JP2002291331A - Container for raising plant, carrier for raising plant and method for raising plant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container or a sheet for raising a plant with which a transplantation operation of the plant can be automated and a damage by the transplantation can be reduced at the time of the transplantation operation. SOLUTION: This container for raising plant comprises a container-shaped base material 11 in which at least a part of the plant can be stored and a hydrogel-formable polymer 12 arranged in the container-shaped base material 11 and having a crosslinked structure. The transplantation operation of the plant can be automated and the damage by the transplantation can be reduced at the time of the transplantation operation by using the container.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a plant cultivation (hereinafter referred to as "germination or germination") which can be suitably used for germination or post-germination growth of seeds in tissue culture or field cultivation, and for cultivation of plants. The term "growth after germination" is used to include "a container or a sheet, a support for plant cultivation, a soil modifier, and a gel-like support used for artificial culture. Growing a plant that can be cultivated in an unrestricted environment (for example, field cultivation) (In this specification, the term "growing" is used to include "germination or growth after germination.") About the method.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention facilitates transplantation of a plant (hereinafter referred to as including "seed") and promotes germination or growth of the plant. A container or sheet for growing plants, which can greatly reduce the need for strict water management and the like; used for supporting or supporting the plants during cultivation of the plants A support for plant cultivation; and a soil modifying agent used to support or support the plant in combination with another plant support (eg, soil) at the time of plant cultivation. By applying such a soil modifying agent to a carrier such as soil, it becomes possible to improve or modify the physical, chemical and / or microbiological properties of the carrier); and from cultivation to cultivation Continuation over In particular, the transition from the vessel culture to field cultivation; Do plant growing method enables the development
The support (plant material) used for the cultivation can be used as it is in the cultivation as it is, thereby omitting or simplifying the transplantation step, avoiding physical damage to the roots, and smoothly growing the plant after the cultivation transition. And a method for growing a continuous plant.

[0003] In the present specification, "culturing" a plant refers to growing or growing the plant under conditions in which aeration into the plant growing system is controlled or restricted (mainly in a container); "Cultivation" refers to conditions where ventilation into the plant growth system is not restricted (mainly greenhouses, open fields, etc.)
(Refer to "Technology of Plant Tissue Culture", edited by Takeuchi et al., P. 1 (1983), Asakura Shoten; edited by Yamada et al., "Iwanami Biological Dictionary," for definition of such culture.) (3rd edition), p. 1006 (1983) Iwanami Shoten).

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attention has been paid to the development of techniques for growing or regenerating plants having traits suitable for the purpose. Among such growth and regeneration technologies, plant tissue culture technology,
In other words, the technique of separating a part of a plant body from a mother body and growing it in a culture vessel has attracted particular attention because a genetically uniform clone can be mass-produced in a short period of time ( Kiyoshi Okawa, General Introduction to Flower Horticulture, p. 54 (1995), Yokendo).

Conventionally, in the production of plants (primarily seedlings) by plant tissue culture, agar gel has been used as a support. However, agar gel has a characteristic that when water is released by evaporation or absorption of a plant, it hardly absorbs water again. In particular, in an open cultivation environment such as field cultivation, the function of retaining agar moisture and the function of retaining a plant body as a gel rapidly decrease. Therefore, as a matter of course, agar gel could not be used at all as a support (or implantation material) in open field cultivation.

[0006] Therefore, when the seedlings are transferred from the in-vessel culture to the field culture, it is essential to remove the agar gel. However, since this agar gel removal process must be performed manually one by one, not only a great deal of labor and time is required, but also the process is liable to damage roots and cause root rot. Have a problem.

On the other hand, when culturing very small seedlings (micro seedlings), sugar is generally added to the culture solution. This is because the micro-seedling does not usually have a tissue similar to the endosperm of the seed, and since the foliage for photosynthesis is not sufficiently developed, it is necessary to add a carbon source that can be directly absorbed by the micro-seedling. . For seeds without endosperm such as orchid plants as well as tissue-cultured seedlings, sugar-containing culture of germinated micro-seedlings in containers is performed for the same purpose. However,
Since the sugar added to the plant growing system promotes the growth of various bacteria, it is practical to use the agar gel containing the sugar as it is in an open (non-sterile) environment such as field cultivation. Impossible.

As described above, when a conventional culture method using an agar gel is used, continuous plant growth from the culture to the field cultivation (using the support during the culture as it is) is substantially achieved. Because it is not possible, an agar removal step was essential. Furthermore, this agar removal step is time-consuming because it has to be performed manually, and furthermore, there is a problem that roots are damaged, and bacteria remaining on the agar gel are liable to multiply and cause root rot. Was.

[0009] In addition to the above-mentioned problem of shifting from "cultivation" to "cultivation", in the growth process of a plant, controlling the supply of water, nutrients, and the like to the plant is also an important issue.

[0010] From the viewpoint of plant physiology, "water" is one of the environmental factors that have the greatest effect on the growth of a plant, and is particularly an essential element for photosynthesis. Absorption of water, which is an extremely important environmental factor, mainly involves transpiration based on “pores” that are openings on the back surface of the plant body.

That is, when the water content of the cells constituting the plant decreases due to the evaporation of the water, the water in the plant enters a non-equilibrium state. Based on this, plants absorb the moisture in the soil from their roots.

Although the above-mentioned pores also have a function of taking in CO ₂ required for photosynthesis from the air, the presence of the pores also causes the water of the mesophyll cells to be photosynthesized to evaporate. Insufficient water in mesophyll cells also needs to be promptly replenished. That is, in order for the plant to perform photosynthesis more efficiently, water must be supplied to the plant in abundant manner with the absorption of solar energy and CO ₂ .

In a daytime environment where the temperature is high and the amount of sunlight is large, there is a shortage of water available for plants in the cultivated soil, or the roots of the plants have reduced water absorption capacity. In this case, the water content in the plant body decreases, and the water content in mesophyll cells, which should mainly perform photosynthesis, also decreases. As a result, not only is photosynthesis significantly inhibited, but also the photosynthetic products are significantly reduced, the growth of the plant itself is suppressed, and there is a risk that the plant will eventually die. In addition, when the water in the soil is insufficient, the inorganic salts contained in the soil become high in concentration. Conversely, when the water in the soil is excessive, the oxygen supply to the roots of the plant is insufficient. Therefore, in any case, the plant body may be adversely affected.

[0014] On the other hand, "temperature" is also one of the environmental factors that have the greatest effect on the growth of a plant. For example, the absorption of inorganic salts from the roots increases with increasing temperature, but reaches a maximum at a certain temperature, and drops sharply at higher temperatures. It is known that the maximum value of the absorption of inorganic salts is around 40 ° C. in many plants. Nutrient absorption at low temperatures is mainly due to simple diffusion phenomena, but the rate of active nutrient absorption due to the biochemical absorption process increases with increasing temperature. In a high temperature region of 40 ° C. or higher, inactivation of an enzyme system related to a biochemical absorption process is considered to be a cause of a sharp decrease in a nutrient absorption rate. Therefore, it can be said that controlling the amount and concentration of water and nutrients in the cultivated soil with respect to the temperature change is a very important technique for cultivating a plant.

[0015] On the other hand, from the viewpoint of crop production technology, crops such as cereals, vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees have been cultivated in the open environment for a long time under a natural environment. Due to severe seasonal temperature changes and unstable rainfall conditions, crop production fluctuates greatly,
The development of agriculture as an industry has been restricted.

In recent years, in-house cultivation in greenhouses and the like has become widespread for the purpose of overcoming the above-mentioned problem of open-field cultivation or for the purpose of shipping anniversary (at any time of the year), resulting in stable supply of agricultural products. It became possible.

However, in the in-house cultivation, the production cost of the crop must be high. In cultivation in a facility, the construction of the main body of a facility such as a greenhouse, internal facilities such as a watering device in the facility, or environmental control equipment required for adjusting the temperature, nutrient concentration, light intensity, etc. in the facility. This is because the capital investment cost of the company becomes enormous. On the other hand, even in the above-mentioned open-field cultivation, large investments such as irrigation and irrigation equipment are often required for the purpose of overcoming the effects of rapid changes in the natural environment.

In general, application of chemical fertilizers instead of organic fertilizers is cited as one of the important factors that supported the development of modern agriculture. However, the rate at which the chemical fertilizer is actually absorbed by the plant is usually less than 30%. Therefore, in recent years, the problem of soil deterioration and environmental pollution caused by chemical fertilizer worldwide has been raised. In addition, there is concern that natural resources, which are the raw materials for producing chemical fertilizers, will be depleted.

From the viewpoint of solving the above-mentioned problems,
There is a strong demand for an effective method of applying a fertilizer to a plant, or an improvement in a “plant-supporting carrier” such as soil that allows the fertilizer to be effectively applied to the plant.

In addition to the problem of the “carrier” described above, in recent years,
In the field of plant cultivation, improvement of the "container" for cultivation is also an important issue.

Conventionally, it has been necessary to perform a long and complicated manual operation for transplanting a plant. In addition, various problems have been pointed out, such as manual plant damage to the plant, or the initial growth of the plant after transplantation is significantly impaired. From such a viewpoint, automation of plant transplantation work, reduction of planting damage at the time of transplantation, promotion of initial growth of the plant after transplantation, and the like have been strongly desired.

Furthermore, the conventional plant growing container has a problem that the physical environment of the rhizosphere is easily deteriorated.
In general, the root of a plant often extends downward along the wall surface of the container when it extends to the wall surface of the container, and when it reaches the bottom surface of the container, it often expands and winds along the bottom surface.
Such a root elongation phenomenon is based on the property that the root elongates in the direction of gravity and the property that the root elongates upon stimulation of the contact surface with the root. On the other hand, in cultivation of a plant using a container, since what kind of holding carrier (for example, soil) is suitable for the growth of the plant has been particularly focused on in the past, the inside of the container Examination of the physical environment of the wall was not sufficient.

In general, the physical environment is completely different between the inside of the plant holding carrier and the inner wall surface of the container. In the latter environment, that is, in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the container, there is a large difference between the temperature and the dryness, so that the growing point of the root in contact with the inner wall surface and the halfway portion of the root extending to the inner wall surface brown and die. Is particularly likely to occur.

Conventionally, containers or sheets used for growing plants include unglazed (porcelain) pots, plastic pots, vinyl pots, planters, plug seedling trays, seedling trays, paper pots, vinyl sheets, and the like. Is mentioned. In any of these containers, if the material of the container is one that blocks the flow of moisture or outside air (like a normal plastic material),
The vicinity of the inner wall surface of the container is a place where water is easily stored and root rot easily occurs. On the other hand, the material of the container is unglazed pottery,
In the case where paper or the like is capable of distributing moisture or outside air, the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the container is, on the contrary, a place where the moisture is insufficient and the growth of the plant is easily inhibited.

In addition, the container used in field cultivation is usually open in the upper and lower portions of the container, and water is immediately discharged from the lower portion of the container through the plant supporting carrier after irrigation. However, the need for excessive irrigation and the loss of nutrients are problems. Further, in the case of a container used in a general household or the like, a “pan” for receiving water or the like discharged from a lower portion of the container is required.

Furthermore, when such an open-type container is used, the water content immediately before irrigation tends to rapidly decrease, so that the nutrient concentration rapidly increases, which has an adverse effect on plants. There is a fear. On the other hand, in order to improve this situation, if the amount of irrigation and the frequency of irrigation are increased, or if conventional containers and soil with high water retention are selected, excessive water retention that persists immediately after irrigation will occur. Microorganisms that inhibit the supply of oxygen to the roots and adversely affect the growth of the roots are likely to cause root rot. Conversely, it encourages oxygen supply,
When drying is performed to suppress the growth of microorganisms that have an adverse effect, the above-mentioned problems of lowering the water content and concentrating nutrients become remarkable, so that only a fertilization amount smaller than the fertilization amount required by the plant can be supplied.

The plant cultivation using the current plant growing container is in a vicious cycle or self-contradiction as described above, making it difficult to maximize the vigor of the plant.

Further, since the upper portion of the above-mentioned open-type container is completely open, the upper portion of the plant supporting carrier is easier to dry than the lower portion, and the water condition in the container becomes non-uniform. It is easy to have an adverse effect on it.

On the other hand, the use of a closed bottom type container is not generally performed. This means that if a conventional container is used simply in combination with conventional soil as a closed bottom type,
This is because the stagnation of water becomes remarkable, and the above-mentioned lack of oxygen supply and root rot due to propagation of pathogenic bacteria are extremely likely to occur.

As described above, in a conventional container or sheet for growing plants, the rhizosphere environment is said to be a suitable environment for growing plants (including germination of seeds and growth after germination). Did not. Therefore, when such a conventional container / sheet is used, the amount of irrigation, the frequency of irrigation,
Due to the need for complicated combinations or adjustments such as the concentration of solutions such as fertilizers, strict management of these elements has required enormous costs.

Usually, for various kinds of plants, the most appropriate internal volume of the growing container is known empirically according to the type, size, and the like. It is said that when the roots grow in the soil and reach the walls of the growing container, mechanical contact stimuli encourage the generation of new roots, and from this perspective, the smaller the container volume, The root development of the plant is improved. On the other hand, the inner volume of a container is usually closely related to the storage of water and nutrients supplied to the plant,
A certain volume of the container is required for growing plants.

The situation in a general cultivation farmhouse is as described above. In recent years, many kinds of containers for growing plants have been used in general households, such as so-called "home gardens". In a general household, proper cultivation of a plant was more difficult than in a cultivated farm, because there is no skilled experience and skill unlike a cultivated farm.

[0033]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a support for plant cultivation or a soil modifier capable of solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to determine the amount of water and nutrients to be supplied to a plant or the amount of a plant growth regulator in accordance with changes in external environmental factors such as temperature. To provide a support for plant cultivation or a soil modifier that can be appropriately controlled in accordance with the requirements of (1).

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support for plant cultivation or a soil modifying agent capable of improving productivity by saving labor in open-field cultivation and in-plant cultivation and reducing equipment costs. .

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently cultivating a plant while using a support for plant cultivation or a soil modifier.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container or sheet for cultivating a plant which has solved the above-mentioned problems of the conventional container for cultivating a plant.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container or sheet for cultivating a plant capable of automating the operation of transplanting the plant and further reducing the damage to planting during the transplantation. It is in.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container or sheet capable of suitably controlling the rhizosphere environment of a plant without strict control of moisture and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container or sheet for growing a plant having the ability to store water and / or nutrients necessary for germination or growth of the plant.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for growing a plant which has solved the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for growing a plant using a support (or plant material) that can be used continuously from cultivation to cultivation.

[0043]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have developed a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure and exhibiting reversible changes in specific physical properties during the plant cultivation. Media or part of it that should support the soil (soil modifier)
Has been found to be extremely effective in solving the above problems.

The soil modifying agent or the soil modifying agent of the present invention is based on the above findings, and more specifically, is a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure; And a hydrogel-forming polymer whose equilibrium water absorption decreases with temperature and reversibly changes with temperature in the above temperature range.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure;
A soil modifier comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer whose equilibrium water absorption decreases with increasing temperature in a temperature range of not more than ℃ and the equilibrium water absorption changes reversibly with temperature; A support for cultivating a plant, comprising at least a carrier for a plant.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure;
The equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in a temperature range of not more than ℃, and the equilibrium water absorption includes a hydrogel-forming polymer that reversibly changes with temperature. A method for cultivating a plant, comprising arranging the plant around a plant; cultivating the plant while supporting the plant is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a carrier for supporting a plant body and 0.1 to 10 w / w% by weight of the carrier when dried.
%. A plant cultivation method comprising arranging a support for plant cultivation comprising a soil modifier to which t.% is added at least around the plant, and cultivating the plant while supporting the plant; The soil modifying agent is a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases with the temperature. The present invention provides a method for cultivating a plant, characterized by containing a hydrogel-forming polymer that changes reversibly with respect to water.

As a result of further research based on the above findings, the inventors of the present invention have found that at least a part of the inner wall surface of the container (for example, the bottom surface and / or the side surface of the container for growing a plant) has a crosslinked structure. It has been found that arranging a gel-forming polymer is extremely effective in solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

The container for growing a plant of the present invention is based on the above findings, and more specifically, a container-like substrate capable of accommodating at least a part of a plant therein, and a container-like substrate. And a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linking structure, which is disposed inside.

The present inventor further provided a sheet-like member having the above-mentioned hydrogel-forming polymer disposed on the surface thereof,
Even when placed on the inner wall surface of a conventional plant growing container,
It has been found that a plant growing effect similar to that of the above-described "plant growing container having a hydrogel-forming polymer disposed therein" can be obtained.

The plant growing sheet of the present invention is based on the above findings, and more specifically, has a sheet-like substrate and a crosslinked structure disposed on at least one surface of the substrate. And a hydrogel-forming polymer.

In the above-mentioned container or sheet of the present invention, the “hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure” is such that the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in the temperature range of 0 ° C. to 70 ° C., and Preferably, the polymer has a change in the equilibrium water absorption that is reversible with respect to temperature.

Further, in the present invention, when the polymer is in the form of powder or granules, the size of the powder or granules when dried is about 0.1 μm to 5 mm. Is preferred.

As a result of further studies, the present inventors have found that a gel-like support containing at least water and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure has a property of water arranged in the cross-linked structure. Based on this, it has been found that a certain degree of bacteriostatic activity is exhibited not only in an aeration-limited environment (during culture) but also in an aeration-unrestricted environment (during cultivation). The present inventors have further conducted research based on this finding, and as a result, such a gel-like support having bacteriostatic properties has been found to be useful in growing plants from a restricted-aeration environment to a non-aerated environment. (Or implant material) has been found to be consistently and continuously usable.

The plant growing method of the present invention is based on the above findings, and more specifically, uses a (a) gel support containing at least water and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure. And culturing the plant under aeration-restricted condition, and then (b) culturing the plant under aeration-restricted condition while substantially using the gel-like support in contact with the plant after the culturing. It is characterized by cultivation.

In the above-mentioned method for growing a plant of the present invention, the use of the gel-like support “substantially as it is”
For a gel-like support attached to a plant after culturing, a technique or device that may damage the plant (for example,
"Removal method using tweezers or the like" means that "active removal operation" of the gel-like support is not performed. Therefore, also in the present invention, in the transition from culture to cultivation, spontaneous falling of the gel-like support from the plant or dropping of the gel-like support to such an extent that the roots of the plant are lightly wiped out is acceptable. And

In general, plants are exposed not only to open-field cultivation but also to in-plant cultivation, to temperature changes having a cycle of 24 hours a day and night and temperature changes having a cycle of spring, summer, autumn and winter. As mentioned earlier, when plants become hot, water, nutrients,
The requirement for a plant growth regulator or the like increases, while at low temperatures, the requirement for a plant decreases. Therefore, it is ideal that irrigation, fertilization, or administration of a plant growth regulator to the plant is performed in conjunction with the above-described temperature change. However, as described above, not only in open-field cultivation but also in in-house cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, and administration of the plant growth regulator are performed in accordance with the above-described temperature change. Huge costs are required.

On the other hand, the support for plant cultivation or the soil modifying agent of the present invention having the above-described structure can solve the above-mentioned problems based on the following specific functions. .

The support for cultivating a plant or the soil modifier of the present invention exhibits a decrease in equilibrium water absorption with increasing temperature in a temperature range of 0 ° C. to 70 ° C. Hydrogel (or hydrogel)
Since it contains a forming polymer, the temperature range (0
(A temperature range of not less than 70 ° C. and not more than 70 ° C.), water, nutrients, and / or plant growth regulators contained inside the gel based on the shrinkage of the volume of the hydrogel containing the polymer as the temperature rises To the outside of the hydrogel (or in another carrier such as soil),
It is possible to make these substances easily absorbable from the roots of the plant. On the other hand, when the temperature is lowered and the demand for water, nutrients, and growth regulators in the plant body is reduced, the outside of the hydrogel or other carriers (soil, etc.)
These substances present in the hydrogel (or hydrogel-forming polymer) are absorbed and stored in the hydrogel (or a hydrogel-forming polymer). (In a carrier), and the adverse effect on the plant body due to the excessive presence of the substance is effectively suppressed.

The effect of applying the plant support of the present invention and the soil modifying agent can be obtained in an environment where the water stress on the plant is high (for example, desert, surface exfoliated surface, building surface, rooftop,
In a building, etc.).

Since the support or soil modifier of the present invention is involved in the growth of the plant itself, it can be used for lawn development, greening of atrium (open courtyard inside a building), desert greening, slope greening, rooftop greening, wall surface It can be suitably applied to greening and the like. Even when the support or soil modifier of the present invention is sprayed on a slope, a wall surface, or the like together with seeds, the germination is promoted by appropriately controlling the moisture with respect to the temperature change around the seeds. Since the growth after germination is also promoted, the greening of the slope or the like is performed extremely smoothly.

Furthermore, even when substantially only the support or the soil modifying agent of the present invention (containing no seed) is sprayed on a wall surface, a slope, or the like, the plant seeds that fall naturally on the wall surface or the like are removed. Since fixation, germination, or growth after germination is promoted, greening of the wall surface and the like is performed smoothly.

Next, the container or sheet of the present invention will be described.

As described above, germination or growth of a plant using a container in tissue culture or field cultivation largely depends on human labor, and in particular, manual transplantation requires a long time. Not only takes time but also causes damage to the plant.

More specifically, at the time of such transplantation, it takes a long time to remove the plant from the container because the overgrown roots of the plant compress the wall surface of the container and cause friction. Often, the plant itself is also damaged. Also,
When a plant is transplanted after filling a solid plant supporting carrier in the transplantation destination container, the workability of transplantation is reduced because the root of the plant does not enter the carrier well, and the root itself is not transplanted. Often also hurt. Also, when transplanting a plant with elongated roots, even if the plant is covered with a holding carrier (for example, moss) and then planted in a container, the transplant still requires a considerable time. Furthermore, even when adopting a method in which a plant is first placed in a container and a granular plant support is later placed in the container, the initial growth of the plant is often inferior. According to the findings of the present inventors, such poor initial growth is presumed to be due to a small contact area between the roots of the plant and the support for supporting the plant.

On the other hand, when the container or sheet for growing plants of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure is used,
The problems of the prior art described above can be solved based on the functions specific to the container or sheet of the present invention as described below.

That is, the inner wall of the container for cultivating the plant of the present invention (or the side of the sheet where the plant is to be disposed when the sheet of the present invention is disposed on the inner wall of another container)
Since the hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure is arranged by coating or the like, after placing the plant in the container and then filling with water or a culture solution, the hydrogel-forming polymer becomes Upon absorption of water, the volume expands significantly and fills the lumen of the container to become at least a part of the support of the plant (ie, the hydrogel-forming polymer exhibits the function of supporting the plant). Or encourage).

In the present invention, the problems of the prior art which occur at the time of plant transplantation,
That is, if the plant is transplanted after previously filling a solid plant support carrier in the container, the workability is reduced because the root does not enter the carrier well, and the root itself is damaged; furthermore, Is a problem that when a conventional solid plant support carrier is added after the plant is first placed in a container, the initial growth is deteriorated because the contact area between the root of the plant and the carrier is small. , Etc. are eliminated.

In addition, as the hydrogel-forming polymer coated on the inner wall of the container, the temperature is 0 ° C.
In the embodiment of the present invention using a hydrogel-forming polymer whose equilibrium water absorption is reversibly changed with temperature, the water absorption decreases equilibrium with the temperature rise in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or lower. Placing the plant in the container, injecting water or culture solution into the container and allowing the polymer to absorb water to swell and fill the lumen of the container, supporting the plant with the polymer. It can be raised by using (at least part of) the body. By raising the temperature of the support after growing the plant, the hydrogel-forming polymer de-swells (or shrinks) and significantly reduces its volume. Can be removed from.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, that is, the problem that the overgrown roots press against the container wall surface, which takes time to remove from the container, and damages the roots. Is eliminated.

Another serious problem of the conventional container for growing plants is that, as mentioned above, the environment of the rhizosphere is not suitable for growing plants. In particular,
Closely related to the material of the container, the vicinity of the inner wall of the container not only tends to be excessive or insufficient in moisture, but also has a large difference in temperature due to the influence of the outside air temperature. Usually, the density of the growing roots is particularly high near the wall of the container, and the bad environment of the rhizosphere in the vicinity of this often has a significant adverse effect on plant growth. In particular, the bottom of the container tends to be in excess of water due to irrigation. On the contrary, the upper portion of the container tends to be in shortage of water. Adversely affect

On the other hand, the container or sheet for growing plants of the present invention having the above-described structure can solve the above-mentioned problems based on the following specific functions.

A hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure is disposed on the inner wall or sheet of the growing container of the present invention by coating or the like, and the support (soil or the like) near the inner wall of the container is as described above. When the water becomes excessive for the reason, the polymer absorbs water and becomes a hydrogel state, while, when the support near the inner wall of the container becomes insufficient in water, it has a function of transferring water from the hydrogel particles into the support, The water environment in the rhizosphere near the inner wall of the container is maintained almost constant, and the above-mentioned problem of the prior art is solved.

In particular, as the above-mentioned hydrogel-forming polymer, the equilibrium water absorption decreases with increasing temperature in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases reversibly with temperature. In the embodiment of the present invention using a hydrogel-forming polymer that changes, the polymer absorbs water from the support when the temperature of the support is low, and is supported by the polymer when the temperature is high. Water is released into the body. That is, the amount of water in the support near the container wall or sheet increases as the temperature increases. In general,
It is said that plants have a low water requirement at low temperatures (temperatures of less than about 5 to 20 ° C.) and increase in water requirements at higher temperatures (temperatures of about 20 to 35 ° C.). It is said that excessive amounts cause root rot, and insufficient water at high temperatures causes poor growth. Therefore, when a container or sheet in which the hydrogel-forming polymer is placed is used, the rhizosphere environment of the plant is more suitably maintained, and the growth of the plant can be further promoted. .

Further, as described above, the hydrogel-forming polymer disposed on the inner wall of the container for growing a plant (or a sheet to be placed on the inner wall of the container) removes water and / or nutrients as described above. Since the polymer has a function of storing in the crosslinked structure of the polymer, the polymer can extremely efficiently "replace the shoulder" with the storage function that previously served as "space" in the growing container. Becomes Therefore, according to the present invention, the internal volume of the growing container can be significantly reduced (even when the storage capacity of water and nutrients of the growing container is fixed).

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to remarkably reduce the volume of the container which has been conventionally determined to be “appropriate”, and it is possible to improve the root generating force by increasing the chance of mechanical contact stimulation. Becomes Furthermore, as an effect based on the decrease in the internal volume of the container itself, it is possible to reduce the area for cultivating plants, reduce the material amount of the cultivation container, reduce the transportation cost, and the like. Significant cost reductions can be achieved along with labor savings such as management.

Further, the conventional container for home use has an open system at the lower part, and excess water is discharged from the lower open part at the time of irrigation or the like, so that the simultaneous use of a “pan” is essential. This saucer was not only complicated, but also easily damaged the aesthetic appearance.

On the other hand, in the plant growing container of the present invention, since the water storage capacity is provided on the wall surface of the container, it is not essential to provide an opening at the bottom of the container. That is, the opening at the lower part of the container can be omitted in the present invention. When such a container with a lower closed system is used, the above-mentioned problems of the conventional household container (the lower portion is an open system) can be easily solved.

In the above description, the growth of plants after germination has been mainly described. However, the container or sheet of the present invention can be suitably used for germination of seeds before germination or growth after germination. .

The main aspects of the present invention are as follows.

(1) A hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure; in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, the equilibrium water absorption decreases with an increase in temperature, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases with temperature. 1. A support for cultivating a plant, comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer that reversibly changes with respect to water.

(2) The support for cultivating a plant according to the above (1), wherein at least water is retained in the crosslinked structure of the hydrogel-forming polymer to form a hydrogel containing the polymer.

(3) The support for cultivating a plant according to the above (1), wherein nutrients are retained inside the crosslinked structure.

(4) The support for cultivating a plant according to the above (1), wherein the plant growth regulating substance is retained inside the crosslinked structure.

(5) The size when dried is 0.1 μm to 1 c
The support for cultivating a plant according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support is in the range of m, and the shape is microbead, fiber, film, sponge, or amorphous.

(6) A hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure; in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases with the temperature. A soil modifier comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer that reversibly changes with respect to water.

(7) The soil modifier according to (6), wherein at least water is retained in the crosslinked structure of the hydrogel-forming polymer to form a hydrogel containing the polymer.

(8) The soil modifier according to the above (6), wherein a nutrient is retained inside the crosslinked structure.

(9) The soil modifier according to the above (6), wherein a plant growth regulator is retained inside the crosslinked structure.

(10) The size when dried is 0.1 μm to 1
cm, and the shape is any of microbeads, fibers, films, sponges, and irregular shapes, according to any one of the above (6) to (9).

(11) A hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure; in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases with the temperature. A support for cultivating a plant, comprising at least a soil modifying agent containing a hydrogel-forming polymer that reversibly changes with respect to water and a carrier for supporting a plant. (12) The plant-supporting carrier is selected from the group consisting of soil, gravel, sand, pumice, carbide, peat, vermiculite, bark, perlite, zeolite, rock wool, sponge, water moss,
The support for cultivating a plant according to the above (11), comprising at least one kind of carrier selected from coconut shell and cryptomos.

(13) The plant cultivation according to the above (11), wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is added to the support for supporting a plant body in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt.% By dry weight. Support.

(14) A hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure; the equilibrium water absorption decreases with increasing temperature in the temperature range of 0 ° C. to 70 ° C. A plant cultivation support comprising a plant cultivation support containing a hydrogel-forming polymer that reversibly changes with respect to the plant, and culturing while supporting the plant at least around the plant. Cultivation method.

(15) The method for cultivating a plant according to the above (14), wherein the cultivation is performed in a container having a closed lower part.

(16) A plant cultivation support comprising a plant support carrier and a soil-modifying agent added to the carrier in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt. A method for cultivating a plant, wherein the plant is cultivated while supporting the plant while supporting the plant;
A hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure; the equilibrium water absorption decreases with increasing temperature in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, and the equilibrium water absorption reversibly changes with temperature. A method for cultivating a plant, comprising a variable hydrogel-forming polymer.

(17) The method for cultivating a plant according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the cultivation is performed under non-sterile conditions.

(18) The method for cultivating a plant according to claim 17, wherein the cultivation under the non-sterile condition is performed in an open field or in a facility.

(19) The method for cultivating a plant according to claim 17, wherein the cultivation is performed in a container having a closed lower part.

(20) A container-like substrate capable of accommodating at least a part of a plant therein, and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure and disposed inside the container-like substrate. A container for cultivating a plant, comprising:

(21) The above-mentioned (20), wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is fixed and held inside a container.
For growing plants.

(22) The above (2) wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is held in a continuous layer inside the container.
1) A container for growing a plant.

(23) The above (2) wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is held in a discontinuous state inside the container.
1) A container for growing a plant.

(24) The plant according to (20) above, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer has a powdery or granular form, and the size when dried is 0.1 μm to 5 mm. Container for body growth.

(25) The container for growing plants according to (21), wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is held inside the container via a layer of an adhesive or an adhesive.

(26) In the hydrogel-forming polymer, the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in the temperature range of 0 ° C. to 70 ° C., and the equilibrium water absorption reversibly changes with temperature. The container for growing a plant according to the above (20), which is a variable polymer.

(27) The above (2) in which the lower part is closed
0) The container for growing plants.

(28) A plant-growing material comprising a sheet-like substrate and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure, which is disposed on at least one surface of the substrate. Sheet.

(29) The plant growing sheet according to (28), wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is fixed and held on the surface of a substrate.

(30) The above (2) wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is held in a continuous layer on the substrate surface.
8) The plant growing sheet.

(31) The above-mentioned (2) wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is held in a discontinuous state on the substrate surface.
8) The plant growing sheet.

(32) The plant body according to (28), wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer has a powdery or granular form, and has a dry size of 0.1 μm to 5 mm. Formation sheet.

(33) The plant growing sheet according to the above (28), wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is held on the surface of a substrate via a layer of an adhesive or an adhesive.

(34) The growing plant according to the above (28), wherein a layer of an adhesive or an adhesive is disposed on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the hydrogel-forming polymer is disposed. Sheet.

(35) The plant growing sheet according to the above (28), having a partition shape capable of forming one or more cells.

(36) In the hydrogel-forming polymer, the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in a temperature range of 0 ° C. to 70 ° C., and the equilibrium water absorption reversibly changes with temperature. The plant growing sheet according to the above (28), which is a variable polymer.

[0116]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings as necessary. (Breathability) The breathability of the plant growing system in the present invention can be suitably evaluated by the "water evaporation rate" from the growing system. In the present specification, a plant growing system having a “water evaporation rate” of 3% or less (more preferably 2% or less, particularly 1% or less) per 24 hours is defined as “aeration-restricted condition (or culture system)”. " This "airflow restriction condition"
Includes both so-called closed systems and semi-closed systems.

On the other hand, a plant growing system in which the “water evaporation rate” exceeds 3% per 24 hours (more preferably 5% or more, particularly 10% or more) is referred to as “aeration-unrestricted condition (or open system)”. <Method of Measuring Moisture Evaporation Rate> Solid components constituting the plant growth system (for example, in the system of Example 3 described below, a plant box and a dry polymer, weight: W ₁ (g))
Is measured using a precision balance (for example, an electronic balance manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, trade name: LIBROR-EB-3200D). Next, a liquid component (a Hyponex culture solution in the system of Example 3) is added to the solid component, and the total weight (W ₂ ) is similarly measured with a precise balance. Precise weight of the liquid component, calculated as _{(X = W 2 -W 1)} .
After transplanting the plant into the above-mentioned growing system, the weight Y of the whole growing system including the plant, the solid component and the liquid component is similarly measured with a precise balance.

After weighing the whole weight Y, the whole plant growing system whose air permeability is to be evaluated is left for a predetermined time in an environment of 25 ° C. and 30% humidity for a predetermined time Z (for example, Zd after 1 day (24 hours), weight Zw after 1 week (7 days), and / or weight Zm after 1 month (30 days)). Using the weight Z thus obtained, the water evaporation rate is obtained by the following formula.

Water evaporation rate (% / 24hour) = 100 ×
(Y−Zd) / X, water evaporation rate (% / 24hour) = 100 × (Y−Zw) /
(X × 7) or water evaporation rate (% / 24 hours) = 100 × (Y−Zm) /
(X × 30) (Hydrogel-forming polymer) The “hydrogel-forming polymer” disposed inside the container of the present invention has a crosslinking structure or a network structure. A polymer having the property of being able to form a hydrogel by retaining water therein. The term “hydrogel” refers to a cross-linked or network structure made of a polymer and supported or held in the structure (dispersed liquid).
A gel containing at least water.

The "dispersed liquid" held in the crosslinked or network structure is not particularly limited as long as it is a liquid containing water as a main component. More specifically, for example, the dispersion liquid is
It may be water itself or an aqueous solution and / or a liquid containing water (for example, a mixed liquid of water and a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol).

In the present invention, it is preferable to use, as the hydrogel-forming polymer, a polymer obtained by crosslinking a water-soluble or hydrophilic polymer compound. Such a crosslinked polymer has the property of absorbing water in an aqueous solution and swelling but not dissolving. The equilibrium water absorption, which will be described later, can be changed by changing the type of the water-soluble or hydrophilic polymer compound and / or the cross-linking rate. (Water-soluble or hydrophilic polymer compound) In the present invention, as the water-soluble or hydrophilic polymer compound to be provided with the hydrogel constituting the support, methyl cellulose, dextran, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, poly N- Vinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyridine, polyacrylamide, polymethacrylamide, polyN-methylacrylamide, polyhydroxymethylacrylate, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinylsulfonic acid, polystyrenesulfonic acid and salts thereof, polyN, N-dimethyl Examples include aminoethyl methacrylate, poly N, N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, poly N, N-dimethylaminopropylacrylamide, and salts thereof.

In the present invention, the polymer constituting the hydrogel-forming polymer may have a negative water solubility temperature coefficient and / or an LCST (Lower Critical Solution Temperature).
Those obtained by further chemically cross-linking a polymer compound having the formula (1) can be particularly preferably used. Here, the LCST refers to a temperature at which the polymer finally becomes insoluble in water and precipitates in a process where the polymer changes from water-soluble to hydrophobic due to an increase in temperature. The phenomenon of water-soluble-hydrophobic change at this time is as follows:
Reversible to temperature (Haskins, M., et al., J. M.
acromol. Sci. Chem. A2 (8) ; 1441, 1968).

The “polymer compound having LCST” is poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (P
NIPAAm) is a typical example. This P
In the aqueous solution of NIPAAm, PNIP
Since a hydrate (oxonium hydroxide) is formed between the AAm molecule and the water molecule by hydrogen bonding, the PNI
PAAm shows water solubility. On the other hand, in the high temperature region, the above PNI
Since the hydrogen bond between the PAAm molecule and the water molecule is weakened and the hydrate has a tendency to decompose and dehydrate, PNIPAA
m molecules change to hydrophobic.

The above “polymer compound having LCST”
Is chemically swelled in an aqueous solution without being dissolved even at a temperature lower than the LCST. When the temperature is increased in such a swollen state, the polymer compound changes to hydrophobic, so that water is separated from the swollen crosslinked body (hydrogel).

As described above, the equilibrium water absorption of the hydrogel has a tendency to decrease significantly with increasing temperature, and the temperature change of the equilibrium water absorption is reversible.
Therefore, in the present invention, when the hydrogel-forming polymer is used by arranging it in a container, the water present in the hydrogel (in some cases, the nutrients in a state of being dissolved in such water) And / or a plant growth regulator) is extruded from the hydrogel to the outside of the gel (or into another carrier such as a porous body or soil described later) with an increase in temperature. On the other hand, when the temperature decreases, water is sucked into the hydrogel again from the outside of the gel (or in another carrier such as a porous body or soil).

The LCST of the hydrogel-forming polymer constituting the container of the present invention is from 0 ° C. to 70 ° C.
To 50 ° C. or lower). This LCS
When T is lower than 0 ° C., the water retention of the hydrogel-forming polymer in a low-temperature environment (for example, in an environment at a temperature of 10 ° C. or lower) is likely to decrease. On the other hand, LCST is 70 ° C
When the temperature exceeds 30 ° C., the water release property of the hydrogel-forming polymer in a high-temperature environment (for example, in an environment at a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher) tends to decrease. The (equilibrium water absorption) <balance measurement of water absorption E _a> hydrogel-forming polymer, at a given temperature, and immersing at least 3 days in a large excess of water (ion exchanged water), were sufficiently swollen by the After the swelling of the polymer has reached equilibrium, the weight (W) of the hydrogel (ie, polymer + water) is measured (for this “swelling equilibrium”, see, for example, T. Tanaka, et al., Phys. Rev.
Lett., 55, 2455 (1985)).

Next, the hydrogel is vacuum-dried at 100 ° C. for at least 3 days, and then the weight (P) of the dried hydrogel (ie, polymer) is measured. Based on this way the two weights were measured (W and P), the equilibrium water absorption E _a is defined by the following equation.

Equilibrium water absorption (E _a ) = {(WP) / P}
In × 100 (%) hydrogel-forming polymer used in the (temperature dependency and salt concentration dependency of equilibrium water absorption E _a) the present invention,
From the viewpoint of the water retention of the hydrogel-forming polymer in a low-temperature environment, the equilibrium water absorption (E _L ) at a low temperature (5 ° C.) is about 1,000% or more, and more preferably about 3,000.
% Or more, especially about 5,000% or more (for example,
(About 000 to 100,000%). On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the water release property of the polymer in a high-temperature environment, the equilibrium water absorption (E _H ) of the polymer at a high temperature (50 ° C.) is about 6,000% or less, and more preferably 3.0% or less.
About 100% or less, especially about 1,000% or less (for example,
(About 1,000 to 500%).

From the viewpoint of the balance between water retention and water absorption of the polymer, the ratio (E _L / E _H ) of the equilibrium water absorption at high and low temperatures is about 2 or more, and more preferably 5 or more. Degree, especially about 10 or more (for example, 10 to 200
Degree).

In the present invention, the hydrogel-forming polymer has a smaller salt concentration dependence of the equilibrium water absorption than a general superabsorbent polymer (eg, a crosslinked sodium acrylate polymer). . More specifically, the hydrogel-forming polymer used in the present invention has a temperature of 15 ° C.
In, NaCl concentration 0% equilibrium water absorption E _a in (deionized water) and E _N, if the equilibrium water absorption E _a of NaCl concentration 3 wt.% Was E _S, the ratio of these equilibrium water absorption (E _N / E _S ) is preferably 20 or less, more preferably 10 or less (particularly 5 or less). (Polymer having LCST) "LCST" in the present invention
Examples of the “polymer compound having” include poly N-substituted acrylamide derivatives, poly N-substituted methacrylamide derivatives, and poly N-substituted acrylamide derivatives /
Poly N-substituted methacrylamide copolymer, polyvinyl methyl ether, polypropylene oxide, polyethylene oxide, etherified methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol partially acetylated compound, etc. can be suitably used as various copolymers and / or mixtures as required. It is. Among these, a poly N-substituted acrylamide derivative or a poly N-substituted methacrylamide derivative, or an N-substituted acrylamide derivative / poly N-substituted methacrylamide copolymer can be particularly preferably used in the present invention.

Specific examples of the polymer compound preferably used in the present invention are listed below in ascending order of LCST. Poly-N-acryloylpiperidine; poly-Nn
Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; Poly-N, N-diethylacrylamide; Poly-N-isopropylmethacrylamide; Poly-N-cyclopropylacrylamide; Poly-N-acryloylpyrrolidine; Poly-N, N- Ethyl-methylacrylamide; poly-N-cyclopropylmethacrylamide; poly-N-ethylacrylamide; the polymer may be a homopolymer (homopolymer), and a monomer constituting the polymer; It may be a copolymer with another monomer. As the other monomer constituting such a copolymer, any of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer can be used.

Examples of the hydrophilic monomer include N-vinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyridine, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-methylacrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxymethyl methacrylate, hydroxymethyl acrylate, and acidic methyl acrylate. Group-containing acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and salts thereof, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, etc., and basic group-containing N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, N, N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, N, N- Dimethylaminopropylacrylamide and salts thereof and the like,
It is not limited to these.

On the other hand, examples of the hydrophobic monomer include acrylate derivatives and methacrylate derivatives such as ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate and glycyl methacrylate, and N-substituted alkyl methacrylamide derivatives such as Nn-butyl methacrylamide. , Vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, styrene, vinyl acetate and the like, but are not limited thereto.

Generally, it is possible to increase the LCST by copolymerizing a hydrophilic monomer with the above-mentioned polymer compound, while lowering the LCST by copolymerizing a hydrophobic monomer. It is possible to do.

The above-mentioned LCST can be regarded as one of the factors that determine the temperature dependence of the equilibrium water absorption of the hydrogel-forming polymer of the present invention. That is,
The dependence of the LCST or the hydrogel equilibrium water absorption on the temperature can also be controlled by selecting the “copolymer component” as described above. (Crosslinking) As a method for imparting or introducing a crosslinked structure to a polymer compound as described above, a method of introducing a crosslinked structure when polymerizing a monomer to be provided with the polymer compound, A method of introducing a crosslinked structure after completion of the polymerization is mentioned. In the present invention, any of these methods can be used.

The former (crosslinking at the time of monomer polymerization) method can be usually carried out by copolymerizing a bifunctional monomer (or a monomer having three or more functional groups). For example, bifunctional monomers such as N, N-methylenebisacrylamide, hydroxyethyl dimethacrylate, and divinylbenzene can be suitably used.

The latter method (introduction of cross-linking after completion of monomer polymerization) can be usually carried out by forming cross-links between molecules by irradiation with light, electron beam, γ-ray or the like.

The latter method is, for example, as follows:
Cross-linking a polymer compound using a polyfunctional molecule having a plurality of functional groups (eg, isocyanate group) in the molecule that can bond to a functional group (eg, an amino group) in the polymer compound as a cross-linking agent Can also be implemented.

The equilibrium water absorption of the hydrogel-forming polymer in the present invention (particularly, the equilibrium water absorption in a low-temperature region lower than the LCST) depends on the above-mentioned crosslinked structure, particularly the crosslink density. Water absorption tends to increase. The effect of the crosslink density on the equilibrium water absorption in the high temperature region higher than the LCST tends to be relatively small, so that the lower the crosslink density, the greater the temperature dependence of the equilibrium water absorption.

In the former method, the “crosslink density” is changed by, for example, changing the copolymerization ratio of the bifunctional monomer. In the latter method, the light, electron beam, γ
By changing the irradiation amount of a line or the like, it is possible to arbitrarily control to a desired degree.

In the present invention, the crosslinking density is from about 0.02 mol% to about 1 mol% in terms of the molar ratio of branch points to all monomers.
It is preferably in the range of 0 mol%, more preferably in the range of about 0.05 mol to about 4 mol%. When the crosslinked structure is introduced by the former (crosslinking during polymerization) method, the copolymerization weight ratio of the difunctional monomer to all the monomers (including the difunctional monomer itself) is about 0.03 wt.% To about 3 wt.%
(More preferably, about 0.05 wt.% To about 1.5 wt.%).

In the present invention, the crosslinking density is about 10 mol%
When the value exceeds, the temperature dependence of the equilibrium water absorption of the hydrogel-forming polymer of the present invention is reduced, and the effect of water absorption-water release of the hydrogel-forming polymer of the present invention is reduced. . On the other hand, when the crosslink density is less than about 0.02 mol%, the mechanical strength of the hydrogel-forming polymer becomes weak, making it difficult to handle, and at the same time, the mechanical properties during the swelling and shrinking processes due to temperature changes. The likelihood of damage is increased.

The crosslink density (molar ratio of branch points to all monomers) as described above can be determined, for example, by ¹³ C-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance absorption) measurement, IR (infrared absorption spectrum) measurement, or elemental analysis. It can be quantified. (Shape of Hydrogel or Polymer) The shape of the hydrogel or hydrogel-forming polymer disposed in the container of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected depending on the type of plant, the growing method, and the like. It is possible. The shape of the hydrogel or polymer can take various shapes such as a layer shape, a microbead shape, a fiber shape, a film shape, and an amorphous shape.

The size of the hydrogel or polymer in the present invention may be appropriately determined depending on the type of plant, cultivation method and the like.
It is possible to choose. The surface area per unit volume of the hydrogel or the polymer is increased from the viewpoint of improving the process of changing the equilibrium water absorption of the hydrogel-forming polymer with respect to temperature, that is, the swelling and shrinking processes. That is, it is preferable to reduce the size per hydrogel or one polymer object (for example, one particle). For example, the size of the hydrogel or polymer in the present invention when dried is preferably in the range of about 0.1 μm to 1 cm, more preferably about 1 μm to 5 mm (particularly about 10 μm to 1 mm).

In the present invention, the “size when dried” of the hydrogel or polymer is an average value of the maximum diameter (maximum dimension) of the hydrogel or polymer (at least 10 measured values or more). Average). More specifically, in the present invention, the following sizes can be used as the “size when dried”, for example, corresponding to the shape of the hydrogel or polymer.

Microbead shape: particle size (average particle size) Fiber shape: average value of length of each fibrous piece Film shape, irregular shape: average value of maximum dimension of each piece Layer shape: thickness of polymer layer Book In the present invention, the diameter of a “sphere” having a volume equal to the average value of the volume of each piece (average value obtained by measuring at least 10 pieces) is replaced with the above-mentioned “average value of the maximum value”. The gel or polymer may be used as the “size when dried”. (Method of Forming Hydrogel / Polymer) The method of forming the hydrogel or polymer of the present invention is not particularly limited.
Depending on the desired shape of the hydrogel or polymer, a usual method of molding a polymer compound can be used.

The simplest molding method is to use a monomer to give a water-soluble or hydrophilic polymer compound, the above-mentioned polyfunctional monomer (such as a difunctional monomer), and a polymerization initiator in water. , And the monomer or the like is polymerized by heat or light to form a hydrogel or polymer. The hydrogel or polymer is mechanically crushed, and unreacted monomers, residual initiator, and the like are removed by washing with water or the like, and then dried to obtain a highly hydrogel-forming material constituting the container or sheet of the present invention. Molecule can be obtained.

When the monomer that gives the water-soluble or hydrophilic polymer compound is liquid, a polyfunctional monomer and a polymerization initiator are added to the monomer, and the monomer is heated or irradiated with light. After bulk polymerization of the monomer, it is also used in the present invention by mechanically crushing, removing unreacted monomer and residual polyfunctional monomer by a method such as extraction with water, and drying. A hydrogel or polymer can be obtained.

On the other hand, when a microgel-like hydrogel or polymer is obtained, an emulsion polymerization method, a suspension polymerization method,
It is possible to use a precipitation polymerization method or the like. In the present invention, the reversed-phase suspension polymerization method is particularly preferably used from the viewpoint of particle size control. In such a reversed-phase suspension polymerization method, an organic solvent (for example, a saturated hydrocarbon such as hexane) that does not dissolve the monomer and the produced polymer is preferably used as a dispersion medium. Surfactants as suspension aids (eg,
Nonionic surfactants such as sorbitan fatty acid esters)
May be used together with the organic solvent described above.

The particle size of the obtained microbeads can be controlled by the type and amount of the surfactant to be added, the stirring speed, and the like. As the polymerization initiator, any of a water-soluble initiator and a water-insoluble initiator can be used.

In the present invention, when the hydrogel or polymer is formed into a fiber, a film or the like,
For example, an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer compound is extruded into an organic solvent that is not mixed with water using a die or the like, and after imparting a desired shape to the polymer, light, an electron beam, γ-rays, or the like is irradiated. Thus, a method of giving a crosslinked structure to the polymer may be used. Further, for example, after dissolving the water-soluble polymer compound in an organic solvent or water and molding by a solvent casting method, light, an electron beam, γ-rays or the like may be irradiated to impart a crosslinked structure to the polymer. . (Additive) Support for cultivating plant of the present invention, soil modifier,
In the crosslinked structure of the hydrogel-forming polymer constituting the container or sheet, at least water is held as necessary to form a hydrogel, but in the hydrogel or polymer, Depending on the requirements, other additives may be added. As an additive to be contained in the hydrogel or the polymer for such a purpose, a known additive that can be generally used in plant cultivation in a normal open space or in a facility (greenhouse or the like) may be used without particular limitation. It is possible.

Examples of such known additives include various plant nutrients, substances other than nutrients involved in the cultivation of plants (plant growth regulators, plant growth promoting substances, plant dwarfing agents, etc.). Or pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.). (Nutrients) The nutrients that can be contained in the hydrogel or polymer of the present invention as necessary include:
Large elements such as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, and / or trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Mo, B, Cl, and Si are included.

When an inorganic nutrient or an organic nutrient containing the above-mentioned element is contained in the hydrogel or polymer of the present invention, the nutrient which becomes more demanding of the plant as the temperature rises becomes higher. At low temperatures when the requirement is low, the nutrients are stored inside the hydrogel or polymer, so that the sustainability of the nutrients can be significantly improved. .

As a method for incorporating these nutrients into the hydrogel or polymer, for example, urea, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate,
An aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate, ferrous sulfate or the like is cooled to a temperature lower than the LCST, and the dried hydrogel or polymer itself is immersed in the aqueous solution to swell, and the resulting hydrogel or polymer is introduced into the resulting hydrogel or polymer. And a method of absorbing a desired nutrient. (Plant growth substances, etc.) Substances involved in the cultivation of plants other than the above-mentioned nutrients include plant growth regulators, plant growth promoting substances, plant dwarfs, etc., or pesticides (herbicides,
Insecticides, bactericides, etc.) may be included in the above-mentioned hydrogel or polymer, if necessary.

In general, crop cultivation under hot and humid conditions causes phenomena such as stem length, branching and poor flowering, and tends to lower the value of agricultural products.
In addition, such a problem of value reduction may occur depending on the kind characteristics. In such a case, it is preferable to use a dwarfant having an effect of suppressing the elongation of the stem or the like and promoting branching or flowering as necessary. In the present invention, when the dwarfing agent is contained inside the hydrogel or polymer, the plant cultivation support, soil modifier, container or sheet of the present invention containing the hydrogel or polymer as a component is At the high temperature, the dwarfing agent is released from the container or sheet to the outside (for example, in the soil) to suppress the elongation of the stem of the plant. On the other hand, at low temperatures when the requirement for the dwarfing agent is low, the dwarfing agent is not released from the hydrogel or polymer, and the durability of the effect of the dwarfing agent is significantly improved.

In general, the need for herbicides is higher at high temperatures than at low temperatures. Therefore, when the herbicide is contained in the hydrogel or polymer of the present invention, the effect of the herbicide and its sustainability are remarkably improved based on the same storage-release mechanism as described above. (Method of Including Additives) As a method of incorporating the above-mentioned various additives into a hydrogel or polymer, the polymer may be added to an aqueous solution of the additive at a temperature sufficiently lower than the LCST of the polymer. A method of forming a hydrogel or a polymer by immersion to absorb the above aqueous solution is exemplified. When a growth regulator (such as a dwarfant) having extremely low solubility in water, such as inabenfide or uniconazole, is used, an organic solvent in which the growth regulator is soluble and the hydrogel or polymer swells is used. Using,
The growth regulator can be contained in the hydrogel or polymer at a practical concentration. (Method of using the support for cultivating a plant) The support for cultivating a plant of the present invention is composed of the above-mentioned hydrogel or polymer, and is generally in a temperature range used for cultivating a plant (for example, 15 to 15). Within the range of about 35 ° C.), it is possible to have an appropriate “hardness” or shape retention based on the gel structure. More specifically, for example, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, without using soil or another cultivation carrier, the plant cultivation support 2 of the present invention, which is appropriately disposed inside the container 1, is used. The plant 3 may be cultivated by using it alone or alone. (Method of Using Soil Modifier) On the other hand, the above-mentioned hydrogel or polymer may be used as a soil modifier in consideration of easiness of plant cultivation or cultivation cost. In such a case, the soil modifier of the present invention may be used by appropriately adding it to another plant-cultivating carrier. More specifically, for example, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the soil modifier 2a of the present invention is substantially uniformly added to another plant cultivation carrier (soil or the like) 5 to support the plant body. What is necessary is just to cultivate the plant body 3 by arranging the plant support body 4 obtained in this way inside the container 1 as appropriate.

As described above, the type, the usage ratio, and the like of the “other plant cultivation carrier” that can be used in combination with the soil modifier of the present invention are not particularly limited. As such a carrier for plant cultivation, for example, soil or gravel, sand, pumice, carbide, peat, vermiculite, bark, perlite, zeolite, rock wool, sponge, water moss, coconut grass, cryptomos and the like, alone, Alternatively, two or more kinds may be mixed and used as required.

When cultivating a plant using the soil modifying agent of the present invention, the hydrogel or polymer of the present invention is used with respect to the “other plant cultivating carrier” composed of the above-mentioned soil or the like. The soil modifier is mixed in an amount of about 0.1 to 10 wt.
%). Further, when the plant 3 is transplanted to a normal plant cultivation carrier such as soil, as shown in the schematic sectional view of FIG.
After physically adhering the soil modifier 2a of the present invention to the root 3a of the present invention, the soil modifying agent 2a is embedded in the above-described plant cultivation carrier (soil or the like) 5 (the root 3a is placed in the plant cultivation carrier 5). Filled) and cultivated.

Further, as shown in the schematic sectional view of FIG.
After burying the plant body 3 in a normal plant body cultivation carrier (soil or the like) 5, the soil modifying agent 2a of the present invention may be sprayed for cultivation. (Plant) The plant to which the support for plant cultivation or the soil modifier of the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited as long as it can be cultivated in the open area or in a facility (greenhouse or the like). , Seedlings), but part of the plant (for example,
Stem). From the viewpoint of efficiency or yield when cultivating in open-field cultivation or facilities (greenhouses, etc.), plants grown to some extent in cultivation rooms (usually under aseptic conditions)
It is preferable to apply the present invention to cultivation using the support for plant cultivation or the soil modifier of the present invention. (Cultivation conditions) The support for plant cultivation or the soil modifier of the present invention can be used under "cultivation" conditions.
Rather, it can be suitably used under "cultivation" conditions.

[0160] In the present specification, in "culturing" a plant, part or all of the plant is usually grown, regenerated or subcultured under aseptic conditions in a glass container (in vitro). (For such an embodiment of “culture”, for example, reference can be made to “Agricultural University Encyclopedia,” edited by the Editorial Committee of the University of Agriculture, page 1024 (1991), Yokendo). This “cultivation” is often performed in a culture room in which plant growth conditions are kept substantially constant (for example, temperature 25 ° C., illuminance 3000 lux, 16 hr day length).

On the other hand, in "cultivation" of a plant, usually, a part or the whole of the plant is often grown under non-sterile conditions. In this “cultivation”, the growth conditions of the plant usually fluctuate due to fluctuations in external environmental factors (temperature, humidity, solar radiation, light intensity, etc.).

For the purpose of acclimatization of plants, the “cultivation” condition is brought close to the “cultivation” condition (for example, a greenhouse having a temperature difference between day and night, a temperature of 25 ° C. during the day, a temperature of 19 ° C. at night, a temperature difference of 6 ° C.).
(Culture room or the like set to ° C.) may be used. Furthermore,
In order to properly control the "cultivation" conditions for plants,
In some cases, the conditions may be approximated to “cultivation” conditions (for example, container cultivation in a non-sterile state in a culture room).

In the "cultivation" of the present invention, any other conditions such as a container for accommodating the plant, a cultivation place, etc. are not limited as long as the plant is grown under non-sterile conditions. More specifically, for example, the shape of the container for cultivation is not particularly limited, and a container having a known shape such as a pot can be appropriately used. The material constituting the container is not particularly limited, and known materials such as paper, plastic, ceramics, and glass can be appropriately used. The cultivation place is not particularly limited, and an open-air place such as an open field; a greenhouse, a plant factory, a facility including a culture room, and the like can be appropriately used.

The support for cultivating a plant or the soil modifier of the present invention can be commonly used under aseptic conditions and non-sterile conditions as described above. When using a body cultivation support or soil modifier,
From the cultivation to cultivation of the plant body, it is possible to use a common cultivation support or soil modifying agent. As described above, in the operation of transplanting from cultivation to cultivation using a common cultivation support or soil modifier, if necessary, a medium (water, and / or medium) to be retained or contained inside the hydrogel or polymer. Alternatively, all or a part of other nutrients and the like (using the hydrogel-forming polymer itself attached to the plant) by utilizing the above-described temperature sensitivity of the hydrogel-forming polymer. Since the plant can be replaced, it is possible to effectively prevent damage to the plant or a part thereof (for example, the root) during the transplantation. (Shape and Material of Container / Sheet) The shape of the container for growing a plant of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the above-mentioned “hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure” is disposed therein. Conventionally known shapes, for example, pots,
Various shapes such as a pot shape, a planter shape, a tray shape and the like are possible.

One embodiment (pot type) of the growing container of the present invention is:
FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view. Referring to FIG.
A layer 12 made of “a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linking structure” is disposed inside a pot-shaped container 11 having a side wall 11b. One or more holes (not shown) may be formed in the bottom 11a or the side wall 11b as necessary.
It is needless to say that may be provided.

Similarly, the shape of the plant sheet of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the above-mentioned “hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure” is disposed on at least a part of its surface. Instead, it is possible to take various known shapes.

One embodiment of the growing sheet of the present invention is shown in a schematic sectional view of FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, sheet base 21a
A layer 12a made of “a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linking structure” is disposed on one surface of the substrate. On the surface (back surface) of the sheet base 21a opposite to the surface on which the polymer layer 12a is arranged, a pressure-sensitive adhesive or adhesive layer 13 (made of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or the like) is provided as necessary. You may. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a release sheet 14 may be disposed on the pressure-sensitive adhesive / adhesive layer 13 as necessary. In the case where the sheet 21 having the mode as shown in FIG. 7 is used, the release sheet 14 is peeled off and the sheet 2 is removed.
By placing 1 in a conventional container (not shown)
It becomes easy to arrange the sheet 21 at a desired position of the conventional container.

The sheet of the present invention may be in the form of a partition (interior partition), if necessary.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of the sheet of the present invention in a partition shape. FIG. 8 (a)
Shows an example of a single-cell (with extension) partition shape, and FIG. 8B shows an example of a 4-cell partition shape. The number of “cells” to be formed by these partitions is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of effective use or efficiency of the cultivated area, it may be about 1 to 10000 (further, about 10 to 1000). preferable. These partition type sheets 2 of the present invention
In 2, a layer (not shown) composed of “a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure” is disposed on at least a part of the surface 15 of the partition on the side where plants are to be disposed.

As shown in the schematic plan view of FIG. 9, the sheet 22 of the present invention in the form of a partition is formed by “another container” 1
6 (which may be a conventional container), the detachment between the sheet 22 and the “other container” 16 is utilized to make it extremely easy to “remove” the plant at the time of transplantation. That is, the grown plant (not shown) is
By removing the partition 22 from the container 6 before removing it from the sheet 12, it is extremely easy to "remove" the plant. The above "other containers" 16
May be a conventional container, and if necessary,
A container for cultivating a plant in which the “hydrogel-forming polymer” layer 12 is disposed therein (that is, the container of the present invention) may be used.

The material of the container or sheet of the present invention is not particularly limited either, and conventionally known materials such as ceramics or ceramics (unglazed, etc.), metal, wood, plastic, paper,
It is possible to appropriately use various materials such as. (Aspect of Arrangement of Polymer) In the present invention, as long as the hydrogel-forming polymer is arranged in the growth container, its position, area, and shape (for example, a continuous layer or an intermittent Layer is not particularly limited).

The position of the polymer in the container may be, for example, any of the bottom surface 11a and the side surface 11b (FIG. 5) of the container, but it is easy to hold the plant by swelling of the polymer. From the viewpoint that the polymer is placed on the side surface 11 of the container.
b.

In the present invention, in order to efficiently exhibit the function of the hydrogel-forming polymer, the area of the inner surface of the container (or the area of one surface of the sheet) should be _Sa.
Where S _p is the area where the hydrogel-forming polymer is disposed, the ratio of these areas (S _p / S _a ) × 1
00 is preferably about 10% or more, and more preferably about 50% or more (particularly about 70% or more).

In the present invention, the hydrogel-forming polymer layers 12 to 12a may be continuous layers or intermittent layers. Such an intermittent layer can be easily formed by any means such as screen printing. In the case of an intermittent layer, the planar shape can be any shape such as a lattice island shape as shown in FIG. 10A, a spot shape as shown in FIG.

When the hydrogel-forming polymer layers 12 to 12a are arranged on the substrate 11 of the container or sheet, the mode of the arrangement is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of easiness of the arrangement, for example, the polymer layer 1 is directly provided on the substrate 11.
2 (FIG. 11A), a polymer layer 12 is disposed on a pressure-sensitive adhesive or adhesive layer 17 disposed on a substrate 11.
(FIG. 11B), a polymer 12 having an arbitrary shape such as a particle shape or an irregular shape is arranged on a pressure-sensitive adhesive or adhesive layer 17 arranged on the substrate 1. Aspect (FIG. 1
Any of 1 (c)) is suitably used. Figure 1 above
In the embodiment of 1 (a), from the viewpoint of imparting or enhancing the adhesiveness of the polymer layer 12 to the substrate 11, a hydrogel-forming polymer may be mixed or dispersed in the pressure-sensitive adhesive or the adhesive, if necessary. Then, the polymer layer 12 may be formed. In this case, it is preferable to use about 0.01 to 10 parts by weight (more preferably about 0.1 to 2 parts by weight) of an adhesive or an adhesive with respect to 10 parts by weight of the hydrogel-forming polymer.

As the "adhesive or adhesive", known adhesives and adhesives can be used without any particular limitation. Is the substance substantially non-toxic to cultivated plants? Alternatively, it is preferable to use those having low toxicity. Specific examples of such adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives include, for example, rubber or latex (natural rubber, isoprene latex, etc.), acrylic resin (acrylic, cyanoacrylate, etc.), epoxy resin, urethane resin. , Protein (soy protein, gluten, etc.),
Examples include starch-based (starch-based, dextrin-based) and cellulose-based (CMC-based, nitrocellulose-based, etc.) adhesives or pressure-sensitive adhesives.

In any of the above embodiments of the container or sheet, the area of the inner surface of the container (or the area of one surface of the sheet) is required in order to efficiently exhibit the function of the hydrogel-forming polymer. ) as the S _a, if the weight of the disposed hydrogel-forming polymer was M _p, the coating amount of the polymer (M _p / S _a) is 0.0001
g / cm ² (0.1 mg / cm ² ) or more, and more preferably 0.001 g / cm ² (1 mg / cm ² ).
² ) to about 0.2 g / cm ² (particularly 0.002 g / cm ² )
² (about 2 mg / cm ² ) to about 0.1 g / cm ² . (Method for Producing Container or Sheet for Growing Plant) A method for producing a molded article (container or sheet) in which a hydrogel is fixed to the surface of a base material is not particularly limited. For example, one of the following two methods is used. It can be suitably used.

In the first method, a material to be a base material is preliminarily formed into a shape of a container or a sheet such as a pot or a planter, and then an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, etc. A method of applying a substance having a function of fixing a hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel, and fixing the hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel on the substance coated in this manner.

In the second method, a hydrogel-forming polymer such as an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a substance having a function of fixing a hydrogel is applied to the surface of a sheet or film of a material serving as a base material. After fixing the hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel on the substance coated as described above, it is molded into a pot, planter or the like by a pressure molding method or the like.

When the first method described above is used, the base material is formed into a pot or planter by various molding methods such as an injection molding method, a pressure molding method and a blow molding method. it can. The substance for fixing the hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel on the inner surface of the molded product may be a commercially available adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive or the like without any particular limitation. It is preferable to use those which are substantially non-toxic or low-toxic to plants to be cultivated. Specific examples of such adhesives / adhesives include, for example, rubber-based, latex-based, acrylic resin-based, epoxy resin-based, urethane resin-based, protein-based, starch-based, and cellulose-based adhesives or pressure-sensitive adhesives. Can be.

These adhesives / adhesives are applied to the inner surface of the molded article by spraying, casting, dipping, or the like, and a high hydrogel-forming adhesive is applied on the adhesive / adhesive applied in this manner. Molecules or hydrogels can be fixed. In addition, instead of the adhesive or the adhesive, a double-sided tape on which the adhesive or the like is previously applied is attached to the inner surface of the molded product, and a hydrogel-forming polymer or a hydrogel is fixed thereon. May be.

In the first method, a material to be a base material is molded into a pot or a planter by injection molding or the like, and then a hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel is added to a thermoplastic elastomer or the like. By injecting the dispersed material onto the inner surface of the molded article by a two-color molding method, the hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel can be fixed to the inner surface of the substrate molded article.

On the other hand, in the second method, the adhesive,
A hydrogel-forming polymer such as an adhesive or a substance capable of fixing a hydrogel is applied to a sheet or film surface of a base material by spraying, a casting method, or the like, or the above double-sided tape is attached thereto, and After fixing the hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel to the substrate, the substrate can be molded by a pressure molding method or the like. Also,
A material in which a hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel is dispersed in a thermoplastic elastomer or the like is molded into a multilayer sheet or multilayer film by a multilayer extrusion method at the same time as the base material, and the hydrogel-forming polymer or hydrogel is formed. The gel may be fixed on a base material sheet or a base material film, and thereafter, the base material may be formed by a pressure forming method or the like. (Method of using container or sheet for growing plant) Plant is effectively transplanted using a container or sheet in which the hydrogel-forming polymer of the present invention is arranged (planting of plant).
For example, the following usage method is preferably used.

(1) A container in which a sufficient amount of hydrogel-forming polymer particles are placed in the container when water is absorbed and a hydrogel-forming polymer particle is disposed, or a container-shaped sheet is used to put the plant in the container. After putting at least a part of
(Fertilizer) A method in which a hydrogel-forming polymer particle is swelled by adding a solution or the like to fix a plant body.

(2) A solution or the like is added to a container in which a sufficient amount of hydrogel-forming polymer particles are filled in the container when absorbing water, or a solution or the like is added to a container-shaped sheet. Is filled with hydrogel. Next, a method of using the gel in which at least a part of the plant is inserted into the gel to fix the plant.

According to the above-described methods (1) and (2), the hydrogel particles swollen with water have appropriate fluidity, so that the transplanting operation can be performed smoothly without damaging the plant. In addition, fine tissues (eg, somatic embryos obtained by seed or tissue culture, orchid PLB (Protoc
orm Like Body: a tissue obtained by tissue culture similar to a spherical tissue formed during seed germination)
It is also possible to use a method of simply placing the tissue or the like on the hydrogel.

(3) Using a container or a sheet molded into a container in which the hydrogel-forming polymer particles are disposed in such an amount that the inside of the container is not filled with the hydrogel at the time of absorbing water, the plant is placed in the container. A method in which at least a part of the hydrogel-forming polymer is swelled by adding a solution or the like together with a carrier for supporting a plant to fix the plant.

(4) Wrap a plant with a sheet (sheet of the present invention) coated with particles of a hydrogel-forming polymer, implant the plant in an ordinary container or support, add a solution or the like, and add the solution. A method of fixing a plant by swelling a hydrogel-forming polymer.

When any of the above methods (1) to (4) is used, the plant is not easily damaged and the plant can be easily adhered or fixed to the support. (Transplanting Method) On the other hand, as a method for effectively transplanting (planting out) a plant using the container or sheet of the present invention in which the hydrogel-forming polymer of the present invention is arranged, for example, The following usage methods are preferably used.

(1) A method in which a large excess of water is supplied to a container or a sheet to enhance the fluidity of the hydrogel and to take out the plant without damaging it.

(2) When using a container or sheet in which a hydrogel-forming polymer having LCST is arranged,
A method in which the container or sheet is heated to a temperature at which the plant is not adversely affected, water in the swollen hydrogel particles is released to shrink the gel particles, and the plant is taken out without damage.

(3) Warm water that does not adversely affect the plant body is supplied to the container or sheet to release the water in the swollen hydrogel particles, to shrink the gel particles, and to reduce the size of the gel particles. A method that removes plants without damaging them by increasing their fluidity. The temperature of the above-mentioned hot water may be slightly different depending on the kind of the plant, etc.
C. or lower (more preferably about 40.degree. C. or lower).

When any of the above methods (1) to (3) is used, it is easy to quickly remove the plant from the container without damaging the plant. (Method for removing liquid substance such as water) During cultivation of a plant using a container or sheet in which the hydrogel-forming polymer of the present invention is arranged,
When liquid such as water or fertilizer solution in the container or sheet becomes unnecessary for some reason (for example, the following reasons), the liquid can be suitably removed by, for example, the following method. .

When moving (shipping, etc.), it is important to reduce the weight of the cultivation container as much as possible from the viewpoint of improving workability and reducing transportation costs. In addition, when moving, the plant is often placed in a closed environment (for example, in a state where the plant is packaged in cellophane and put in cardboard). It is important to keep the water in the cultivation container as low as possible so that the plant is not damaged by the wet condition even in such an environment.

(1) In the case of using the container or sheet of the present invention in which a hydrogel-forming polymer is disposed, a method of releasing the water of the hydrogel particles by drying to reduce the weight can be used. is there. However, this method needs to be performed to the extent that the resulting "nutrient concentration" does not substantially affect the plant body.

(2) A more preferable method is LCS
Using the container or sheet of the present invention in which a hydrogel-forming polymer having T is disposed, the container or sheet is heated to a temperature that does not adversely affect the plant, and the hydrogel particles composed of the polymer shrink. To release the water in the swollen hydrogel particles, reduce the weight,
In addition, there is a method of reducing the water content in the container or sheet.

Conventionally, water that has been supplied to the plant before shipment may cause a decrease in the drying resistance, resulting in poor flower life or a decrease in the sugar content of the fruit. From the viewpoint of solving such a problem, it is desirable to remove water and the like in advance before shipping or the like by the above-described method (1) or (2) (preferably, the method (2)). That is. (Method of using gel-like support) The gel-like support used in the plant growing method of the present invention is composed of the above-mentioned hydrogel or polymer, and is generally in a temperature range used for growing plants (for example, (In the range of about 15 to 35 ° C.), it is possible to have appropriate “hardness” or shape retention based on the gel structure. More specifically, for example, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 12, without using another growth carrier such as a porous body, a gel-like support 32 used in the present invention appropriately disposed inside a container 31. May be used alone or alone to grow the plant body 33.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the stage of cultivating the plant 33, in order to control the air permeability of the growing system,
It is preferable to arrange the lid 41 on the upper part of the container 31. A hole 43 as shown in the figure may be provided at the top of the lid 41 or the like, if necessary. In such a mode in which the hole 43 is provided, the filter member 42 may be further disposed so as to cover the hole 43 as necessary.
Arranging the filter member 42 is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing contamination of dust, bacteria, and the like. As the filter member 42, a known filter member can be used without any particular limitation. Examples thereof include a filter paper (“Filter paper filter” (with an adhesive) manufactured by Yasushi Watanabe Co., Ltd.) and a membrane filter (manufactured by Millipore Corporation; And the like can be suitably used. The hole 43 of the lid 41 may be a single hole or a plurality of holes as necessary. Usually, the size of the hole 43 is preferably about several mm to several cm (more preferably, about 5 mm to 1 cm).

The material, thickness, size, etc. of the above-mentioned container 31 to lid 41 are not particularly limited, but the thickness is about several mm (for example, 1 mm) from the viewpoint of heat resistance during sterilization and transparency.
Polycarbonate) can be suitably used.

In the culturing stage, it is preferable to dispose the lid 41 on the container 31 as shown in FIG.
In the cultivation stage (greenhouse, field, etc.), it is preferable not to dispose the lid 41 from the viewpoint of air permeability (see FIG. 13 described later). (Porous body) The above-mentioned gel-like support may be used alone as a support for plant growth or as a planting material, and in consideration of the ease of plant growth or the growth cost. And other porous materials. According to the experiment of the present inventor, when using a 100% hydrogel support in cultivation (for example, field cultivation), depending on the type of gel, oxygen in the underground part is insufficient, and root elongation is reduced. It has been found that it can be inhibited.

From the standpoint of effectively preventing such an underground oxygen deficiency, it is preferable to use the above-mentioned gel-like support by appropriately adding it to another porous body. More specifically, for example, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, the gel support 32a used in the present invention is substantially uniformly added to another porous body 35 to form a plant support 34. The plant support body 34 thus obtained may be appropriately placed inside the container 31 to grow the plant body 33.

FIG. 13 shows a state at the cultivation stage.
In the culture stage, a lid 41 is usually arranged on the upper part of the container 31 as shown in FIG. 12 (the same applies to FIGS. 14 and 15 described later).

As described above, the type, the usage ratio, and the like of the “other porous body” that can be used in combination with the gel support used in the present invention are as follows.
There is no particular limitation as long as the porous body has pores. The mixing ratio between the gel-like support and the porous body can be appropriately adjusted depending on the type of the gel and / or the porous body, but from the viewpoint of the efficiency of function expression of the gel-like support, Usually, based on the “apparent volume” of the polymer gel as a reference (100%), the “apparent volume” of the porous body to be mixed is about 1% to 80% (further about 10 to 70%, particularly about 30 to 70%). (About 50%)
Is preferred.

Here, the “apparent volume” refers to the volume of the “scale” of the graduated cylinder corresponding to the gel surface when the polymer gel in an equilibrium water-absorbed state is gently injected into the graduated cylinder. The apparent volume of the porous body to be mixed also refers to the volume measured by the same method.

As such a porous body, for example, perlite, vermiculite, pumice, ceramic, zeolite, sponge, loofah fiber, rock wool, coconut shell, bark, peat moss, malt stone, carbide, wool, etc., alone or Mix two or more if necessary,
It can be suitably used.

When the plant 33 is transplanted to a normal support for growing a plant, such as a porous body, the gel 33 used in the present invention is applied to the root 33a of the plant 33 as shown in the schematic sectional view of FIG. After the physical support 32a is physically attached, it is embedded in the above-described plant growing carrier (porous material or the like) 35 (root 33a).
May be embedded in the plant growing carrier 35) and grown (cultivation after culture).

Further, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 15, after the plant body 33 is implanted in the ordinary porous body 35, the gel support 32a used in the present invention is placed on the surface of the porous body 35. You may spray and grow (cultivation after culture).

In the embodiments of FIGS. 12 to 15 described above,
The gel-like support 32 and the container 31 used in the culture stage were
Although it is used as it is in the cultivation stage, the container used in the cultivation stage may be different from the container used in the cultivation stage, if necessary.

The latter embodiment is shown in the schematic sectional view of FIG. Referring to FIG. 16, in this embodiment, instead of using container 31 and lid 41 that can be used for both culture and cultivation as shown in FIG.
This is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 17 to 19 (the hole 43 and the filter member 42 of the container 45 are omitted from these drawings) In each of the embodiments, each of the modes is used for both cultivation / cultivation as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 except that a container 45 dedicated to culture is used instead of the possible container 31 and the lid 41.

Modes of the cultivation stage corresponding to the modes (culturing stage) of FIGS. 16 to 19 are shown in schematic cross-sectional views of FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 20, in this embodiment,
The plant body 33 and the support 22 taken out from the culture container 45 in FIG. 16 are arranged in the container 31 together with the cultivation plant material 46 (used as necessary). As the planting material 46 for cultivation in the embodiment of FIG. 20, a known planting material (the above-described porous body, soil, or the like) can be used without any particular limitation. For example, the above-mentioned gel-like support 32, (gel-like support 32 + porous body 35), or porous body 35 can be used. Depending on the type of the plant 33, ordinary soil can also be used as the planting material 46 for cultivation. (Plants) The plants to which the gel-like support used in the present invention can be applied are not particularly limited. Even if the plants are themselves (eg, seedlings, seeds, etc.), a part of the plant (eg, somatic embryo) , Callus, stem, etc.). From the viewpoint of efficiency or yield during open-field cultivation or cultivation in a facility (such as a greenhouse), it is preferable that the cells be grown to some extent in a cultivation room (usually under aseptic conditions) and then be transferred directly to cultivation. (Growing conditions) The gel-like support used in the present invention is a "culture"
It can be suitably used under conditions and also under "cultivation" conditions. Further, the gel-like support is sterile /
It can be suitably used under any of non-sterile conditions and / or sugar-free / saccharide-containing conditions. In the transition from cultivation to cultivation, if it is desirable to replace the culture or fertilizer solution based on a difference in the composition of the solution (eg, sugar-free / sugar-free), if necessary, as described in Examples described below. It is preferable that the gel support is once contracted by a temperature change or the like to remove or wash the culture solution from the gel support.

From the viewpoint of the reproducibility of plant growth, in the “culturing” of the present invention, the condition of plant growth was kept substantially constant (for example, temperature 25 ° C., illuminance 3000 lux, 16 hr day length). It is preferably performed in a culture room.

On the other hand, in the “cultivation” of the present invention, the growth condition of the plant usually changes due to changes in external environmental factors (temperature, humidity, amount of solar radiation, light intensity, etc.).

For the purpose of acclimatization of plants, etc., the “cultivation” conditions are brought closer to the “cultivation” conditions (for example, a greenhouse having a day-night temperature difference, a daytime 25 ° C., nighttime 19 ° C., temperature difference 6 ° C).
(Culture room or the like set to ° C.) may be used. Furthermore,
In order to properly control the "cultivation" conditions for plants,
In some cases, the conditions may be approximated to “cultivation” conditions (for example, container cultivation in a non-sterile state in a culture room).

In the “cultivation” of the present invention, as long as the plant is grown under non-sterile conditions, any other conditions such as a container for accommodating the plant, a cultivation place, and the like may be used. More specifically, for example, the shape of the container for cultivation is not particularly limited, and a container having a known shape such as a pot can be appropriately used. The material constituting the container is not particularly limited, and known materials such as paper, plastic, ceramics, and glass can be appropriately used. The cultivation place is not particularly limited, and an open-air place such as an open field; a greenhouse, a plant factory, a facility including a culture room, and the like can be appropriately used.

As described above, the gel support used in the present invention can be commonly used under aseptic conditions and non-sterile conditions as described above. The cultivation can be performed using a common cultivation support or gel support. In the operation of transplantation from cultivation to cultivation using the common cultivation support or the gel-like support as described above, a medium (water and / or medium) to be held or contained in the hydrogel or the polymer as necessary. Alternatively, all or a part of other nutrients and the like (using the hydrogel-forming polymer itself attached to the plant) by utilizing the above-described temperature sensitivity of the hydrogel-forming polymer. Since the plant can be replaced, it is possible to effectively prevent damage to the plant or a part thereof (for example, the root) during the transplantation. (Container) When supplying a culture solution during plant growth, FIG.
As shown in the schematic cross-sectional view, it is preferable to provide a culture solution supply port 50 in the upper part (lid) 41 for culturing the plant 33a. Similarly, when removing the culture solution, it is preferable to provide a culture solution outlet 52 in the lower part 31 of the container.
When a culture solution is supplied to a plant aseptically, the supply / discharge operation of the culture solution can be easily performed by using these two (or more) ports.

The above-described supply port 50 can be provided at the top of the lid 41. However, the point of preventing contamination from the air and the container shown in FIG.
From the point that the culture solution can be supplied with the lid kept, it is preferable to provide it on the side surface of the lid 41 as shown in FIG. A plurality of supply ports 50 and discharge ports 52 may be provided as necessary.

It is preferable that plugs 51 and 53 made of a soft or porous material such as rubber, silicone rubber, sponge or the like are usually arranged in the supply port 50 and the discharge port 52, respectively. When such a stopper is provided, the culture solution can be aseptically supplied / discharged through the stoppers 51 to 53 using a culture solution supply / discharge means such as a syringe (not shown).

Further, from the viewpoint of increasing the supply of CO ₂ to the plant and increasing the drying resistance of the plant, a hole 54 for circulating air is provided in the lid 41 and the hole 54 is provided.
It is preferable to dispose the filter member 55 at the bottom.

It is preferable to increase the permeability of the growing container as the plant elongates. In such a case, for example, as shown in a partially enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the filter portion in FIG. Preferably, a seal member 56 for sealing the filter member 55 is provided. Accordingly, as the time elapses (extension of the plant body), the seal 56 is gradually peeled off, so that the air flow in the container is increased and the plant body can be easily acclimated.

The filter 55 can be provided at the top of the lid 41. However, the filter 55 can prevent contamination from the air, and the air can be circulated while the containers shown in FIG. From a possible point, it is preferable to provide it on the side surface of the lid 41 as shown in FIG. A plurality of filters 55 may be provided as necessary. (Method of arranging gel in container) In the present invention, container 1
It is also possible to arrange and grow one plant (seedling etc.) per individual, but from the viewpoint of reducing space, labor and cost, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of plants in one container. preferable.

When a plurality of plants are arranged in one container in this way, the roots of a plurality of seedlings are entangled with each other in the process of elongation of the plants, and particularly, in the case of plant species having root hairs, the roots are entangled. The degree can be large. In such a case, when shifting to field cultivation, it is usually essential to divide the plants one by one (single seedling).

From the viewpoint that the roots of a plurality of plants are prevented from being entangled with each other, the roots are not damaged in the single seedling operation, and the single seedlings are easily and easily made. It is preferable to arrange a barrier (partition) between the plurality of plants. The method of arranging such barriers or partitions can use a known method without any particular limitation as long as the method reduces root entanglement between a plurality of plants and facilitates single seedlings. It is possible. "Tangle" of root
In order to reduce as much as possible, it is preferable that a “partition” is disposed from the culture medium surface (upper end of the gel-like support) to the bottom of the container, and more specifically, for example, the container itself is partitioned. The container may be used, or the inside of the container may be partitioned later using a grid-like partition or the like. In the former case, a well-known partitioned container, for example, a so-called plug tray made of plastic or styrene foam,
Mix compost and the like can be suitably used.

On the other hand, in the latter case, known shapes and materials (for example, films or sheets made of plastic, paper, cloth, non-woven fabric, etc.) can be used without any particular limitation.

In the case where sterilization of the plant before culturing is carried out at a high temperature by an autoclave or the like, the above-mentioned container and / or partition preferably has a predetermined heat resistance.

The present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the following examples.

[0227]

EXAMPLE 1 15 g of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm, manufactured by Kojin Co., Ltd.), 0.47 g of acrylic acid, 0.1 g of N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide (Bis), 0.2 g of ammonium persulfate 6.6 ml of 1N-NaOH and 0.1 ml of N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine are dissolved in 90 ml of distilled water and polymerized at room temperature for 4 hours to obtain a poly-N- having a crosslinked structure. Isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAAm) hydrogel was synthesized.

The gel was mechanically crushed by a mixer,
An irregular shaped mass (C-PNIPAAm-H) was produced. The C-PNIPAAm-H was dispersed in 1 liter of distilled water, cooled to 4 ° C once, and then heated to 50 ° C to shrink the C-PNIPAAm-H and discarded the supernatant.
This water washing operation was repeated twice to remove unreacted monomers and residual initiator. Further, the C-PNIPAAm-H was dried by vacuum drying (100 ° C., 24 hours) to obtain a powdered C-PNIPAAm-H (hydrogel-forming polymer).

C-PNIPAAm- obtained as described above
The equilibrium water absorption of the H powder at 19 ° C. and 26 ° C. with respect to a commercially available powder gardening fertilizer (trade name: Hyponex 20-20-20, manufactured by Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd., 1 g / L) was measured by the method described above. However, it is about 7200% at 19 ° C. and about 5200% at 26 ° C.
%Met. The temperatures of 19 ° C. and 26 ° C. used here correspond to the lowest and highest temperatures in the greenhouse where the plant cultivation was performed in the examples described later (see the graph of FIG. 24 described later). Example 2 (Use of hydrogel-forming polymer as support for plant cultivation) Commercially available powdered horticultural fertilizer (trade name: 500 ml) in an Erlenmeyer flask (Shibata Hario Glass Co., Ltd., capacity: 500 ml)
Hyponex 7-6-19, manufactured by Hyponex Japan KK, 3.5 g / L, sucrose 20 g / L,
200ml containing banana 100g / L and agar 6g / L)
And autoclaved (121 ° C., 1.2 kg)
/ Cm ² , 20 minutes) and then allowed to solidify at room temperature.

In the sterilized medium, orchid seedlings YT57 (Cym. LOVELYANGEL 'The Two Verg)
ins') were transplanted at a rate of 25 per flask, and in a culture room (25 ° C., 3000 Lux, 16-day photoperiod),
The cells were cultured aseptically for 4 months. The obtained YT57 seedlings were taken out of the flask together with the culture medium, and agar containing a culture solution attached to the roots of the seedlings was removed under running water, and the fresh weight was 2.4.
g of 10 seedlings were selected.

Next, the dried C-PNI prepared in Example 1
8 g of PAAm-H powder was mixed with 500 ml of a powdery horticultural fertilizer solution (trade name: Hyponex 20-20-20,
Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd., 1 g / L), and allowed to stand at room temperature. The above C-PNIPAAm-H
The Hyponex solution was completely absorbed into the powder to prepare a hydrogel.

The hydrogel thus obtained was treated with a diameter of 1
Place it in a 2cm black plastic pot (made by Kanaya Shoten)
In one pot, the 10 YT57 seedlings described above were inserted into the hydrogel (replacement), and then placed in a greenhouse (temperature: 18 to 3).
(0 ° C.). In this greenhouse cultivation, irrigation was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of the whole pot became the same as the initial value. The average temperature change over time of one day during the experimental period in the greenhouse cultivation was as shown in the graph of FIG.

50 days after the start of greenhouse cultivation,
When the fresh weight per seedling was measured, it was 4.1 g on average.
/ 1 (see Table 1 below). In the obtained seedlings, the roots were well-extended in appearance, and a large number of new roots started to move from the base. The foliage was dark in leaf color, the number of leaves increased by 2 or more on average, and the growth of the above-ground part was very good. Example 3 Plant box (manufactured by Harada Shibata Co., Ltd., polycarbonate), upper size: 75 × 75 mm, lower size:
65 x 65 mm, height 100 mm), 1.7 g of the dried C-PNIPAAm-H powder prepared in Example 1
It was mixed and dispersed in 105 ml of the Hyponex medium used in Example 2. The obtained dispersion was partitioned into 9 sections with a paper pot (manufactured by Nippon Sugar Beet Sugar Co., Ltd.), sterilized in an autoclave (121 ° C., 1.2 kg / cm ² , 20 minutes), and allowed to stand at room temperature. Polymer C-PNIP
The AAm-H powder completely absorbed the Hyponex medium and gelled.

[0234] The gel, which is arranged in nine sections in a paper pot in a plant box in this manner, has a leaf length of about 2 cm.
Nine seedlings of YT57 which had been extended to the above were respectively transplanted and aseptically cultured in a culture room (25 ° C., 3000 Lux, 16 h daylength).

Three months after the start of the culture, when the seedling of YT57 had grown to about 10 cm, the plant box was immersed in warm water at 35 ° C. for 20 minutes under non-sterile conditions. PNIPAAm-H contracted and completely aggregated, and almost all of the Hyponex culture was released from the fully aggregated carrier.

After removing the plug (made of silicone) having a hole with a diameter of 5 mm previously opened in the plant box, the medium released above was drained out of the plant box and removed, and then the plug was again placed in the plant box. In the hole.

Approximately 100 ml of tap water at 16 ° C. was added into the plant box, and the above (completely aggregated) CP was added.
After being absorbed in NIPAAm-H, the plant box is immersed in warm water at 40 ° C. to raise the temperature of the water again to about 35 ° C., and the C-PNIPAAm-H
H was shrunk to complete aggregates and tap water was released from the beaded carrier. In this way, the hyponex medium used in the above culture was completely replaced with C-PNIPAAm-H.
From the aggregated carrier.

With the agglomerated carrier of C-PNIPAAm-H and the paper pot attached to the roots, the cultivated YT57 obtained above was used, using the gel used in Example 2 as a support. And transplanted to a black vinyl pot (Kaneya Shoten) with a diameter of 12 cm. Normal cultivation was carried out in a greenhouse using the YT57 thus replanted.
In this greenhouse cultivation, watering was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of each pot (pot) became the same as the initial value. Average 1 during this greenhouse cultivation experiment
The change with time in temperature over the day was as shown in the graph of FIG.

Observation of the appearance of the seedlings of YT57 50 days after the start of greenhouse cultivation revealed that the roots were well elongated and that many new roots started to move from the base. Also, the foliage of YT57 is darker in leaf color,
The number of leaves increases by an average of 2 or more per seedling.
Above-ground growth was also very good. Comparative Example 1 In the same manner as in Example 2, a fresh weight 2.4 g of YT57 seedling was
Using a commercially available moss (from New Zealand), which is most frequently used as a support for orchid seedlings, was selected and transplanted to a black vinyl pot (Kaneya Shoten) with a diameter of 12 cm.
Greenhouse (The temperature change within one day is as shown in the graph of FIG. 24.
The same cultivation was performed in the following greenhouse cultivation).

50 days after the start of cultivation, the fresh weight of the above YT57 was 3.4 g / l on average (see Table 1 below), and the cultivation support comprising the hydrogel or polymer of the present invention was used in Example 2. The growth of the seedlings was slower than in the case where there was. In the seedlings after the above cultivation, the roots were elongated in appearance, but the foliage was light in leaf color and the number of leaves increased only one per seedling, and the growth of the above-ground part of the seedlings was slow. Was. Comparative Example 2 As in Example 2, a fresh weight 2.4 g of YT57 seedling was
A black vinyl pot with a diameter of 12 cm (manufactured by Kanaya Shoten) using 0 soils selected as a support and commercially available soil glowwell MO-2 (Mukoyama Orchid Garden Co., Ltd., Burke from New Zealand)
And normal cultivation was performed in a greenhouse.

50 days after the start of cultivation, the fresh weight of the seedling was 3.2 g / l on average (see Table 1). In the seedlings after cultivation, the roots were elongated in appearance, but many damaged roots were observed. The foliage was light in leaf color, the number of leaves increased only to one per seedling, and the growth of the seedling itself was slow.

The growth results of YT57 obtained in Example 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are summarized in Table 1 below. <Table 1><Effects of various supports on the growth of YT57><Supportname><Fresh weight (g / line)> C-PNIPAAm-H 4.1 Mushroom 3.4 Bark 3.2 Above ( In Table 1), the weight of all seedlings before transplantation was 2.
4 g, and the values of “fresh weight” were all calculated as the average value of 10 seedlings (YT57 = Cym. LOVELY ANGEL 'The T
wo Vergins'). Comparative Example 3 As in Example 2, a fresh weight 2.4 g of YT57 seedling was
0 were selected. Then, 8 g of a commercially available water-absorbing polymer, dried aqualic CA-H (manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., crosslinked polyacrylic acid, irregular mass, size 1 to 3 mm) was added to 50 g of
0 ml powdered horticultural fertilizer solution (trade name: Hyponex 20-20-20, Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd.)
, 1 g / L), and allowed to stand at room temperature to completely absorb the Hyponex solution on the aqualic CA-H carrier to produce a gel.

Using the gel thus obtained as a support, the above YT57 seedlings were transplanted into black vinyl pots (manufactured by Kanaya Shoten) having a diameter of 12 cm, and cultivated normally in a greenhouse.

However, irrigation was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of the whole pot became the same as the initial value. 50 from the start of cultivation
When the state of the seedlings was examined a day later, the roots were hardly elongated in appearance, and the root tips were necrotic. The foliage also had a light leaf color, there was no increase in the number of leaves, and the seedling itself was hardly elongated. Example 4 (Use of hydrogel-forming polymer as soil modifying agent) Orchid seedlings aseptically cultured under the same conditions as in Example 2,
MBDB (Cym. MUSIC BOX DANCER 'Ballerina')
After taking out from the Erlenmeyer flask used for the culture and removing agar containing a culture solution attached to the root under running water, 10 seedlings having a fresh weight of 2.0 g were selected.

The commercially available soil “Glowell MO-2” used in Comparative Example 2 was dried C
-PNIPAAm-H powder, 0.5 wt.
%, 1.0 wt.%, 1.5 wt.% And 2.0 w
Using the mixture of t.% as a support, the 10 seedlings selected above were transplanted to black vinyl pots (manufactured by Kanaya Shoten) having a diameter of 12 cm. Commercial liquid gardening fertilizer, Hyponex 20-20-20 solution (0.5 g
/ L) was sufficiently irrigated into the above soil, and then cultivated normally in a greenhouse.

The average one-day temperature change during the experiment was as shown in the graph of FIG. Inspection of the condition of the roots 30 days after the start of cultivation showed that there were few planting damage (root damage due to replanting), thick roots were well elongated, and many new roots started moving from the base. Was done. In addition, it was observed that the larger the amount of the soil modifier comprising the hydrogel or polymer of the present invention was, the more the survival rate of the tissue near the root growth point was slightly increased (see Table 2 below). Comparative Example 4 As in Example 4, one fresh MBDB seedling having a weight of 2.0 g was used.
No. 0 was selected and transplanted to a black vinyl pot having a diameter of 12 cm using the glow well MO-2 as a support, and 0.5 g / L.
After the Hyponex 20-20-20 solution was sufficiently irrigated with soil, ordinary cultivation was performed in a house. Examination of the state of the seedlings 30 days after the start of cultivation revealed that many of the tissues near the growth point of the roots were necrotic (see Table 2). <Table 2><Addition concentration of soil modifier C-PNIPAAm-H is MB
Effect on DB Root> (When Hyponex 20-20-20 Solution is included) In Table 2 above, "root tip survival rate" refers to 10 MBs.
The ratio of the total number of roots at the root tip to the total number of roots of the DB seedling is shown. Whether or not the root tips are “surviving” was determined by visually observing whether or not all root tips were “browning” (MBDB = Cym. M).
USIC BOX DANCER 'Ballerina'). Comparative Example 5 As in Example 4, 10 MBDB seedlings having a fresh weight of 2.0 g were selected. Separately, the commercially available soil used in Comparative Example 2,
A commercially available water-absorbing polymer, dried Sumikagel S-50 (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., poly (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymer, spherical, diameter 1)
80 to 290 μm) was used as a support, and the above 10 MBDB seedlings were transplanted to black vinyl pots (manufactured by Kanaya Shoten) having a diameter of 12 cm.

After the commercially available powdered horticultural fertilizer Hyponex 20-20-20 solution (0.5 g / L) was sufficiently drenched in the pots thus replanted, ordinary cultivation was performed in a greenhouse. went.

When the condition of the roots of the above seedlings was examined 30 days after the start of greenhouse cultivation, the planting was small in appearance as in Example 4. However, most of the roots were very thin compared to the seedlings after cultivation obtained in Example 4. Example 5 A commercially available dwarfizer commonly used as a dwarfizer for plants, Sumiseven stock solution (uniconazole concentration 250 pp
m, manufactured by Agros Co., Ltd.)
00 ml of the dried C-PNIPAA prepared in Example 1.
Absorbed in 50 g of m-H powder, dried at room temperature and then crushed to obtain C-PNIPAAm- containing uniconazole.
H powder was produced.

Next, the cultivated reeds were cultivated for one year in a greenhouse.
ed) Orchid seedling, YN74 (Cym.
SYLVAN STAR 'Venus') black vinyl pot (diameter 12)
cm, the support is Glowwell MO-2), and the above CP
NIPAAm-H powder (including uniconazole) 0.5
g was sprayed on the support and sprayed for 5 minutes, followed by normal cultivation in a greenhouse.

The lead length of the orchid was measured 50 days after the start of the cultivation experiment, and was 29.0 cm. The elongation was only 6.0 cm based on the initial value of the lead length (23 cm). That is, the above C-PNIPAAm
It was confirmed that uniconazole contained in -H powder exhibited a dwarfing effect (see Table 3 below). Comparative Example 6 The lead length was 16.5c by the same cultivation method as in Example 5.
The normal cultivation was continuously performed using YN74 (in a black vinyl pot) elongated to m as a dwarfant-free area.

50 days after the start of the experiment, the length of the lead was measured and found to be 30.5 cm. That is, based on the initial value of the lead length (16.5 cm), the lead extended 14.0 cm (see Table 3 below). Comparative Example 7 100 ml of a solution obtained by diluting the undiluted solution of Sumiseven used in Example 5 by 100 times was irrigated with soil in a YN74 (in a black vinyl pot) strain whose lead length was increased to 21 cm by the same cultivation as in Example 5. , Normal cultivation.

When the length of the lead was measured 50 days after the start of the experiment, it was 27.0 cm. That is, based on the initial value (21 cm) of the lead length, 6.0 c
m, and the dwarfing effect of the dwarfing agent was confirmed (see Table 3 below). <Table 3><Effect of C-PNIPAAm-H containing dwarfing agent on lead growth><Method of adding dwarfing agent><Before dwarfing agent treatment (A)><After dwarfing agent treatment (B)><(BA)> (Addition amount) Lead length (cm) Lead length (cm) (cm) C-PNIPAAm-H 23.0 29.0 6.0 (0.5 g) Soil irrigation 21.0 27. 0 6.0 No addition 16.5 30.5 14.0 In Table 3 above, "C-PNIPAAm-H0.5
"g" contained 0.25 mg of uniconazole.
"Soil irrigation" used 100 mL of a 100-fold diluted solution (containing 0.25 mg of uniconazole) (YN74 =
Cym. SYLVAN STAR 'Venus'). Example 6 Double-sided paper adhesive tape (trade name: double-sided tape, manufactured by Teraoka Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) was applied to almost the entire inner surface (bottom and side surfaces) of a polyethylene pot (diameter φ9 cm × height 7 cm). The dried PNIPAAm particles prepared in Example 1 were poured into the pot and mixed well by hand to make the particles adhere almost uniformly on the double-sided adhesive tape. The pot was turned upside down to remove unbonded PNIPAAm particles, and a pot (FIG. 25) in which the PNIPAAm particles 12b were coated on the inner surface of the pot base material 11c via the double-sided adhesive tape 18 was produced. The area (calculated value) of the inner surface of the polyethylene pot is 261 cm.
^2. The weight of the PNIPAAm particles attached to the inner surface of the pot was 3.0 g, and therefore, the applied amount of the PNIPAAm particles was 0.0115 g / cm ² (11.5 mg / cm ² ).
² ). Example 7 0.5 mm thick polyethylene sheet (manufactured by Takiron)
On top, a rubber-based adhesive (trade name: Three Bond No. 15)
00, manufactured by Three Bond Co., Ltd.) with a coater (manufactured by Yasuda Seiki Co., Ltd.) so as to have a thickness of about 0.1 mm. Was about 0.1 mm with a coater. The coating amount of the PNIPAAm particles was 0.005 g / cm ² (5 mg / cm ² ).

The thus obtained sheet having a three-layer structure (dry PNIPAAm particles / adhesive / polyethylene)
Pressure molding machine (manufactured by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
Produced a pot (diameter φ9 cm × 7 cm, FIG. 25) in which PNIPAAm particles were coated on the inner surface. Example 8 A starch-based adhesive (trade name: Yamato glue, manufactured by Yamato Co., Ltd.) was placed on a 0.15 mm-thick filter paper (trade name: filter paper, manufactured by Whatman International).
Was coated with a coater to a thickness of about 0.1 mm, and the dried PNIPA prepared in Example 1 was further coated thereon.
Am particles were coated with a coater to a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The coating amount of the PNIPAAm particles was 0.005 g / cm ² (5 mg / cm ² ).

Next, using a sheet having the above-mentioned three-layer structure (dry PNIPAAm particles / adhesive / filter paper) as a molding material, one cell has a size of 2 cm (length) × 2 (width) × 4 cm (height). A grid-like sheet having × 3 = 9 cells (see FIG. 26) was produced. FIG. 27 is a schematic plan view when one cell obtained here is viewed from above. Example 9 Erlenmeyer flask (manufactured by Shibata Hario Glass Co., Ltd., capacity 500 m)
l) contains a Hyponex medium (trade name: Hyponex 7-6-19, manufactured by Hyponex Japan Ltd.)
3.5 g / L, sucrose 20 g / L, banana 10
0 g / L, containing agar 6 g / L) in 200 ml,
Autoclave sterilization (121 ° C., 1.2 kg / cm ² ,
After 20 minutes), the mixture was allowed to solidify at room temperature.

The sterilized Hyponex medium contains about 2
SJIC (Cym. SARAH JEA)
N "Ice cascade")
The cells were transplanted at a rate of 5 cells and cultured in a culture room (25 ° C., 3000 Lu).
x, 16 hours photoperiod) for 4 months under aseptic conditions. The obtained SJIC seedlings were taken out of the flask together with the medium, and after removing agar containing a culture solution attached to the roots of the seedlings under running water, the fresh weight was 2.8 to 3.2 g (average 3.0).
Many seedlings of g) were selected.

Nine of these seedlings were commercially available Glowell MO2
(Mukoyama orchid garden, New Zealand bark) and Bapo (Mukayama orchid garden, Pete moss from Scandinavia) 8: 2
(Volume ratio) 250 ml mixed as a support,
The pot was replaced with the pot-shaped container prepared in Example 6.

At the time of this transplantation, the support was set to about 5 m
After laying on the bottom of the pot with a thickness of m, while holding the SJIC seedlings in the space in the pot with one hand, inject the mixed support into the pot with the other hand, the top of the support The inside of the pot was filled so as to reach a position about 4 cm from the lower end of the pot. The operation of pressing (by hand) the support after filling the inside of the pot in this way was not performed because it has the effect of fixing the plant but may damage the roots.

In the pot thus filled with the SJIC seedlings and the support, 175 ml of a powdery horticultural fertilizer solution (trade name: Hyponex 20-20-20,
When Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd., 1 g / L) was added, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 28 (only one seedling is shown in FIG. 28), the PNIPAAm particles 12b on the container wall surface dissolve the solution. By swelling toward the center of the container while absorbing and compressing the inner support (mixture of glow well MO2 / vapo) 64, the plant 65 can be properly fixed without damaging the root, and the support 64 Adhesion to the substrate was made indirectly.

The seedlings thus transplanted in the pot are
Normal cultivation was performed in a greenhouse (average minimum temperature 19 ° C, average maximum temperature 26 ° C). Irrigation during cultivation is 2-
The test was performed every three days so that the weight of the whole container became the same as the initial value.

36 days after the start of the cultivation, the seedlings were taken out of the container and the fresh weight was measured. The average was 4.5 g / line.

In the seedlings after the above-mentioned growth, the roots are growing smoothly on the appearance, especially the roots reaching the wall of the container grow very well, and many roots growing further from the base are observed. Was. When the cross section of the root that reached the container wall (approximately 2 cm from the root end side) was observed under a microscope, PN
Countless root hairs grew between the particles of IPAAm. Further, the foliage was dark in leaf color and the whole seedling grew smoothly.

The average temperature change over time of one day during the experimental period in the greenhouse cultivation was as shown in the graph of FIG. Comparative Example 8 In the same manner as in Example 9 except that the commercially available pot used in Example 6 was used as it was (without coating the PNIPAAm particles) instead of the PNIPAAm particle coating pot used in Example 9 Nine SJIC seedlings having an average fresh weight of 3.0 g were selected, and transplanted to the above pots using 400 ml of a mixture of Glowell MO2 and Bapo at a ratio of 8: 2 (volume ratio) as a support. At this time, since it was difficult to fix the plant only with the support filled in the pot, the plant was fixed by lightly pressing the support downward by hand. 175 ml of the powdery horticultural fertilizer solution used in Example 9 was added to the pot in which the plants were immobilized in this manner.

A greenhouse (with an average minimum temperature of 1) was prepared in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the pot thus fixed was used.
Normal cultivation was performed at 9 ° C and an average maximum temperature of 26 ° C). Irrigation during cultivation was also performed every two to three days so that the weight of the entire container became the same as the initial value, as in Example 9.

36 days after the start of cultivation, the seedlings were taken out of the container and the fresh weight was measured. The average was 3.5 g / line. On the appearance, it was observed that the lower part of the foliage was withered, and that the tip and side of the root were browned and died. (According to the knowledge of the present inventors, one of the causes is that It is presumed that excess water had an adverse effect on roots). Also, the cross section of the root that reached the container wall (about 2 cm from the root tip)
When the base portion) was observed under a microscope, almost no root hair was observed. Comparative Example 9 A commercially available black vinyl pot having a diameter of 9 cm (manufactured by Kanaya Shoten, having a hole with a diameter of 1 cm at the bottom of the container) was used in place of the PNIPAAm particle coating pot used in Example 9, except that the pot was used. 2. Average fresh weight as in Example 9.
Nine 0g SJIC seedlings were selected, and Glowell MO2
And Bapo were mixed at a ratio of 8: 2 (volume ratio), and 400 ml of the mixture was used as a support and transplanted to the pot. At this time, Comparative Example 8
In the same manner as in the above, the plant body was fixed by pressing the support filled in the pot downward. Further, the solution of the powdered horticultural fertilizer used in Example 9 was sufficiently watered on the support until the solution came out of the hole at the bottom of the pot.

The same procedure as in Example 9 was carried out except that the pot thus fixed was used.
Normal cultivation was performed at 9 ° C and an average maximum temperature of 26 ° C). Watering was performed every two to three days during cultivation until water came out of the hole at the bottom of the pot (until the equilibrium water absorption of the support in the container was reached).

36 days after the start of cultivation, the seedlings were taken out of the pot and the fresh weight was measured. The average was 3.9 g / 1.
It was a book. The seedling thus obtained was apparently inferior in growth in appearance to the seedling grown in the container coated with PNIPAAm particles in Example 9.
When the cross section of the root reaching the container wall surface or the root extending into the support was observed under a microscope, almost no root hair was observed. Comparative Example 10 Instead of the PNIPAAm particles used in Example 6, a commercially available water-absorbing polymer, dried aqualic CA-H (manufactured by:
A pot was prepared in the same manner as in Example 6, except that a crosslinked product of polyacrylic acid, an amorphous mass, and a size of 1 mm manufactured by Nippon Shokubai was used.

The same procedure as in Example 9 was carried out except that the thus obtained pot was used, and the average fresh weight of S was 3.0 g.
Nine JIC seedlings were selected, and 250 ml of a mixture of Glowell MO2 and Vapo at a volume ratio of 8: 2 (volume ratio) was transplanted to the pot with 250 ml as a support. Further, the powdered horticultural fertilizer used in Example 9 was used. 175 ml of the solution was added.

Using the pot immobilized as described above, normal cultivation was carried out in a greenhouse (average minimum temperature 19 ° C., average maximum temperature 26 ° C.). Irrigation during cultivation was performed every two to three days so that the weight of the entire container became the same as the initial value.

Even after 36 days from the start of cultivation, the foliage and underground parts hardly extended in appearance, and the tips of the roots were browned and dead. Further, when the root was observed under a microscope, almost no root hair was observed. Example 10 SFBB with a leaf length of 16 cm grown by normal greenhouse cultivation
(Cym. SUNSHINE FALLES "Butterball")
Using commercially available glow well MO2 (400 ml) as a support, the pot was replaced with the pot-shaped container prepared in Example 7 (in this case, the operation of pressing the support has an effect of fixing the plant body, but the roots are not removed). It was not done because of the risk of damaging it). Further, 175 ml of the powdery horticultural fertilizer solution used in Example 9 was added to the pot.
The particles of NIPAAm swell toward the center of the container while absorbing the solution, and the inner support (Glowwell MO)
2 / a mixture of Vapo) indirectly provided a suitable fixation and adhesion of the support to the plant without damaging the roots.

Using the pot thus fixed, the greenhouse (average minimum temperature 19 ° C., average maximum temperature 28 ° C.)
C) under normal cultivation. Irrigation during cultivation was performed every two to three days so that the weight of the entire container became the same as the initial value.

100 days after the start of cultivation, the seedlings were taken out of the container and the fresh weight was measured. The average was 18.2 g / l.
It was a book. Removal of the seedlings after the growth was facilitated by immersing the pots in which the seedlings were grown in warm water (38 ° C.) to shrink the PNIPAAm particles 2b on the container wall.

In the seedlings after the above-mentioned raising,
The roots were growing well, and the roots that reached the wall of the container grew particularly vigorously. When the cross section of the root (approximately 2 cm from the root side of the root) extending the wall of the container was observed under a microscope, P
Root hairs were densely grown between the particles of NIPAAm (see the micrograph in FIG. 29, magnification: × 100). The foliage was also dark in leaf color, and the growth of the whole seedling was smooth. Comparative Example 11 Instead of the PNIPAAm particle coating pot used in Example 10, a commercially available black vinyl pot (manufactured by Kanaya Shoten,
Except for using a diameter of φ9 cm × 7 cm), the same procedure as in Example 10 was carried out, except that S having a leaf length of 16 cm grown by ordinary greenhouse cultivation was used.
One FBB seedling, commercially available Glowell MO2 (400
ml) as a support, and transplanted to the black vinyl pot (at this time, the plant was fixed by lightly pressing the support downward by hand). Further, the solution of the powdered horticultural fertilizer used in Example 10 was sufficiently watered on the support until the solution came out of the hole at the bottom of the pot.

Using the pot thus fixed, normal cultivation was performed in a greenhouse. Irrigation during cultivation 2
Every 3 days until water came out of the hole at the bottom of the pot (until the equilibrium water absorption of the support in the container was reached).

100 days after the start of cultivation, the seedlings were taken out of the container and the fresh weight was measured. The result was 12.6 g / l on average. In appearance, the growth of the root was good, but the growth of the root that reached the container wall was clearly inferior to that of the seedling of Example 10, and the root hair was hardly elongated (micrograph in FIG. 30, magnification: × 100 times). The foliage was also light in leaf color and the growth of the whole seedling was inferior. Example 11 Plant box (manufactured by Harada Shibata Co., Ltd., polycarbonate), upper part size: 75 × 75 mm, lower part size:
After arranging the grid-like sheet prepared in Example 8 in a 65 × 65 mm, height 100 mm), the sheet was subjected to autoclave sterilization (121 ° C., 1.2 kg / cm ² , 20 minutes).

Next, SJKH (Cym. SARAH J), an orchid seedling that was aseptically cultured and extended to a leaf length of about 4 cm and a root length of about 5 cm.
Nine seedlings of EAN "Koihime") were placed, one at a time, in nine cells of the grid sheet.

On the other hand, the Hyponex medium (105 ml) used in Example 9 was sterilized in an autoclave (121 ° C.,
1.2 kg / cm ² , 20 minutes), and injected into the 9 cells of the lattice sheet in the container. The PNIPAAm particles attached to the sheet absorbed the medium, expanded, and expanded the plant. The body (orchid seedling) was completely fixed.

The orchid seedlings thus immobilized were aseptically cultured for 2 months in a culture room (25 ° C., 3000 Lux, 16 h photoperiod). About 2 months later, when the leaf length was extended to about 10 cm, the plant box was immersed in warm water at 35 ° C. for 20 minutes under non-sterile conditions.
The IPAAm particles shrink and completely agglomerate, and almost all of the Hyponex solution contains completely agglomerated carrier (PNIP).
AAm particles).

The plug (made of silicone) having a hole with a diameter of 5 mm previously opened in the plant box was removed, and the medium released above was drained out of the plant box and removed. In the hole.

In the plant box, about 100 ml of tap water at 16 ° C. was added, and the above-mentioned (completely aggregated) PNI was added.
After being absorbed by the PAAm particles, the plant box is immersed in warm water at 40 ° C., whereby the temperature of the water is raised again to about 35 ° C., and the PNIPAAm particles shrink to complete aggregates, Tap water was released from the beaded carrier. In this way, the Hyponex medium used in the above culture was completely removed from the carrier in which the PNIPAAm particles were aggregated.

While the lattice-like sheet containing the carrier in which the particles of PNIPAAm were aggregated was adhered to the roots, the cultured SJKHs obtained above were added one by one to the glow well MO2.
PN was used in the same manner as in Example 9 except that PN was used as the support.
The pot was coated with the IPAAm particle-coated pot (the container prepared in Example 6), and 200 ml of the powdery horticultural fertilizer solution used in Example 9 was added. At this time, the PNIPAAm particles adhering to the lattice sheet and the plant absorb the fertilizer solution, and also cause the PN on the wall of the container
The IPAAm particles swell toward the center of the container while absorbing the solution, and the inner support (Glowwell MO2)
By pressing, appropriate fixation to the plant and adhesion of the support were indirectly performed without damaging the roots.

Using the thus replanted SJKH, normal cultivation was performed in a greenhouse. In this greenhouse cultivation, watering was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of each pot (pot) became the same as the initial value.

Observation of the appearance of the SJKH seedlings 50 days after the start of greenhouse cultivation revealed that the roots were well-extended and that many new roots started to move from the base. When the cross section of the root that reached the container wall surface (approximately 2 cm from the root end side) was observed under a microscope, the PNIP
Innumerable root hairs grew between the particles of AAm. further,
The foliage was also dark in leaf color, and the growth of the plant was very good. Comparative Example 12 Plant Box (Shibata Hario Co., Ltd., made of polycarbonate, upper size: 75 × 75 mm, lower size:
In 65 × 65 mm, height 100 mm), the Hyponex medium (agar 7 g / L added) used in Example 7 was added to 105
Add autoclave sterilization (121 ° C, 1.2k
g / cm ² , 20 minutes).

In the same manner as in Example 11, nine SJKH seedlings that had been aseptically cultured and had a leaf length of about 4 cm and a root length of about 5 cm were planted using tweezers. At this time, it took some time to transplant the seedlings, and physical damage such as broken roots could not be avoided.

A culture room (25 ° C., 3000 Lux, 16 h
Cultivated within 2 days under sterile conditions, and when the leaves had grown to about 10 cm in length, the seedlings were removed from the container and the medium attached to the seedlings was removed under running water. At this time, it took a long time to remove the agar medium by hand, and the roots were damaged.

The SJKH seedlings obtained by the above growing method were transplanted one by one to a black vinyl pot (diameter 9 cm × 7 cm) using Glowwell MO2 as a support. To fix the plant). Further, the solution of the powdered horticultural fertilizer used in Example 9 was sufficiently watered into the container until the solution came out of the hole at the bottom of the pot.

Normal cultivation was carried out in a greenhouse in the same manner as in Example 11 except that the seedlings transplanted into black vinyl pots were used. However, irrigation during cultivation was performed every 3 to 4 days until water came out of the hole at the bottom of the pot (until the parallel absorption rate of the support in the container was reached).

When the appearance of the seedlings was observed 50 days after the start of greenhouse cultivation, the roots damaged at the time of replanting were browned and died. When the cross section of the growing root (about 2 cm from the root end side) was observed under a microscope, the root hair was hardly elongated. The foliage was also light in leaf color and the whole seedling grew slowly. Example 12 (Measurement of Water Evaporation Rate) A solid component (a culture vessel and a dry polymer, weight: W ₁ (g)) constituting each of the following plant growth systems was precisely weighed (manufactured by Co., Ltd.). It was measured with an electronic balance manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, trade name: LIBROR EB-3200-D). Next, a liquid component (culture solution) was added to the solid component, and the total weight (W ₂ ) was similarly measured with a precision balance.
Precise weight of the liquid component was calculated as _{(X = W 2 -W 1)} .

After transplanting the plant into the above-mentioned growing system, the weight Y of the whole growing system including the plant was precisely measured in the same manner as described above.

After weighing the above weight Y, the whole plant growing system whose air permeability is to be evaluated is left in an environment of 25 ° C. and 30% humidity, and the total weight of the plant growing system Z (1 day (24 days) Hours), Zd after one week, weight Zw after one week, and one month (3
The weight Zm) after 0 day) was measured, and the water evaporation rate was calculated based on the following formula.

Water evaporation rate (% / 24 hours) = 100 ×
(Y−Zd) / X, water evaporation rate (% / 24hour) = 100 × (Y−Zw) /
(X × 7) or water evaporation rate (% / 24 hours) = 100 × (Y−Zm) /
(X × 30) <Condition-1> Conventional sugar agar culture (Saccharide agar culture conditions) Size and material of container: diameter 9 cm, height 18 cm, volume 950 ml; size of glass lid, material: diameter 7 cm , TPX resin Agar weight: 0.12 g Filter material: filter paper Total area of filter: 0.5 cm ² Amount of sugar: 4 wt. % X = 200 g, Y = 532 g, Zm = 528.4 g (Z
For d and Zw, the change in weight was slight and was within the error range of the electronic balance. ) Water evaporation rate (24 hours) = 100 × (532-528.)
4) / (200 × 30) = 0.06% <Condition-2> Sugar-free medium, filter area <Condition-1>
The same as <Condition-1>, except that 7.6 times was used.

X = 200 g, Y = 532 g, Zw = 52
5 g (Zd had a small change in weight and was within the error range of the electronic balance.) Water evaporation rate (24 hours) = 100 × (532-525)
/(200×7)=0.5% <Condition-3> Except that the initial water content X was 100 g.
Same as <Condition-2>.

X = 100 g, Y = 432 g, Zw = 42
5 g (Zd had a small change in weight and was within the error range of the electronic balance.) Water evaporation rate (24 hours) = 100 × (432-425)
/(100×7)=1.0% <Condition-4> Except that the initial water content X was set to 50 g, <
Same as condition-2>.

X = 50 g, Y = 382 g, Zw = 375
g (Zd had a small change in weight and was within the error range of the electronic balance.) Water evaporation rate (24 hours) = 100 × (382-375)
/(50×7)=2.0% <Condition-5> Same as <Condition-2> except that the lid at the top of the container was removed.

X = 200 g, Y = 525 g, Zd = 515 g Water evaporation rate (24 hours) = 100 × (525-51) /
(200) = 5.0% <Condition-6> Growing as a cell seedling in a culture room and opening the ground part (Culture conditions) Size and material of container: Upper 2 × 2 cm (substantially square), Lower 1 × 1 cm , Height 4 cm, 10 links (2 × 5); high impact polystyrene lid: none Weight of agar: 0.06 g amount of sugar: 0 X = 100 g, Y = 170 g, Zd = 138.8 g 24 hours) = 100 × (170-138.
8) / (100) = 31.2% <Condition-7> Growing like a pot seedling in a greenhouse, open to the ground. Since it is a greenhouse, the temperature is in the range of 18 to 28 ° C and the humidity is 50 to 99. %.

(Culture conditions) Size and material of container: diameter 11 cm, height 7.2 cm;
Polystyrene Lid: None Agar weight: 0.15 g Amount of sugar: 0 X = 250 g, Y = 265 g, Zd = 245 g Water evaporation rate (24 hours) = 100 × (265-245)
/(250)=8.0% Example 13 In a plant box (Shibata Hario Co., Ltd., made of polycarbonate, upper part 75 × 75 mm, lower part 65 × 65 mm, height 100 mm), the dried C- produced in Example 1 was used. PNI
3 g of PAAm-H was added to a Hyponex culture solution (Hyponex 7-6-19 (Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd.)
(3.5 g / L, containing 2 g / L of activated carbon). The obtained dispersion was subjected to autoclave sterilization (121 ° C., 1.2 Kg / cm ² , 20 minutes), and then left at room temperature to obtain the C-PNIPAAm-H.
Completely absorbed the culture solution and gelled.

The MFMM (Cym. MELODY FAL) orchid seedling was placed on the surface of the gel thus placed in the plant box.
IR 'Marilyn Monroe') was transplanted such that the intervals between the seedlings were approximately equal (4 rows x 4 rows), and aseptically cultured in a culture chamber (25 ° C, 3000Lux, 16h daylength). Cultured.

70 days after the start of the above culture, the lid of the plant box was opened, 75 ml of Hyponex solution (Hyponex 7-6-19 1 g / L) was added, and shrinkage was caused by the evaporation of water during the culture and the absorption of water by the plant. C that was
-Reabsorbed in PNIPAAm-H, and cultivated seedlings continuously in a greenhouse with the lid of the container kept open. Irrigation is 3
It carried out so that the weight of the whole container might become the same as an initial value every 4 days.

Sixty days after the start of cultivation in the greenhouse, seedlings were taken out of the container one by one to shift to single-pot cultivation.
Although the aerial part was growing smoothly, the roots of the seedlings were somewhat entangled with each other, and it took some time to remove the seedlings. In addition, the growth of roots after the shift to greenhouse cultivation was confirmed by Example 14 described later.
It was slightly inferior to the case.

With the above gel attached to the roots of the seedlings grown in this way, Glowell MO-2 (Burke from New Zealand, Mukaiyama Orchid Garden) was placed on the outside while
It was transplanted into a No. 3 black plastic pot (diameter 9 cm, manufactured by Kanaya Shoten) and cultivated normally in a greenhouse. After 60 days, the seedlings grew well. Comparative Example 13 In a plant box similar to that used in Example 13, 0.9 g of agar was mixed and dispersed in 150 ml of the Hyponex culture solution used in Example 13. After autoclaving the dispersion in the same manner as in Example 13, the dispersion was left at room temperature to completely gel the medium.

On the surface of the gel thus placed in the plant box, the MFM as an orchid seedling was placed in the same manner as in Example 13.
16 M were transplanted and cultured in a culture room.

After 70 days, the lid of the plant box was opened,
75 ml of the Hyponex solution used in Example 13 was added. However, the agar gel that had shrunk due to water evaporation during culture and water absorption of the plant body hardly reabsorbed the solution.

The seedlings were continuously grown in a greenhouse in the same manner as in Example 3 with the lid of the plant box kept open. Irrigation was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of the whole container became the same as the initial value.

[0303] Thirty days after the start of cultivation, germs proliferated on the support, the lower leaves of the seedlings and most of the roots became rotten, and subsequent cultivation became impossible. Example 14 In a plant box similar to that used in Example 13, the Hyponex culture solution 150 used in Example 13 was used.
ml of the dried C-PNIPAAm prepared in Example 1.
2.31 g of -H and 7.2 g of asanopearlite (Nippon Cement Co., Ltd.) as a porous material were mixed and dispersed. The obtained dispersion was divided into 16 sections by a lattice-shaped polyester sheet (0.15 mm in thickness, 25 mm in height, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.), sterilized in an autoclave, and allowed to stand at room temperature. The C-PNIPAAm-H absorbed the culture solution and gelled. At room temperature (25 ° C.)
"Apparent volume ratio" between polymer gel and asanopearlite
Was about 1: 1.

Thus, as shown in the schematic perspective view of FIG. 26, the plant box was divided into 16 pieces by a lattice-like polyester sheet (FIG. 26 shows an example of 9 pieces). On the gel surface thus divided, MF as orchid seedlings
One MM was transplanted to each section (total of 16), and cultured in a culture chamber as in Example 13.

70 days after the start of the culture, the lid of the plant box was opened, 75 ml of the Hyponex solution used in Example 13 was added, and C-PNIPAAm contracted due to evaporation of water during the culture and absorption of water by the plant. After reabsorption in -H, the container of Example 13 was kept open with the lid of the container open.
Seedlings were continuously grown in a greenhouse in the same manner as described above. Irrigation 3-4
The test was performed such that the weight of the entire container became the same as the initial value every day.

Sixty days after the start of cultivation in the greenhouse, seedlings were taken out one by one in order to shift to single-pot cultivation. On this occasion,
The roots of the seedlings were effectively prevented from being entangled by the lattice-like sheet, and the seedlings were easily taken out. The aerial parts of the seedlings were growing steadily. The growth of roots after the transition to greenhouse cultivation was also steady. According to the findings of the present inventors, it was presumed that the smooth growth of the roots was caused by the fact that asanopearlite was previously added to the medium as a porous body.

With the support (gel + porous material) attached to the roots, the glow well MO-2 was placed on the outside in the same manner as in Example 13, and transplanted to a No. 3 black vinyl pot, and usually placed in a greenhouse. Was cultivated. Even after 60 days from single pot cultivation, the seedlings grew well. Comparative Example 14 In a plant box similar to that used in Example 13, the Hyponex culture solution 150 used in Example 13 was used.
0.7 ml of agar and 7.2 g of asanoparite per ml
Were mixed and dispersed, and further divided into 16 pieces with a lattice-like polypropylene sheet as in Example 14, sterilized in an autoclave, and allowed to stand at room temperature to completely gel the medium.

The surface of the gel obtained in this manner was applied to Example 1.
As in the case of No. 4, 16 orchid MFMMs were transplanted and cultured in a culture room. After 70 days from the start of the culture, the lid of the container was opened, and the Hyponex solution used in Example 13 was used for 75 m.
l was added. However, the agar gel that had shrunk due to water evaporation during culture and water absorption of the plant hardly reabsorbed the solution.

Next, seedlings were continuously grown in a greenhouse as in Example 14, with the lid of the plant box kept open. Irrigation was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of the whole container became the same as the initial value.

Thirty days after the start of cultivation in the greenhouse, germs propagated on the support, the lower leaves of the seedlings and most of the roots were rotten, and subsequent cultivation was impossible. Therefore, in this comparative example, the addition of asanopearlite and the division into 16 by a lattice-like polypropylene sheet became meaningless. Example 15 In a plant box similar to that used in Example 13, Hyponex saccharide culture (Hyponex 7-6) was used.
-19 (manufactured by Hyponex Japan) 3.5 g /
L, sucrose 30g / L, activated carbon 2g / L)
Dry C-PNIP prepared in Example 1 in 150 ml
After mixing and dispersing 3 g of AAm-H and autoclaving, the mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature.
mH completely absorbed the culture solution and gelled.

[0311] The gel thus obtained was added to the orchid seedling R.
Example 1 of G310 (Cym. ENZAN SYMPHONY 'RG310')
16 cells were transplanted in the same manner as in 3, and cultured in a culture room.

After 70 days from the start of the culture, the plant box was immersed in warm water at 35 ° C. for 20 minutes.
The PNIPAAm-H carrier particles shrank and almost all of the culture in the carrier was released from the carrier.

[0313] Open the lid of the plant box, suck the released culture solution with a dropper, and use tap water at 16 ° C for about 1 hour.
After adding 50 ml and absorbing the C-PNIPAAm-H particles, the temperature was raised again to about 35 ° C.
The PAAm-H particles were contracted and the tap water was released. After repeating this operation twice, the sugar content of the released tap water was measured by a sugar content meter (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd., trade name: N1) and found to be below the detection limit (0.2% by weight).

Next, 150 ml of the Hyponex solution used in Example 13 was added to the plant box, and the C-PNIPAAm-H particles which had been re-contracted were reabsorbed and gelled. , The seedlings were continuously grown in a greenhouse in the same manner as in Example 13. Irrigation was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of the whole container became the same as the initial value.

Sixty days after the start of cultivation in the greenhouse, seedlings were taken out of the container one by one to shift to single-pot cultivation.
Although the aerial part was growing smoothly, the roots of the seedlings were somewhat entangled with each other, and it took some time to remove the seedlings. In addition, the growth of roots after the shift to greenhouse cultivation was confirmed by Example 16 described later.
It was inferior to the case.

Example 1 with the above gel attached to the root
While arranging the glow well MO-2 on the outside similarly to 3,
It was transplanted to a No. 3 black plastic pot and cultivated in a greenhouse. Even after 60 days had passed since the shift to single pot cultivation, the seedlings grew smoothly. Comparative Example 15 Example 15 was performed in the same plant box as in Example 13.
0.9 g of agar was mixed and dispersed in 150 ml of the same Hyponex saccharified medium as used in the above, sterilized in an autoclave as in Example 13, and allowed to stand at room temperature to completely gel the medium.

The surface of the gel obtained in this manner was applied to Example 1.
As in the case of No. 5, 16 RG310 orchid seedlings were transplanted and cultured in a culture chamber. After 70 days from the start of the culture, the lid of the container was opened, and continuous cultivation was performed in a greenhouse. After 2 days, various bacteria grew on the agar gel, and after 1 week, various bacteria grew on the seedling itself and turned brown. Withered, making subsequent cultivation impossible. Example 16 In a plant box similar to Example 13, Example 15
The dried C-PNIPAAm-H2.31 prepared in Example 1 was added to 150 ml of the Hyponex saccharide culture solution used in Step 1.
g and asanoparite 7.2 g, which is a porous material, were mixed and dispersed, and further divided into 16 lattice-like polypropylene sheets in the same manner as in Example 14, then sterilized in an autoclave.
When left at room temperature, the C-PNIPAAm-H completely absorbed the culture solution and gelled. At room temperature (25 ° C.), the “apparent volume ratio” between the polymer gel and asanopearlite was about 1: 1.

On the surface of the gel medium divided into 16 parts as described above,
RG310, a orchid seedling, was transplanted one by one in each section (a total of 16), and cultured in a culture chamber as in Example 15. After 70 days from the start of the culture, when the plant box was immersed in warm water at 35 ° C. for 20 minutes, the C-PNIPAAm-H carrier contracted, and almost all of the culture solution in the carrier was released from the carrier. Next, the lid of the plant box is opened, the release culture solution is sucked with a dropper, and then left at room temperature (25 ° C.) to absorb the culture solution in the pores of asanopearlite into the contracted C-PNIPAAm-H. I let it.

Next, about 150 ml of tap water at 16 ° C. was added to absorb the above-mentioned C-PNIPAAm-H, and then the temperature was increased again to about 35 ° C.
-H was contracted and tap water was released. After repeating this operation three times, the sugar content of the released tap water was measured with a sugar content meter and found to be below the detection limit (0.2% by weight).

In the plant box, 150 ml of the Hyponex solution used in Example 13 was added, and the re-contracted C-PNIPAAm-H was reabsorbed and gelled.
Seedlings were continuously grown in a greenhouse in the same manner as in Example 13 with the lid of the plant box kept open. Irrigation was performed every 3 to 4 days so that the weight of the whole container became the same as the initial value.

60 days after the start of cultivation in the greenhouse, in order to shift to single pot cultivation, the container was immersed in warm water at 35 ° C. for 20 minutes to shrink the C-PNIPAAm-H, and then one seedling was grown. I took them out. At this time, the support shrunk for each grid section due to the temperature rise, and the roots of the seedlings were effectively prevented from being entangled by the partition of the grid-like sheet, so that the seedlings were easily taken out. The above-ground part was growing steadily, and the root growth after the shift to greenhouse cultivation was also steady. It was presumed that this smooth growth of roots was due to the addition of asanopearlite as a porous material to the medium in advance.

With the support adhered to the roots, Glowell MO-2 was placed outside and transplanted into a No. 3 black vinyl pot, and cultivated normally in a greenhouse. The seedlings grew satisfactorily 60 days after the shift to single pot cultivation. Comparative Example 16 In a plant box similar to that used in Example 13, the Hyponex saccharide medium 150 used in Example 15 was used.
0.7 ml of agar and 7.2 g of asanoparite per ml
Were mixed and dispersed, further divided into 16 parts by a lattice-like polypropylene sheet, sterilized in an autoclave, and allowed to stand at room temperature to completely gel the medium.

On the surface of the gel thus obtained, Example 1
As in the case of No. 6, 16 RG310 cells were transplanted and cultured in a culture chamber. After 70 days from the start of the culture, the lid of the plant box was opened, and continuously cultivated in a greenhouse as it was,
Two days later, various bacteria grew on the support, and one week later, the bacteria grew on the seedling itself and browned and died, making subsequent cultivation impossible. Therefore, in this comparative example, the addition of asanopearlite and the division into 16 by a lattice-like polypropylene sheet became meaningless.

[0324]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure;
As described above, a plant comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer whose equilibrium water absorption decreases with increasing temperature in a temperature range of 70 ° C. or lower and the equilibrium water absorption reversibly changes with temperature. A support for body cultivation or a soil modifier is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure;
A soil modifier comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer whose equilibrium water absorption decreases with increasing temperature in a temperature range of not more than ℃ and the equilibrium water absorption changes reversibly with temperature; A support for cultivating a plant, comprising at least a carrier for a plant.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure;
The equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in a temperature range of not more than ℃, and the equilibrium water absorption includes a hydrogel-forming polymer that reversibly changes with temperature. A method for cultivating a plant, comprising arranging the plant around a plant; cultivating the plant while supporting the plant is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a carrier for supporting a plant body, and the carrier having a weight percentage of 0.1 to 10 watts when dried.
%. A plant cultivation method comprising arranging a support for plant cultivation comprising a soil modifier to which t.% is added at least around the plant, and cultivating the plant while supporting the plant; The soil modifying agent is a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases with the temperature. The present invention provides a method for cultivating a plant, characterized by containing a hydrogel-forming polymer that changes reversibly with respect to water.

When the above-mentioned support for cultivating a plant or a soil modifier comprising a hydrogel or a hydrogel-forming polymer having a predetermined temperature sensitivity according to the present invention is used, the plant or crop (cereals, vegetables, etc.) is used. , Flowers, fruit trees, etc.) in conjunction with changes in external environmental factors (temperature, humidity, insolation, light intensity, etc.), components such as water, nutrients, plant growth regulators, etc. To meet the requirements of the ingredients,
The above-mentioned hydrogel or polymer can be absorbed or released. That is, by appropriately changing the supply of these components to the plant, the function of regulating the growth of the plant and / or mitigating the adverse effects of the external environmental factors described above and promoting the growth of the plant. Can be suitably exerted.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the supply of components relating to growth to plants such as water and nutrients, and as a result, cultivation in open-field cultivation and in-house horticulture etc. In addition to solving the problems in the conventional technology (complexity of adjusting cultivation conditions, high equipment cost), it is possible to reduce labor and energy required for cultivation, or to reduce equipment costs for cultivation. And productivity can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a container-like substrate capable of accommodating at least a part of a plant therein, and a hydrogel-forming material having a crosslinked structure disposed inside the container-like substrate. And a polymer for growing plants.

Further, according to the present invention, it is characterized in that it comprises a sheet-shaped substrate and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure, which is disposed on at least one surface of the substrate. The present invention provides a plant growing sheet.

When the container or sheet for cultivating a plant of the present invention is used, the properties of a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure and located on the plant side of the container or sheet (such as water or nutrient content) Storage capacity, or its temperature dependence), the volume of the plant growing container can be significantly reduced, improving root generation efficiency, reducing the growing area, reducing the amount of material in the growing container, and transporting. The cost can be reduced. Further, it is possible to significantly reduce costs by saving labor such as water management.

Further, according to the present invention, a plant is cultured under aeration-limited conditions using a gel support containing at least (a) water and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure. Next, (b) a plant growing method for cultivating a plant under aeration-unrestricted condition while substantially using the gel-like support in contact with the plant after the culturing is provided.

According to the plant growing method of the present invention, by effectively utilizing the bacteriostatic properties of the hydrogel, the transition from culture (under aeration-limited conditions) to cultivation (aeration-unrestricted conditions) Continuous plant growth is possible without requiring replacement of the support or the implant material.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a support for cultivating a plant of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing one embodiment of a method for using the soil modifier of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the method for using the soil modifier of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing still another embodiment of the method for using the soil modifier of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a container for growing a plant of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of the plant growing sheet of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of the plant growing sheet of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment (partition shape) of the plant growing sheet of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a case where the partition-shaped sheet of the embodiment of FIG. 8 is used in combination with another container.

FIG. 10 shows a hydrogel-forming polymer,
It is a schematic plan view which shows the example of the aspect at the time of arrange | positioning in an intermittent layer form on a base material.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an embodiment in which a hydrogel-forming polymer is disposed on a substrate of a container or sheet in the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method for using a gel support as a support for growing plants.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a mixture of a gel support and a porous body as a support for plant growth.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a gel support adhered to the root of a plant together with a porous body.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of arranging and using a gel support on the surface of a porous body.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a gel support as a plant growing support in a culture vessel.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a mixture of a gel support and a porous body as a support for growing plants in a culture vessel.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a gel support adhered to the root of a plant together with a porous body in a culture container.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of arranging a gel support on the surface of a porous body and using the support in a culture vessel.

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a gel support as a plant growing support in a cultivation container.

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a mixture of a gel-like support and a porous body as a plant-growing support in a cultivation container.

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of using a gel support adhered to the root of a plant together with a porous body in a cultivation container.

FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a method of arranging a gel support on the surface of a porous body and using the support in a cultivation container.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a sample in a greenhouse used in an example.
It is a graph which shows the average time-dependent temperature change of a day.

FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container for growing a plant of the present invention produced in an example.

FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view showing a plant-growing sheet (partition shape) of the present invention produced in an example.

FIG. 27 is a schematic plan view when one cell of the partition sheet of FIG. 26 is viewed from above.

FIG. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment in which a support and a plant are placed in the plant growing container of FIG. 25 and water is supplied.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged microphotograph (magnification: × 100) showing a cross section of the root of an orchid seedling grown in the example.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged micrograph (magnification: × 100) showing a cross section of the root of an orchid seedling grown in a comparative example.

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a plant growing container provided with a supply / discharge port for a culture solution and a filter section for air circulation.

FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a plant growing container in which a sealing material is arranged on the filter unit of FIG. 31.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) // A01H 4/00 A01H 4/00 F term (reference) 2B022 AB17 DA17 2B027 NC05 NC13 NC24 NC39 NC40 NC56 ND01 ND03 RC32 SA08 2B030 AA02 AB03 AD06 CD03 CD07 CD10 CD13 CD18 4H026 AA09 AA11

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A container-like base material capable of accommodating at least a part of a plant therein, and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure disposed inside the container-like base material. A container for cultivating an object, comprising: the hydrogel-forming polymer, the equilibrium water absorption decreases as the temperature rises in a temperature range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less, and the equilibrium water absorption decreases with respect to temperature. A container for growing plants, which is a polymer that changes reversibly. 2. A plant growing sheet comprising a sheet-shaped base material and a hydrogel-forming polymer having a cross-linked structure, which is disposed on at least one surface of the base material, and The polymer capable of forming a hydrogel has a temperature of
A plant growing sheet, characterized in that the polymer is a polymer whose equilibrium water absorption decreases with increasing temperature in a temperature range of not more than ° C and the equilibrium water absorption reversibly changes with temperature.