Multiple colors, and color palettes, of narrowband photosynthetically active radiation (par) time-staged over hours, days, and growing seasons yields superior plant growth

Abstract

Plants are optimally grown under artificial narrowband Photosynthetically Active Radiation (“PAR”) of multiple colors, and color palettes, applied in but partially time-overlapping cycles. As well as a long, growing season, cycle, the colored lights are cyclically applied on a short, diurnal, cycle that often roughly simulates a peak-season sunny day at the earth latitude native to the plant. Bluer lights are applied commencing before redder lights, and are likewise terminated before the redder lights. Infrared light in particular, is preferably first applied at a time corresponding to early afternoon, and is temporally extended past a time corresponding to sunset. The colored lights and light palettes preferably rise to, and fall from, different peak intensities over periods from 10 minutes to 2 hours, and relative peak intensities of even such different colors as are used at all vary up to times two (×2) in response to differing PAR requirements of different plants. Computer-controlled colored LED lights realize all.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A lighting system for providing an artificial Photosynthetically Active Radiation (“PAR”) to a plant for growing, said system comprising:
 multiple pluralities of narrowband Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), each one of the plurality of narrowband LEDs capable of emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths, wherein the narrowband light produced by each LED is delivered at a relative flux level of 20 Watt (W)±10% to 160 W±10%; and 
 a multiplicity of power sources each for controllably energizing an associated one or ones of the multiple pluralities of narrowband LEDs; 
 a time-of-day clock; and 
 a computer responsive to the clock for controlling the multiplicity of power sources so that each energizes an associated one or ones of the multiple pluralities of narrowband LEDs periodically, and causes the narrowband LEDs of that plurality to emit colored lights so that an artificial PAR is generated over the course of a day wherein the colors change over time in response to the time-of-day clock. 
 
     
     
         22 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of wavelengths range from 315 nanometers up to 785 nanometers. 
     
     
         23 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of wavelengths are in a bandwidth of wavelengths selected from the group consisting of 340 to 410 nanometers, 390 to 465 nanometers 430 to 500 nanometers, 500 to 550 nanometers, 565 to 650 nanometers, 620 to 680 nanometers, 640 to 670 nanometers and 705 to 755 nanometers. 
     
     
         24 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein 90% of the PAR is within a bandwidth of no greater than 70 nanometers. 
     
     
         25 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , further comprising a wireless device to control the providing of the artificial PAR to a plant. 
     
     
         26 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , further comprising one or more additional light fixtures supplying a spectra called “white” containing broadband light used for plant inspection and maintenance. 
     
     
         27 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , further comprising additional sensors and/or controls. 
     
     
         28 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the period is hourly and/or diurnally. 
     
     
         29 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the lighting system is capable of providing at least 2 and up to 9 different spectrums of light to the plant at approximately the same time. 
     
     
         30 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the lighting system further comprises a master controller. 
     
     
         31 . The lighting system of  claim 30 , wherein the master controller is a remotely programmable microcontroller. 
     
     
         32 . The lighting system of  claim 31 , wherein the lighting system further comprises software for driving the microcontroller. 
     
     
         33 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the lighting system further comprises a wireless or wired communication module. 
     
     
         34 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more power sources have at least 2 and up to 9 separate level-controllable LED drivers. 
     
     
         35 . The lighting system of  claim 34 , wherein all 9 separate level-controllable LED drivers have approximately the same current and voltage capabilities. 
     
     
         36 . The lighting system of  claim 21 , wherein the LEDs consume approximately the same power.