other high voltage values may also be suitable. In some embodiments of the present invention, the high voltage power supply  1401  may provide pulsed D.C., or A.C., or high voltage with a frequency component, or various high voltage waveforms and frequencies with various associated current components. In some embodiments of the present invention, the high voltage provided to the electrodes is electrostatic, where there is low current, but high voltage and there is no arcing or related breakdowns such as corona, discharge. In other embodiments of the present invention, arcing or corona discharge may be applied either for the duration of treatment, or for a portion of the treatment time with the remainder of the treatment time being electrostatic. The high voltage supply  1401  is electrically connected to the first electrode  1403  and the second electrode  1405 . The high voltage supply  1401  has a voltage adjustment  1407  that may include a variable resistor. A safety interlock  1409  comprises a switch that is physically connected between the access door  503  and the enclosure  501  (see  FIG. 5 ) that disables the high voltage supply  1401  by way of a switch  1411 . The switch  1411 , in some embodiments of the present invention, disconnects the low voltage input side of the high voltage supply  1401 . In a similar manner, a timer  1413  is connected to a switch  1415  that opens the low voltage input side of the high voltage supply  1401  upon completion of a specified time. The high voltage supply  1401  may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be provided with Direct Current power through a direct current (DC) supply  1419  that may include, in some embodiments of the present invention, a battery  1417 . The direct current (DC) supply  1419  may be provided alternating current input power  1421  from a wall receptacle or the like. The battery  1417 , should it be included, provides the ability to run the growth enhancement apparatus without connection, to an AC wall outlet. This may be important for operation in a wet environment, for example, a seed sprouting operation. A user interface  1423  Is also provided that may provide voltage and time settings. The voltage output may be adjusted by a simple potentiometer or variable set point resistor that has an analog dial or a digital display and interface. The exposure time may be adjusted by way of timer  1413  using settings in the user interface  1423 . Start and stop times and duration may be specified. 
         [0052]    Lastly, it has been found through experimentation that various seed types have different voltage and time settings that are necessary to achieve optimal growth enhancement. A method for determining optimal, treatment parameters for the growth enhancement apparatus is depicted in  FIG. 15 . A first sample of an organism such, as a seed is provided with a voltage V 1  and an exposure time T 1  in step  1501  and then removed in step  1503 . A second sample of the same type of organism is provided with a voltage V 2  and an exposure lime T 2  in step  1505  and then removed in step  1507 . Similar steps are repeated in  1509  and  1511  for voltage V n  and exposure time T n . Once a number of samples are treated with different voltages and exposure times, growth of the samples is observed for time period T in step  1513 . Time Period T may be several days or weeks so that the organism exhibits measurable growth. Once measurable growth is exhibited by the samples, optimal Voltage V and Time t are determined across the samples in step  1515 . This growth data is then input to a database or file system in step  1517  and voltage V and Time t are adjusted for the sample being treated in step  1519 . Once the optimal voltage V and time T is set in step  1519 , the organisms are treated in step  1521 . 
         [0053]    To use the growth enhancement apparatus  500 , organisms such as seeds are placed on the tray  901  (see  FIG. 9 ). The seeds, for example, may be hydro-primed prior to placement on the tray  901 , or hydro-priming may take place directly in the tray. The loaded tray  901  is then inserted into the growth enhancement apparatus  500  between, the first and second electrodes. The proper voltage and time is set on the user interface  515 , the access door is closed, and the apparatus is activated. Treatment is complete when the timer count is zero, and the access door is opened to remove the loaded tray. The organisms are then placed in their growing environment. In some embodiments of the present invention, subsequent treatments may take place. 
         [0054]    It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention. An Apparatus And Method For Biological Growth Enhancement. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, the attached drawings, and claims.