Abstract: A method for electrosignaling to obtain higher crop yield from non-reproductive vegetative stage young plant seedlings engaged in photosynthesis. A short time precisely specified mandatory dual wavelength distribution illumination signal comprising Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) and an Ultraviolet Illumination Distribution (UVID) is administered to the plant with precise ranges of limited extent for irradiance values and cumulative deposited energies. A one-time 10-second exposure of soybean seedlings to the illumination signal improved crop yield by up to 20%. Preferred embodiments include a moveable cultivator to provide the electrosignaling on an agricultural field, as well as a field so treated. The method inducing this electrosignaling effect does not take place during typical illumination, such as illuminating to supplement sunlight or grow light.

Abstract: Convection interactions like exposure of seeds to hot ozonated air, hot humidified air, hot ozonated humidified air and optional ultrasound—obtain higher net reduction of germination viability (0-1 percent germination versus 70 percent obtained for a control) of seeds than that obtained via a seed illumination process alone that uses Medium Wavelength Infrared and an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution.

Abstract: Plant eradication and stressing of plants using illumination signaling where a short-time dual component, low energy, unnatural set of irradiances is applied, with no mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any wavelength for eradication by substantial high temperature thermally-induced leaf and plant component failure or incineration. An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of wavelength 300 nm to 550 nm is directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, while infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation of 2-20 microns wavelength, 2.4-8.0 microns preferred, is directed to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent the root crown. The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution can pass through the MWIR emitter to form a compact illuminator that uses specific unnatural irradiances that provide unexpected plant control. The MWIR emitter can comprise borosilicate glass at 400° F. to 1000° F.

Abstract: A change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination viability in one minute by illuminating a seed in a processing theater to achieve at least one of 0.66 J/cm2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm2 irradiance, of at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation, preferably 2-8 microns, with no high energy transfers, scalding, heat shock, cooking or incineration. The MWIR radiation from heated borosilicate glass or glass powder at just under 500 C offered a peak MWIR emission of 3.75 microns, and was unexpectedly effective, and can be used in a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator transport belt. The process can be incorporated into a harvester combine to convert a tailings flow prior to discharge on an agricultural field. An illuminated harvest combine using an illuminator according to the invention allows reduction of the weed seed bank.

Abstract: Plant eradication and stressing of plants using illumination trauma where a dual component, low energy, unnatural set of irradiances is applied, with no mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any wavelength for eradication by severe scalding, heat shock, or incineration. Two radiations are applied: an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution that can extend from 300 nm to 550 nm to be directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, and a Medium Wavelength Infrared distribution of light, ranging from 2-20 microns wavelength to be directed to the ground, to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent the root crown. Plants can include seeds, and seedlings, and biomass can be irradiated to control weed seeds such as from a combine. The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution can pass through the MWIR emitter to form a compact illuminator. The MWIR emitter can comprise borosilicate glass at 400 F to 1000 F.

Abstract: A field image is formed using a tristimulus color model and used to detect target plants or entities on a field. Through the use of a luminance parameter floor, hue and saturation selection steps, feature recognition, a sizing floor and an aspect ratio ceiling, a very fast way is devised to recognize a target plant without need for consulting plant attribute databases, or to analyze spectral or other specialized data for comparison with known attributes. This allows a low calculational processing load and use of simple hardware such as a single board computer to handle machine vision in real time. Treatment steps can include a spray event, a light treatment, and a thermal/mechanical trauma.

Abstract: Non soil-invasive four-parameter rapid unnatural dual component selective illumination protocol (UDCIP) for plant eradication using a process time under one minute. Application of a relatively low level of non-mutating UV-A optical energy to root crowns and/or soil grades allows below-ground UV-A penetration into soil to illuminate root crowns, and when preceded by or coincident with an above ground near-IR defoliation and root crown illumination step, results in an unexpected rise in lethality. Very high lethality, including 100 percent, is obtained using low deposited energy. UV-A optical energy can be delivered to root crowns and adjacent soil via a UV-transmissive knive blade.