Methods for modulating photosynthetic activity

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9609810-B2
Application number	US-201514942134-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 16, 2015
Priority date	Nov 28, 2012
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

Abstract

A method is provided for modulating transpiration in an organism that is capable of photosynthesis, where the method includes contacting the organism with a composition including an effective amount of an oxygen antagonist. Also provided is an apparatus for modulating transpiration in an organism that is capable of photosynthesis.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An apparatus for modulating transpiration in an organism that is capable of photosynthesis, comprising:
at least one pump for contacting the organism with a composition comprising an effective amount of an oxygen antagonist;
at least one sensor;
a control unit comprising a microprocessor;
a user interface operatively coupled to the control unit;
a communication interface operatively coupled to the control unit; and
a receptacle for storing the composition;
wherein the at least one sensor is configured to be within the organism, or on the surface of the organism, and to measure at least one parameter related to the organism, wherein at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
the amount of light that irradiates the organism;
the temperature of the organism;
the amount of CO 2 that is absorbed by the organism;
the amount of moisture that is present in the soil surrounding the roots of the organism;
the concentration of the composition within the organism; and
the stomata conductance of the organism;

wherein the sensor is in electronic communication with the control unit; and
wherein the receptacle comprises the composition, wherein the composition comprises Formula II:
wherein

R 4 is selected from amino, alkylene, heteroalkylene, arylene, and heteroarylene;
R 5 is selected from alkylene, and arylene;
R 6 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, and aryl; and
n is from 1 to 1,000.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , for modulating transpiration in multiple organisms.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communications interface is adapted for wireless communication.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an excipient.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the excipient is selected from a fungicide, antibiotic, antiviral, pesticide, growth regulator, nutrient, fertilizer, filler, surfactant, wetting agent, inert additive, or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the organism is a plant.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is implanted in the soil surrounding the roots of the plant.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sensor measures the amount of moisture that is present in the soil surrounding the roots of the plant.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is affixed to the plant.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor is affixed to a leaf or stem of the plant.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the sensor is affixed to a plant leaf and measures one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of stomata conductance and leaf temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of: trees, grasses, fruiting plants, ornamental plants, and agricultural plants.

13. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the plant is a tree.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the organism comprises algae.

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Chan Alistair K
• Hyde Roderick A
• Kare Jordin T
• Myhrvold Nathan P
• Sweeney Elizabeth A
• Wood Jr Lowell L

Classifications

• A01G7/06 Primary

  Treatment of growing trees or plants, e.g. for preventing decay of wood, for tingeing flowers or wood, for prolonging the life of plants · CPC title

• A01N37/18

  containing the group —CO—N<, e.g. carboxylic acid amides or imides; Thio analogues thereof · CPC title

• G05B19/4142

  characterised by the use of a microprocessor (G05B19/4141 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G05B2219/36133

  MMI, HMI: man machine interface, communication · CPC title

• A01N59/02

  Sulfur; Selenium; Tellurium; Compounds thereof · CPC title