System and method for testing plant genotype and phenotype expressions under varying growing and environmental conditions
Inventors
Stewart, Gregory E. • Fuxman, Adrian M. • Mendoza, Lino E. Coria • Miresmailli, Saber • Christensen, Allison Marie
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11666004-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method includes obtaining data measurements associated with plants in at least one growing area. The plants have a common genotype and are grown under different growing or environmental conditions in the at least one growing area. The data measurements are associated with one or more characteristics of the plants and multiple characteristics of the growing or environmental conditions. The method also includes processing at least some of the data measurements to identify one or more of the growing or environmental conditions associated with at least one desired characteristic being expressed in the plants being grown. The method further includes outputting an identification of the one or more growing or environmental conditions identified as achieving a specific genotype or phenotype trait for the plants. The specific genotype or phenotype trait is associated with the at least one desired characteristic.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a plant-genotype/phenotype testing platform that obtains data measurements associated with plants in at least one growing area. The plants have a common genotype and are grown under different growing or environmental conditions in the at least one growing area, and the data measurements are associated with one or more characteristics of the plants and multiple characteristics of the growing or environmental conditions. The system aggregates spatial plant and environmental measurements collected by human scouts, robotic scouts, and optional fixed sensors, including climate data, pest and disease data, and crop work/treatment-related data.
The invention at least partially removes time of day variations from at least some of the data measurements using aggregated baselines by time window. It then processes at least some of the data measurements to identify one or more growing or environmental conditions associated with at least one desired characteristic being expressed in the plants being grown, where the desired characteristic is associated with a specific genotype or phenotype trait. The platform supports identifying spatial production anomalies and recommending and/or triggering actions based on the identified growing or environmental conditions.
The invention further analyzes plants grown under different environmental conditions to identify which growing/environment conditions achieve desired genotype/phenotype traits, using stored outputs and optional predictive/quantitative modeling. It supports generating models, including spatiotemporal and predictive dynamic models, and using machine learning algorithms for feature extraction from imagery. Human-facing outputs include spatial visualizations and operation through an AR/MR headset to guide tasks, with example architectures including cloud and local processing and network communications.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims (apparatus, non-transitory medium, and two methods) sharing a common core workflow: obtain plant-associated and environment-associated measurements for plants of a common genotype grown under different conditions, at least partially remove time of day variations, identify the growing/environmental conditions associated with a desired genotype/phenotype trait, and adjust one or more control systems accordingly. The independent claims differ by claim type (apparatus vs computer-readable medium) and, for the method claims, by whether they include action recommendation/identification and reaction-based monitoring/decision logic.
Time-of-day variation removal and condition identification for desired genotype/phenotype traits
Obtain data measurements associated with plants in at least one growing area, where the plants have a common genotype and are grown under different growing or environmental conditions, and process the data measurements by at least partially removing time of day variations to identify one or more growing or environmental conditions associated with at least one desired characteristic being expressed in the plants, the desired characteristic being associated with a specific genotype or phenotype trait.
Control-system adjustment based on identified achieving conditions
Adjust one or more control systems in the at least one growing area based on an identification of the one or more growing or environmental conditions identified as achieving a specific genotype or phenotype trait for the plants, the specific genotype or phenotype trait associated with the at least one desired characteristic.
Action identification with reaction monitoring and continue/cease/other actions decision
Identify one or more actions to be performed involving one or more of the plants in order to alter one or more characteristics of the one or more plants, monitor a reaction of one or more of the plants to performance of the one or more actions, determine whether to continue with the one or more actions, cease the one or more actions, or perform one or more other or additional actions based on whether at least one specific genotype or phenotype trait for the one or more plants has been obtained, and adjust one or more control systems based on the determination.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on using plant measurements tied to a common genotype across different growing/environmental conditions, reducing time-of-day variation effects, identifying the growing/environmental conditions (and/or actions) associated with a desired genotype/phenotype trait, and adjusting one or more control systems based on that identification or determination.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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