JP2004041182A - Vegetable cultivation apparatus and method for vegetable cultivation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vegetable cultivation vessel having small size and light weight, easily installable in a clear space or a narrow land, producible at a low manufacturing cost, enabling easy management of irrigation and fertilization and giving high-quality vegetables in high yield. <P>SOLUTION: The vegetable cultivation apparatus is provided with a culture tank 1 holding a culture medium 2 with a holding material 3, the root 6a of the vegetable is formed in the medium 2 and water and fertilizer are applied to the vegetable 6 through the medium to culture the vegetable 6. The medium 2 contains a powdery, granular or fibrous polymer having high water-absorbency and a fertilizer-containing soil. The water capacity of the soil is increased to reduce the size and weight of the culture tank 1. The irrigation management is facilitated and the apparatus cost is reduced. Furthermore, the fertilizer holding capacity of the medium 2 is increased to enable the culture of high-quality vegetables in high yield. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０１７０】
各栽培槽には、培地約１リットルを充填した。表１の培地量は、各栽培槽に充填された培地の重さを表したものである。また、表１の全体重量とは、培養土の重量に、高吸水性ポリマー、保水材、フック、又はグラスファイバの重量を加えたものである。
【０１７１】
供試材料としては、以下のような材料を使用した。
（１）培養土　　　　　　イチゴ専用培養土（ピートモス、パーライト含有）
（２）高吸水性ポリマー　メビオール社製　スカイジェル（商品名）
（３）保水材　　　　　　ポリエステル不織布　幅１０ｃｍ×長さ６０ｃｍ×厚さ５ｍｍ
（４）包容材　　　　　　袋状ポリエステル織布　折り幅１０ｃｍ×長さ６０ｃｍ
内容量　約１．５リットル
【０１７２】
培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合する場合には、培養土１リットルに対して１０ｇｆの高吸水性ポリマーを混合した。
【０１７３】
以上の条件により測定を行った結果、表２のような結果が得られた。
【表２】

【０１７４】
図１７は各栽培槽の給水前の全体重量に対する給水後の重量の比の時間変化を表す図、図１８は給水後３０分経過後の栽培槽の状態を示す図である。図１７より、「マット・ジェルなし」及び「マットのみ」に比べて、「ジェルのみ」及び「マット＋ジェル」は約２倍程度多くの保水力を有することが分かる。
【０１７５】
また、「ジェルのみ」及び「マット＋ジェル」の保水量はほぼ等しいが、「ジェルのみ」のほうが「マット＋ジェル」に比べて重量減少の傾きが大きい。すなわち、灌水により保水された水が流出しやすいことが分かる。
【０１７６】
また、図１８において、図中の付番１，２，３，４は、それぞれ、表１の番号１，２，３，４に対応している。図１８より、高吸水性ポリマーを含む３番と４番の培地は、保水することにより膨張する。このとき、包容材は袋状のシートで構成されているので、培地の膨張に対して柔軟に変形し、培地が溢れ出すことがないことが分かる。
【０１７７】
（実施例２）
実施例２では、上記実施形態４において説明した植物栽培装置により、リーフレタスの栽培試験を行った結果を示す。
【０１７８】
図１９は栽培槽内に保水材を敷いて培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合しないで栽培した場合（ａ）及び保水材も高吸水性ポリマーも使用しなかった場合（ｂ）について栽培試験により得られたリーフレタスを表す図である。また、図２０は保水材も高吸水性ポリマーも使用しなかった場合に栽培試験により得られたリーフレタスを表す図、図２１は栽培槽内に保水材を敷いて培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合して栽培した場合について栽培試験により得られたリーフレタスを表す図である。
【０１７９】
栽培試験は、水平に渡した棒に栽培槽をフックで吊して、ドリップ灌水管により点滴灌水を行って栽培することにより実施した。
【０１８０】
図１９から分かるように、栽培槽内に保水材を敷いて培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合しないで栽培した場合（ａ）及び保水材も高吸水性ポリマーも使用しなかった場合（ｂ）には、生産されたリーフレタスは全体的に小さめのものとなる。リーフレタス１株あたりの重量は、保水材も高吸水性ポリマーも使用しなかった場合（ｂ）では１１０〜１３０ｇ、栽培槽内に保水材を敷いて培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合しないで栽培した場合（ａ）では、１２０〜１５０ｇであった。また、（ｂ）の場合には、図２０に示したように、リーフレタスの株間の生育にムラが生じる現象が見られた。これは、株間では多少なりとも生育に差があるが、保水材も高吸水性ポリマーも使用しなかった場合、培地内の養水分の量のムラが大きく、培地が部分的に乾燥しやすい。特に、点滴灌水の場合には、特定の点から灌水が行われるために、培地の部分的乾燥が生じやすいと考えられる。このように、培地が部分的に乾燥すると、リーフレタスの株間の生育差が助長され、その結果、リーフレタスの株間の生育にムラが生じるものと考えられる。
【０１８１】
一方、栽培槽内に保水材を敷いて培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合して栽培した場合では、図２１に示したように、かなりの大型なリーフレタス株に成長した。本試験で得られたリーフレタス１株あたりの重量は、２２０〜２５０ｇであり、上記（ａ）、（ｂ）の場合に比べて約２倍の重量に成長した。
【０１８２】
これは、栽培槽の保水性及び保肥力が高く、リーフレタスの根圏の水分環境及び肥料環境が安定しているためであると考えられる。すなわち、リーフレタスに加わる水分ストレス、肥料ストレスが小さく、リーフレタス株の生育が促進されるからであると考えられる。
【０１８３】
（実施例３）
図２２は実施形態４の植物栽培装置により高設栽培を行っている状況を表す図である。
【０１８４】
図２２に示すように、植物の高設栽培を行う場合、栽培槽の重量が軽量であるため、吊下支持部材として物干し竿を使用することが可能である。
【０１８５】
（実施例４）
図２３及び図２４は本発明の植物栽培槽をテーブル野菜に使用した例を表す図である。
【０１８６】
図２３のように、テーブル上に敷き板を置き、この敷き板状にプラスチック鎖等で囲いを作る。そして、この囲いの上にビニルシートを敷いて、その上に、実施形態１〜４で説明したような、植物を植栽した栽培槽を載せる。このように、テーブル上に新鮮な野菜を載せて、食事中に野菜を摘んでそのまま食すことができる。また、同様に花卉類を置いて、テーブル上で観賞することもできる。
【０１８７】
このように、栽培槽自体が小型・軽量であり、また、高設栽培により清潔な環境で植物の栽培ができるため、テーブル野菜やテーブル上において観賞する花卉の栽培槽としても使用することができる。
【０１８８】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明の植物栽培装置の第１の構成によれば、一般の土壤と同程度の保水力、保肥力を得るために必要な培地の量は極めて少なくてすむため、栽培槽を小型化・軽量化することが可能となる。従って、少ない栽培面積で植物の多収穫が可能となるため、場所を選ばず、空き地や狭い土地にも栽培槽を容易に設置することが可能となる。従って、農業生産者に活用されていない土地や空間、例えば、既存のビニルハウスの枠に栽培槽を懸吊して設置することも可能となり、農業生産者の所得向上にもつながる。また、一般の圃場に設置する場合でも、単位圃場面積あたりの植物の栽培株数を増やすことができ、生産効率が改善される。
【０１８９】
また、設備が簡単であり、低廉な価格で植物栽培装置の設備を導入することが可能である。従って、小規模経営の農家や家庭菜園を行う一般家庭においても容易に導入することが可能となる。
【０１９０】
また、灌水の利用効率がよく、灌水回数を大幅に軽減することができるため、灌水の管理も容易となる。また、植物に対して加わる水分ストレスや肥料濃度ストレスを緩和することができるため、植物の生育が促進され、多収穫・高品質の植物栽培が可能となる。
【０１９１】
また、小型・軽量とできるために、搬送が容易であり、植物の成長に合わせて、栽培槽を育苗圃場や本圃等の適所に運んで植物の栽培を行うことが容易となる。
【０１９２】
また、栽培槽が小型であるため、栽培槽を移動させて配置密度を変えることで、植物の栽培密度を自由に変えることができるので、育苗から本圃栽培まで一貫して栽培槽内で行うことができる。従って、苗の移植作業が不要であり、農作業の労力を大幅に軽減することができる。
【０１９３】
また、肥料を最初から培養土に含ませておけば、養液による施肥の必要がなく、灌水のみで植物の栽培ができる。そのため、養液供給装置などの設備は不要で栽培設備が簡単であり、また肥料成分の沈殿・付着等による灌水配管の閉塞もなく、極めて低廉な設備費及び維持管理費で植物栽培を行うことができる。
【０１９４】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第２の構成によれば、栽培槽の形状が縦長であるために搬送が容易であり、栽培槽の運搬時の作業性が向上する。また、栽培槽を空中に吊した状態で植物を栽培することが容易となる。更に、栽培槽を斜面栽培や壁面栽培に使用することも可能である。
【０１９５】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第３の構成によれば、包容材に透根性を持たせることで、根巻きを防止し、二次根や毛根の発達が促進されるため、植物の養水分吸収が活性化され、品質の良い植物を生産することができる。
【０１９６】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第４の構成によれば、二以上の栽培槽を、隣接し合うもの同士が互いに接触しあった状態で吊り下げることで、植物の成長に伴って栽培槽が重量的にアンバランスとなっても、栽培槽が傾斜することが防止される。また、包容材が透根性を有している場合には、接触し合った栽培槽の間で、植物の根が隣の栽培槽内まで伸長し、植物の養水分吸収が改善されるとともに、更に水分ストレスを受けにくくなる。従って、より品質の良い植物の生産が可能となる。
【０１９７】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第５の構成によれば、ドリップ灌水によって常に植物の生育に最適な条件を確保することができる。また、栽培槽を吊下支持部材に脱着する際に、ドリップ灌水管を損傷したり、ドリップ灌水管が邪魔になることがなく、脱着作業が容易となる。また、１つのドリップ灌水管により、吊下支持部材に吊り下げられた各栽培槽に灌水できるので、灌水設備が簡単であり、灌水管理も容易となる。
【０１９８】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第６の構成によれば、栽培槽の設置作業中等に、誤ってドリップ灌水管を損傷することを防止することができる。また、吊下支持部材に対して栽培槽の脱着を容易に行うことが可能となり、作業性が向上する。
【０１９９】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第７の構成によれば、植物に対しする温度ストレスを緩和させることが可能となるため、植物の生育が促進され、植物の多収穫化を図ることができる。また、温度調節材の設置が容易であり、設置作業の作業性が向上する。
【０２００】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第８の構成によれば、支持体によって各栽培槽を下面から持ち上げた状態で支持することにより、栽培槽内の培地の表面を平坦に維持することができる。従って、栽培される植物がいびつな形状となることが防止され、栽培植物の商品価値が低下することを防止することができる。
【０２０１】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第９の構成によれば、圃場容水量を超える過剰な水は、一旦集水シートの下部の貯留部に貯留される。貯留部は縦長であるため、少量の水が流入した場合でも、貯留部内の水位が高くなる。従って、集水シートに弛みがある場合にも、過剰な灌水を効率よく集水し、排水することが可能となる。
【０２０２】
また、本発明の植物栽培装置の第１０の構成によれば、斜面又は垂直面上で植物の栽培ができるため、狭い面積や傾斜地においても植物の栽培ができるようになる。また、斜面上部一端から灌水を行えば、総ての栽培槽に灌水することができるので、灌水設備が簡単となり、設備費が低廉となる。また、斜面や垂直面上で植物を栽培することができるため、壁面緑化にも利用することができる。
【０２０３】
また、本発明の植物栽培方法の第１の構成によれば、培地の保水力が高く、保肥力も有するために、少量の培地で、植物の生育に適当な保水量及び保肥量を確保できる。更に、植物の根に対して水分ストレスを極めて小さくすることができる。従って、植物の生育がより促進され、植物の収穫量が増大し、品質が向上する。また、灌水回数を大幅に削減することができるため、栽培管理が極めて楽になる。
【０２０４】
また、本発明の植物栽培方法の第２の構成によれば、無駄な排水を少なくすることができるため、肥料の流亡を防止することができる。従って、施肥を少なくすることができる。
【０２０５】
また、本発明の植物栽培方法の第３の構成によれば、土壌病害虫の被害を防止することができる。特に、イチゴ栽培のように土壤病害虫の影響が大きな植物の栽培管理が容易化される。また、雑草の種子や根が侵入しにくいため、雑草が繁殖する心配もなくなる。従って、土壌妨害虫の駆除や雑草の防除のための農薬を使用する必要がなくなる。そして、農作業の省力化が図られる。
【０２０６】
また、本発明の植物栽培方法の第４の構成によれば、包容材から突き出した植物の根端は成長が止まり、二次根形成、毛根形成が促進されるため、植物の養水分の吸収が良好となり、植物の生育が良好となる。
【０２０７】
また、本発明の植物栽培方法の第５の構成によれば、吊り下げられた各栽培槽が安定し、上述のように、植物が成長した場合でも、植物の茎や葉等の地上部分の重量で各栽培槽が傾斜することが防止される。
【０２０８】
また、本発明の植物栽培方法の第６の構成によれば、培地の表面をほぼ水平な状態に保つことができ、植物の茎の根元部分が曲がって成長することを防止できる。そのため、栽培される植物の商品価値の低下を防止することができる。
【０２０９】
また、本発明の植物栽培方法の第７の構成によれば、灌水基盤の透水層に対して灌水を行うことで、各栽培槽に対して均等に灌水を行うことができる。従って、灌水管理が容易となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態１に係る植物栽培装置の断面図である。
【図２】本発明の実施の形態１に係る植物栽培装置の側面図である。
【図３】実施の形態１の植物栽培装置をビニルハウスの梁に懸吊して設置した例を示す図である。
【図４】包容材の付近における植物の根の成長過程を表す図である。
【図５】本発明の実施の形態２に係る植物栽培装置の断面図である。
【図６】実施の形態２の植物栽培装置を地面に設置した例を示す図である。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態３に係る植物栽培装置の斜視図である。
【図８】本発明の実施の形態３に係る植物栽培装置の栽培槽付近の断面図である。
【図９】本発明の実施の形態４に係る植物栽培装置の要部断面図である。
【図１０】植物の苗の養成状態を表す図である。
【図１１】苗の運搬状態を表す図である。
【図１２】植物栽培装置に苗を設置した状態を表す図である。
【図１３】本発明の実施の形態５に係る植物栽培装置の要部断面図である。
【図１４】支持体６１がない場合の植物栽培装置の状態を表す図である。
【図１５】本発明の実施の形態６に係る植物栽培装置の要部断面図である。
【図１６】図１５の集水シートの斜視図である。
【図１７】各栽培槽の給水前の全体重量に対する給水後の重量の比の時間変化を表す図である。
【図１８】給水後３０分経過後の栽培槽の状態を示す図である。
【図１９】栽培槽内に保水材を敷いて培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合しないで栽培した場合（ａ）及び保水材も高吸水性ポリマーも使用しなかった場合（ｂ）について栽培試験により得られたリーフレタスを表す図である。
【図２０】は保水材も高吸水性ポリマーも使用しなかった場合に栽培試験により得られたリーフレタスを表す図である。
【図２１】栽培槽内に保水材を敷いて培地に高吸水性ポリマーを混合して栽培した場合について栽培試験により得られたリーフレタスを表す図である。
【図２２】実施形態４の植物栽培装置により高設栽培を行っている状況を表す図である。
【図２３】本発明の植物栽培槽をテーブル野菜に使用した例を表す図である。
【図２４】本発明の植物栽培槽をテーブル野菜に使用した例を表す図である。
【図２５】バック式栽培方法による植物の栽培状況を示した図である。
【符号の説明】
１，１’　栽培槽
２　培地
３　包容材
４　保水材
５　開口部
６　植物
６ａ　根系
７　支持体
８　吊下部
９　吊下棒
１０　ドリップ灌水管
１１　親根
１２　根端
１３，１３’　毛根
１４　二次根
２０　地面
２１　ドリッパ
２１ａ　スタビライザ
２１ｂ　給水チューブ
２２　給水パイプ
２３　温度調節管
３０　植物栽培装置
３１　架台
３２　遮水シート
３３　透水シート
３４　透水遮根シート
３５　灌水基盤
３６　栽培槽
３７　培地
３８　包容材
３９　保水材
４０　開口部
４１　植物
４２　灌水管
５０　植物栽培装置
５１　培地
５２，５２　栽培槽
５２ａ　支持体
５２ｂ　吊下部
５３，５３’，５３”　吊下支持部材
５３ａ，５３ａ’，５３ａ”　溝
５３ｂ，５３ｂ’　溝開口部
５３ｂ”　切り欠き溝
５４　保水材
５５　開口部
５６　ドリップ灌水管
５７　温度調節管
５８，５９　植物
６０　植物栽培装置
６１　支持体
６１ｂ　吊下紐
７０　植物栽培装置
７１　集水シート
７１ａ　貯水部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a plant cultivation technique for cultivating a plant by forming a root system of a plant in a culture medium in a cultivation tank and fertilizing the plant with nutrients necessary for the growth of the plant via the culture medium. The present invention relates to a plant cultivation technique that facilitates irrigation and fertilization management and installation and maintenance of equipment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, nutrient cultivation methods have been widely used in order to increase the yield, increase the quality, and reduce labor of agricultural products. Hydroponic cultivation method means that the root system is formed in a solid medium or water without using soil, and the nutrients necessary for plant growth are composed of appropriate components and appropriate concentrations according to the fertilizer characteristics unique to each plant. This is a method of cultivating crops by supplying a suitable amount of oxygen to the roots and supplying a suitable amount of oxygen to the roots.
[0003]
As a conventional hydroponic cultivation method, as typical examples, irrigation circulation type hydroponic (see Non-Patent Document 1, p. 51 to 83), NFT (see Non-Patent Document 1, p. 84 to 103) And solid medium cultivation such as rock wool cultivation, gravel cultivation, and sand cultivation (see Non-Patent Document 1, pages 14 to 50, 104 to 131), and the like.
[0004]
Irrigation circulation hydroponics is a method of holding a culture solution at a fixed water level in a bed and forcibly circulating the culture solution between a tank and the bed or between the beds, so that the water of the plants planted on the bed is This is a method of cultivation. According to this method, how to effectively replenish oxygen to the roots becomes an issue, and various methods of replenishing oxygen have been devised.
[0005]
The NFT is a method in which a culture solution is allowed to flow little by little from above onto a channel-like bed using a film having a gentle slope, and the culture solution that has flowed down is returned to a tank to circulate the culture solution.
[0006]
Solid culture medium cultivation means that the culture medium contains minerals such as gravel, sand, rice husk charcoal, vermiculite, perlite, rock wool, etc. Is a method of intermittently supplying a culture solution to a medium using the organic compound of (1).
[0007]
Also, as a method incorporating the advantages of hydroponic cultivation and soil cultivation, a hydroponic cultivation method is also known. In this nutrient solution soil cultivation method, fertilization is not performed before planting, and after planting, the nutrient solution is applied according to the growth of the plant while utilizing the nutrient supply power, nutrient retention power, and buffering action of the soil. It is characterized by being supplied by drip irrigation.
[0008]
On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, a bag-type bag made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene is filled with cultivation soil, a cut is provided at an appropriate position on the surface of the bag, and a plant is cultivated by planting a plant on the cultivation soil through the cut. Cultivation methods have been proposed.
[0009]
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a cultivation state of a plant by the back cultivation method. The inside of the bag 101 is made of a nonwoven fabric made of water-permeable polypropylene and is formed in a rectangular bag of about 30 cm × 60 cm in length × width in plan view. The inner volume of the bag 101 is about 12 to 15 liters. This bag 101 is filled with cultivated soil. The cultivation soil is mainly composed of rice husk, peat moss, vermiculite, coconut shell (palm peat), or the like. Further, on the surface of the back 101, a cross cut 102 of about 5 × 5 cm in length × width is provided. And the plant 103 is planted through this cut. By planting the plant in the bag 101 in this way, the plant can be relatively easily carried.
[0010]
When cultivating the plant 103, as shown in FIG. 25, the bags 101 are arranged side by side on a gantry 112 on which an expanded metal 111 is laid on the upper surface of a support frame 110. Then, the plants 103 are cultivated by performing drip irrigation on each bag 101 using the drip irrigation pipe 113.
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-322378
[Non-patent document 1]
Edited by Japan Institute of Horticulture, “Latest Guidance on Hydroponic Culture”, Seibundo Shinkosha Co., Ltd., June 15, 1996, p. 14-131
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional hydroponic cultivation method or hydroponic soil cultivation method has advantages and disadvantages, respectively, but in any case, the equipment becomes large when the number of plant cultivation strains is increased in order to obtain a large yield, and the initial stage becomes large. There is a drawback that investment and maintenance costs a great deal of money. Therefore, it is often difficult for small-scale farmers to introduce these facilities.
[0013]
In hydroponic cultivation, the size and weight of the bed that forms the root system of the plant increases in order to sufficiently retain the water and fertilizer necessary for the growth of the plant. Therefore, a large area is required as a plant cultivation area. Therefore, it is difficult for small-scale farmers with a small arable land area to carry out these cultivation methods on vacant narrow land.
[0014]
Similarly, the nutrient solution cultivation requires the same large area as the conventional plant cultivation as the soil for planting the plant.
[0015]
In general, water absorption by plants is thriving when the medium is sufficiently moist and the air is dry, but once the medium begins to dry, the plants close stomata and limit water transpiration. When the water stress is large, such opening and closing of the stoma frequently occur, and the photosynthetic ability of the plant is reduced, so that the growth of the plant is restricted. Therefore, in order to promote the growth of cultivated plants, it is necessary to always keep the inside of the soil sufficiently moist.
[0016]
In conventional nutrient solution soil cultivation, soil is used as a medium. Therefore, when trying to stably maintain the temperature and humidity environment inside the soil, it is necessary to have enough soil to secure a certain amount of field water in order to mitigate the effects of changes in external conditions such as temperature, humidity, and sunshine. is there. If the soil volume is too small and the field water capacity is low, the temperature and humidity in the soil will easily change due to external conditions such as external temperature and humidity, sunlight, airflow, and plant water consumption, and the amount of nutrient solution supplied This is because it becomes difficult to stabilize the temperature and humidity in the soil by control.
[0017]
Most of ordinary soil retains moisture as capillary water in pores between soil particles, but does not have a large water retention capacity per unit volume. Therefore, in order to stably maintain the temperature and humidity environment inside the soil, a relatively large amount of the soil is inevitably required. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the weight of the culture medium in the conventional nutrient solution cultivation.
[0018]
In addition, in the case of plant cultivation using soil as a medium, in order to stabilize the water environment in the soil, a nutrient solution adjusted to various conditions such as temperature conditions, sunshine conditions, humidity conditions, plant water consumption conditions, etc. Supply control is required. Therefore, it is difficult to control the supply amount of the nutrient solution as the amount of the culture medium decreases. Then, even if the amount of the medium is relatively large, the amount of water supplied to the roots of the plants varies due to the medium becoming humid or dry to some extent. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the water stress on the plant to some extent or more.
[0019]
In addition, in solid medium culture or nutrient solution cultivation, a method of supplying drip irrigation to a plant by drip irrigation using a drip irrigation tube is widely used. However, in this case, the fertilizer in the nutrient solution may adhere to the inside of the drip irrigation tube and block the inside of the tube. Therefore, maintenance and management of the piping require cost and labor. Further, from the economical point of view, there is a drawback that the equipment cost of the nutrient solution supply equipment is generally high, and it is difficult to introduce the equipment into small-scale farmers.
[0020]
Furthermore, in cultivation of plants, after raising seedlings in a nursery field having a small area, the seedlings are often planted in a cultivation field having a large area for cultivation. In this case, when planting the seedlings of the plants grown on the nursery bed, it is necessary to dig and raise the seedlings, transport them, and plant them in the main field, which requires much labor.
[0021]
On the other hand, according to the bag-type cultivation method described in Patent Literature 1, it is possible to carry out with simple equipment. Therefore, since the equipment cost is low, the equipment can be introduced even to small-scale farmers. Further, since the cultivation tank can be moved in bag units, there is an excellent advantage that the plant can be easily moved together with the bag in accordance with the growth of the planted plant.
[0022]
However, since the plant is cultivated in a limited amount of cultivated soil filled in the bag, the water content in the cultivated soil varies greatly due to the evaporation of water. Therefore, the amount of water supplied to the roots of the plant varies greatly. In particular, when the cultivation amount in the bag is reduced, as described above, the water stress applied to the plant increases, which adversely affects the growth of the plant.
[0023]
Conversely, when trying to produce a high-quality plant, it is sufficient to increase the capacity of the bag, fill the bag with sufficient cultivation soil, and perform fine irrigation management. However, when the cultivation amount in the bag is increased, the bag becomes heavy and carrying work becomes inconvenient. Since the bag is made of a flexible fiber, the bag is easily bent when the inside is filled with soil. Therefore, in particular, when carrying a bag in a state where a plant is planted, it is necessary to transport the bag with care so as not to bend the bag so as not to damage the plant.
[0024]
In addition, since the amount of plants that can be planted per bag is small, the number of plants that can be planted per unit area is limited. Therefore, the production efficiency of the plant with respect to the field area decreases.
In addition, a great deal of labor is required to perform detailed irrigation management manually. Conversely, if the irrigation management is performed automatically, the equipment cost will be high.
[0025]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable the cultivation equipment to be reduced in size, weight, and cost, facilitate movement of cultivated plants, and increase the number of plant strains that can be cultivated per unit field area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation technique that allows easy management of fertilizer and fertilization and enables cultivation of high-yield, high-quality plants.
[0026]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention is a cultivation tank formed of a bag-like packaging material and having an opening for planting a plant, and a water-retaining property laid on the inner bottom surface of the packaging material. Characterized by comprising a water retention material and a medium containing a powdery, granular, or fibrous superabsorbent polymer.
[0027]
Plants are planted in the culture medium through openings formed in the encapsulant. Then, the plant is cultivated by irrigating the medium. Since the medium contains the superabsorbent polymer, the medium has a large water retention capacity and fertilizing power. Furthermore, water can also be retained in the water retention material laid on the bottom of the inner surface of the packaging material. Therefore, a small amount of medium is required for cultivation of the plant, and the cultivation tank can be reduced in size and weight. Therefore, it is possible to install the cultivation tank even in a narrow place regardless of the installation place of the cultivation tank. In addition, since a large-scale facility such as hydroponic cultivation is not required, a plant cultivation apparatus can be easily introduced at a low price.
[0028]
In addition, since the cultivation tank can be reduced in size and weight, it is easy to transport the cultivation tank. Therefore, it is easy to transport the cultivation tank to an appropriate place according to the growth and the season of the plant to be cultivated. By reducing the size of the cultivation tanks, it is possible to grow seedlings in a nursery field by narrowing the intervals between a plurality of cultivation tanks, and in the main field to grow plants by increasing the intervals between the cultivation tanks. Therefore, it is possible to consistently carry out from seedling raising to harvesting in the same cultivation tank without replanting cultivated plants. Therefore, replanting of plants is unnecessary, and the labor required for plant cultivation is greatly reduced.
[0029]
Further, when the harvest of the plants in the main field is completed, the plants cultivated in other cultivation tanks can be transported from the nursery field to the main field and produced one after another. Therefore, the plant production efficiency of this field is improved. In addition, by reducing the size of the cultivation tank, it is possible to grow a larger number of plants in a small field area. Therefore, the number of plant plants that can be cultivated per unit field area can be improved.
[0030]
In addition, since the water holding capacity of the cultivation tank is large, the number of times of irrigation can be reduced. Furthermore, the superabsorbent polymer becomes gel-like when absorbing water, and the contact with the root of the plant is improved. Therefore, the roots of the plant can efficiently absorb water, and the water stress applied to the plant is small. Therefore, irrigation management is facilitated, and cultivated plants can be multi-harvested and have high quality.
[0031]
Furthermore, by reducing the size and weight of the cultivation tub, the cultivation tub can be hung on an elevated stand such as a cultivation shelf to perform elevated cultivation of plants. At this time, the weight burden applied to the elevated stand in the elevated cultivation is small. Therefore, high strength is not required for the elevated stand, and it is easy to increase the size of the apparatus. Moreover, since many cultivation tanks can be hung on an elevated stand by weight reduction, the production amount of a plant can be improved in a small cultivation area. In addition, the use of elevated cultivation eliminates damage from soil infectious diseases, soil pests, and weeds. Therefore, it is not necessary to spray pesticides on these, and the quality of the plant to be produced is improved.
[0032]
Here, the type of “plant” is not particularly specified, and is applied to, for example, cultivation of vegetables such as lettuce and strawberries, and flowers such as cosmos, pansies, and orchids. "Powder" refers to an aggregate of particles in which the interaction between particles such as adhesive force is larger than the gravity of a single particle, and "granule" refers to a particle having a larger particle diameter than powder. Refers to an aggregate.
[0033]
"Superabsorbent polymer" is a polymer crosslinked product that has many anionic groups such as carboxyl groups in the molecular chain, and absorbs and swells a large amount of water by hydration of ionic groups to form a hydrogel. Polymer compound. Generally, three-dimensionalization of water-soluble polymers such as polyelectrolytes by graft polymerization, cross-linking polymerization with a crosslinking agent, three-dimensionalization of water-soluble polymers, reticulation by self-crosslinking, reticulation by irradiation, crystal structure It is produced by insolubilization due to the introduction of, for example. Examples of the “superabsorbent polymer” include a starch-based superabsorbent polymer, a synthetic polymer-based superabsorbent polymer, and a cellulose-based superabsorbent polymer, and any of them can be used. Specifically, for example, “Sky Gel” (trade name) manufactured by Mebiol Co., Ltd., “Noniolex NA-010” (trade name) manufactured by Showa Denko KK, and “Thermogel” (trade name) manufactured by Kojin Co., Ltd. ) Etc. can be used.
[0034]
The "medium" may be any as long as it contains the superabsorbent polymer, and the content ratio is not particularly specified. However, it has been experimentally confirmed that it is preferable to mix about 0.5 to 1 g of the superabsorbent polymer with respect to 1 liter of the dry medium in order to secure an appropriate amount of air porosity of the medium. I have.
[0035]
The term "encapsulating material" refers to a container material for containing a medium so as not to disperse, and the material is not particularly limited. For example, a woven or non-woven fabric using a hard resin, a fiber material such as polyester fiber or vinyl fiber, or the like. Or a rubber sheet is used. The particle size of the powdery or particle size superabsorbent polymer particles is not particularly limited, but empirically, the average particle size is 0.01 to 2.0 mmφ, more preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. It is desirable to set it to about 0.0 mmφ. When the average particle diameter is smaller than 0.5 mmφ, the superabsorbent polymer tends to be difficult to mix well when mixed with other materials. This is because when the polymer is mixed with other materials, it tends to be difficult to mix well. As the “water retention material”, a nonwoven fabric of hydrophilic polyester or the like is used.
[0036]
The outer surface of the encapsulant is coated with a titanium oxide film in order to prevent algae from being generated outside the encapsulant, and to prevent the plant, which is a product, from becoming dirty by contact with the algae. Is also good. As a result, light is applied to the surface of the titanium oxide by O₂ ⁻And OH, two types of active oxygen are generated, thereby exhibiting a decomposing power and decomposing organic substances such as algae, thereby suppressing the generation of algae.
[0037]
In the present invention, the medium may contain at least one of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, silica, mulch, and an organic compound.
[0038]
According to this, peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, silica, mulch, and organic compounds (hereinafter referred to as "peat moss and the like") form many pores inside the medium. Therefore, appropriate air required for the roots of the plant is retained in the medium. That is, peat moss and the like play a role in expanding the particle interval of the superabsorbent polymer particles, and secure many air pores between the superabsorbent polymer particles that swell and hydrogel by absorbing water. That is, it has the effect of increasing the air porosity of the medium (the ratio of the volume of air in the medium to the total volume of the medium). By appropriately securing the air porosity in this manner, appropriate air is held in the culture medium, and root rot of the plant is prevented from occurring.
[0039]
In addition, peat moss and vermiculite have a high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and thus have a high fertilizing capacity. Therefore, fertilizer components (for example, NH3) in the culture nutrient solution in which the fertilizer has been dissolved from the culture soil by watering.₄ ⁺, Etc.) and remain in the medium. Then, when the concentration of the fertilizer component dissolved in the water in the medium decreases, the adsorbed fertilizer component is released, and the fertilizer component is always supplied stably to the medium. Therefore, the fertilizer concentration stress on the plant is reduced, and the growth of the plant is further promoted.
[0040]
Further, a flexible sheet-shaped member can be used as the encapsulating material. The “flexible sheet-like member” is, for example, a fiber material, a polyester sheet, a vinyl sheet, a rubber sheet and the like. When the packaging material is made of a flexible sheet material, it is lightweight, and the cultivation tank can be freely bent and installed according to the conditions of the cultivation area. In addition, the superabsorbent polymer inside the encapsulant expands significantly in volume by absorbing moisture, but the encapsulant is freely deformed due to its flexibility, and absorbs the volume expansion of the superabsorbent polymer. be able to. Therefore, the culture medium is prevented from overflowing from the opening of the packaging material.
[0041]
In addition, the packaging material can be provided with air permeability. Thereby, air is supplied into the culture medium through the encapsulating material, and the air in the culture medium is prevented from being starved.
[0042]
Also, the packaging material can be made water-permeable. As a result, excessive irrigation is drained, and root rot is less likely to occur.
[0043]
In a second configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, in the first configuration, the cultivation tub is formed of a vertically long bag-shaped packaging material, and the opening is arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation tub. Are formed in a plurality.
[0044]
According to this configuration, since the cultivation tank is in the shape of a vertically long bag, it can be transported with one or both ends thereof. Therefore, transportation is easy, and workability during transportation of the cultivation tank is improved.
[0045]
In addition, since the cultivation tank is in the shape of a vertically long bag, it is easy to hang the cultivation tank on a bar that is horizontally laid. Therefore, it becomes easy to grow the plant while the cultivation tank is suspended in the air.
[0046]
Furthermore, since a plurality of openings for planting plants are formed in a row in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation tub, the cultivation tub is hung on a wall surface (for example, a slope or a fence) for cultivation. Even in this case, the plants do not come into contact with each other. Therefore, it can be used for slope cultivation and wall cultivation.
[0047]
A third configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second configuration, the encapsulant has root permeability.
[0048]
When the root material of the cultivated plant grows when the encapsulant is given root permeability in this way, the root tip penetrates the encapsulant and projects into the air. Roots protruding into the air stop growing because they are in a dry environment. Then, a number of secondary roots are formed in a compensated manner from the vicinity of the base of the root where the growth has stopped. As a result, the root of the plant grows into a shape having a large number of branches in the parent root and the secondary root, and there is no occurrence of root winding (looping). Therefore, the rooting of the plant is improved, and the growth of the plant is promoted. In addition, a large number of hair roots are generated from the tip of the parent root and the tip of the secondary root. Therefore, the plant absorbs nutrient water well, and the plant is activated and its growth is promoted.
[0049]
Here, “root permeability” means a property that allows fine roots of a plant to pass through smoothly, and means that a large number of pores through which fine roots can pass are formed. Specifically, since the thickness of the fine root is generally about 0.5 to 1.0 mm in diameter, in order for the encapsulant to have root permeability, for example, a hole having a diameter of about 0.3 to 2.0 mm is used. If there are many sheets or nets, it will have root permeability.
[0050]
A fourth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to third configurations, further includes a suspending support member that is laid horizontally or substantially horizontally. The above-mentioned cultivation tank is suspended in a state where adjacent ones are in contact with each other.
[0051]
Normally, when a plant is cultivated in a plant with the plant being suspended alone from the suspension support member, the weight of the above-ground parts such as stems and leaves of the plant increases as the plant grows. Therefore, if the ratio of the weight of the above-ground portion of the plant to the weight of the culture medium inside the cultivation tub increases, the cultivation tub tilts due to the bias of the weight of the above-ground portion of the plant with respect to the suspension support member.
[0052]
However, by suspending the two or more cultivation tanks in a state where adjacent ones are in contact with each other, each cultivation tank is stabilized, and the cultivation tank tilts even if the weight of the above-ground portion of the cultivated plant increases. Is prevented.
[0053]
When the encapsulant has root permeability, the roots of the plants extend into the adjacent cultivation tanks between the contacting cultivation tanks. Therefore, the volume of the root system of the plant in each cultivation tank increases. Thereby, the absorption of the nutrient water of each plant is further improved. Also, each plant is less susceptible to changes in the water content of the medium.
[0054]
According to a fifth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, in the fourth configuration, the hanging support member is formed in a gutter shape or a tubular shape having a large number of openings. Alternatively, a drip irrigation pipe housed in the pipe is provided.
[0055]
With this configuration, the medium is drip-irrigated by the drip irrigation tube. For this reason, since the medium is not continuously watered excessively, an appropriate space is maintained inside the medium, and the gas phase in the medium is secured. Therefore, the ratio between the gas phase and the liquid phase of the medium can always be kept at an appropriate ratio, and the optimum conditions for the growth of plants can always be secured.
[0056]
Since the drip irrigation pipe is housed in the pipe or gutter of the suspension support member, it does not hinder the detachment of the cultivation tank from the suspension support member. Therefore, the work of attaching and detaching the cultivation tank becomes easy. Further, the drip irrigation pipe is protected and supported by the hanging support member at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drip irrigation tube from being damaged by mistake during the attaching / detaching operation.
[0057]
Further, the irrigation water leaking from the drip irrigation pipe is dropped below the hanging support member. At this time, since each cultivation tank is in a state where adjacent ones are in contact with each other, when the irrigation water leaking from the drip irrigation pipe is dropped into any of the cultivation tanks and absorbed, a capillary phenomenon occurs. All the cultivation tanks are irrigated, penetrating the other cultivation tanks.
[0058]
In addition, each cultivation tank needs to be relatively frequently attached to and detached from the suspension support member for operations such as planting seedlings and exchanging soil. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, it is not necessary to pass the drip irrigation pipe through each cultivation tank, and if the drip irrigation pipe is passed through the suspension support member in advance, the cultivation tank is suspended from the suspension support member. Just complete the installation. Therefore, the cultivation tank can be easily attached to and detached from the suspension support member, and workability is improved.
[0059]
Here, as the "drip irrigation pipe", an online type (an irrigation pipe is provided with an opening and irrigation is performed directly from the irrigation pipe) drip tube (drip irrigation tube) or an in-line type (a branch pipe is provided in the irrigation pipe, A dripper that performs irrigation remotely from the irrigation tube can be used. For example, as an online type, "Ram 17" (trade name), "Super Typhoon 100" (trade name), "Streamline 80" (trade name), and "flow drop" (trade name) manufactured by Netafim Co., Ltd. , "Dripline 2000" (trade name), "Uniram 17" (trade name), "Eden A" (trade name), "Katif" (trade name), "Daghan B" (trade name), manufactured by Brastro. "Hydro Drip" (trade name), "Double Wall Drip" (trade name) manufactured by Chapin, "Chappin" (trade name), "Lego" (trade name) manufactured by Lego, and the like can be used. As the in-line type, “pot dripper” (trade name) and “button dripper” (trade name) manufactured by Netafim can be used.
[0060]
In addition, a fertilizer is contained in the medium in advance, and only water can be supplied by drip irrigation. By performing only irrigation instead of instilling nutrient solution containing fertilizer, the drip irrigation pipe does not become blocked due to the deposition of fertilizer components (eg, iron component), and maintenance of the drip irrigation pipe is also performed. It becomes very easy.
[0061]
A sixth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth configuration, a drip irrigation pipe held between the adjacent cultivation tanks is provided.
[0062]
With this configuration, when installing a drip irrigation tube, it is only necessary to sandwich the drip irrigation tube between the cultivation tanks after suspending the cultivation tank on the suspension support member. Therefore, the installation of the drip irrigation pipe is easy, and the workability of the installation work is improved.
[0063]
A seventh configuration of the plant cultivation device of the present invention is the plant cultivation device according to any one of the fourth to sixth configurations, further including a temperature control material held in a space between the adjacent cultivation tanks. Features.
[0064]
With this configuration, even when the temperature falls in winter, the temperature of the medium and the atmosphere around the plant can be adjusted by heating the temperature adjusting material. Even in summer, even when the temperature rises extremely, the temperature of the medium and the atmosphere around the plant can be adjusted by cooling the temperature adjusting material. This makes it possible to reduce the temperature stress on the plant.
[0065]
Moreover, when installing a temperature control material, after suspending a cultivation tub by a suspension support member, it is sufficient to just sandwich a temperature control material in a cultivation tub. Therefore, it is easy to install the temperature adjusting material, and the workability of the installation work is improved.
[0066]
Here, as the temperature control material, in addition to a temperature control pipe such as a hot water pipe or a water flow pipe, a heat pipe (an appropriate amount of hydraulic fluid (water, sodium, etc.) is placed in a vacuumed pipe and the reflux thereof is promoted). A heat conductive element equipped with a groove to be formed), a heat conductive tape, or the like can be used.
[0067]
An eighth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention is the support according to any one of the fourth to seventh configurations, wherein the cultivation tub is suspended from the lower surface of the cultivation tank and is supported by the suspension support member. It is characterized by having a body.
[0068]
Without a hanging support member, when cultivating a plant in a cultivation tub using a small amount of culture medium, irrigation may accumulate in the lower part of the cultivation tub and the cultivation tub may be deformed vertically by its weight. In the vertically elongated cultivation tank, the surface of the medium in which the plant seedlings are planted is not horizontal but inclined. On the other hand, a plant grows vertically upward due to its habit. Therefore, the plant grown in the cultivation tank has a bent stem near the root. Vegetables such as green onions, Chinese cabbage, and lettuce have a low market price if they have such a bent shape.
[0069]
However, the surface of the culture medium in the cultivation tank can be maintained flat by supporting each cultivation tank with the support body in a state of being lifted from the lower surface. Therefore, the plant planted in the medium grows in a state similar to the state planted on flat ground. Therefore, the cultivated plant is prevented from having an irregular shape, and the commercial value of the cultivated plant can be prevented from being reduced.
[0070]
Here, it is preferable to use a member having flexibility, air permeability, water permeability, and root permeability as the support. Since the support has flexibility, the support deforms in conformity with the shape and size of the cultivation tank. When the support has air permeability, air is supplied to the culture medium through the support and the encapsulating material, and the lack of air in the culture medium is prevented. Since the support has water permeability, even if excessive irrigation is supplied to the culture medium, water exceeding the field capacity is drained downward through the packaging material and the support as gravity water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the medium from being in a state of excessive water content, thereby preventing root rot of the plant or applying a large water stress to the plant. Further, since the support has root permeability, the root tip of the plant root that has protruded through the encapsulant penetrates the support and is exposed to the air, thereby stopping the growth. Therefore, root winding is prevented, secondary root formation and hair root formation are promoted, and plant growth is improved.
[0071]
As a material for such a support, for example, a wire net, a plastic net, or the like can be used.
[0072]
A ninth configuration of the plant cultivation device of the present invention is the water collection sheet provided to cover at least the lower surface of each of the cultivation tanks in any one of the fourth to eighth configurations, It is provided with a vertically long water storage part provided in the lower part for storing water collected by the water collecting sheet, and a drain port provided at a predetermined position at the bottom of the storage part.
[0073]
According to this configuration, if excessive irrigation is supplied to the culture medium, water exceeding the field capacity is drained to the outside through the packaging material as gravitational water. Is stored in Since the storage part is vertically long, even if a small amount of water flows in, the water level in the storage part becomes high. Therefore, even when the water collecting sheet is loose, it is possible to efficiently collect and drain excess irrigation water.
[0074]
The tenth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to third configurations, is a water-impervious layer laid on a flat surface, a slope or a vertical surface, and laid on an upper surface of the water-impervious layer. A water-permeable layer having water permeability, and an irrigation substrate having a root barrier layer laid on the upper surface of the water-permeable layer, and the cultivation tank arranged in plurality on the upper surface of the irrigation substrate, separated from each other. It is characterized by having.
[0075]
With this configuration, when water is irrigated on the upper slope, the water moves downward through the permeable layer. At this time, since the permeable layer has high resistance and also causes a capillary phenomenon, the irrigated water spreads over the entire irrigated base. Therefore, the water is evenly distributed to each cultivation tank arranged on the irrigation base. The water that has reached each cultivation tank is sucked up by a water retention material at the bottom of the cultivation tank by capillary action, and is retained in each cultivation tank. Moreover, since each cultivation tank is arranged separately, water does not move directly between the cultivation tanks. Therefore, the cultivation tanks on the lower slope and the upper cultivation tank are equally irrigated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a difference in plant growth from occurring in each cultivation tank.
[0076]
In addition, since each cultivation tank is irrigated by suction of the water retention material by capillary action, each cultivation tank is always supplied with an appropriate amount of water without being excessively irrigated. Therefore, the water stress applied to the root of the plant is small and the growth is good, so that a high quality plant can be produced.
[0077]
A first configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention is to lay a water-retaining material having water retention properties on the bottom of the inner surface of a cultivation tank made of a bag-like packaging material having water permeability, and to form a powder or A medium containing a granular or fibrous superabsorbent polymer is packed, and plants are planted and cultivated in the medium.
[0078]
With this configuration, the water retention capacity of the cultivation tank becomes very large due to the superabsorbent polymer and the water retention material contained in the medium. Therefore, since the number of times of irrigation can be reduced, plant cultivation is facilitated. In addition, since the water retention capacity of the medium is large, the amount of the medium required for plant cultivation may be small. Therefore, the cultivation tank can be reduced in size and weight, and the transportation of the cultivation tank becomes easy. Therefore, it is possible to carry the cultivation tank in place and grow the plant.
[0079]
A second configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first configuration, a plant is cultivated by performing drip irrigation on the medium with a drip irrigation tube.
[0080]
With this configuration, excessive irrigation of the plant can be avoided. Therefore, water can be saved during cultivation. When excessive irrigation is performed, the excess water is drained out of the cultivation tank, and the fertilizer in the culture medium also runs off with the drainage. However, by performing drip irrigation, wasteful drainage can be reduced, so that runoff of fertilizer can be prevented.
[0081]
A third configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second configuration, the plant is cultivated in a state where the cultivation tank is suspended in the air.
[0082]
Thereby, damage of soil pests can be prevented. In addition, since weed seeds and roots do not easily enter, there is no need to worry about weed propagation. Therefore, it is not necessary to use pesticides for controlling soil disturbing insects and controlling weeds.
[0083]
In a fourth configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, in the first or second configuration, the culture medium is packed in the cultivation tank formed of a bag-shaped packaging material having root permeability, and a plant is planted in the culture medium. It is characterized by cultivation.
[0084]
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the roots of the plant from becoming rooted in the cultivation tank. Further, in the root system of the plant, the development of secondary roots and hair roots is promoted, and the efficiency of nutrient water absorption of the root system is improved. As a result, the growth of the plant is promoted, and a high-quality plant can be produced.
[0085]
The fifth configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention is the third or fourth configuration, in which two or more cultivation tanks are arranged adjacent to each other on a suspension support member that is laid horizontally or almost horizontally. It is characterized in that plants are cultivated in the respective cultivation tanks by hanging them in a state where they are in contact with each other.
[0086]
With this configuration, the suspended cultivation tank is stabilized, so that even if the center of gravity of the cultivation tank slightly tilts with the growth of the plant, the cultivation tank is prevented from tilting.
[0087]
A sixth configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, in the third configuration, in a state in which each of the cultivation tanks is supported by being lifted from a lower surface by a suspension support suspended from the suspension support member. And cultivating the plant in each of the cultivation tanks.
[0088]
With this configuration, the surface of the culture medium inside the cultivation tank is kept horizontal, so that stems and leaves near the root of the cultivated plant are prevented from bending and growing, and a decrease in the commercial value of the plant can be prevented.
[0089]
A seventh configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention is the first or second configuration, wherein the water-permeable layer laid on a flat surface, a slope or a vertical surface, and the water-permeable material laid on the upper surface of the water-permeable layer. A plurality of the cultivation tanks are placed separately on an upper surface of an irrigation base having a permeable layer having, and a root barrier layer laid on the upper surface of the permeable layer, and irrigation is performed on the permeable layer of the irrigation base. By cultivating a plant.
[0090]
With this configuration, by irrigating the permeable layer of the irrigating base, it is possible to evenly irrigate each cultivation tank. Therefore, irrigation management becomes easy.
[0091]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0092]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0093]
In FIG. 1, a cultivation tank 1 of a plant cultivation apparatus includes a culture medium 2 and a bag-shaped packaging material 3 that contains the culture medium 2. The culture medium 2 contains a granular superabsorbent polymer having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 0.5 mmφ, and a culture soil containing fertilizer. "Skygel" (trade name) manufactured by Mebiol Co., Ltd. is used as the superabsorbent polymer, and peat moss and perlite are used as culture soil. The culture soil is not limited to this, and vermiculite, silica, mulch, and an organic compound can also be used. As a fertilizer, a fertilizer-controlling fertilizer is added. The mixing ratio of the superabsorbent polymer is 0.5 to 1.0 g of the superabsorbent polymer per 1 liter of dry peat moss. The packaging material 3 is formed in a vertically long bag shape. The packaging material 3 is made of a woven fabric of polypropylene having air permeability and water permeability. Specifically, a "sheet for plant cultivation" (trade name) manufactured by Nippon Petrochemical Co., Ltd. is used. I have. The encapsulating material 3 has flexibility, can absorb a volume change due to swelling of the culture medium 2, and can be freely bent. This woven fabric is formed with a mesh having a diameter of about 0.5 to 1.0 mm as a whole, and fine roots can smoothly pass through the woven cloth, so that the woven cloth has root permeability.
[0094]
A water retention material 4 made of a nonwoven fabric sheet of hydrophilic polyester having a thickness of about 5 to 10 mm is laid on the inner bottom of the packaging material 3, and the water retention material 4 has a water absorbing property. A plurality of openings 5 are provided in a side portion of the packaging material 3 in a longitudinal direction, and a plant 6 is planted in the culture medium 2 so that stems and leaves are put out of the packaging material 3 through the openings 5. I have. The root system 6 a of the plant 6 is formed in the medium 2. Note that a plurality of openings 5 are provided alternately on the left and right side surfaces of the packaging material 3. The reason why the openings 5 are provided alternately on the left and right is that it is possible to plant the plants at intervals where the leaves of the adjacent plants 6 and 6 do not come into contact with each other and at a density as high as possible. . In addition, by planting the plants 6 and 6 equally to the left and right, the weight balance of the cultivation tub 1 is substantially equal between the left and right, and the cultivation tub 1 is prevented from tilting to one of the left and right.
[0095]
A support 7 made of a wire of No. 8 is passed through the upper part of the packaging material 3. The support 7 is suspended and suspended by a hook-shaped suspension 8 in a detachable manner on a suspension rod 9 fixed in the air so as to be horizontal to the ground. Thereby, the cultivation tank 1 is in a state of being suspended by the suspension rod 9.
[0096]
On the upper surface of the culture medium 2 inside the encapsulating material 3, a drip irrigation pipe 10 for performing drip irrigation on the culture medium 2 is provided. Water is drip-injected into the culture medium 2 through the drip irrigation tube 10. The drip irrigation pipe 10 uses "Streamline 60" (trade name) manufactured by Sumika Agricultural Materials Co., Ltd.
[0097]
The plant cultivation method of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above will be described below.
[0098]
First, the culture medium 2 is filled in the packaging material 3 in a state where the hanging part 8 of the cultivation tank 1 is detached from the hanging rod 9. Next, the plant 6 is planted in the culture medium 2, the cultivation tub 1 is hung on the hanging rod 9 by the suspension 8, and the drip irrigation pipe 10 is passed through the cultivation tub 2. The water suction side of the drip irrigation tube 10 is connected to a water suction pump (not shown), and water is supplied to the drip irrigation tube 10 by applying a constant pressure by the water suction pump to perform water irrigation.
[0099]
Part of the irrigated water is absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer contained in the culture medium 2, and the superabsorbent polymer absorbs water and swells. In addition, a part of the water is retained in the pores in the culture medium 2 as capillary water. Thereby, a large amount of water is retained in the medium 2.
[0100]
The superabsorbent polymer contained in the culture medium 2 is formed by cross-linking a water-soluble polymer such as a polymer electrolyte into a network-like structure and insolubilizing the polymer. Therefore, the hydrophilic group attached to the polymer chain captures water molecules between the network polymer chains and expands to form a gel, absorbing and retaining water 50 to 100 times or more its own weight. Most of the water retained in the superabsorbent polymer is in free water or semi-bound water, and most of the water has a pF value of 1.6 to 4.2 available to plants 6.
[0101]
Further, since the superabsorbent polymer is in the form of particles, a certain air gap is secured between the particles of each superabsorbent polymer even when the superabsorbent polymer is hydrogelated by absorbing water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air in the culture medium 2 from being completely depleted. Therefore, when the superabsorbent polymer is contained in the culture medium 2, water, air, and fertilizer necessary for growing the plant 6 can be fixed in the space. The plant 6 itself to be cultivated is fixed in the space by the medium 2 and the encapsulating material 3.
[0102]
On the other hand, a part of the irrigated water permeates the culture medium 2 and is absorbed and retained by the water retention material 4 below. As described above, when the water retaining material 4 retains a part of the irrigation water and the medium 2 becomes insufficient in water, the water is supplied from the water retaining material 4 to the medium 2 by capillary action. Fluctuations in water retention are reduced. In addition, the medium 2 is maintained in an appropriate water retention state for a long period of time. That is, the water retention amount of the cultivation tank 1 as a whole increases. Thereby, the irrigation efficiency is improved, and the supply interval of irrigation can be made longer.
[0103]
Further, water that cannot be completely retained by the water retention material 4 is dropped and discharged from the lower part of the water-permeable packing material 3 as gravity water. Thereby, the inside of the culture medium 2 becomes in a state of excess water, and the air becomes insufficient, so that root rot of the plant 6 and large water stress on the plant are prevented.
[0104]
In addition, since the fertilizer is contained in the medium 2 from the beginning, only the water is used for watering, and the fertilizer nutrient solution is not used. Thereby, the trouble that the drip irrigation pipe is blocked due to the deposition of the fertilizer component (iron component or the like) does not occur, and the maintenance of the drip irrigation pipe becomes extremely easy. Further, a device for mixing and supplying a nutrient solution to irrigation is not required, the configuration of the entire device is simplified, and a plant cultivation device can be provided at a low price.
[0105]
By performing watering, the fertilizer in the medium 2 is dissolved in water, but the dissolved fertilizer is retained or adsorbed by the superabsorbent polymer or peat moss in the medium 2 and fertilized. Therefore, the plant 6 is not deficient in fertilizer. That is, since the fertilizer is contained in the culture soil, the fertilizer dissolves into the medium 2 and is filled with the well-balanced medium nutrient solution only by performing irrigation. That is, components such as nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potassium are present in the medium 2 in the form of an aqueous solution that is easily absorbed by the plant, and the nutrient absorption of the plant 6 is increased. Therefore, growth of the plant 6 is promoted, and high production and high quality of the plant 6 are achieved.
[0106]
Here, the superabsorbent polymer is composed of ammonium nitrogen (NH) which is a fertilizer component.₄-N) and bases (MgO, K₂O, CaO, etc.). That is, it also has a fertilizing effect. Nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potassium are particularly important for the growth of plants. Among them, the nitrogen component contained in the nitrogen fertilizer in the culture soil is organic by nitrifying bacteria.₄ ⁺→ NO₂ ⁻→ NO₃ ⁻Change as early as. This NO₃ ⁻Is easy to dissolve in water, and is easily washed away by water movement. However, the superabsorbent polymer, together with water,₃ ⁻Is maintained in the culture medium 2, so that the fertilizing power of the culture medium 2 is larger than that of ordinary soil.
[0107]
Further, since the superabsorbent polymer has a high water retention capacity, the amount of the medium 2 required for growing the plant may be small. Therefore, the whole cultivation tank 1 can be reduced in size and weight. Specifically, in a state where irrigation is performed and the medium 2 is supplied with the field capacity of water, the weight per 1 m of the length of the cultivation tank 1 can be set to about 3 to 10 kg. Therefore, it is not necessary to take a special frame or space as the hanging bar 7. For example, the cultivation tub 1 can be suspended on a beam of a vinyl house to grow a plant.
[0108]
In addition, since the superabsorbent polymer holds a large amount of water, the field water capacity of the medium 2 is large, and the medium is subject to changes in various conditions such as temperature conditions, sunshine conditions, humidity conditions, and water consumption conditions of the plant 6. The change in the moisturizing state inside 2 is reduced. Therefore, the water stress on the root system 6a of the plant 6 can be extremely reduced. Therefore, the plant 6 can always perform photosynthesis continuously, and the growth of the plant 6 is further promoted.
[0109]
In addition, as long as the medium 2 is appropriately supplied with irrigation, the packaging material 3 is always in a wet state with water. Therefore, when the temperature of the culture medium 2 rises, the moisture permeating the packaging material 3 evaporates, and the culture medium 2 is cooled by latent heat of evaporation. That is, the packaging material 3 itself has a temperature change buffering action. Therefore, it is also possible to reduce stress caused by a temperature change on the roots of the plant 6.
[0110]
On the other hand, as described above, the water absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer has, on average, a larger pF value than ordinary free water (that is, contains more water in a semi-bound state). Therefore, it is difficult to evaporate as compared with ordinary free water. In addition, since the field water capacity of the culture medium 2 is large, most of the irrigation is absorbed by the culture medium 2 and the amount of irrigation that runs off as gravity water can be minimized. Therefore, since watering can be given to the plant as much as possible, the efficiency of watering can be improved and the number of times of watering can be greatly reduced.
[0111]
In the experiment, it was proved that about three times of irrigation was performed in a normal soil, but only one time of irrigation was required in a culture soil containing the superabsorbent polymer in the above-described ratio. Therefore, irrigation management is facilitated and management labor is reduced.
[0112]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the plant cultivation apparatus according to the present embodiment is suspended from a beam of a vinyl house. In conventional hydroponic cultivation, etc., it was impossible to suspend the cultivation tank on the beam of the existing vinyl house because of the weight of the cultivation tank, but the plant cultivation apparatus of the present embodiment is Since the cultivation tub 1 is extremely lightweight, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to cultivate the plants by suspending the cultivation tub 1 on a beam of an existing vinyl house. Therefore, by arranging the cultivation tank 1 in a space that has not been used conventionally, the space can be effectively used, and the sales and profits of agricultural management can be increased.
[0113]
As described above, according to the plant cultivation apparatus of the present embodiment, the plant cultivation tank can be reduced in size and weight, and the cultivation tank can be easily installed even in a vacant lot or a narrow land. In addition, the equipment cost is low, the management of irrigation and fertilization is easy, and the labor for agricultural work is reduced. Further, it is possible to cultivate high-yield and high-quality plants.
[0114]
Finally, the effect of the sheet having root permeability used as the packaging material 3 on the roots of the plant will be described.
[0115]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a process of growing roots of a plant near a packaging material.
In FIG. 4A, the root tip 12 of the parent root 11 of the plant elongates as it grows and reaches the inner surface of the encapsulating material 3. Here, since the packaging material 3 is formed of a member having root permeability, the root end 12 of the parent root 11 penetrates the mesh 3 a of the packaging material 3 and extends to the outside of the packaging material 3. The root tip 12 of the parent root 11 of the plant that has extended to the outside of the encapsulating material 3 is dried by the outside air, and a drought stress is applied to the root tip 12. Therefore, the root tip 12 stops growing. As a result, the growth of the parent root 11 of the plant stops, so that no root winding occurs.
[0116]
Next, when the extension of the root tip 12 stops, secondary root formation starts near the root tip 12 of the parent root 11. The secondary root formation occurs even when the elongation of the root tip 12 is not stopped. However, the position of the secondary root is at a certain distance from the root tip 12, and the fiber bundle element of the parent root 11 has a constant growth of the endothelium. If the stage is not reached, no secondary primitive is formed. In other words, basically, plants elongate parent roots 11 such as the main root and the primary root in order to stabilize the strain, so that secondary root formation is delayed. Therefore, the root tip length (the length from the tip of the root to the position of the secondary root that first appears) becomes longer. However, when the elongation of the root tip 12 is stopped by the drought stress, the secondary root 14 is formed in a compensatory manner near the root tip 12 (see FIG. 4B). In addition, the secondary root formation is promoted by the amount by which the elongation of the parent root 11 is stopped, and a relatively large number of thick and long secondary roots 14 are formed. Further, in the vicinity of the root end 12 of the parent root 11 and the secondary root 14, a large number of hair roots 13 and 13 'are remarkably formed. These hair roots 13 and 13 ′ have a high function of absorbing nutrient water in the culture medium 2, and improve the nutrient absorption of the plant. As a result, the growth of the plant becomes good.
[0117]
As described above, the use of a sheet having root permeability as the encapsulating material 3 promotes the formation of secondary roots, so that a root system having a high nutrient absorption efficiency can be formed in a limited amount of the medium 2. Is done. Then, as a result of improving the function of absorbing the nutrient water of the plant, an effect of improving the growth of the plant occurs.
[0118]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, the medium 2, the packaging material 3, the water retention material 4, the opening 5, the plant 6, and the root system 6a are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0119]
The cultivation tank 1 ′ of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the present embodiment is installed in a state of being placed on the ground 20. In this case, the packaging material 2 may be a member such as a polyester fiber having air permeability and water permeability, but a rubber sheet is used as the packaging material 2 in the case of flowers or the like in which the plant 6 prefers a humid environment. May be used.
[0120]
In the present embodiment, a dripper 21 capable of drip irrigation is used instead of the drip irrigation pipe. The dripper 21 has a tip inserted into the culture medium 2 and includes a stabilizer 21a for injecting irrigation into the culture medium 2 and a water supply tube 21b for supplying irrigation to the stabilizer 21a. One end of the water supply tube 21b is connected to a water supply pipe 22 arranged in parallel with the cultivation tank 1 '. Water is supplied to the water supply pipe 22 at a constant water pressure from a water supply pump (not shown). A plurality of drippers 21 are provided at various positions in the cultivation tank 1 'at appropriate intervals for irrigation. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to pass the drip irrigation tube through the encapsulating material 3, and the installation of the cultivation tank 1 'becomes easy.
[0121]
Further, in the present embodiment, a temperature control tube 23 for controlling the temperature of the culture medium 2 is laid on the upper surface of the culture medium 2 inside the packaging material 3. Hot or cold water is flowed through the temperature control tube 23 as a heating medium or a cooling medium to adjust the temperature of the culture medium 2 and the surrounding air. With this configuration, cultivation of plants such as flowers that are vulnerable to cold and heat is also facilitated.
[0122]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the plant cultivation device of the second embodiment is installed on the ground.
FIG. 6 shows a state before the water supply pipe 22 and the dripper 21 are laid. Further, a rubber sheet is used as the packaging material 3. In this way, by cultivating plants by installing the cultivation tank 1 'of the cultivation apparatus of the present embodiment on fallow farmland, the land can be effectively used, which leads to an increase in the sales and profit of the agricultural management. Can be.
[0123]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view near a cultivation tank of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0124]
7 and 8, the plant cultivation device 30 according to the present embodiment has an irrigation base 35 including an impermeable water-permeable sheet 32, a water-permeable sheet 33, and a water-permeable root sheet 34, on the upper surface of the inclined base 31. Is formed. On the upper surface of the watering base 35, a plurality of cultivation tanks 36 are horizontally placed side by side at intervals in the inclination direction.
[0125]
An irrigation pipe 42 is horizontally disposed over the entire width of the irrigation base 35 at the uppermost slope of the irrigation base 35. Water or nutrient solution is supplied to the watering base 35 from the watering pipe 42.
[0126]
As the water-blocking sheet 32, a normal vinyl sheet, polyester sheet, or the like can be used. Further, as the water-permeable sheet 33, a sheet such as a nonwoven fabric or a sponge having a water retention property while penetrating nutrient water is used. The water-permeable root-shielding sheet 34 is a sheet for root-blocking the fine roots of the plant cultivated in the cultivation tub 36, and a sheet having water permeability is used.
[0127]
The cultivation tank 36 has a horizontally long bag-shaped packaging material 38 for containing the culture medium 37, and a water retention material 39 laid on the inner bottom of the packaging material 38. The encapsulating material 38 is a sheet member having air permeability, water permeability, and root permeability as in the first embodiment. Openings 40 are formed at predetermined intervals above the packaging material 38, and plants 41 are planted in the openings 40.
[0128]
The same medium as described in the first embodiment is used as the medium 37. As the water retaining material 39, a nonwoven fabric or a highly water-absorbing polymer fiber having higher water absorption than the water-permeable sheet 33 is used. Specifically, as the water retention material 39, for example, polyester fiber or the like can be used.
[0129]
The operation of the plant cultivation apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
[0130]
The water or nutrient solution supplied from the irrigation pipe 42 permeates the water-permeable sheet 33 and moves downward in the water-permeable sheet 33 as gravity water due to the inclination of the gantry 31. When the gravitational water in the water permeable sheet 33 reaches the lower part of each cultivation tank 36, the gravitational water permeates the packaging material 38 of the cultivation tank 36, is absorbed by the water retention material 39 and the medium 37, and is retained.
[0131]
Since the irrigation supplied to each cultivation tank 36 is temporarily absorbed and retained in the water retention material 39 and the culture medium 37, even if the irrigation is interrupted, each cultivation tank 36 remains in a wet state for a relatively long time. Is kept. That is, the time interval for performing watering can be lengthened, and watering management during plant cultivation becomes easy.
[0132]
In addition, since the gravity water propagates through the water-permeable sheet 33 and spreads over the entire irrigation base 35, the cultivation tanks 36 are evenly watered. And since each cultivation tank 36 is arrange | positioned at predetermined intervals, there is no movement of water between each cultivation tank 36. Therefore, water does not move from the cultivation tank 36 on the upper slope to the cultivation tank 36 on the lower slope. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cultivation tank 36 at the upper part of the slope from being insufficiently watered and the cultivation tank 36 at the lower part of the slope from being excessively watered.
[0133]
Further, even when the wind is strong, the cultivation tank 36 does not shake, and the stability is excellent.
[0134]
(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The plant cultivation apparatus 50 of the present embodiment has two cultivation tanks 52, 52 each formed of a packaging material for containing a culture medium 51. As in the first embodiment, the medium 51 contains a granular superabsorbent polymer and culture soil. As in the case of the first embodiment, a woven polypropylene fabric having air permeability, water permeability, and root permeability is used for the packaging material constituting the cultivation tanks 52, 52.
[0135]
The size of the cultivation tank 52 in the present embodiment is a bag having a size of about 60 cm in length and about 10 cm in width, and has a content of about 1.5 liters. When the cultivation tank 52 is covered with the water absorbing material 54 and filled with the culture medium 51 and is allowed to absorb water, the total weight becomes about 1.4 kg, and the size and weight are easily carried.
[0136]
A support 52 a made of a wire of the eighth line is passed through the upper part of each cultivation tank 52. The support is hung by a hook-shaped hanging part 52b on a hanging supporting member 53 fixed horizontally in the air. The left and right cultivation tanks 52 are balanced with each other with their side surfaces in contact with each other.
[0137]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the cultivation tanks 52, 52 are stabilized by hanging the left and right cultivation tanks 52, 52 so that they are in contact with each other. , 58 are prevented from tilting even when a slight imbalance in the right and left weights occurs with the growth of the cultivation tanks 52, 58.
[0138]
That is, for example, in the plant cultivation apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, the cultivation tub 1 is supported at one point on the suspension rod 9 by the suspension 8, and thus is easily rotated left and right. Therefore, when the growth rates of the plants protruding to the left and right of the cultivation tub 1 are different, for example, when the growth of the right plant is good and the growth of the left plant is bad, the cultivation tub 1 is easily inclined to the left. .
[0139]
However, in the case of the plant cultivation device 50 in the present embodiment, each cultivation tank 52 is supported by the hanging support member 53 by the hanging part 52b, and the two cultivation tanks 52 are in contact with each other on the side surface. ing. Therefore, the two cultivation tanks 52, 52 do not easily rotate even if their weights are unbalanced. Therefore, for example, even when the growth of one plant is good and the growth of the other plant is bad, both cultivation tanks 52 and 52 have good stability and are hard to tilt.
[0140]
The suspension support member 53 is made of an aluminum alloy, and has a crescent-shaped gutter-like cross section. The groove 53a inside the suspension support member 53 has an arc-shaped cross-section on the inner surface, and is arranged such that the groove opening 53b faces vertically downward.
[0141]
A water retention material 54 is laid on the inner bottom surfaces of the cultivation tanks 52, 52, as in the first embodiment. Openings 55, 55 are formed on the left and right sides of the cultivation tanks 52, 52, similarly to the first embodiment, and stems and leaves are formed outside the cultivation tanks 52, 52 through the openings 55, 55. The plants 58, 58 are planted in the culture media 51, 51 so as to appear.
[0142]
A drip irrigation tube 56 for drip irrigation of the culture media 51, 51 is accommodated in the groove 53a of the suspension support member 53. Here, the diameter of the drip irrigation pipe 56 is configured to be larger than the width of the groove 53 a of the suspension support member 53. Therefore, the drip irrigation pipe 56 is supported at both ends of the groove 53a and held in the groove 53a without being particularly supported by a string or a wire.
[0143]
In the space between the left and right cultivation tanks 52, 52, a temperature control pipe 57 for heating or cooling the culture media 51, 51 is held in a state sandwiched between the two cultivation tanks 52, 52. The temperature control tube 57 is only sandwiched between the left and right cultivation tanks 52, 52, and does not need to be fixed to the hanging support member 53 with a string or wire. That is, since the left and right cultivation tanks 52 are suspended while being pressed against each other by their own weights, the temperature control can be performed without fixing the temperature control pipe 57 to the hanging support member 53 in particular. Tube 57 is well held and will not fall.
[0144]
If necessary, a water-soluble fertilizer can be held in the space between the left and right cultivation tanks 52, 52. As a result, the fertilizer dissolves in water and penetrates into the culture medium 51 through the packaging material, so that fertilization can be performed.
[0145]
Next, a plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of cultivating plant seedlings, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of transport of seedlings, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state where seedlings are installed in a plant cultivation apparatus.
[0146]
When cultivating a plant, first, the cultivation tank 52 is removed from the suspension support member 53, and a new medium 51 is packed in the cultivation tank 52, and then a plant seedling is planted in the medium 51 through the opening 55. As described above, since the seedlings can be planted after the cultivation tub 52 is detached from the suspension support member 53, the work is easy and the work efficiency is good. Moreover, since the cultivation tank 52 is only hung by the suspension support member 53, it is easy to attach and detach it.
[0147]
Next, when seedlings are required, as shown in FIG. 10, the cultivation tank 52 is placed on the irrigation base 35 laid on the inclined base 31 similarly to the plant cultivation apparatus described in the third embodiment. The cultivation tub 52 is spread and placed on the cultivation tank 52 for raising seedlings. In some cases, seedlings may be grown in a nursery field where temperature management and sunshine management are performed.
[0148]
Since the medium 51 has a sufficient water retention and fertilizing power even in a small amount, the amount of the medium 51 packed in the cultivation tank 52 is small. Therefore, the cultivation tub 52 itself is lightweight, and the cultivation tub 52 can be carried with one hand as shown in FIG. Then, at the stage where the seedlings have been raised, the cultivation tub 52 is carried to a wide cultivation field, and the cultivation tub 52 is hung on the hanging support member 53 so that the planted plant is on the outside as shown in FIG. Put on. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a temperature control tube 57 for heating or cooling the culture medium 51 is sandwiched and held between the left and right cultivation tanks 52, 52. As described above, since the temperature control pipe 57 can be installed simply by sandwiching it, the installation work is simple and the workability is good.
[0149]
The temperature of the culture medium 51 is adjusted by flowing circulating water whose temperature has been adjusted through the temperature adjusting pipe 57. In addition, the irrigation is leaked from the drip irrigation pipe 56 provided in the groove 53 a of the suspension support member 53. The leaked irrigation water drops downward from a groove opening 53b formed in the lower part of the suspension support member 53. By this watering, the cultivated soils 51, 51 in the left and right cultivation tanks 52, 52 are evenly watered. As described above, the cultivation soils 51, 51 in the left and right cultivation tanks 52, 52 can be evenly watered by one drip watering pipe 56, so that the configuration of the watering equipment is simple and the equipment cost is reduced. You.
[0150]
In addition, since the cultivation tub 52 is easy to carry, the cultivation tub 52 is packed in a nursery field, and after the seedlings are trained, the seedlings of the plant are transported together with the cultivation tub 52 and are hung on the hanging support members 53. It can be used to grow plants. Therefore, it is possible to easily cultivate a plant with a small area and a small labor.
[0151]
Further, in the cultivation field, when the harvest of the cultivated plants grown in the cultivation tank 52 is completed, the cultivation tank 52 in which new seedlings are planted is carried from the nursery field and replaced with the cultivation tank 52 that has been harvested. It becomes possible to cultivate various plants. Therefore, highly efficient plant cultivation can be performed in a small cultivation field.
[0152]
(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
In FIG. 13, cultivation soil 51, cultivation tanks 52, 52, supports 52 a, 52 a, hanging portions 52 b, 52 b, water retention materials 54, 54, openings 55, 55, and drip irrigation pipe 56 are the same as in the fourth embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.
[0153]
The plant cultivation apparatus 60 in the present embodiment uses a gutter-shaped C-shaped gutter as the suspension support member 53 '. This C-shaped gutter is made of stainless steel or vinyl chloride. The drip irrigation pipe 56 is inserted into the groove 53a 'of the suspension support member 53'. Since the width of the groove opening 53b 'of the suspension support member 53' is smaller than the width of the drip irrigation tube 56, the drip irrigation tube 56 is held in the groove 53a 'of the suspension support member 53'. Further, the drip irrigation pipe 56 directly drip and irrigate the culture medium 51 through the groove opening 53b 'of the suspension support member 53'.
[0154]
At the bottom of the cultivation tanks 52, 52, a support body 61 for supporting the cultivation tanks 52, 52 in a state of being lifted from the lower surface is provided. And the support body 61 is hung by the hanging support member 53 'by the hanging string 61b. The support 61 is made of a plastic net, and is configured so as not to impair the air permeability, water permeability, and root permeability of the cultivation tank 52.
[0155]
In this way, by supporting the cultivation tubs 52, 52 in a state of being lifted from the lower surface by the support body 61, the surfaces of the culture media in the cultivation tubs 52, 52 are maintained substantially in a horizontal state.
[0156]
That is, if there is no support body 61, as shown in FIG. 14, when the strength of the water retaining materials 54, 54 is low, the cultivation tanks 52, 52 are gradually elongated and deformed due to the weight of irrigation. . As a result, the surfaces of the cultivation soils 51 and 51 are inclined, and the plants 59 and 59 being planted are inclined. On the other hand, the plant 59 has a property of growing vertically upward. Therefore, stems and leaves near the root of the plant 59 are bent. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when leek is planted in a cultivation tank, a leek with a bent root is produced. In this way, bent vegetables such as leafy stem vegetables are not preferable because of their low commercial value.
[0157]
On the other hand, in the plant cultivation apparatus 60 of this embodiment, since the cultivation tanks 52, 52 are lifted from the lower surface and supported by the support body 61, the cultivation tanks 52, 52 are prevented from being vertically elongated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the plant 59 that is being planted is prevented from tilting, so that it is possible to produce a plant whose root portion is not bent. Therefore, even when producing leaf stem vegetables and the like, it is possible to prevent the commercial value from being lowered due to the bending of the root.
[0158]
(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a main part of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a water collecting sheet of FIG.
[0159]
In FIG. 15, the culture medium 51, the cultivation tanks 52, 52, the supports 52a, 52a, the suspensions 52b, 52b, the water retention materials 54, 54, the openings 55, 55, the drip irrigation pipe 56, and the plant 58 are shown in FIG. Since they are similar, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.
[0160]
In the plant cultivation apparatus 70 of the present embodiment, a C-shaped gutter member in which a cutout groove 53b "is formed in a part of a circular pipe is used as the suspension support member 53". The width of the notch groove 53b "is formed to be narrower than the width of the drip irrigation pipe 56. Thus, the drip irrigation pipe 56 is held in the groove 53a" of the suspension support member 53 ". Similarly to the fifth embodiment, the drip irrigation is directly performed on the culture medium 51 from the drip irrigation pipe 56.
[0161]
Further, the plant cultivation apparatus 70 of the present embodiment is characterized in that a water collecting sheet 71 provided to cover the outside of the cultivation tanks 52, 52 is provided. The water collecting sheet 71 is provided so as to cover the lower surfaces of the cultivation tanks 52, 52, and a water storage part 71 a for storing water collected by the water collecting sheet 71 is formed below the water collecting sheet 71. ing.
[0162]
As shown in FIG. 16, the water collecting sheet 71 is formed by folding a single polyester sheet into two, and heat-sealing a portion 71c slightly closer to the end than the fold at intervals to form a water storage portion 71a. Is formed. In addition, a drain port 71d is opened in places below the water storage section 71a.
[0163]
By turning both ends of the water collecting sheet 71 above the hanging support members 53 ″ so as to cover the outside of the cultivation tank 52, and holding both ends of the water collecting sheet 71 with the wide plate-shaped clips 72, water collecting is performed. The sheet 71 is held by a suspension support member 53 ″.
[0164]
The medium 51 is drip-irrigated by a drip irrigation pipe 56. When the irrigation exceeds the field water capacity of the medium, water is dropped from the bottom of the cultivation tanks 52a and 52b onto the water collecting sheet 71, and the water collecting sheet The water is collected in a water storage portion 71a. The collected water is drained from the drain 71d. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from dripping from each location of the cultivation tanks 52, 52, and water is collected and drained at a specific location.
[0165]
The reason why the water storage section 71a is provided below the water collection sheet 71 is that the provision of the vertically long water collection section 71a increases the water level even when a small amount of water is collected. When the water level is high, the water easily flows, so that the water flows to the drain port 71d and is easily drained.
[0166]
【Example】
Hereinafter, a water retention test and a plant growth test were performed on the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, and the results will be described.
[0167]
(Example 1)
Example 1 shows the results of a water retention test performed on the plant cultivation apparatus described in Embodiment 4 above.
[0168]
In the test, four types of cultivation tanks adjusted by a predetermined method as shown in Table 1 were immersed in a water pool for 60 minutes, and then each cultivation tank was suspended in the air using a hook, and each elapsed time was measured. This was done by measuring the change in weight with respect to
[0169]
The cultivation tank used for the test used was adjusted as shown in Table 1 below.
[Table 1]

[0170]
Each cultivation tank was filled with about 1 liter of medium. The amount of medium in Table 1 represents the weight of the medium filled in each cultivation tank. The total weight in Table 1 is the weight of the culture soil plus the weight of the superabsorbent polymer, water retention material, hook, or glass fiber.
[0171]
The following materials were used as test materials.
(1) Culture soil: Strawberry culture soil (contains peat moss and perlite)
(2) Super water-absorbing polymer (manufactured by Mebiol) Skygel (trade name)
(3) Water retention material Polyester nonwoven fabric Width 10cm × Length 60cm × Thickness 5mm
(4) Packaging material bag-like polyester woven fabric fold width 10 cm × length 60 cm
Contents 1.5 liters
[0172]
When the superabsorbent polymer was mixed with the medium, 10 gf of the superabsorbent polymer was mixed with 1 liter of the culture soil.
[0173]
As a result of the measurement under the above conditions, the results shown in Table 2 were obtained.
[Table 2]

[0174]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a temporal change of a ratio of a weight after water supply to a total weight of each cultivation tank before water supply, and FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state of the cultivation tank 30 minutes after water supply. From FIG. 17, it can be seen that “only gel” and “mat + gel” have about twice as much water retention as “no mat and gel” and “only mat”.
[0175]
Further, the water retention amounts of “gel only” and “mat + gel” are almost equal, but the slope of weight reduction is larger in “gel only” than in “mat + gel”. That is, it is understood that the water retained by the irrigation easily flows out.
[0176]
In FIG. 18, numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the figure correspond to numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Table 1, respectively. As shown in FIG. 18, the No. 3 and No. 4 media containing the superabsorbent polymer expand by retaining water. At this time, it can be seen that since the packaging material is constituted by a bag-shaped sheet, it is flexibly deformed with respect to the expansion of the medium, and the medium does not overflow.
[0177]
(Example 2)
Example 2 shows the results of a leaf lettuce cultivation test performed by the plant cultivation apparatus described in the fourth embodiment.
[0178]
FIG. 19 shows the results obtained by cultivation tests for the case where the water-retaining material was laid in the cultivation tank and the medium was cultivated without mixing the superabsorbent polymer into the medium (a), and the case where neither the water-retaining material nor the superabsorbent polymer was used (b). It is a figure showing the leaf lettuce. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing leaf lettuce obtained by a cultivation test when neither a water retention material nor a superabsorbent polymer was used, and FIG. It is a figure showing the leaf lettuce obtained by the cultivation test about the case where it mixes and cultivates.
[0179]
The cultivation test was carried out by hanging the cultivation tank with a hook on a rod passed horizontally and performing drip irrigation with a drip irrigation tube for cultivation.
[0180]
As can be seen from FIG. 19, in the case where the water-retaining material is laid in the cultivation tank and cultivation is performed without mixing the superabsorbent polymer in the culture medium (a), and in the case where neither the water-retaining material nor the superabsorbent polymer is used (b). Means that the leaf lettuce produced is generally smaller. The weight per leaf lettuce was 110 to 130 g in the case where neither the water-retentive material nor the superabsorbent polymer was used (b). In the case (a), the weight was 120 to 150 g. In the case of (b), as shown in FIG. 20, a phenomenon was observed in which the growth between leaf lettuce strains was uneven. This is because there is some difference in growth between the strains. However, when neither the water retention material nor the superabsorbent polymer is used, the amount of nutrient water in the medium is largely uneven, and the medium is likely to be partially dried. In particular, in the case of drip irrigation, since the irrigation is performed from a specific point, partial drying of the medium is likely to occur. Thus, when the medium is partially dried, it is considered that the growth difference between the leaf lettuce strains is promoted, and as a result, the growth between the leaf lettuce strains is uneven.
[0181]
On the other hand, when the water-retaining material was spread in the cultivation tank and the medium was mixed with the superabsorbent polymer and cultivated, as shown in FIG. 21, it grew into a considerably large leaf lettuce strain. The weight per leaf lettuce obtained in this test was 220 to 250 g, and it grew to about twice the weight of the cases (a) and (b).
[0182]
This is considered to be because the water retention and fertilizing power of the cultivation tank are high and the water environment and fertilizer environment in the rhizosphere of leaf lettuce are stable. That is, it is considered that the water stress and the fertilizer stress applied to the leaf lettuce are small, and the growth of the leaf lettuce strain is promoted.
[0183]
(Example 3)
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the plant cultivation apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is performing the erect cultivation.
[0184]
As shown in FIG. 22, when the plant is cultivated in an elevated state, the weight of the cultivation tank is light, and therefore, a clothesline can be used as the hanging support member.
[0185]
(Example 4)
FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are views showing examples in which the plant cultivation tank of the present invention is used for table vegetables.
[0186]
As shown in FIG. 23, a laying plate is placed on a table, and an enclosure is formed with a plastic chain or the like on the laying plate. Then, a vinyl sheet is laid on the enclosure, and a cultivation tank in which plants are planted as described in Embodiments 1 to 4 is placed thereon. In this way, fresh vegetables can be placed on the table, and the vegetables can be picked and eaten during a meal. Similarly, flowers can be placed and viewed on a table.
[0187]
As described above, since the cultivation tank itself is small and light, and the plant can be cultivated in a clean environment by the erect cultivation, it can be used as a cultivation tank for table vegetables and flowers to be viewed on the table. .
[0188]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the amount of medium required for obtaining the same water holding power and fertilizing power as ordinary soil can be extremely small. Can be reduced in size and weight. Therefore, since a large amount of plants can be harvested with a small cultivation area, the cultivation tank can be easily installed in a vacant lot or a narrow land regardless of the place. Therefore, it is possible to suspend and install the cultivation tank on land or space not used by agricultural producers, for example, on the frame of an existing vinyl house, which leads to an increase in income of agricultural producers. In addition, even in the case of installation in a general field, the number of plant cultivation lines per unit field area can be increased, and the production efficiency is improved.
[0189]
Further, the equipment is simple, and it is possible to introduce equipment for a plant cultivation apparatus at a low price. Therefore, it can be easily introduced to a small-scale farm or a general household that runs a home garden.
[0190]
In addition, since the efficiency of irrigation is good and the number of times of irrigation can be greatly reduced, irrigation can be easily managed. In addition, since the water stress and the fertilizer concentration stress applied to the plant can be alleviated, the growth of the plant is promoted, and high-yield and high-quality plant cultivation becomes possible.
[0191]
In addition, since it can be made small and light, it is easy to transport, and it is easy to carry the plant by transporting the cultivation tank to an appropriate place such as a nursery field or a main field according to the growth of the plant.
[0192]
In addition, since the cultivation tank is small, the cultivation density can be changed freely by moving the cultivation tank and changing the arrangement density. Can be. Therefore, the operation of transplanting seedlings is unnecessary, and the labor of agricultural work can be greatly reduced.
[0193]
If the fertilizer is included in the culture soil from the beginning, it is not necessary to apply fertilizer with a nutrient solution, and the plant can be cultivated only by irrigation. Therefore, cultivation facilities are simple because no equipment such as nutrient solution supply equipment is required, and there is no blockage of irrigation piping due to precipitation and adhesion of fertilizer components, and plant cultivation at extremely low equipment and maintenance costs. Can be.
[0194]
In addition, according to the second configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the cultivation tub is vertically long, so that the cultivation tub can be easily transported, and the workability in transporting the cultivation tub is improved. Moreover, it becomes easy to grow a plant in a state where the cultivation tank is suspended in the air. Furthermore, the cultivation tank can be used for slope cultivation and wall cultivation.
[0195]
Further, according to the third configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, by imparting root permeability to the encapsulating material, it is possible to prevent root winding and to promote the development of secondary roots and hair roots, so that plant cultivation is improved. Moisture absorption is activated, and high quality plants can be produced.
[0196]
Further, according to the fourth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, two or more cultivation tanks are suspended in a state where adjacent ones are in contact with each other. Even if the weight becomes unbalanced, the cultivation tank is prevented from tilting. Further, when the packaging material has root permeability, between the cultivation tanks in contact with each other, the roots of the plants extend into the next cultivation tank, and the nutrient water absorption of the plant is improved, Further, it becomes less susceptible to water stress. Therefore, it is possible to produce higher quality plants.
[0197]
Further, according to the fifth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to always secure the optimum conditions for the growth of the plant by drip irrigation. In addition, when the cultivation tank is attached to and detached from the suspension support member, the drip irrigation pipe is not damaged and the drip irrigation pipe does not become an obstacle, so that the attachment / detachment work becomes easy. In addition, since one drip irrigation pipe can be used to irrigate each cultivation tank suspended by the suspension support member, the irrigation equipment is simple and irrigation management is easy.
[0198]
Moreover, according to the sixth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the drip irrigation pipe from being damaged by mistake during the installation work of the cultivation tank or the like. In addition, the cultivation tank can be easily attached to and detached from the suspension support member, and workability is improved.
[0199]
Moreover, according to the seventh configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the temperature stress on the plant, so that the growth of the plant is promoted and the plant can be multi-harvested. . In addition, the installation of the temperature control member is easy, and the workability of the installation work is improved.
[0200]
Moreover, according to the eighth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the surface of the culture medium in the cultivation tank can be maintained flat by supporting each cultivation tank by lifting it from the lower surface with the support. . Therefore, the cultivated plant is prevented from having an irregular shape, and the commercial value of the cultivated plant can be prevented from being reduced.
[0201]
Further, according to the ninth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, excess water exceeding the field water capacity is temporarily stored in the lower storage section of the water collecting sheet. Since the storage part is vertically long, even if a small amount of water flows in, the water level in the storage part becomes high. Therefore, even when the water collecting sheet is loose, it is possible to efficiently collect and drain excess irrigation water.
[0202]
Further, according to the tenth configuration of the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the plant can be cultivated on a slope or a vertical surface, so that the plant can be cultivated even on a small area or a slope. Further, if watering is performed from one end of the upper slope, watering can be performed in all the cultivation tanks, so that the watering equipment can be simplified and the equipment cost can be reduced. Further, since plants can be grown on slopes and vertical surfaces, they can be used for wall greening.
[0203]
Further, according to the first configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, since the medium has a high water holding capacity and also has a fertilizing ability, a small amount of the medium ensures a water holding amount and a fertilizing amount appropriate for plant growth. it can. Further, the water stress on the roots of the plant can be extremely reduced. Therefore, the growth of the plant is further promoted, the yield of the plant is increased, and the quality is improved. Moreover, since the number of times of irrigation can be greatly reduced, cultivation management becomes extremely easy.
[0204]
Further, according to the second configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, wasteful drainage can be reduced, so that runoff of fertilizer can be prevented. Therefore, fertilization can be reduced.
[0205]
Further, according to the third configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, damage of soil pests can be prevented. In particular, cultivation management of plants that are greatly affected by soil pests, such as strawberry cultivation, is facilitated. In addition, since weed seeds and roots do not easily enter, there is no need to worry about weed propagation. Therefore, it is not necessary to use pesticides for controlling soil disturbing insects and controlling weeds. And labor saving of the agricultural work is achieved.
[0206]
According to the fourth aspect of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, the root tip of the plant protruding from the encapsulating material stops growing, and secondary root formation and hair root formation are promoted. Is good, and the growth of the plant is good.
[0207]
In addition, according to the fifth configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, each suspended cultivation tank is stable, and as described above, even when the plant grows, the above-ground parts such as stems and leaves of the plant can be obtained. The inclination of each cultivation tank by weight is prevented.
[0208]
Further, according to the sixth aspect of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, the surface of the culture medium can be kept substantially horizontal, and the root of the stem of the plant can be prevented from bending and growing. Therefore, a decrease in the commercial value of the plant to be cultivated can be prevented.
[0209]
Moreover, according to the seventh configuration of the plant cultivation method of the present invention, by irrigating the permeable layer of the irrigating base, it is possible to uniformly irrigate each cultivation tank. Therefore, irrigation management becomes easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the plant cultivation apparatus of the first embodiment is installed by suspending it on a beam of a vinyl house.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a growth process of a root of a plant in the vicinity of a packaging material.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the plant cultivation apparatus of the second embodiment is installed on the ground.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view near a cultivation tank of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a nursery state of a plant seedling.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of transport of a seedling.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state where seedlings are installed in a plant cultivation apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a main part of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state of the plant cultivation apparatus when there is no support 61.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a main part of a plant cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the water collecting sheet of FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a temporal change of a ratio of a weight after water supply to a total weight before water supply of each cultivation tank.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state of a cultivation tank 30 minutes after water supply.
FIG. 19 shows a cultivation test for a case where a water retention material is laid in a cultivation tank and cultivation is performed without mixing a superabsorbent polymer in a culture medium (a) and a case where neither a water retention material nor a superabsorbent polymer is used (b). It is a figure showing the obtained leaf lettuce.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing leaf lettuce obtained by a cultivation test when neither a water retention material nor a superabsorbent polymer was used.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing leaf lettuce obtained by a cultivation test when a water retention material is laid in a cultivation tank and a medium is mixed with a superabsorbent polymer and cultivated.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which the plant cultivation apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is performing the erect cultivation.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the plant cultivation tank of the present invention is used for table vegetables.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the plant cultivation tank of the present invention is used for table vegetables.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a cultivation state of a plant by a back cultivation method.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,1 'cultivation tank
2 medium
3 packaging material
4 Water retention material
5mm opening
6 plants
6a root system
7 Support
8 hanging part
9 hanging rod
10 drip irrigation tube
11 Root
12 root tip
13,13 'hair root
14 Secondary root
20 ground
21 dripper
21a @ Stabilizer
21b water supply tube
22 water supply pipe
23 ° temperature control tube
30 plant cultivation equipment
31 stand
32cm waterproof sheet
33 water permeable sheet
34 permeable sheet
35 watering base
36cm cultivation tank
37 medium
38 packaging material
39 water retention material
40 ° opening
41 plant
42 irrigation tube
50 plant cultivation equipment
51 medium
52,52 cultivation tank
52a support
52b hanging part
53, 53 ', 53 "hanging support member
53a, 53a ', 53a "groove
53b, 53b '{groove opening
53b "Notched groove
54 water retention material
55 ° opening
56 drip irrigation tube
57 ° temperature control tube
58,59 plants
60 plant cultivation equipment
61 support
61b hanging string
70 plant cultivation equipment
71 water collecting sheet
71a Reservoir

Claims (17)

A cultivation tank formed by a bag-like packaging material and having an opening for planting a plant,
Water retention material having water retention laid on the bottom of the inner surface of the packaging material,
A medium containing a powdery or granular or fibrous superabsorbent polymer,
A plant cultivation apparatus comprising: 2. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cultivation tank is formed of a vertically long bag-shaped packaging material, and a plurality of the openings are formed in a row in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation tank. 3. . The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the packaging material has root permeability. With a suspending support member that is erected horizontally or almost horizontally,
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the cultivation tanks are suspended with respect to the suspension support member, with adjacent ones being in contact with each other. 5. Plant cultivation equipment. The hanging support member is formed in a gutter-like or tubular shape having a number of openings,
The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a drip irrigation pipe housed in a gutter or a pipe of the suspension support member. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a drip irrigation tube held between the adjacent cultivation tanks. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a temperature control material held in a space between the adjacent cultivation tanks. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a support suspended by the suspension support member and supporting each of the cultivation tanks in a state of being lifted from a lower surface. A water collecting sheet provided to cover at least the lower surface of each of the cultivation tanks,
A vertically long water storage portion provided at a lower portion of the water collecting sheet and storing water collected by the water collecting sheet;
A drain port provided at a predetermined location on the bottom of the storage unit,
The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, comprising: Irrigation base having a water-impervious layer laid on a flat surface, a slope or a vertical surface, a water-permeable water-permeable layer laid on the upper surface of the water-impervious layer, and a root-barrier layer laid on the upper surface of the water-permeable layer When,
On the upper surface of the irrigation base, a plurality of cultivation tanks that are arranged separately from each other,
The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: Lay a water retention material having water retention on the inner bottom surface of the cultivation tank made of a bag-shaped packaging material having water permeability,
Inside the cultivation tank, filled with a medium containing a powdery or granular or fibrous superabsorbent polymer,
A plant cultivation method, wherein a plant is planted and cultivated in the medium. The plant cultivation method according to claim 11, wherein the plant is cultivated by performing drip irrigation on the medium with a drip irrigation tube. The plant cultivation method according to claim 11, wherein the plant is cultivated while the cultivation tank is suspended in the air. 13. The plant cultivation method according to claim 11, wherein the culture medium is packed in the cultivation tank formed of a bag-shaped packaging material having root permeability, and a plant is planted and cultivated in the culture medium. Hanging two or more of the cultivation tanks in a state where adjacent ones are in contact with each other, and cultivating a plant in each of the cultivation tanks, on a suspension support member erected horizontally or substantially horizontally. The plant cultivation method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The plant is cultivated in each of the cultivation tanks in a state where the respective cultivation tanks are lifted from the lower surface and supported by the suspension support suspended from the hanging support members, according to claim 13, wherein The plant cultivation method according to the above. Irrigation base having a water impermeable layer laid on a flat surface, a slope or a vertical surface, a water permeable layer laid on the upper surface of the water impermeable layer, and a root barrier layer laid on the upper surface of the water permeable layer The plant is cultivated by placing a plurality of the cultivation tanks on the upper surface of the cultivation tank separately from each other and irrigating the permeable layer of the irrigating base, thereby cultivating the plant. Plant cultivation method.

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