The Importance of Plant-Centric Controls for Growers
Written By: Argus Control Systems and Conviron, Edited By: Alex Fermon
Each plant is unique, the way it grows, looks, and reproduces, is different in every case and the nature -or genetic makeup of the plant- determines the scope of possibilities for its size, habit, flowering, and fruiting… even under similar circumstances, same type plants may perform differently. Depending on its environment, it may produce many large fruits, or just a few small fruits, or no fruit at all.
To achieve a sustainable operation, relying on the right technology and maximizing the use of the tools they offer provide users a more efficient use of resources which will lead into more sustainable practices, as well as reducing costs (personnel, electric light, water use, etc.) that also have an impact on the environment. For controlled conditions such as greenhouses and indoor grows, companies have developed sophisticated systems to automate the process of creating and maintaining plant growth environments providing capabilities for automatically adjusting climate targets based on dynamically changing conditions.
Where are Plant-Centric Automated Controls used
Not all control systems approach the plants in the same way
Greenhouse growers have many options to choose from for controlling and automating their operation; however, not because all systems can control the environment, they can all understand the plant in the same level of detail. Building Management Solutions (BMS), for example, are usually intended for managing the climate of the building and it might take its focus on the room itself while Environmental Control Systems for Horticulture have the plant as the focal point for all readings and responses in the room.
Plant-Centric controls provide growers with production modeling systems that work around the plants needs and are more likely to directly control the environment to tighter tolerances while delivering more precise controls for processes inherent to horticulture which makes them more efficient. Technologically advanced environmental control systems, like Argus Controls, have developed specific programs that aid in avoiding growth or yield loss as a result of their Plant-Centric approach.
Production modeling systems – Defining and achieving the targets
Modeling systems for crop production are usually only available on control systems for horticulture. They are meant to predict and get ahead of growth rates and other crop related outcomes based on mathematically derived relationships between the multiple factors growth and qualities (already known) of the target crop.
Examples based on features available on an Argus Controls System.
Commonly, an environmental control system for horticulture is focused on achieving targets within the defined limitations of the controlled equipment and the tolerances of the crop. Its primary function is to automatically operate the connected greenhouse equipment to maintain climate parameters such as temperature, humidity, light, CO2, root zone moisture, and nutrient levels within the target thresholds. In order to do so, the system must consider certain rules and protocols that ensure proper and safe equipment operation, the specific needs and tolerances of the crop, and economic considerations such as energy use. Greenhouse and indoor grow control systems are meant to operate the equipment to meet the targets while respecting any limitations that may be imposed, regardless if the targets are entered as fixed operator setpoints, or modified by other measured parameters, or passed in from an external decision support system.
An Argus Controls system, for example, can program light schedules for the growth stages in cannabis production by manipulating the light intensity and spectrum of the target profile while using LED lights to ensure plants maximize chlorophyll absorption which peaks between at between 450 and 660nm. To achieve this, Argus schedules intensity and wavelength for the target profile; if the ratio of red to blue light increases, the plant perceives more intense light and leaves do not stretch vertically as they grow, meaning a tight branching pattern. Changes in light spectra can be used to manipulate Cannabinoid, Terpene Profiles and THC content.
Closed vs Open production modeling systems
Some controls system vendors may focus on incorporating crop-specific modeling intelligence into their systems. This “closed systems” approach to model integration means that growers using these systems are limited to the range of offerings provided by their automated controls provider. An “open system” accommodates as wide a spectrum of applications as possible. Rather that embed simulation software into the systems, it provides methods for working and communicating with external third-party systems. By adopting this “open system” approach, users are free to take advantage of a full range of emerging decision support products. Researchers may also benefit from this interconnectivity since they can use the control system to provide the input measurements and the controlled outputs for testing their models.
Full Control of a Grow Environment with a Plant Centric Controls System
Consistency in the production and an efficient use of the resources are key elements in a successful horticultural operation. To achieve these goals, it is important to consider that a control system for horticulture should not only automate the environment, it should also be able to provide you with programs that can act accordingly to the needs of the plants and even anticipate specific events such as watering or feeding cycle. Production modeling systems are features usually available on environmental control systems for horticulture and are an excellent tool to drive the system into acting more accurately and provide better results based on the specific conditions of the plant.
