Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POROUS, LIGHT TRANSMISSIVE MATERIAL AND METHOD
FOR USING SAME
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for a barrier system
which allows the selective shielding of plants from certain things; and in
particular, to a
barrier which passes a desired amount of plant growth requisites while
blocking undesired
substances from the plants. In one aspect of the invention, the barrier is
used in pollination
breeding experiments to control or block pollen without detrimental effect on
growth of
the plant or seed yield or other undesirable results.
B. Problems in the Art
The development of plant breeding has occurred for many years. The basic
concept involves selecting a plant to breed with another plant to produce an
offspring with
improved or desired characteristics. To be effective, the cross-pollination
must be
accurate. Desired pollen from the male part of one plant must be collected and
emplaced
on the female part of the second plant at the proper time without
contamination by
undesirable pollen. Presently, conventional cross-pollination methodology
requires
~ multiple passes through the experimental plot. The first pass looks for
female shoots. A
worker covers each female shoot, typically with a small sack, to protect it
against receiving
undesirable pollen. If not covered, it would be exposed to anything. Undesired
pollen
could be carried by wind, insects, birds, or workers and contaminate the
female shoots.
The second pass puts small covers over the male parts of the plants to collect
the
pollen they generate.
On another pass selected female shoots are pollinated with desired pollen,
which
requires removing the covers from the male parts of a first plant, carrying
the pollen to the
female part of the second plant, and physically depositing the same.
This typical cross-pollination process is labor intensive. In requires
multiple field
passes, coverings, uncoverings and collection. Conventionally, it concentrates
on
individual parts of individual plants, e.g., small-sized single sacks for
small parts of
individual plants. The process covers only the part of the plant at risk, uses
less material
that way, and has lower risk of stunting or otherwise effecting normal growth
of the plant
because only small, non-leaf parts are covered, and only for a limited amount
of time.
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However, the magnitude of required labor resources is substantial. It is very
labor
intensive. Typically, larger seed companies may have on the order of millions
of
pollinations per year. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art
with respect to
the expenditure of human resources. Also, whatever system is employed must be
cost
effective.
Other issues exist. For example, the quality of pollination must be very high.
This
raises human error issues for such a labor-intensive task. While wind is a
major cause of
pollen load in the air, the movement of so many persons through experimental
plots
increases the risk of contamination by jarring and loosening pollen or
carrying pollen in
from other plots. Pollen load in the air is increased with movement of people
through
fields, adding and removing sacks to parts of plants, and not being able to
cover all male
parts of plants instantaneously. Pollen load increases the risk of
contamination.
There are other perhaps more subtle issues. Any foreign addition to a plant
may
adversely effect its normal growth and development. Even small sacks over
female and
male parts may diminish the amount of air and moisture to that part of the
plant or
constraint growth. Also, severe or bad weather may degrade development.
The significant amount of labor involved in artificial pollination creates
safety
issues. Repetitive stress injury, transportation, long hours and tedium are
often side effects
of this type of work. This can result in physical injury or accuracy problems.
Low-level contamination is difficult to detect. However, the advent of
genetically
modified organism (GMO) crops has greatly increased the need to minimize or
eliminate
contamination.
Therefore, there is need for improvement in the art over typical, historical
cross-
pollination and insert pollination breeding methods, particularly in light of
an increasing
number of factors and regulations at play. There is also room for improvement
in selfmg
experiments. It would be advantageous to decrease labor overhead. It would
also be
advantageous to provide a better barrier between plant and external
environment for
selected blockage of things. Ideally, control or blockage of all pollen would
be desirable.
Various barricades or covers for more than just parts of plants have been
tried. For
example, cheese-cloth type fabrics have been placed over seedling beds of
tobacco plants
to shield 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 canola, which is particularly susceptible to bees carrying in
contaminating
pollen.
2
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Based on knowledge and belief, these attempts are either limited to use of
fabric for
a short period of time and for a basic shading function, such as the tobacco
seedlings, or to
a barrier against insects, but not pollen particles themselves. In both
examples, sufficient
air and water must pass through the covers to sustain and not detrimentally
affect the
plants. This, using these conventional materials would require pore sizes
larger than most
pollen particles.
In some cases where temporary covers are used, the permeability to air, water
and
light is not high. Sustained covering of the plant could result in adverse
effect on growth
of the plant or even sustenance of the plant. Also, lack of or reduced
breathability or air
flow could create super-heated conditions that could burn or stunt the plants.
Some covers
intentionally thermally insulate a plant. They tend to limit air flow or
exchange and have
insulating material which increases size and reduces flexibility of the
device. They may
require some structure to make them self supporting, and thus, many times have
somewhat
rigid elements.
There is presently no known adequate solution to these issues.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a principle object, feature, aspect and/or advantage of the
present
invention to provide an apparatus and method which solves or improves over the
problems
and deficiencies in the art.
Further objects, features, aspects and/or advantages of the present invention
include
an apparatus and method for a barrier for plants which:
a. enable better control of plant breeding experiments;
b. improves the quality and/or provides higher success rate of pollination in
pollination processes or at least provides results as good as traditional
methods;
c. is less labor intensive for plant breeding experiments;
d. does not substantially negatively effect normal health of plants;
e. can block pollen without compromising health of plants;
f. isolates plants from many undesirable things external of the plant, other
than air, moisture and light;
g. improves flexibility of plant breeding experiments, including providing a
more flexible window of time for completing pollinations for a group of
plants;
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h. minimizes potential for foreign pollen contamination;
i. can reduce the use of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides;
j. is relatively economical;
k. is durable;
1. promotes better efficiency in plant breeding.
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
desirable light and
air exchange. In one aspect of the invention, the barrier comprises a thin,
lightweight, air
and water permeable, light transmissive material configured into a covering
for at least a
substantial part of a plant, or a plurality of plants, where the material can
be draped on and
around the plant, and supported by the plant, or supported by super structure.
In the
context of plant breeding, the material can be adapted to block substantially
all pollen
relevant to the type of plant without material inhibition, disruption, or
affect on normal
plant growth. In another aspect, the material can retain pollen from a plant
or set of plants
inside a shroud or tent.
In on aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises a barrier to selected
materials
that can be placed over a part of or substantially a whole plant or a
plurality of plants. The
barrier has relatively high permeability to air and moisture but relatively
small pore size.
It is substantially light transmissive. It is relatively lightweight. It has a
tensile strength
that is resistant to deformation, tearing or puncture through normal handling
or presence of
moderate to high winds. It includes a structure or mechanism to install or
remove it from a
plant.
In another aspect of the invention, a barrier comprises a material dedicated
to
prevent passage of external pollen, but has sufficient permeability and
transmissivity to
allow passage of air, moisture and light so that there is not a significant
inhibition,
disruption or affect on normal plant growth. The material is flexible enough
to be placed
over and substantially encapsulate at least a part of a plant.
In another aspect of the invention, a barncade comprises a relatively small
pore
size material in the form of a sock or sack adapted to be placed over at least
a part of a
plaxZt. The properties of the material include relatively lightweight,
substantially air and
water permeable, with a substantial amount of light transmissivity. A
releasable closure at
or near an opening to the sock or sack allows it to be cinched around a
portion of the plant
to substantially encapsulate at least a portion of the plant.
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A still further aspect of the invention comprises a barricade to corn pollen
and
insects. The barricade is substantially a lightweight, flexible, air and
moisture permeable,
and light transmissive material formed into a sock or sack with a releasable
closure for
substantially encapsulating at least a part of a corn plant.
A further aspect of the invention comprises a method for isolating a least a
part of a
plant from undesirable things, including insects and pollen, by shrouding at
least a part of
the plant with a material that is substantially air and moisture permeable,
light
transmissive, lightweight, and resistant to deformation, tearing, or puncture
by normal
handling or moderate to high winds.
A still further aspect of the invention is an apparatus and method for
isolating a
plurality of plants from selected things by essentially encapsulating the
plurality of plants
with a material that is substantially permeable to air and moisture, light
transmissive,
relatively lightweight, and resistant to deformation, tearing, or puncture by
normal
handling or moderate to high winds, while at the same time blocking
undesirable things
including pollen of 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 one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention applied to single corn plants.
Figures 2A-G are illustrations of fabrication 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 an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention
applied to
a field or experimental plot of plants.
Figure 5 is an elevation diagrammatic depiction of another exemplary
embodiment
of the present invention utilizing a covering for a plurality of plants and
smaller coverings
for parts of individual plants.
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IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
A. Overview
The present invention can take many forms and embodiments. For a better
understanding of the invention, specific exemplary embodiments will now be
described in
detail.
Reference will be made at times to the appended drawings. Reference numerals
and letters will be used to indicate certain parts and locations in the
drawings. The same
reference numerals or letters will be used to indicate the same parts and
locations
throughout the drawings unless otherwise indicated.
B. General Environment of Exemplary Embodiments
Each of the exemplary embodiments will be described in the context of
utilization
with corn plants in a corn breeding work using pollination. This includes, but
is not
limited to, breeding, production or other functions. Most of the principles
regarding the
invention will also apply to other types of plants, and the invention is not
limited to corn.
Furthermore, as previously indicated, principles of the invention are not
necessarily
limited to plant breeding experiments.
C. Exemplary Embodiment Example 1
What will be called plant sock 10 (Figure 1) is made of a flexible, semi-
permeable
material elongated between an open end 12 and a closed end 14. Plant sock 10
defines an
enclosed space with one opening 12 and is adapted dimensionally to slip over
top 5 of a
developing corn plant 2, slide down without damage or detriment over the
tassel or male
part 6, female parts 7, and leaves 8 of plant 2 towards the bottom 4 of plant
2, and be
supported by plant 2.
As shown in Figure 1 regarding the left-hand plant (indicated as plant 2A1),
opening 12 must be wide enough to pass all the way by the foliage and
reproductive parts
6, 7, 8 of plant 2A1. The low weight of sock 10 is such that it would gently
lay on and be
supported by plant 2 once in position (right-most sock 10 on plant 2B 1 in
Figure 1). Sock
10 is pre-designed to have a shape that generally follows the shape of a corn
plant;
however, extra space is built into sock 10 to allow for normal plant growth
over the normal
amount of time sock 10 would be deployed on the plant. For example, an extra 8
to 10
inches of room at the top of sock 10 should allow for tassel growth without
brealcing or
material damage. The tassel may bend a bit, but the extra space and light
weight of sock
10 should not be materially detrimental to it.
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A tie 13 or other removable fastener could be used to bind the bottom of sock
10 to
or around stem 3 of plant 2 (e.g. below the lowest ear of plant 2).
Alternatively, a rubber
band, drawstring, or elastic cuff could be used. They could be separate from
sock 10 or
incorporated into sock 10. Some examples of material for sock 10 for corn are
listed in
Table A below. Such 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 likely
will be blocked from passing through. Thus, most, if not all, insects would
likewise be
blocked. It is preferable that the material be breathable even in wet
environments. As can
be appreciated, pollen can vary in size. Corn pollen tends to be on the order
of 80 to 100
~m in diameter. Therefore, it is preferable that the material block these
sizes and have
pore sizes below that range, e.g. in the range of 60-80 ~,m, to block corn
pollen but
maximize permeability for air exchange. However, as stated, corn pollen has
size
variability. Also, forces such as wind and rain can drive pollen into the
material, even if
pore size is smaller than the pollen. Therefore, one suggested range of pore
sizes for the
material is to have pore sizes of no greater than the mid 60's, and perhaps
even the low
60's. Therefore, one suggested range of pore sizes for the material is
approximately 60-80
Vim. It may be preferable to use material with mean or average pore size of 75
wm or less.
For some materials a range of 60-70 ~m is preferred. It is to be understood
that other sizes
may be desirable for different goals or for different types of plants. A
Frazier value on the
order of 650-1000 ft3/ft2/min. or higher is believed preferable.
b. Light transmissivity. Light transmissivity is high. Most light, including
sunlight, would pass through. Opacity is around 46%. A PAR transmissivity
value of at
least 50% (at least for 500 to 730 nm wavelength light) is believed preferred.
Light quality
is similar to ambient.
c. Weight. Weight is relatively light (e.g. on the order of less than one
ounce
per square yard). It is preferable that the material be light enough to gently
drape over the
plant and not weigh down the foliage. It should have enough volume to allow
the plant to
grow.
d. Strength. Tensile strength is sufficient to resist deformation, tearing, or
puncture through normal handling or in the presence of moderate to high winds.
This
factor varies for different materials. One example is a material with tensile
MD/XD of
10.3/4.2 lb/in. and tear MD/XD of 1.4/1.5 lb. It can be UV light resistant if
desired. While
strength sufficient to withstand tearing or ripping in wind or during handling
is preferable,
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it is desirable that it be durable, washable, and non-abrasive (at least on
the interior).
Additional support can be added. For example one or more additional layers) of
material
can be added as support layer(s). The support layers) can have much larger
openings and
ftmction to provide necessary strength for the layer having the properties
described above.
Other characteristics and properties are available from the manufacturer.
Cost of the material may be a factor. It many times could be desirable to
minimize
cost. The range of current prices per square yard of materials such as listed
in Table A can
vary substantially (e.g. from around $0.10 to $60.00/ydz). Therefore, if cost
is a factor, a
lower cost material might be selected. However, there may be trade-offs
between price
and performance.
In a corn breeding experiment, plant sock 10 basically presents a barricade or
pollen filter to 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 natl~ral growing conditions of the plant, allowing good air and
moisture transfer,
as well as sunlight to the plant. It does not burden the plant by its weight
and resists
buildup of heat because of its breathability.
It is relatively quick and easy to place over a plant or remove. One simply
slips
sock 10 over plant 2 and uses a releasable closure at the bottom (e.g.
drawstring, an elastic
cuff, or even a metal binder clamp of the type used to hold multiple sheets of
paper
together). A lace, rubber band or other closure or binder could be used. The
sock may
only extend down to, or might be bound to the plant, just below its
reproductive parts,
l
instead of substantially to the bottom of the plant. The lower foliage act as
a mechanical
stop to restrain sock 10 from sliding up the plant, even in relatively high
wind or if pulled
upward. The sock-lilce structure preferably deflects, absorbs, or otherwise
handles even
relatively high wind without great risk of ripping or tearing.
The size of sock 10 is selected to allow plant 2 to grow substantially in
height and
width without constraint. It is generally better to be "baggy" around the
plant than closely
fitting.
Figures 2A-G illustrate one method of fabricating plant sock 10. A 56 inch
wide
by 60 inch long sheet of material is produced or cut out (Figure 2A) having
what will 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). Adjacent portions of top
edge 15 can
be stitched together (and/or sealed with a bonded seam) (diagrammatically
indicated at
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reference number 18), as can adjacent portions of edges 16 said 17 (stitches
19) (see Figure
2C). Figures 2D-F diagrammatically indicate top, opposite side and bottom
views
respectively of the assembled plant sock 10. The edges are stitched-together
edges with
strong, durable (even in sunlight and outside conditions) thread in a manner
which
basically seals those sides of sock 10. Figures 2A-F merely diagrammatically
illustrate
manufacturing steps for a sock 10. They are not to scale or precise
illustrations.
Although Figures 2A-G illustrate a bag or sock that is basically rectangular,
it may
be advantageous for it to be tapered, such as indicated in the right-hand side
of Figure 1.
For example, a sock that is around 60 inches tall might 9 inches wide at the
top but taper
out to around 28 to 32 inches at the bottom. This can make it easier to
install and it would
more closely follow the shape of a grown corn plant. The leaves could better
help support
the bag along the whole plant, rather than just in a few locations.
If stitches are used needle size, stitch density, and thread type should be
selected to
prevent any opening likely to allow passage of pollen that the material of the
sock is
designed to exclude. One example for this embodiment would be standard bonded
polyester thread (e.g. tex 92 at 6-8 stitches per inch) for the seams. A
cotton liner could be
used to fill needle hole areas. Alternatively, bonded seams could be used
(ultrasonic or
adhesive bonding) with heat or weld seal so long as it would not materially
weaken the
fabric.
D. Second Exemplary Embodiment
Figure 3 illustrates a super-structure or framework 27 from which a shroud or
barrier 20 can be suspended to simultaneously cover a plurality of plants 2.
In Figure 3,
the super-structure is a plurality of arches 27A, B and C spaced apart and
generally
parallel, having lower portions anchored in the ground (e.g. direct-buried or
in some type
of subsurface footing). A sheet or shroud 20 of material having similar
properties to plant
sock 10 is draped over framework 27 to enclose the plants. The rectangular
pyramid shape
of material 20 has an open bottom, top 21, front 22, back 23, left side 24,
and right side 25.
The lower edges of sidewalls 22, 23, 24, 25 extend down to the ground to
completely
enclose the plurality of plants 2 inside.
Instead of encapsulating substantially all of, and being supported by a single
plant,
shroud 20 substantially encapsulates one, two or more plants but is supported
by an
independent super-structure. Stakes or other ground securing methods can be
used to hold
the lower edges of the shroud to the ground to provide a barrier against
airborne pollen or
insects for plants 2.
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Frame members 27,can be made of relatively inexpensive light-weight materials,
such as relatively light-weight tubular metal or plastic (e.g. PVC), because
of the relatively
light weight of the material of shroud 20. Supports 27 could be similar to
those used to
suspend batting cage nets. The height, width and depth of shroud 20 can be
designed to
have all portions of shroud 20 spaced apart from any part of the plants to be
enclosed
therein. Depending on desire and need, the walls of shroud 20 could be close
to the plants,
to conserve material and space, or substantially spaced from any part of any
plant to allow
for plant growth, machines, or head room for workers.
Shroud 20 could be in the form of a rectangular prism, with generally planar
sides
and top when erected. It could be made out of several independent sheets of
the material
sewed or otherwise connected together to form an integral unit. Other shapes
are possible,
e.g. hemispherical, a rotated portion of an ellipse or parabola, pyramidic,
etc., or
combinations thereof. It could have irregular shape. The supports could be
external or
internal, or both.
Workers could enter the interior of the shroud by lifting up a bottom edge of
a
sidewall. Alternatively a slit in one side wall could be normally held
together but openable
for entrance.
E. Third Exemplary Embodiment
Figure 4lillustrates a shroud or barrier 20 of material similar to that of
plant sock 10
except on an even larger scale than shroud or barrier 20 of Figure 3.
Substantially tall
poles 27 (e.g. 15-100 feet) could be distributed across a substantial area
(e.g. an
experimental plot, a field, or a portion of a field). Material 20 could be
suspended over
poles 27 above the plants with the bottom edges of shroud 20 extending to the
ground. In
this example, a plurality of rows of plants is shown enclosed under shroud or
barner 20. A
first xow of plants A is enclosed, as are additional rows B, C, .. ., N.
In conventional experimental breeding programs for corn, experimental plots of
a
few rows wide by several tens of feet or yards long could each be enclosed by
a shroud 20
to isolate that set of plants from pollen and insects, and to present a
barrier between the
plants and the exterior, above-ground environment, without materially
effecting passage of
those things needed to sustain normal growth of the plants. It could be
larger.
The interior of tent or shroud 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
veutical
sheet of material between the rows from top of the interior of the shroud to
the ground.
Other rows, or portions of rows, could likewise be separated.
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F. Fourth Exemplary Embodiment
Figure 5 illustrates diagrammatically a tent or shroud 20 positioned over one
or
more plants 2, enclosed on all sides and top with a material similar to that
of plant sock 10
of Figure 1. Small socks 32 (also made of similar material) could be
selectively positioned
over a part or parts of a single plant, but not the whole plant. For example,
the male parts
of both plants l and 2 could be socked or enclosed while each the female part
of plant 2 is
socked or enclosed, while both plants are tented or enclosed by an overriding
cover 20. At
the appropriate time, the tassel or male part of plant 2 could be unsocked,
leaving all
female parts of plant 2 socked, to encourage pollination of plant 1 by plant
2, and deterring
self pollination. With multiple sets of plants 1 and 2, this might be useful
in prohibiting
pollination between plants from the same population, using cross-pollination
with pollen
from plants from another population. As can be appreciated, instead of smaller
socks 32,
whole plant socks 10 could be used for certain functions under a tent 20.
Also a sock 32 could be placed over both male and female parts of the same
plant.
Shroud 20 could act simply as a barner to other pollen or insects. Or,
selective placement
and removal of socks 32 on the same plant could encourage self pollination.
Alternatively, entire plant socks such as plant socks 10 in Figure 1 could be
placed
over selected plants within a larger shroud 20. Selective use of socks 32 on
tassels could
reduce pollen load in the air.
G. Options and Alternatives
It can therefore be seen, through illustrations and each of the exemplary
embodiments, that the present invention, in its various aspects and
embodiments, provide
an advantageous barrier. In the case of corn and a corn breeding experiment,
one
embodiment of the material of the sock, shroud or tent would preferably block
most if not
all corn pollen, based on selection of pore size that is at least less than
the typical range of
diameters of corn pollen particles. Such relatively small pore size would
block most
insects. But, at the same time, the properties of the material include high
transmissivity of
light and high permeability of air and moisture so that these primary,
essential components
for plant growth are not materially attenuated.
It is to be understood, however, that the invention can take many forms and
embodiments. The exemplary embodiments given herein are for illustration
purposes only
and not by limitation. Variations obvious to those skilled in the art will be
included within
the invention.
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For example, the precise dimensions and shape of a sock, shroud, or tent
according
to the present invention, can vary as desired or needed.
Likewise, the material itself can vary somewhat according to desire or need.
Table
A below sets forth a plurality of examples of materials which appear to have
properties
which would work with aspects of the present invention relative to com pollen.
Some are
woven, some are non-woven. Non-woven materials tend to be less expensive than
woven
materials, which could be a significant advantage.
12
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CA 02552974 2006-07-07
WO 2005/063000 PCT/US2004/043391
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 ~,m)/% effective open area)
Saatifil Nylon PA 70/49
Saatifil Nylon PA 55/43
Saatifil PES 53/40
Note: PA = Polyamide, PES = polyester. Numbers after each product indicate
pore
size and percent open area, respectively. Specific physical properties are
publicly
available.
Other possible materials are:
a. SNS, 1 micron, three layer composite (available from DuPont).
b. Film, Delnet - 80 micron (Delstar Technologies, Inc., Austin, TX USA)
Still others from Safer Nitex (Kansas City, Missouri USA) include:
Nitex 64/47 ((average pore size (in ~,m)/% effective open area)
Nitex 64/45
Nitex 70/49
The materials in Table A, and the other examples have the following relatively
consistent characteristics:
a. weight of material;
b. mean or average pore size (generally in the 50-80 micron range, and
preferably less than 70 microns for wovens (it also appears better that the
distribution in
pore size be rather narrow-e.g. maximum/minimum = 2x); for non-wovens the
small
average pore size may produce a better barner to pollen because of the
tendency for there
to be tortuous paths through the material, which tends to trap particles that
can enter it
(conversely, larger average'pore size for non-wovens may work as well as
smaller average
pore size for wovens for that same reason);
c. air/water permeability;
d. light transmissivity;
e. tensile strength and resistance to tear.
Table A indicates examples of materials having properties to consider for sock
10
or cover 20. If the primary function of the sock or shroud is blockage of
pollen, primary
14
CA 02552974 2006-07-07
WO 2005/063000 PCT/US2004/043391
material characteristics and properties would include sufficiently small pore
size but
maximum air and water permeability and maximum light transmissivity. In such
situations, pore size and other factors would be selected to block most, if
not all, of the
relevant pollen but not be so small to materially effect fluid (gas and
liquid) permeability
or light transmissivity. The aim would be to be exclusionary to pollen, yet
permeable to
essential things needed for normal growth of the plant. Stated differently,
the material
would be a barrier or filter to pollen but the plant would grow essentially as
if nothing was
covering it (e.g. it would have a substantially similar growing environment as
if outside the
cover). The plant essentially would "think" it was outside, but pollen would
be blocked.
As can be appreciated, the pore size distribution needed for an application
can be refined
through testing. For example, materials of different properties, including
different pore
sizes and permeability, could be tested over a growing season by leaving a
sock over the
female parts of an entire plant. If no seeds are produced, the material can be
considered to
have effectively excluded all viable pollen.
Through empirical testing, pore size can be selected. For example, a candidate
material could be placed around one or more plants during an entire growing
season. If no
seeds are produced by cross pollination, empirically it can be assumed the
material blocks,
or at least materially blocks, the relevant pollen. Monitoring of plant growth
versus
environmental conditions (relative to a control plant closely situated but not
shrouded with
the material) can empirically establish whether a material adversely effects
growth of a
plant. Temperature can be monitored to determine whether a material causes
undesirable
build-up of heat, which could affect the health of the plant or cause drying
of the plant to a
level which is undesirable. Presently, it is believed that a good performance
level for
excluding foreign pollen would be contamination by foreign pollen that does
not exceed
normal contamination of hand-pollinated kernels (approximately 2%).
Field purity testing of the plant sock on maize has shown the effectiveness of
the
pollen barrier. Although some contamination is inevitable in field conditions,
such as
pollen being carned by small insects crawling up inside the plant sock and
transmitting
pollen to the corn silks, results have demonstrated the pollen barrier
provided by the
fabrics is adequate for our needs.
Likewise, the plant sock also showed good performance in yield trials. Maize
plants covered with the plant sock were effective at self pollination. The
numbers of good
kernels forming on each ear were adequate for our needs, and in some cases as
high or
higher than those from traditionally hand-pollinated plants. The plant sock
already
CA 02552974 2006-07-07
WO 2005/063000 PCT/US2004/043391
demonstrated effectiveness at blocking undesirable pollen in field purity
testing, so with
the yield trials performance, we have confidence that these kernels will have
the desired
genetic identity.
It should be understood, however, that pollen size can vary from type of plant
to
type of plant. 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 plant pollination processes, to
select a pore
size that stops viable pollen.
It is also believed that to maximize air flow, pore size should be maximized
and
area of the material between pores minimized. Therefore the competing
interests of
blocking relevant pollen versus maximum permeability must be balanced. One way
to
increase permeability is to reduce the amount of material between pores. This
increases
the overall ratio of open area to material, which is believed to be better for
increased air
flow. It also tends to reduce the cost of the material, as less material is
used per square
inch of material. A balance between acceptable level of pollen filtration and
air and water
permeability is the goal. Pollen filtration is for "relevant" pollen for the
particular plant, in
the sense that the primary concern is to filter out pollen that would cause
fertilization of
the plant at issue. Thickness and weight might preferably be minimized in
certain
situations, especially where increased light transmissivity is desired or
needed.
Additional options and alternatives for the invention include the following.
Non-
oven materials of average pore size even greater than average diameter of
relevant pollen
might possibly be used if they present a tortuous path between opposite sides
of the
material. For example, non-woven material with a tortuous path between sides
tends to
stop particles not only greater than the average pore size (e.g. 10 micron
average pore size
stops 0.3 micron particle) but a fraction of the size thereof. Generally, the
smaller the pore
size, the more expensive the material. Therefore, this might allow reduction
of cost while
maintaining an effective barrier against viable relevant pollen. Apertured
films and other
materials having the types of needed characteristics and properties might be
used.
There may be situations where maximum light transmissivity is intentionally
limited to specific wavelengths to influence plant growth (quality). There is
usually a
balance between small enough pore size for pollen exclusion but allowing
enough light.
There is many times a balance between light quality and light quantity. One
example
indicated as possibly advantageous in certain circumstances would be a
material that
transmits at least 5,000 foot-candles of light in the blue and red regions of
the light
16
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spectrum (e.g. 400 to 700 nm wavelengths). In very hot or direct sunlight
conditions, the
material might be colored or coated in a manner to present either a heat
absorbing or heat
reflecting function. Again, such an addition might intentionally be used and
be beneficial
to growth of the plant in certain situations. It might be desirable to diffuse
light and the
material could be made to do so (e.g. neutral gray color could simulate some
shade).
There could be sprays, dyes, or coatings (e.g. aluminized) to filter certain
light
wavelengths but allow others.
A jig or tool could be used to assist in placing a plant sock 10 over a plant
and then
either be removed or left in place to function as a sock framework. The jig
could have a
framework to hold sock 10 in an expanded state to assist in slipping sock 10
over a plant.
It could also be left in place to hold sock 10 away from the plant. It could
also be used for
smaller, weaker plants that cannot support sock 10.
One example of a jig is a 10 by 14 inch felt sheet with two wood dowels
attached
or sewn into the sheet along the short sides. A hook and loop fastener (e.g.
Velcro ~)
could be attached to one short side. The jig could be used in the following
procedure for
deploying a sock 10 onto a growing corn plant prior to silk emergence. The
felt sheet
could be wrapped around the top part of the plant (including tassel) 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 top of the plant. Care should be taken
to use
clean hands and to avoid disturbing or breaking the tassel or leaves. Sock 10
is rolled up
(like a condom) and then its bottom opening placed over the top of the plant
and the
wrapped jig. Sock 10 is then gently unrolled (like a condom) down over the
plant a ways.
The worker can reach up, gently release the hook and loop fastener on the jig,
and remove
the jig through the bottom opening in sock 10. Sock 10 is then positioned
relative to the
plant so that the bottom is below the reproductive parts of the plant (e.g.
two leaves below
the ear) and preferably not too low (all the way down to the ground). Care
should be taken
to ensure there is sufficient excess space at the top of sock (e.g. 8 to 10
inches) to allow for
vertical plant growth (this extra length would drape or hang ready to accept
plant growth.
The bottom of sock 10 would be cinched around the plant stem and secured (e.g.
drawstring tied in slip knot).
Also, covering material might be used as a barner against pollen moving out
(pollen escape) from a plant inside the cover or shroud rather than against
pollen coming
in. One example would be with genetically modified organism (GMO) crops.
Regulations
tend to proscribe contamination of non-GMO crops by GMO crops. Thus, a plant
sock 10,
17
CA 02552974 2006-07-07
WO 2005/063000 PCT/US2004/043391
or perhaps better a shroud or tent 20, would of course be effective at
blocking pollen from
GMO plants inside the sock or tent escaping and thus risking contamination of
non-GMO
crops (by wind or insects carrying it). Presently, regulations tend to require
GMO crops to
be placed in fields that are separated by a certain distance (can be many
yards) from non-
GMO crops. This distance can be substantial. This can require additional land,
which is
expensive, and many times difficult to justify. Utilization of a tent or
shroud 20 could
provide sufficient assurance that no GMO pollen would escape to allow the GMO
crops to
be placed much closer (and even directly adjacent) to non-GMO crops (which
could allow
active use of more land and/or be less expensive).
It is believed possible to coat, impregnate, or otherwise impart chemicals to
the
material of the plant sock, shroud or tent. Examples could be pesticides. Such
could assist
in deternng the passage or even presence of these potentially detrimental
things. The
substances could be sprayed, brushed, or otherwise placed on the material.
This could be
repeated at time intervals, or different substances applied concurrently or
sequentially.
As can be appreciated, the invention can be used for both inclusion and
exclusion.
It could keep pollen away for a plant or collection of plants. It could keep
pollen in for a
plant or collection of plants. It could be used to preserve a genotype.
The invention might also be used for the purposes of maintaining the purity of
specially engineered plants producing what are sometimes called such as
"nutraceuticals"
or plants grown in what is sometimes called "pharming" or "biopharming". In
such
instances, plants may be genetically engineered to produce substances that are
pharmaceutically active. Humans can then receive the pharmaceutically active
substance
or nutraceuticals by ingesting a pertinent part of the plant. It may be
important to isolate
such plants.
As stated, the invention is believed applicable at least to other plants (e.g.
rye and
other grasses, sorghum, wheat, and other wind pollinated small grains) and
plant breeding.
For example, it might be advantageous for small or weak plants (e.g. plants
that cannot be
hooped).
It would be desirable if the material could be washable and reusable.
Still additional options or alternatives for the invention are as follows.
Sock 10 could be tapered or have a larger cross-sectional area when expanded
at
one end or the other. For example, a narrow cross-sectional end could be
easier to bind
around the base of the plant, use less material, and have more expansion room
for leaves
18
CA 02552974 2006-07-07
WO 2005/063000 PCT/US2004/043391
and other growth above the base. Sock 10 could generally follow the shape of
the plant,
preferably with room for the plant to grow.
A draw string could be sewn in or otherwise installed at or near the opening
to the
sock for easier and more efficient installation. Another alternative could be
an elastic band
or material which could be sewn or installed in the sock around or near the
opening.
Another option would be use of tyvo different materials or a hybrid type of
material
made from more than one fabric. For example, some portion of the top of the
plant sock or
pollination cage could be shaded (like a hat or beret) to reduce incident
light as a means to
keep temperatures down (e.g. neutral gray to shade the top of the plant),
while the
remaining material down the sides would be of lower opacity and possibly
higher air
permeability. Colors could be used to reduce heat. Less heat might be
generated inside
sock 10 by using certain colors for all or part of the sock or tent. While it
might reduce
some amount of useful light for the plant(s), it can be selected and
configured to allow
sufficient light. Conversely, color or other modification of the fabric might
be possible to
increase heat inside the sock or tent, if needed (e.g. colder climates).
Another option might be dual texture surface on the material. For example, the
inside of the sock could have a surface texture very smooth to facilitate
placement/removal
operations, as cottony material tends to catch and pull on plant foliage. A
rougher outer
surface could discourage insects and increase barrier properties to airborne
contaminants.
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 sock is placed over the plant, to help it slip over the plant. There could
be one or more
additional layers over the base or substrate material for a variety of
functions.
Thus it can be seen that the invention can take many forms and embodiments.
In one aspect, a sock supported by the plant is placed over a substantial part
of a
whole growing plant. It is made of a material that has good air/water exchange
and allows
enough light to not substantially change the plant's normal growing
environment, but
blocks pollen or insects or other undesirables.
In another aspect, a plant or plural plants are tented or covered by a similar
material. While the plants) might support the material, it could be supported
by an
independent frame or structure.
Another aspect involves covering plural plants but also covering individual
plants
or parts thereof under the larger cover.
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WO 2005/063000 PCT/US2004/043391
Another aspect of the invention is selection of and a material itself which
accomplishes desired goals.
Another aspect is use of a barrier to isolate a plant or plants, such as GMO
plants,
nutraceuticals, or pharming.
Another aspect of the invention is a method of increasing the window of time
for
completing pollination by using plant socks or tents.
Another aspect of the invention is use of a sock or tent to selectively
control
environmental factors to control growth or development of the plant. Further,
a material
with less than desired breathability might be useable if also made to transmit
less light so
that less heat is built up inside. Both air and humidity can be controlled.
As can be appreciated, air permeability, blockage of pollen of the relevant
size, and
opacity to light are taken into consideration. Other factors can be also. It
is generally
desirable to maximize air.permeability, maximize blockage of pollen, and
maximize light
transmittance. However, sometimes a balance must be made between these
sometimes
competing factors.
