DE102018006126B4 - Trellis system for cultivating crops, especially hops - Google Patents

Abstract

A trellis system with at least one column trellis (1) for cultivating crops, spanned by a planar, flexible and/or pliable protective layer (15) that acts as hail and/or sun protection, wherein the protective layer (15) is a protective net or a closed-surface film, wherein the column trellis (1) forms a high trellis with high trellis columns (3) and with a large high trellis height (z ₁ ), characterized in that the high trellis (1) additionally has a low trellis (41) with a reduced low trellis height (z ₂ ), that the low trellis (41) is structurally integrated into the high trellis (1), and that in the vertical direction (z) the upper surface of the low trellis is spaced from the upper surface of the high trellis (1) by a clearance (Δz), that the high trellis (1) primarily forms a supporting structure for the protective layer (15) and is largely decoupled from the hop cultivation, and that the low trellis (41) is used for growing crops and is completely decoupled from the high frame (1), and that the low frame (41) has low columns (43) which are braced independently of the high columns (3) of the high frame (1) by means of ropes (45), and that guide wires (13) for guiding plant shoots (47) are attached to the ropes (45) of the low frame (41), while the high frame (1) is free of guide wires (13).

Description

The invention relates to a trellis system according to the preamble of claim 1. The trellis system is generally suitable for the cultivation of crops, but is particularly suitable for hop cultivation.

Hailstorms cause crop failures and increased labor in hop-growing regions every year. Excessive sunlight can also lead to yield losses, as hops have a lower light requirement compared to other crops. Such hail protection measures are used in fruit crops, as exemplified by... DE 19 18 300 A , from the EP 287 5721 A1 and especially from the EP 3 138 390 A1 is known.

In agriculture, the use of agrophotovoltaics is generally known, where land is used for dual purposes, both for farming and for generating electricity. For this, the agricultural land is equipped with a photovoltaic system, where a framework supports photovoltaic modules. These modules are spaced apart. The module spacing and/or the orientation of the photovoltaic modules can be adjusted electronically to ensure both uniform solar irradiance on the underlying agricultural land and a high solar yield.

However, due to the free spacing between the photovoltaic modules, there is only limited hail protection for the crops underneath.

From the CH 706 132 A2 A scaffolding system of this type is known. From the printed publication “ Key points for a tender design for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems. Agrophotovoltaics (APV) as resource-efficient land use. Wuppertal Institute; Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. Freiburg 2014 “ is a known trellis system for cultivated plants. From the DE 103 49 243 A1 A profile rail for use as a ridge element for a weather protection device is known. From the DE 1 918 300 A , from the FR 2 848 063 A1 , from the WO 2017 193 916 A1 and from the DE 34 27 574 A1 Other trellis systems for cultivating crops are known.

The object of the invention is to provide a scaffolding system which, in comparison to the above prior art, guarantees perfect hail protection and/or sun protection.

The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The trellis system according to the invention is suitable for cultivating any crop. It is particularly suitable for hop cultivation. Therefore, the following aspects of the invention relate to hop cultivation by way of example, but are not specifically limited to hop cultivation.

The invention is based on the understanding that hops have relatively low light requirements and that reduced sunlight does not lead to any yield losses. Against this background, the hop trellis system according to the invention comprises at least one column structure covered on its upper side with a flat, flexible, and/or flexibly bendable protective layer that acts as hail and/or sun protection. This protective layer can be a photovoltaic film, which is a component of a photovoltaic system for generating electrical energy and may contain crystalline silicon solar cells. The photovoltaic film allows the column structure to be completely covered and, at the same time, generates electrical energy in a dual capacity. Such a completely closed covering of the column structure is not possible with conventional plate-shaped and rigid photovoltaic modules, which are typically spaced far apart.

In one technical implementation, the column framework can consist of columns spaced apart from one another in a manner known per se. These columns are anchored in the ground at their base and their upper ends are braced together by cables upon which the protective layer is laid. The upper ends of the columns can be braced together by transverse and longitudinal cables that cross each other at nodes. The flexible protective layer can cover the respective cable gaps by forming a downward-sagging arch. In this case, the protective layer can have a base that curves downwards by the depth of the arch, from which walls of the protective layer extend up to the cables (especially the longitudinal cables).

The two protective layer walls can be connected to each other at the base of the arch via at least one elastically flexible connecting element. This serves as a measure to reduce the load-bearing capacity in the event of hail or snow. When a load, such as hail or snow, is applied, the elastically flexible connecting element expands, generating an elastically flexible restoring force. This creates a gap between the two protective layer walls. Hail or snow on the protective layer can then be channeled downwards, reducing the load-bearing capacity of the layer.

In a first embodiment, the protective layer can be constructed from a number of separate protective layer segments. Each protective layer segment can completely cover exactly one cable gap. The protective layer segment can be guided along the cables (preferably longitudinal cables) so that its edges can be moved. In this case, the respective protective layer segment can be moved between a spread-out working layer, in which the cable gap is covered, and a gathered stowage layer, in which the cable gap is at least partially open.

For ease of adjustment, it is preferable if the respective protective layer segment is attached to the longitudinal cables only at its longitudinal edges, allowing for movement. In contrast, the protective layer segment can be secured to the transverse cables at its transverse edges using releasable fixings. To move the protective layer segment from its extended working position to its stowed position, the fixings are first released. The protective layer segment, guided lengthwise along the longitudinal cables, can then be gathered lengthwise into its stowed position.

The transverse cables can act as load-bearing cables and have a larger diameter compared to the longitudinal cables. In contrast, the longitudinal cables are laid on the transverse cables tensioned between the columns.

In a second embodiment, the protective layer can be constructed not from separate segments, but rather as a single, elongated sheet of material. In this case, the protective layer can be laid on the longitudinal and/or transverse cables in one direction of the track's extension. The sheet material can preferably extend in a single piece and/or uniformly across a plurality of cable gaps.

For example, the track material can be at least partially constructed from a photovoltaic film that is part of a photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic film can have a three-layer structure, consisting of an upper film cover layer, a lower film cover layer, and an intermediate photovoltaic active layer. The photovoltaic active layer can be offset from the longitudinal edges of the track. In this case, edge connection areas are created that are free of the photovoltaic active layer and serve for connection to a cable and/or to an adjacent protective layer track material. Alternatively and/or additionally, the track material can have further connection areas that are not positioned at the longitudinal edges of the track, but rather in the center of the track.

In common practice, hops are cultivated on high trellises, whose support columns reach a height of approximately 7 meters. Alternatively, dwarf hops are also cultivated on low trellises, whose support columns reach a height of approximately 3 meters. Once breeding efforts have succeeded in increasing yields in low trellis systems, these will become widespread due to the significant reduction in labor and the reduction of peak workloads, particularly in May when training the hops, as well as the considerable improvement in environmental protection. Recycling sprayers and tractor-drawn harvesters can be used in low trellis systems. In contrast, hop-growing regions are currently still dominated by the 7-meter-high high trellis systems. This cultivation method involves high peak workloads in maintenance and the risk of spray drift during plant protection measures. Intensive research is currently underway on hop cultivation in low trellis systems.

Growing hops in a low-trellis system offers the following advantages: The annual installation of training wires to guide the hop shoots is eliminated. Furthermore, the labor required for hop maintenance is reduced due to simplified training or self-guided hop cultivation, thus mitigating the peak workload in May. Additionally, the use of recyclable sprayers in a low-trellis system largely eliminates spray drift. Consequently, pesticide use is reduced compared to high-trellis systems due to the return of untreated spray solution. Harvesting is carried out using a mobile picking machine that removes only the cones and leaves from the standing plants, leaving the hop vines attached to the training wire. Finally, the lower height of the low-trellis system reduces construction costs.

• Demzufolge ist in dem Hochgerüst ein zusätzliches Niedriggerüst mit reduzierter Niedriggerüst-Bauhöhe integriert. In diesem Fall ist die Niedriggerüst-Oberseite um einen Freigang in der Gerüst-Hochrichtung von der Hochgerüst-Oberseite beabstandet. Der Freigang kann in einem Bereich von zirka 4 m liegen.

Low trellises still lead to yield losses compared to high trellises, so they have not yet been of significant importance in hop cultivation. Against this background, the following describes measures according to the invention that allow for the cultivation of hops on an existing high trellis. of dwarf hops without resulting in overall yield losses:

• Consequently, an additional low scaffold with a reduced height is integrated into the high scaffold. In this case, the top of the low scaffold is set back from the top of the high scaffold by a clearance walkway in the vertical direction. This clearance walkway can be located within a range of approximately 4 meters.

The high trellis primarily serves as a supporting structure for the protective layer and is largely completely decoupled from the actual hop cultivation. In contrast, hop cultivation takes place primarily on the low trellis, which is completely decoupled from the protective layer's supporting function and from the high trellis.

The low trellis is constructed from low columns that are braced independently of the high columns of the main trellis by means of cables, in particular exclusively longitudinal cables. Guide wires for directing the hop shoots are attached to the longitudinal cables.

In a technical implementation, the upright columns of the high-level scaffold can be spaced apart from each other in both a transverse and a longitudinal direction, and arranged in rows and/or in line with one another. The low-level columns can be positioned between the upright columns. This results in a hop trellis system in which the longitudinal cables of the low-level scaffold run parallel to the longitudinal cables of the high-level scaffold. The low-level columns of the low-level scaffold and the upright columns of the high-level scaffold can be positioned in line or in rows one behind the other in the transverse direction of the scaffold. Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction of the scaffold, only the low-level columns (i.e., without the upright columns) can be arranged in rows or in line one behind the other, and adjacent to these, only the high-level columns (i.e., without the low-level columns) can be arranged in rows or in lines one behind the other. The rows of low-level columns and the rows of high-level columns running longitudinally can run parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the scaffold.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

• 1 eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer Hopfengerüstanlage gemäß einem nicht von der Erfindung umfassten Vergleichsbeispiel;
• 2, 3 bis 4 jeweils unterschiedliche Ansichten der in der 1 gezeigten Hopfengerüstanlage;
• 5, 6 bis 7 weitere Ansichten gemäß einem nicht von der Erfindung umfassten Vergleichsbeispiel;
• 8 und 9 jeweils Ansichten einer Hopfengerüstanlage gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 10, 11 bis 12 jeweils Ansichten, die Umbaumaßnahmen veranschaulichen, um eine herkömmliche Hopfengerüstanlage mit einem Hochgerüst für den Hopfenanbau auf einem Niedriggerüst umzustellen.

They show:

• 1 a perspective partial view of a hop trellis system according to a comparative example not covered by the invention;
• 2 , 3 until 4 each has different views on the matter. 1 hop trellis system shown;
• 5 , 6 until 7 further views according to a comparative example not encompassed by the invention;
• 8 and 9 Each view of a hop trellis system according to an exemplary design;
• 10 , 11 until 12 Each image shows views illustrating the conversion measures to transform a conventional hop trellis system with a high trellis for hop cultivation onto a low trellis.

In the 1 According to a comparative example not encompassed by the invention, a hop trellis system with a column trellis 1 is shown, which has spaced-apart columns 3. The columns 3 are arranged in rows at intervals along the longitudinal direction x of the trellis. These are spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction y of the trellis and run parallel. The columns 3 at the edges and corners are inclined obliquely outwards, while the inner columns 3 project vertically upwards. In the 1 The upper ends of the columns are braced together by means of transverse and longitudinal cables 5, 7. The transverse cables 5 act as load-bearing cables on which the longitudinal cables 7 are laid. The transverse and longitudinal cables 5, 7 cross each other at nodes K ( 2 ), resulting in right-angled rope gaps 9 ( 2 or 5 ). The inclined columns 3 at the edges and corners are also supported by guy wires 11 ( 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 until 12 ) on bottom-side screw anchors 12 ( 9 ) tensioned. In addition, 7 guide wires (not shown) are attached to the longitudinal cables to guide the hop shoots.

In the 1 , 2 , 3 until 4 The top of the column framework 1 is covered with a flat, flexible protective layer 15, which acts as a hail and/or sun protection and completely covers the column framework 1.

Protection level 15 is in the 2 , 3 or 4 It is constructed from a mesh or film material and consists of a plurality of separate protective layer segments 17. Each of these protective layer segments 17 completely covers exactly one cable gap 9. As can be seen from the 3 As can be seen, the respective protective layer segment 17 is located at its longitudinal edges 19 ( 2 , 3 or 5 ) slidably guided on the longitudinal cables 7, for example by means of eyelets 22 ( 6 or 7 In this way, each of the protection layer segments 17 can be selected between one in the 4 The shown extended working position W and a gathered storage position S can be adjusted. In contrast, in the 2 Each of the protective layer segments 17 is attached at its transverse edges 20 to the transverse cables 5 by means of (only roughly schematically indicated) releasable fixing means 18. To separate the protective layer segment 17 from its extended effective position W ( 4 ) into its storage position S ( 4 To bring this about, the fixing means 18 are first released. Subsequently, the protective layer segment 17, which is guided longitudinally along the longitudinal cables 7, can be gathered in the longitudinal direction x into its stowage position S.

The protective layer elements 17 should not be taut, but rather sag slightly in order to be able to absorb even larger quantities of hailstones. Therefore, they are covered in the 3 each protective layer segment 17 forming a downwardly sagging bulge 21 ( 6 ) the respective rope gap 9. Accordingly, each protective layer segment 17 has a curvature depth Δt ( 6 ) downwardly curved vaulted floor 23, from which protective layer walls 25 are raised to the longitudinal cables 7, on which the respective protective layer segment 17 is slidably held by means of the eyelets 22.

The arched base 23 is located approximately in the middle between two longitudinal cables 7. The two protective layer walls 25 are not connected to each other in one piece directly at the arched base 23, but rather by means of elastically compliant connecting elements 29.

The elastically compliant connecting elements 29 expand when a load acts on the protective layer 15, for example by hail 24 ( 7 ) or snow, building up an elastically yielding restoring force. This creates a gap 27 between the two protective layer walls 25 ( 7 ) released, thereby directing hail 24 or snow downwards and thus reducing the load-bearing capacity of the protective layer 15.

In the 5 , 6 until 7 Another comparative example not covered by the invention is shown, in which the protective layer 15 is not made of a mesh material, but rather is designed as a photovoltaic film that is part of a photovoltaic system for generating electrical energy. According to the 6 or 7 a three-layer structure, namely with an upper foil cover layer 31, a lower foil cover layer 33 and a middle, intermediate photovoltaic active layer 35. The photovoltaic foil 15 is manufactured as a continuous web material which runs in a web extension direction in the scaffold longitudinal direction x and is laid in a single piece and in a uniform material over a plurality of cable intersecting spaces 9.

As from the 6 As further shown, the photovoltaic active layer 35 is spaced from the respective longitudinal edge 37 of the web by an edge offset r. This results in edge-side connection areas 39 where the photovoltaic film 15 can be connected to the longitudinal and/or transverse cables 5, 7 or to adjacent films 15 without damaging the photovoltaic active layer 15.

As from the 5 As further shown, adjacent photovoltaic films 15 are connected to each other via elastic connecting elements 29, which act as overload protection in case of excessively high load-bearing capacity, as shown in the 7 This illustrates the point.

The following will be based on the 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 until 12 A hop trellis system is described according to an exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the hop trellis system has the following features: 8 The system combines a high scaffold 1, which is constructed identically to the comparative examples, with a low scaffold 41. The high scaffold 1, with its high scaffold columns 3, features in the 9 a high scaffold construction height z _1. In contrast, the low scaffold 41 is designed with low columns 43, whose construction height z ₂ is reduced by a clearance Δz ( 9 ) in the vertical direction of the scaffolding z is reduced. In the 8 or 9 The high-level framework 1 forms a supporting structure for the protective layer 15. This can preferably be designed as a photovoltaic film, as already shown by the 5 , 6 until 7 The structure described is largely decoupled from the actual hop cultivation. Hop cultivation takes place in the 8 or 9 mainly on the low scaffold 41. The low scaffold 41 is in turn functionally independent of the high scaffold 1, which acts as a supporting structure for the protective layer 15.

In the 8 and 9 The low columns 43 are independently braced to each other by means of longitudinal cables 45 from the high columns 3. Vertical guide wires 13 are attached to the longitudinal cables 45 for guiding the hop shoots 47 ( 9 ) connected. Additionally, in the 8 and 9 Longitudinal cables 47 are also tensioned on the high columns, to which guide wires 13 can also be attached.

According to the 8 are the upright columns 3 of the scaffold 1 in a scaffold transverse direction y and in a scaffold longitudinal direction x over transverse and longitudinal distances Δx, Δy ( 10 ) spaced apart from each other and arranged in a row and in line behind one another. In the scaffold's transverse direction x, two low columns 43 are positioned between each of the high columns 3, with the low columns 43 and the high columns 3 being arranged together in a line or in a row behind one another in the scaffold's transverse direction y. Viewed in the scaffold's longitudinal direction x, the following results. arrangement: Accordingly, low column rows N running in the longitudinal direction x of the scaffolding ( 11 ) and high column rows H ( 11 ) positioned parallel to each other. Every third row is a high-column row H, followed by two low-column rows N.

• Demzufolge wird in einem ersten Umbauschritt in das Hochgerüst 1 das Niedriggerüst 41 integriert (11), wie es oben anhand der 8 und 9 beschrieben ist. Dadurch kann der Hopfenanbau im Niedriggerüst 41 erfolgen. Zudem wird in einem zweiten Umbauschritt die Gerüst-Oberseite des Hochgerüsts 1 mit einer Photovoltaikfolie 15 großflächig sowie komplett überspannt. Auf diese Weise bildet das Hochgerüst 1 eine Tragkonstruktion für die Photovoltaikfolie 15. Ernteeinbußen durch den Hopfenanbau im Niedriggerüst 41 werden durch die Energiegewinnung mittels der Photovoltaikfolie 15 ausgeglichen.

Based on the 10 , 11 until 12 are measures described to address the issues in the 10 The hop trellis system shown, with a high trellis 1, is to be converted so that dwarf hop cultivation with a low trellis 41 is possible without any economic losses:

• Therefore, in a first conversion step, the low scaffold 41 will be integrated into the high scaffold 1 ( 11 ), as shown above based on the 8 and 9 This is described. This allows hop cultivation in the low-trellis system 41. In a second conversion step, the top of the high-trellis system 1 is completely and extensively covered with a photovoltaic film 15. In this way, the high-trellis system 1 forms a supporting structure for the photovoltaic film 15. Harvest losses due to hop cultivation in the low-trellis system 41 are compensated for by the energy generated by the photovoltaic film 15.

Reference symbol list

1

Column scaffolding / High scaffolding

3

columns

5

Cross cables

7

Longitudinal cables

9

Rope spaces

11

guy wires

12

bottom-side screw anchor

13

Lead wires

15

Protective situation

17

Protective layer segments

18

fixer

19

longitudinal edges

20

transverse edges

21

Curvature

22

eyelets

23

vaulted floor

24

hailstones

25

vaulted walls

27

passage gap

29

elastically compliant connecting element

31

upper cover layer

33

lower top layer

35

Photovoltaic active layer

37

track longitudinal edge

39

Connection areas

41

Low frame

43

Low columns

45

Low-level scaffolding longitudinal cables

47

hop

K

Junctions

R

Edge offset

W

Action for effective action

S

Storage compartment

x

Scaffolding longitudinal direction

y

Scaffolding cross-direction

z

Scaffold erection

N

Low-column series

H

High column series

Δt

Curvature depth

r

Edge offset

Claims (11)

A trellis system with at least one column trellis (1) for cultivating crops, spanned by a flat, flexible and/or pliable protective layer (15) that acts as hail and/or sun protection, wherein the protective layer (15) is a protective net or a closed-surface film, wherein the column trellis (1) forms a high trellis with high trellis columns (3) and with a large high trellis height (z ₁ ), characterized in that the high trellis (1) additionally has a low trellis (41) with a reduced low trellis height (z ₂ ), that the low trellis (41) is structurally integrated into the high trellis (1), and that in the vertical direction (z) the upper surface of the low trellis is spaced from the upper surface of the high trellis (1) by a clearance (Δz), that the high trellis (1) primarily forms a supporting structure for the protective layer (15) and is largely decoupled from the hop cultivation, and that the low trellis (41) is used for cultivating crops and is completely decoupled from the high frame (1), and that the low frame (41) has low columns (43) which are braced independently of the high columns (3) of the high frame (1) by means of ropes (45), and that guide wires (13) are provided for guiding plant shoots (47) are tied to the ropes (45) of the low frame (41), while the high frame (1) is free of guide wires (13). scaffolding system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the protective layer (15) is made of a railway material. scaffolding system according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the scaffold (1) has columns (3) spaced apart from each other, which are anchored in the ground on the ground side and are braced together at their upper column ends by means of ropes (5, 7), on which the protective layer (15) is laid and/or which define at least one space (9). scaffolding system according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the upper column ends are braced together by means of transverse and longitudinal cables (5, 7) which cross each other at nodes (K), and/or that the longitudinal cables (7) are laid on the transverse cables (5) which act as load-bearing cables, and/or that the protective layer (15) covers the cable space (9) by forming a downwardly sagging arch (21), and that the protective layer (15) has a vault base (23) that is arched downwards by an arch depth (Δt), from which vault walls (25) are raised up to the longitudinal cables (7). scaffolding system according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the two arched walls (25) of the protective layer (15) are connected to each other via at least one elastically flexible connecting element at the arched base (23), and that the elastically flexible connecting element (29) expands under the influence of a load, such as hail or snow, building up an elastically flexible restoring force and releases a passage gap (27) between the two profile walls (25), so that hail (24) or snow can be discharged downwards to relieve the protective layer (15). Scaffolding system according to one of the Claims 3 until 5 , characterized in that the protective layer (15) is composed of a plurality of separate protective layer segments (17), each of which covers exactly one rope gap (9) completely, and/or that the protective layer segment (17) is guided slidably at its edges on the ropes (5, 7), and/or that the protective layer segment (17) is adjustable between an extended working layer (W) and a gathered storage layer (S), and/or that the protective layer segment (17) is guided slidably at its longitudinal edges (19) on the longitudinal ropes (7), and/or that the protective layer segment (17) can be fastened at its transverse edges (20) to the transverse ropes (5) via releasable fixing means (18). Scaffolding system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective layer (15) is formed from at least one track material which is laid on the ropes (5, 7) in a track extension direction (x, y), and that the track material extends in a single material and/or in one piece over a plurality of rope spaces (9). scaffolding system according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the protective layer (15) is a photovoltaic film which is part of a photovoltaic system for generating electricity, and that the web material has a three-layer structure with an upper and lower film cover layer (31, 33) as well as an intermediate photovoltaic layer (35), and that the photovoltaic layer (35) is spaced from the longitudinal edge of the web by a web transverse offset (r), forming an edge-side connection area (39) for connection to a cable (5, 7) or for connection to an adjacent protective layer web material. Scaffolding system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the high columns (3) of the high scaffolding (1) are spaced apart from each other in a scaffold transverse direction (y) and in a scaffold longitudinal direction (x) by transverse and longitudinal distances (Δx, Δy) and are arranged in a row and/or in line, and that the low columns (43) are positioned within the transverse and/or longitudinal distances (Δx, Δy). Scaffolding system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal cables (45) of the low columns (43) run parallel to the longitudinal cables (7) of the high columns (3), and/or that the low columns (43) are positioned in line or in series in the scaffolding transverse direction (y). Scaffolding system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the low columns (43) and the high columns (3) are arranged in the scaffolding transverse direction (y) in line or in a row behind one another, and/or in the scaffolding longitudinal direction (x) the low column rows (N) and the high column rows (H) are arranged parallel to each other.