DE2748010A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SOIL-FREE CULTIVATION OF PLANTS - Google Patents

Description

3C00 Mönchen 80 Mühldorfstrasse 25

Tatefon (OM) 4ββ 72. Τ · Ι · χ 521SM8 TatograiniM patenm · mOnchan Po «« * wck Munich M4IM « Bank Rautd »! t Co Munich 2 «B007

Patent attorney Dr.-Ing. R. Liesegang

GORDON ROSS BARNETT LEIGH-ON-SEA, ENGLAND P 096 31

Method and device for cultivating plants without soil

The invention relates to the soil-free cultivation of plants in hydroponic or water culture technology, plants being raised either from seeds or seedlings or seedlings without soil and their roots in one Develop liquid, the soluble plant nutrients continuously or periodically be added.

The invention creates further developments in hydroponic technology in the form of Nutrient film technique, where plants are cultivated in gullies alongside them continuous streams of liquid flow, whereby the plant roots are in the Gullies develop in bed-like formations which eventually fill the gullies, and take nutrients continuously as needed flowing liquid film can be added.

A Vorrichhing according to the invention for the terrestrial cultivation of plants from seeds or seedlings or seedlings using the "Nohrftlm technique"

27Α80Ί0

characterized by a flow line that has a fluid-conducting strand, such as a Cord, a strand, a rope, a tape or the like. Comprises, wherein the strand is woven, non-woven, twisted, even, multi-stranded or single-stranded. is more fluid due to means for feeding Nutrient solution to the liquid-conducting strand in such a way that the nutrient solution along the Strands flows and is guided, and means for arranging seeds or saplings at a distance along the liquid-conducting strand in such a way that the seeds or seedlings can grow in the flowing nutrient solution.

In a method according to the invention for cultivating plants from soilless Seeds or seedlings or seedlings by means of the "nutrient film technique" is according to the invention provided that a film of a nutrient solution is continuously under the action of welding force flows along a flow path, for example through the liquid-conducting Strand is formed so that the film is guided to flow along the flow path is, and that in the nutrient solution at spaced locations along the Turn seeds or saplings cultivated in the flow path.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid-conducting strand can be arranged lengthways on a bed surface and the nutrient solution can be induced to do so turn to flow in the form of a thin film on the bed surface so that it flows along the strand, e.g. on one side thereof.

The bed surface can be from the bottom of a gully, water tank or the like. Or from be formed of a material layer on which several liquid-conducting strands are arranged could be.

This arrangement has the advantage of avoiding or reducing the risk that, due to irregularities in either the inclination or the shape of the bottom of the gully, the nutrient solution does not flow as a thin, uniform film, but rather irregularly along the bottom and zones of specific areas set in the gully seed or germ nerds spares, what can happen especially when the plants are still small in the form vo η seeds or Keirmtadium and therefore. Egg is not a crucial func-

809817/0995 " ⁷ "

tion of the fluid-conducting strand to conduct the nutrient solution by capillary action (although this may be), but it is contemplated that the flow of nutrient solution will be directed primarily along the flow path predetermined by the string. The seeds or seedlings can thus be placed in or near the flow path ensuring that the nutrient solution is delivered to the zones or areas the seedlings is guided by means of the flow path.

In one embodiment of the invention, the gully has both a transverse and a

a longitudinal slope, and the liquid nutrient solution becomes whole or larger

Part in the gully on one side of the flow path or the liquid-guiding

fed to the strand, namely on the side that is higher in the transverse direction lying side of the gully bottom corresponds, so that the liquid film on one

Side of the strand is guided along this and given this by the strand Tends to follow the flow path while the film flows down in the gully.

An advantage of this arrangement is that it provides the required amount of nutrient solution, which must flow along the box floor, regardless of the box width reduce, at least as long as the plants are still small. This will reduce evaporation and, more importantly, a high level of controlled seed or root impregnation achieved what is regarding a satisfactory Growth is important.

It is not necessary to equip the Bert area with a cross slope; e.g. can the gully bottom should not be flat but rather little or considerably channel-shaped, e.g. with a concave cross-section.

If desired, the box for plant cultivation with large or vertical or an almost vertical longitudinal inclination, the nutrient solution flowing down is held and controlled by surface tension in the strand placed in the box as desired, so that the root areas fn these vertical, almost vertical or steep box are sufficiently wetted by the nutrient solution.

809817 / Ö995 " ⁸ "

The invention also provides a method for creating a cultivation bed for the soil-free cultivation of plants, wherein a bed surface is preferably arranged with a longitudinal incline and possibly also with a transverse incline, a liquid-conducting cord is placed on the bed surface and a flow of a liquid nutrient solution in A thin film is passed over the bed surface along the length of the strand.

The invention also includes a soilless created by this method Cultivation bed.

The plant seeds can preferably be attached at a distance along the strand by means of an adhesive which is water-soluble. The adhesive can be formed, for example, from a gelatin or a resin or other flexible material that is plastic and water-soluble in the dry state. The adhesive itself can contain plant nutrients, fungicides and / or other additives.

When the seeds are longitudinally attached to the strand at desired intervals in this way, the strand in the form of a ball or a coil or other means can contact wound to facilitate storage. It can be wound up again without damage to the adhering seeds and placed on a bed surface, e.g. for use in the cultivation of plants without soil in the manner described above, whereby a nutrient solution is fed along the strand so that it progressively dissolves the adhesive and the Causing seeds to germinate , which seedlings can grow in place immediately in the culture, if desired. The strand itself can be impregnated or otherwise treated with nutrient, fungicide, or other additives, if desired.

The string can contain an electrical resistance heating wire, whereby plants arranged on the string can be warmed while they are growing.

Thus, the use of a liquid-conducting cord creates with or without it arranged seeds, which are placed on a bed surface as described above,

809817/0995

preferably with a controlled supply of a liquid nutrient solution on the higher side the bed surface so that the resulting film runs along the strand as described runs and is guided on one side of the strand, extremely favorable conditions for seed germination and seedling growth and development.

As a result of the planting of seeds or plant roots when these are seedlings on the bed surface along the strand and therefore in the area of the flowing nutrient solution the plant roots will develop in and around the nutrient solution film and wrap the fluid-conducting strand until it becomes an integral part of it of the bed area in the nutrient film developed root mar re • has become what a characteristic a plant cultivation by "nutrient film technique" represents.

This uniform combination of Wurzeimatte and the flUssigkeitsleitenden strand can for harvesting purposes are used weil'die combination a considerable tensile strength has and can serve as its own "Färderer ^N. So., one end of the strand at either end of the bed surface with auxiliary force, or other means, for example mechanically by means of a winch, so that the entire row of plants is removed from one end or one side of the bed surface and pushed onto a processing board via a channel, slide or the like, the strand acting as a pulling rope At this stage, the strand can be pulled out of the root mat, e.g. by deflecting it around a roller or by leading it out of the direction of movement of the row of plants, the latter being conveyed as a row connected via the root mat despite the pulling out of the strand and on the board for immediate packaging and dispatch can be prepared.

To support the packaging and the quality of the transport in the subsequent To maintain treatment, the plants are packed in row sections left connected by the root mat, as far as the packaging requirements allow.

So the plants (eg lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, flowering plants, shrubs or trees or other crops ·), according to the length or size of packaging

809817/0995

- 10 -

keep packed in rows of mats, which a number of each other in almost the contained in the same way as in the growth of connected plants. Since the root systems of the plants remain almost undamaged and connected in a heavy, dense mat, which can hold both moisture and nutrients the plants are not just stored for long periods of time without significant deterioration but are in a state of growth again immediately upon exposure to light, e.g. when selling in pieces. This also applies after the sale if a Retail seller sells a plant or group of plants that have been cut off from the root mass, which is the root system of the plant or group of plants Leaves essential undisturbed, so that the buyer can transplant the plant or group of plants directly into his garden or into a home container. this makes possible an instant gardening, allowing the plants to dig into the ground without disturbance, even when in bloom. Ripe plants can be handled in the same way, e.g. when changing plants in flower exhibition stands or the like.

When harvesting and selling the plants, however, the strand can also be left in the root mat, if desired.

The invention and advantageous details of the invention are based on the following schematic drawings with further details of exemplary embodiments explained. Show it:

1 shows a schematic side view of an arrangement of a cultivation bed for

the soilless cultivation of plants according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows an end view in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view, enlarged on a scale, of an arrangement according to FIG in the same view as FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows the harvesting of plants from the arrangement according to FIG. 1; FIG. 6 and 7, 8 and 9, 10, 11 and 12 different versions of a liquid conductive strand for use in the embodiment according to FIG or other embodiments of the invention;

809817/0995

13 shows a further embodiment for cultivating plants without soils in accordance with the invention;

14 shows a section along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13; 15 shows a section along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14; FIG. 16 shows an enlarged illustration of the upper part of FIG. 14; FIG.

FIG. 17 shows an enlarged view of a seed in a liquid-conducting cord of the arrangement according to FIG. 14.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, an open-ended gully 10 is provided Channel cross-section built on a stand construction 11, which is on the horizontal

12th Ground or soil / rests. As shown, the gully is down in its longitudinal direction inclined downwards and also has a transverse inclination, which is given to him by a wedge 13 pushed underneath. A flow line 14 extends in the longitudinal direction a bed surface formed by the bottom of the gully, the conduit 14 resting on the ground. From a high above the top of the gully arranged tank 15 is a liquid nutrient solution through a pipe 16 into the interior of the gully near its upper end in a controlled amount or with controlled Speed fed in. The tube 16 provides a controlled flow of liquid on the bed sheet formed by the gully bottom at a point on one side of the Flow line 14, with the feed on the higher in the transverse direction Side of the gully bottom takes place so that the liquid on the corresponding Side of the strand forming the flow line 14 in a designated 17 Thin film trickles down, with the flowing film flowing through the strand along one side Flow path is guided, which is determined by the length of the strand until the Liquid possibly from the open lower end of the gully in a container 18, from where it is pumped back into the overhead tank 15 by a pump (not shown). Due to the cross slope of the gully that can be seen in particular from Fig. 4, the liquid film 17 is guided so that it follows the flow path determined by the course of the strand 14. The film is thus controlled by the strand as a thin continuous film, which is not covers the entirety of the gully bottom and is not noticeably covered by any

809817/0995 " ¹² "

regularity is (or needs to be) distracted in the bottom of the gully.

PLANTS 50 sprout from strand 14 and get their food from thin film 17 which is passed through the string in such a way that it follows a flow path, which sweeps over the root areas of the plants. The plants can out Sprouted or sprouted seeds, arranged along the strand and attached to it by means of a plastic adhesive as previously described, or they can Be seedlings or cut cuttings that are positioned along the strand.

As mentioned, the plants are cultivated to maturity in the gully, whereby they through the continuous film 17 are supplied with the liquid nutrient solution, whereupon they can then be pulled out of the gully according to FIG. 5 by means of the string 14 in the form of a continuous row of plants, specifically for the purpose the packaging or retail or retail sale, with the plants in the series are connected to one another by the mat of roots they form.

If desired, the strand 14 may contain an electrically resistive heating wire, thereby causing the strand and the surrounding nutrient solution film as well as the growing root structures can be warmed to improve growth.

Figures 6 and 7 show in more detail the structure of a strand for use in the above-described or in another embodiment of the invention. In this strand, the basic structure is formed by a flexible cord 20 through which an electrical resistance heating wire 21 runs. A typical seed 22 is in glued to the surface of the strand by means of a patch of glue 23 State shown.

Figures 8 and 9 show a further construction of a strand, which in addition for features of Figures 6 and 7 comprises a flat woven strip 24 which is attached to a surface of the string 20 to provide a floor surface or base for to create the strand.

809817/0995

«13 ··

Figures 10 and U show another construction of a string, the two flexible cords 20, which are connected to one another and to a flexible tube 25 are. An electrical resistance · * heating wire 21 is in the center of the two Arranged cords and the tube formed strand. The tube 25 is with after outside facing openings provided and can be used to feed liquids to the Serve growing plants in the manner described below.

Fig. 12 shows another construction of a cord, in which one on each side flexible cord 20 a gauze strip is attached to a substantially flat To form strips. A typical seed 22 is shown attached to the string and the cheesecloth strip helps direct the liquid nutrient solution to be delivered and retained on the seed.

That used in the arrangement of Figure 1 or in other arrangements of the invention The line can thus be constructed in such a way that it has the dual function of forming a flow path, as described, and of forming a conduit for conveying liquid Nutrient solution or other liquid met to selected parts of the system. Of the As explained above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the flow path can consist of a tube include flexible material. The pipe can either be impermeable with longitudinally spaced arranged holes for draining liquid or permeable material be that a specific permeability effect for liquid from the pipe via its has the entire length.

The purpose of such a conduit in the flow path is that he then useful addition to the enabling of the various functions of the flow path in the culturing of the plants, the tube for culturing the plants in the manner described above as a means to irrigate and supply it with nutrient or other Substances and organisms of all plants arranged on the strand can be used which have been cultivated on the strand and have been planted in the soil or in another substance for further growth while still attached to the strand. In such an arrangement, the tubes of the string

-U-

009617/0995

connected to a suitable source of nutrient fluid at one end of its length and sealed or plugged at the other end or with a manifold to the Returns connected to the nutrient fluid source in a continuous system.

FIGS. 13 to 17 show details of a further arrangement for the cultivation of nutrient film using liquid-conducting strands according to the invention.

Fig. 13 shows a side view of a vertical arrangement of flow lines, wherein a number of liquid conducting strands 30 from an overhead conduit 31 hang down via a reservoir 32 by means of a pump 33 with liquid nutrient solution is supplied. The lower ends of the strands 30 are in a trough or sump 34 attached, which excess nutrient solution collects on the strands runs down and runs back to the reservoir 32. The strands 30 each run through a vertical pipe 35, the pipes 35 being of a suitable support structure be worn (not shown).

Each tube 35 has a number of spaced apart openings or cutouts 36, which are vertically spaced in the longitudinal direction of the tubes, so that seeds or plants are cultivated on the corresponding strand 30 / and from the openings 36 can grow out. The tube 35 has both a protective function and a light-shielding function for the roots of the plants that develop along the strand, what is important for good growth.

Fig. 16 shows one way of attaching the strands 30 to the line 31, the a trough or trough-like shape with a number of holes in its bottom for the strands.

Fig. 15 shows that the tubes 35 behind the strand and the openings 36 each with a wall 37 can be provided.

FIG. 17 shows a typical example of the implantation of a seed 22 in a strand 30, which can be designed as described above with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12.

809817/0995 _ ₁₅ _

The seed can be attached to the strand by means of a plastic adhesive, as described above. If seedlings are to be attached to the strand, can this can be done in any suitable manner such that the roots are introduced between the separated fibers or cords of the strand.

In another arrangement of the invention, which is not shown in the drawings is, the bed surface can be formed by a flat layer that is both transverse and also has a longitudinal incline and a number of applied flow lines or May have strands as described above. This makes gullies or other film-containing means unnecessary and is particularly useful in the case of high-density growth of small seeds or seedlings, such as grass or rice. With such an arrangement, the flow lines or strands can be arranged parallel and closely adjacent as it is necessary for the density of plants to be produced, so that, if desired, the roots of the plants developing on and around each strand also develop The roots of plants on neighboring strands penetrate and form a continuous mat of roots.

The so formed root mat can, if desired, be cut into strips, which contain one or more liquid-conducting cords for harvesting and which are lifted from the bed surface. Such separate strips can be like a sod or sod -Mat can be rolled up if desired.

In the case of certain sprouts or seedlings, e.g. rice, the liquid-conducting Strand itself can be used for harvesting the seedlings as described above and also when the seedlings are subsequently planted in an ice field by systematized or mechanical means, with the seedlings still remaining in place on the strand.

In order to further improve the cultivation of seedlings or plants in the arrangement described above, the liquid-sapping strands or flow lines can be used can be used to mix the nutrient solutions with suitable mutes of nitrogen-producing or other bacteria (e.g. Azoto bacteria ^ oxygen-producing or other

809817/0995

- 16 -

Algae (e.g. blue-green algae of various species) and the rhizosphere of certain Algae inhabiting rice roots; or inoculate with Rhizobia mycorrhiza and other fungal strains. Such beneficial organisms can be introduced into the nutrient solutions and in particular, be centered around the strand over the area of plant growth. The execution of strands with a tube with spaced openings are of course particularly suitable for such an inoculation.

Such special organisms, which, when introduced into the nutrient solution, feel comfortable in it and multiply, produce nitrogen or other nutrients for plants according to their function, oxidize the nutrient solution and decompose organic matter. The plant roots with fungal or bacterial A | _e g nstämmen useful in accordance with the requirements vaccinated, for example, be inoculated seedlings with corresponding fine MycorrhizaIrStämmen as Rhizobium symbiosis.

809817/0995

Blank page

Claims (26)

KXIO Munich 80 Mühldorfstrasse 25 Tatoton (OM) 4β »72. falex S21S935 T »» gri · paMmiw mflnchWi POMSCfMMR MOflCVMMI «NM ι9Ήκ Bank RMWdwl A Co Mflnctwn 2603007 Patent attorney Dr.-Ing. R. Liesegang GORDON ROSS BARNETT LEIGH-ON-SEA, ENGLAND P 096 31 Expectations Method for cultivating plants from seeds or seedlings without soil, characterized in that a film of a liquid nutrient solution is continuously generated and guided along a flow path and that seeds or seedlings in spaced locations in the looseness film to be ordered. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow path is placed in the form of a fluid-conducting strand on a bed and that the nutrient film is carried by the bed and guided by the strand over the bed. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for generating the StrOmungsbewegung the nutrient solution which is utilized Schwefkraft · 808817/0995 27A8010 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that the nutrient solution film is caused entirely or predominantly to flow on one side of the fluid-conducting cord. 5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that that the bed surface is formed by a layer of material and that several liquid-conducting strands are arranged next to one another on it and fed with nutrient solution will. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that liquid nutrient solution or other liquid by means of the growing plants a pipe arranged in the flow path. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that plants grown along the flow path are harvested by removing the liquid-conducting cord. 8. Device for soil-free cultivation of plants from seeds or seedlings, characterized by a flow line (14) which has a liquid-conducting Strand, such as a cord, a strand, a rope, a tape or the like. The strand is woven, non-woven, twisted, flat, multi-stranded or single stranded, by means (15,16) for feeding liquid nutrient solution to the liquid-conducting strand in such a way that that the nutrient solution flows and is guided along the cord, and means for arranging seeds or seedlings at a distance along the fluid-conducting cord such that the seeds or seedlings can grow in the flowing nutrient solution. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the liquid-conducting strand is formed by a single cord or line. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the liquid-conducting strand comprises a woven strip fastened to the cord and extending over its length in order to create a base for the liquid-conducting strand. ^fen · 809817/0995 274801Q 11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the liquid-conducting strand comprises a gauze strip on each side of the cord or Leash is pinned to create a flat, strip-like strand. 12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that that seeds or saplings are attached to the strand at intervals. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the seeds or seedlings are attached to the strand (14) by means of a plastic, water-soluble adhesive. 14. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the liquid-conducting strand (14) has two cords or lines in a composite arrangement with a flexible one Tube includes. 15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the tube is perforated at intervals in order to form liquid outlet. 16. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the tube is permeable, in particular for liquid. 17. Device according to one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that that the liquid-conducting strand comprises an electrical resistance heating wire extending over its length. 18. Device according to one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that a bed surface is provided to support dm flUssigkeihleitenden strand (14) which is inclined relative to the horizontal in the direction parallel to the strand. 19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the bed surface also in the direction transverse to the fluid-conducting strand with respect to the horizontal is inclined. 80981 7/0995 -A- 27A8010 20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the means (15,16) for feeding the liquid nutrient solution on that side of the Strand are arranged on which the bed surface is higher. 21. Device according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that that the bed surface is formed by the bottom of a gully (10). 22. Device according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that that the bed surface is formed by one layer of material and that several liquid-conducting Strands are arranged side by side on this Materiajschicht. 23. Device according to one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that that the means for supplying liquid nutrient solution to the liquid-conducting cord an overhead tank or inflow (31), of which the liquid-carrying Strand (30) depends essentially vertically, and that a collecting container (34) for collecting the liquid nutrient solution at the lower end of the liquid-conducting Strand is provided. 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that several liquid-conducting The strands (30) hang down from the overhead inflow (31). 25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that each fluid-conducting strand (30) received in a substantially vertical tube (35) is that the tube has vertically spaced openings (36) which plants can grow whose spices in the pipe are in contact with the liquid nutrient solution flowing down. 26 .. Flow line for soil-free cultivation of plants, characterized by a liquid-conducting strand to which seeds for the plants to be cultivated are attached at predetermined longitudinal intervals by means of a water-soluble adhesive. 609817/0996