FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to systems and methods for promoting the growth and maturation rate of plants.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Artificial lighting in green houses is known to promote the growth of plants. The artificial lighting is commonly used during periods of darkness and where there is insufficient natural lighting.

[0003] A common artificial lighting source used in green houses is a sodium-vapor lamp. However, sodium-vapor lamps consume undesirable amounts of electricity during their operation. Sodium-vapor lamps are also costly to manufacture and purchase.

Consequently, the use of sodium-vapor lamps in green houses, on a consistent basis, is prohibitively expensive. It is also impractical to use sodium-vapor lamps outside of a green house environment such as in open fields where the plants may be cultivated.

[0004] Other known artificial lighting systems include JP 404287618 to Nakazawa, JP 402128624 to Ito et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,146,993 to Freeman, Sr., and U.S. Patent No. 3,233,146 to Vacha. Nakazawa describes stroboscopic application of short wavelength light to promote plant growth. Ito et al. describes a use of stroboscopic tubes when irradiating plants. Freeman, Sr. describes a practice of applying light in short bursts to stimulate plant growth. Vacha describes an electrical control of lighting when promoting plant growth.

[0005] Light systems and methods for promoting maturation and growth of plants are also described in Applicant's co-owned U.S. Patent No. 9,295,201, filed on March 4, 2013, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20160165811, filed on February 23, 2016. These systems and methods are inexpensive relative to the use of conventional sodium-vapor lighting, and have been shown to increase a rate of maturation of the plants. However, it has been found that these systems and methods may require certain adjustments in order to optimize their efficiency in modern greenhouse and field environments. [0006] There is a continuing need for a system and method for encouraging maturation and growth of plants such as vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. Desirably, the system and method has certain improvements relating to the operation and selective deployment of the lighting, in order to facilitate their use in modern greenhouse and field environments.

SUMMARY

[0007] In concordance with the instant disclosure, a system and method for encouraging maturation and growth of plants such as vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals, and which has certain improvements relating to the operation and selective deployment of the lighting, in order to facilitate their use in modern greenhouse and field environments, has surprisingly been discovered.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a method for encouraging maturation and growth of a plant includes the steps of: providing at least one stroboscopic lamp suspended adjacent to the plant and selectively adjustable in a height relative to a ground surface from which the plant grows; and exposing the plant to strobed high-intensity light from the stroboscopic lamp. Preferably, the plant is exposed to the strobed high-intensity light continuously, and not intermittently, in order to encourage the maturation and growth of the plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings including charts, graphs, tables, product specifications, and photographs.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing high-intensity stroboscopic light to a plant according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a system for providing high-intensity stroboscopic light to a plant;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a controller for operating a stroboscopic lamp according to one embodiment of the disclosure; [0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view a stroboscopic lamp according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing high-intensity stroboscopic light to a plant in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing high-intensity stroboscopic light to a plant using predetermined settings;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a bar graph illustrating the reduction in flowering time achieved by using the system and method of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a line graph illustrating the relationship between lens color and total harvest weight using the system and method of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a line graph illustrating the relationship between fruit population per plant and light conditions using the system and method of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system and method for providing high- intensity stroboscopic light to a plant according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system shown in a first mode of operation having the lights hanging adjacent to the plant;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the system and method shown in FIG. 10, the system illustrated in a second mode of operation having the lights retracted upwardly to permit a passage of a person or equipment beneath the lights; and

[0021] FIG. 12 is a bar graph illustrating the reduction in flowering time achieved by using a system and method according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical unless otherwise disclosed. [0023] In FIG. 1, a system 2 for encouraging the maturation and the growth of a plant 20 is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the plant 20 may include one of a vegetable plant, a fruit-bearing plant, and ornamentals. It should be understood that other types of plants 20 may also be cultivated using the system 20 of the present disclosure, as desired.

[0024] The system 2 includes an at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 disposed adjacent to the plant 20. In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 is suspended above the plant 20. In some examples, the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 may be suspended with a non-rigid connector 16 such a cord, cable, strap, or chain, as non-limiting examples. In other examples, the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 may be suspended above the plant 20 with a rigid connector 18 such as a bracket. Other suspension means may also be used to dispose the stroboscopic lamp 14 adjacent the plant 20. The stroboscopic lamp 14 may also be disposed to a side of the plant 20, or underneath the plant 20, as desired. Other locations for the stroboscopic lamp 14 relative to the plant 20 may also be used within the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] The system 2 may include a plurality of the stroboscopic lamps 14 disposed above a plurality of the plants 20. Each of the stroboscopic lamps 14 may be independently operated, or may be operated in unison, as desired. The system 2 may be employed in a greenhouse, for example, where the plants 20 are being cultivated. The system 2 may also be employed in other areas where the plants 20 are being cultivated, for example, in an open field in which the system 2 has been deployed. Where the system 2 is used in the open field, the stroboscopic lamps 14 may be suspended from stakes driven into the ground, or hung from a framework disposed over the plants 20 in the field. One of ordinary skill in the art may select alternative means for disposing the stroboscopic lamps 14 adjacent the plants 20, as desired.

[0026] The system 2 also includes a controller 8 connected to a power source 4 for controlling the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14. The controller 8 is configured to cycle the stroboscopic lamp 14 through an at least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 for a predetermined cycling time 110. In particular embodiments, the controller 8 permits a user to select a total predetermined cycling time 110 and a predetermined period of time 106, 108 for each of at least one on-period 112 and at least one off-period 114

(shown in FIGS. 5-6). [0027] In a particular embodiment, the controller 8 includes a processor for receiving processor executable instructions. The processor may control the predetermined cycling time 110 and the predetermined period of time 106, 108 for each of the at least one on- period 112 and at least one off-period 114, in accordance with the processor executable instructions. The controller 8 may further include a tangible, non-transitory computer- readable storage medium in which the processor executable instructions are stored or otherwise embodied. The processor may be in communication with the computer-readable storage medium, for purposes of executing the processor executable instructed embodied thereon. It should be appreciated that other types of controllers 8 may also be used within the scope of the disclosure.

[0028] The controller 8 may also be in communication with at least one sensor (not shown), which may inform when the predetermined cycling time 110 is to begin or end. For example, the at least one sensor may be a photosensitive eye or light sensor that detects the presence of a sufficient amount of natural lighting where the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 may be cycled off, or a presence of an insufficient amount of natural lighting where the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 may be cycled on. In other embodiments, the at least one sensor measures an absence of a sufficient amount of moisture or water in the plant 20 environment, in which case the exposure to the strobed high-intensity lighting is minimized to militate against an undesirable drying of the plant 20. Other types of sensors may also be in communication with the controller 8, as desired.

[0029] The system 2 may also include a user interface 6 in communication with the controller 8, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The user interface 6 may permit the user to select the predetermined cycling time 110 and the predetermined period of time 106, 108 for each of the at least one on-period 112 and at least one off-period 114. The user interface 6 may include a keyboard or a touch screen, for example. The user interface 6 may also have controls such as buttons, dials, knobs, or the like, as well as readouts such as timers, gauges, and video screens with information corresponding to the predetermined cycling time 110 and the predetermined period of time 106, 108 for each of the at least one on-period 112 and at least one off-period 114. In a particular instance, the user interface 6 is in

communication with at least one of the processor and the computer-readable storage medium, and may permit the user to provide or modify the processor executable instructions for operating the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14. Other types of user interfaces 6 may also be employed, as desired.

[0030] The stroboscopic lamp 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, is selected so as to provide a desired intensity, frequency, and wavelength of light to the plant 20. The intensity, the frequency, and the wavelength of the light may be selected based on specific needs of the species of the plant 20 with which the system 2 is used. Likewise, the stroboscopic lamp 14 of the system 2 may be modified or customized to be used with different species of the plant 20. One of ordinary skill in the art may select the intensity, the frequency, and the wavelength of the light provided by the stroboscopic lamp 14, as desired.

[0031] In a nonlimiting example, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is comprised of a strobed high-intensity light apparatus 10 and a lens 12. The strobed high-intensity light apparatus 10 includes a mounting base 22, a circuit board assembly 24, and a strobe tube 26. The mounting base 22 may include one of an Edison thread, a pipe thread, and a flush mount, as nonlimiting examples. The types of circuit board assembly 24 and strobe tube 26 may be selected by a skilled artisan based on the intended installation of the stroboscopic lamp 14, and desired application of the system 2 to particular species of the plant 20.

[0032] As nonlimiting examples, the stroboscopic lamp 14 generates strobed high- intensity light that is greater than about 100,000 peak candela, more particularly greater than about 150,000 peak candela, and most particularly at least about 175,000 peak candela. In other examples, the strobed high-intensity light is between about 25 and 150 flashes per minute, more particularly between about 50 and 100 flashes per minute, and most particularly between about 65 and 95 flashes per minute. Different types of the stroboscopic lamp 14 having a different desired intensity and frequency may also be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] The wavelength of the strobed high-intensity light is also selected to be a wavelength suitable for use by the plant 20. For example, the lens 12 color of the stroboscopic lamp 14 is selected depending on the desired wavelength to be emitted. In a most particular example, the wavelength is between about 450 nanometers and 950 nanometers when the strobed high-intensity light 10 is discharged through a clear lens 12. In a particular example, the strobed high-intensity light 10 is directed through an amber lens 12 to discharge a wavelength between about 550 nanometers and 950 nanometers. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of wavelengths may be produced by varying any one of a combination of lens 12 color and the actual wavelength of the strobed high-intensity light.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the lens 12 of the stroboscopic lamp 14 is removably attached to the stroboscopic lamp 14, and permits a customization of the wavelength of the light to be provided by the system 2. The lens 12 may include one of a clear and amber colored lens 12, for example. Other colors of the lens 12 may also be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] In addition to selecting a desired intensity, frequency, and wavelength, the stroboscopic lamp 14 can also be located at alternative distances from the subject plant 20. The stroboscopic lamp 14 may be located closer to the plant 20 to increase light

concentration for the plant 20. The stroboscopic lamp 14 may likewise be located farther from the plant 20 to decrease light concentration for the plant 20. Where the stroboscopic lamp 14 is located farther from the plant 20, it should be appreciated that a single stroboscopic lamp 14 may provide lighting to a broader area and more of the plants 20, at a lower intensity.

[0036] The present disclosure includes a method 102 for promoting the growth and maturation of the plants 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the method 102 for encouraging maturation and growth of a plant 20 includes a provision 104 of at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 disposed adjacent the plant 20. The at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 may be provided as part of the system 2, described hereinabove.

[0037] In operation, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled on and off during a morning period 116 and an evening period 120, in each of which there is substantially no natural light available to the plant 20. Where the stroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled on, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is active or powered and the cycling includes a plurality of flashes of the strobed high-intensity light, at a rate of between about 25 and 150 flashes per minute, for example, as previously discussed hereinabove. Where the stroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled off, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is inactive or unpowered, and discharges no light to the plant 20.

[0038] It should be appreciated that the subjecting of the plant 20 to the period of darkness in the overnight hours 122, as well as the provision of the at least one off-period 114 during the cycling of the at least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 where the stroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled on, provides necessary resting periods for the plants 20, and advantageously contributes to the promoted growth and maturation of the plants 20 under the present method 102.

[0039] FIG. 6 further illustrates the method 102 of the present disclosure, where each of the morning period 116 and the evening period 120 includes the at least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114. The at least one on-period 112 and the at least one off- period 114 are each performed for a predetermined period of time 106, 108.

[0040] It should be understood that the predetermined period of time 106 for the at least one on-period 112 may be a fraction of the predetermined period of time 108 for the at least one off-period 114. In a particular embodiment, the predetermined period of time 106 for the at least one on-period 112 is between 1 percent and 20 percent of the predetermined period of time 108 for the at least one off-period 114, in a more particular embodiment between 5 percent and about 15 percent, and in a most particular embodiment about 10 percent. In a most particular example, the predetermined period of time 106 for the alternating on-periods 112 is about 2 minutes and the predetermined period of time 108 for the alternating off-periods 114 is about 20 minutes. Other predetermined periods of time 106, 108 for the at least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 may also be employed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] The cycling of the stroboscopic lamp 14 for the predetermined cycling time 110 may be performed during each of the morning 116 and the evening 120, and cease during each of the daytime 118 and overnight 122 hours, allowing the plant 20 to be exposed to natural daylight and darkness, respectively. The cycling 116, 120 may be performed where there is substantially no natural daylight, for example. The predetermined cycling time 110 for the cycling of the stroboscopic lamp 14 between the at least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 may be between 20 minutes and 4 hours, more particularly between 45 minutes and 3 hours, and most particularly about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Favorable results have also been found where the predetermined cycling time 110 is about 3 hours. One of ordinary skill in the art may select alternative predetermined cycling times 110, as desired.

[0042] In a particular embodiment of the method 102, the predetermined duration 106 of the on-period 112, the predetermined duration 108 of the off-period 114, and the predetermined duration 110 of the cycles 116, 120 are selected such that the on-period 112 and off-period 114 alternate for the entire predetermined duration 110 of the cycles 116, 120. In a most particular example, each on-period 112 is about 2 minutes and each off-period 114 is about 20 minutes. The periods 112, 114 are repeated continuously during the predetermined cycle time 110.

[0043] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the number of completed cycles will vary as each of the duration on-period 106, duration of the off-period 108, and duration of the cycle time 110 is adjusted. It will also be appreciated that the

predetermined cycle time 110 for each of the morning darkness cycle 116 and evening darkness cycle 120 can be unique, with the user assigning an exclusive cycle time for each, as desired.

[0044] Further embodiments according to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 10-12 and described hereafter. Like or related structure relative to FIGS. 1-9 is identified with the same reference number in a 200-series for purpose of clarity.

[0045] In FIGS. 10-11, a system 202 for encouraging the maturation and the growth of a plant 220 is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the plant 220 may include one of a vegetable plant, a fruit-bearing plant, and ornamentals. The system 202 is particularly advantageous for fruit-bearing plants such as tomato plants, which are grown on strings and can reach heights of up to about 3-4 meters, or more, and can further require specialized equipment to harvest. It should be understood that other types of plants 220 may also be cultivated using the system 220 of the present disclosure, as desired.

[0046] The system 202 includes an at least one stroboscopic lamp 214. In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 10-11, the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 is suspended adj acent to the plant 220. In most particular examples, the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 is suspended with a non-rigid connector 216 such a cord, cable, strap, or chain, as non-limiting examples.

[0047] In a most particular example, the non-rigid connector 216 is wound upon a spool 201. The spool 201 may be generally suspended above the plant 220 with a rigid connector 218 such as a bracket 203. Other suspension means may also be used to dispose the stroboscopic lamp 214 adjacent the plant 210, as desired. [0048] The spool 201 may be manually rotated, for example, by use of a handle 205 attached thereto to manually raise and lower the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214, i.e., to adjust a height of the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 relative to a ground surface in which the plant 220 is being grown.

[0049] The spool 201 is advantageously attached to a motor 207. The motor 207 may be any type of electric motor suitable for selectively rotating the spool 201 in either direction desired, so as to selectively raise and lower the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214. As a non-limiting example, the motor 207 may be an electric stepper motor. The motor 207 may be directly or indirectly connected to the spool 201 in any manner suitable to selectively rotate the spool 201, for example, by any manner of linkages, chains, gears, etc. Other suitable means for rotating the spool 201 may also be selected by a skilled artisan, as desired.

[0050] It should be appreciated that the system 202 may include a plurality of the stroboscopic lamps 214 disposed above a plurality of the plants 220. Each of the stroboscopic lamps 214 may be independently operated, or may be operated in unison, as desired. The system 212 may be employed in a greenhouse, for example, where the plants 220 are being cultivated. The system 202 may also be employed in other areas where the plants 220 are being cultivated, for example, in an open field in which the system 202 has been deployed. Where the system 202 is used in the open field, the stroboscopic lamps 214 including the spool 201 and the motor 207 may be suspended from stakes driven into the ground, or hung from a framework disposed over the plants 220 in the field. One of ordinary skill in the art may select alternative means for disposing the stroboscopic lamps 214 adjacent the plants 220, as desired.

[0051] The system 202 also includes a controller 208 connected to a power source 204 for controlling the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 and the associated motor 207 that controls the selective rotation of the spool 201. The controller 208 may be configured to selectively raise the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 above the height of the user or equipment as moved down an aisle or row between adjacent plants 220, for example, during normal tending or harvesting activities. The user may activate the controller 208 through either a wired switch or a wireless interaction (e.g., using an application on a mobile device) prior to moving down the aisle or row, for example. [0052] The controller 208 may also be in communication with at least one sensor 211, which may inform when the user or equipment begins to move into an area where the placement of the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 would otherwise obstruct the movement. For example, the at least one sensor may be a photosensitive eye or light sensor that detects the presence of the user or equipment, and that sends an associated signal to the controller 208. The sensor 208 may include a laser light beam that is sent from a sensor unit to a receiver unit of the sensor 208, for example, and which upon being broken by the presence of a body generates the associated signal. In this embodiment, it should be understood that the sensor 208 may be both vertically and horizontally offset from the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214, so as to provide sufficient time for the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 to be raised before the user or equipment enters the space occupied by the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214.

[0053] The controller 208, upon receipt of such a signal, may then cause the motor 207 to rotate the spool 201 in a direction that causes the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 to be raised upward and out of the way of the user or equipment. Likewise, the sensor 211 may detect the absence of the user or equipment, and send an associated signal to the controller. The controller 208, upon receipt of such a signal, may then cause the motor 207 to rotate the spool 201 in a direction that causes the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 to be lowered downward to a height that optimizes an exposure of the adjacent plant 220 to the stroboscopic light.

[0054] The system 202 may also use other sensors (not shown). For example, the other sensors may measure an absence of a sufficient amount of moisture or water in the plant 220 environment, in which case the exposure to the strobed high-intensity lighting is minimized to militate against an undesirable drying of the plant 220. Other types of sensors may also be in communication with the controller 208, as desired.

[0055] In a particular embodiment, the controller 208 includes a processor for receiving processor executable instructions. The processor may control the height where the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 is located upon being lowered from the spool 201, in accordance with the processor executable instructions. The controller 208 may further include a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in which the processor executable instructions are stored or otherwise embodied. The processor may be in communication with the computer-readable storage medium, for purposes of executing the processor executable instructed embodied thereon. It should also be appreciated that other types of controllers 208 may also be used within the scope of the disclosure.

[0056] The system 202 may also include a user interface 206 in communication with the controller 208, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10-11. The user interface 206 may permit the user to program the controller 208 in order to selectively place the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 at different heights, for example, depending on the development and growth of the associated plant 220 over time. The user interface 206 may include a keyboard or a touch screen, for example. The user interface 206 may also have controls such as buttons, dials, knobs, or the like, as well as readouts such as timers, gauges, and video screens with information corresponding to the heights of the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 in the system 202. In a particular instance, the user interface 206 is in

communication with at least one of the processor and the computer-readable storage medium, and may permit the user to provide or modify the processor executable instructions for operating the at least one stroboscopic lamp 214 and the associated motor 207. Other types of user interfaces 206 may also be employed, as desired.

EXAMPLES

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a bar graph representing average flowering time of tomato plants for three different light sources: Sodium-vapor; natural; and stroboscopic. In this example, three (3) plants of each of seven (7) species were tested under each of the three different lighting sources, giving twenty-one (21) plants per light source, and a total of sixty-three (63) plants.

[0058] All exposures to stroboscopic lighting in the example of FIG. 7 were performed according to the method of the present disclosure, using stroboscopic lamps producing light in a wavelength of 450-950 nanometers, having a peak candela of about 175,000, and a flash rate of about 65-95 flashes per minute. The stroboscopic lamps were suspended above the plants and, when natural lighting was not yet available in the morning and evening hours, the stroboscopic lamps were cycled through alternating on-periods of about 2 minutes and off-periods of about 20 minutes for a predetermined cycling time of about 1-1/2 hours. Sodium-vapor lighting was also performed for a time of about 1-1/2 hours in the morning and evening hours, for purposes of comparison.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the plants subjected to stroboscopic lighting had an average flowering time of 25 days. This is an improvement over the 27 and 28 day averages for plants subjected to sodium-vapor and natural light sources, respectively.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a line graph representing total cumulative pounds of fruit harvested on specified harvest dates for tomato plants subjected to stroboscopic and natural light sources. Data was collected for two different colored lenses: Amber (dotted line, dot markers) and Clear (dashed line, square markers), as well as for natural lighting (solid line, triangle markers). The Amber lens provided filtered strobed lighting of wavelengths associated with the Amber color, with the Clear lens providing unfiltered strobed light having a wavelength above about 450 nanometers. Each of the light sources was tested on ninety-three (93) tomato plants of the same species, planting date, and growing conditions.

[0061] All exposures to stroboscopic lighting in the example of FIG. 8 were performed according to the method of the present disclosure, using stroboscopic lamps having a peak candela of about 175,000, and a flash rate of about 65-95 flashes per minute. The stroboscopic lamps were suspended above the plants and, when natural lighting was not yet available in the morning and evening hours, the stroboscopic lamps were cycled through alternating on-periods of about 2 minutes and off-periods of about 20 minutes for a predetermined cycling time of about 3 hours.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the plants subjected to stroboscopic light from an Amber colored lens yielded about 1,320 pounds of tomato fruit, and the plants subjected to stroboscopic light through a Clear lens yielded about 1,230 pounds of tomato fruit. Both forms of stroboscopic light provided an improvement over the plants subjected to only natural lighting, which yielded only about 1,140 pounds of fruit over the same period of time.

[0063] FIG. 9 shows a line graph representing a comparison of cumulative fruits counted per plant for plants subjected to stroboscopic and natural light sources over a one month period. Data was collected for three sample sets: 1015 variety tomatoes exposed to stroboscopic light (dotted line, dot markers); 1015 variety tomatoes exposed to no strobed light, merely natural lighting (dashed line, diamond markers); 5108 variety tomatoes exposed to stroboscopic light (phantom line, square markers); and 5108 variety tomatoes exposed to no stroboscope light, merely natural lighting (solid line, triangle markers).

[0064] All exposures to stroboscopic lighting in the example of FIG. 9 were performed according to the method of the present disclosure, using stroboscopic lamps producing light in a wavelength of 450-950 nanometers, having a peak candela of about 175,000, and a flash rate of about 65-95 flashes per minute. The stroboscopic lamps were suspended above the plants and, when natural lighting was not yet available in the morning and evening hours, the stroboscopic lamps were cycled through alternating on-periods of about 2 minutes and off-periods of about 20 minutes for a predetermined cycling time of about 3 hours.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, there was a substantial increase in the quantity of fruits counted for both the 1015 and 5108 tomato varieties. The 1015 variety yielded 63 fruit/plant when exposed to stroboscopic light, compared to only 44 fruit/plant counted from the 1015 variety exposed to natural lighting. Likewise, the 5108 variety yielded 65 fruit/plant when exposed to stroboscopic light, compared to only 48 fruit/plant when only exposed to natural lighting.

[0066] With reference to FIG. 12, in another trial it has been surprisingly found that the plants subjected to continuous stroboscopic lighting had an average flowering time of 37 days, as opposed to 47 days for natural light sources, or an improvement of approximately 21%. It is expected that this is also an improvement relative to the intermittent strobing that that is the subject of FIG. 7, discussed, above and which resulted in an improvement of approximately 11%.

[0067] In the trial illustrated in FIG. 12, an improvement was also observed in the fruit harvested per plant, as show in TABLE 1 below.

FRUIT PER PLANT AT

RESULTS November 9th

NATURAL LIGHT 1 3

NATURAL LIGHT 2 3

NATURAL LIGHT 3 2

NATURAL LIGHT 4 3

24/7 AMBER STROBED LIGHT 1 8

24/7 AMBER STROBED LIGHT 2 7

24/7 AMBER STROBED LIGHT 3 6

24/7 AMBER STROBED LIGHT 4 7

TABLE 1

[0068] In the trial of Table 1 , tomato plants of the variety "Florida 47" were seeded in a greenhouse on August 26 ^th , and then transferred to grow containers on September 10 ^th . The amount of tomatoes harvested at about 60 days after the transplant was about double for the plants that received the 24/7 or continuously strobed light. This was an unexpected result, as it was believed that the plants would otherwise require a "rest period" in order to fully benefit from the effects of the strobed light.

[0069] Surprisingly, and as established in the examples hereinabove, the system 2, 202 and methods of the present disclosure encourage maturation and growth of the plants 20, 220, such as vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. Advantageously, the system 2, 202 and methods are also inexpensive relative to the use of conventional sodium-vapor lighting systems and methods.

[0070] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.