JP2016136860A - Artificial soil grain and manufacturing method of artificial soil grain - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide artificial soil grains enabling extension of a watering interval, while maintaining growth of plants.SOLUTION: The artificial soil grain includes a water-impermeable core part 10 formed by aggregating filler 1 and a water-permeable film 20 covering the water-impermeable core part 10 and enabling water movement along the surface of the core part. The filler 1 is hygroscopic filler 1b, and the water-impermeable core part is granulated by using a water-repellent binder and, the filler 1 is hygroscopic filler 1b, and the water-impermeable core part 10b is covered with impermeable film 30 on the surface. The hygroscopic filler 1b includes at least one kind selected from the group consisting of cellulose short fiber, vinylon fiber, and diatom earth.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to artificial soil particles used in home gardens, foliage plants, plant factories, indoor greening, desert greening, and the like, and a method for producing the artificial soil particles.

  When plants such as potted plants are placed in offices, stores, ordinary houses, etc., ease of work is required in addition to the beauty of appearance. For this reason, use of artificial soil particles having good appearance, light weight, and high work efficiency has been studied for the plant growth medium. The plant growth medium using artificial soil particles is not only excellent in basic performance as soil, but also can reduce the number of times watering the plant, making it easy to manage moisture, etc. A function is required. For example, when a plant is cultivated in a room where it is easy to dry, the plant growth medium is required to be easily managed in a water environment while having a plant growth ability equivalent to that of natural soil. When cultivating plants indoors, attempts have been made to extend the interval of irrigation using bottom irrigation, etc., but since the room tends to become dry, the water stored in the pot bottom evaporates. In some cases, the interval between irrigations cannot be extended sufficiently.

  Therefore, techniques for preventing drying of the plant growth medium have been studied conventionally. For example, in Patent Document 1, hydrophobic particles obtained by treating sand and / or soil particles with a water repellent are prepared, and a hydrophobic layer made of the hydrophobic particles is provided in soil at a predetermined depth from the ground surface. A method for preventing desertification of land that controls the evaporation of moisture in the soil is described.

JP-A-6-113673

  The method for preventing desertification of land in Patent Document 1 is to produce hydrophobic particles obtained by treating sand and / or soil particles with a water repellent, and to form a hydrophobic particle composed of the hydrophobic particles in the soil at a predetermined depth from the ground surface. A layer is provided. For this reason, it is considered that there is a certain effect in preventing desertification. However, if this technology is applied to the plant growth medium as it is, not only the movement of moisture in the plant growth medium is restricted by the hydrophobic layer, but also the air permeability of the soil is blocked, so that moisture damage occurs in the plant. Root rot may occur.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said problem, and it aims at providing the artificial soil particle which can extend the interval of irrigation, maintaining the growth of a plant. Moreover, it aims at providing the manufacturing method of the said artificial soil particle.

The characteristic configuration of the artificial soil particles according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows:
A water-impermeable core formed by assembling fillers;
A water-permeable membrane that covers the non-water-permeable core portion and allows moisture to move along the surface of the core portion;
It is in having.

  According to the artificial soil particle of this configuration, since the non-permeable core portion formed by collecting the fillers is provided, the non-permeable core portion effectively suppresses evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium, and the filler A certain air permeability as artificial soil particles can be maintained by the voids formed between the two. In addition, since the water-impermeable core part is covered with a water-permeable membrane, moisture can move along the surface of the core part. There is no accumulation of moisture and no moisture damage to plants. As a result, the irrigation interval can be extended while maintaining the growth of the plant.

In the artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
The water-impermeable core portion is preferably granulated using a water-repellent binder.

  According to the artificial soil particle of this configuration, the non-water-permeable core part is granulated with a water-repellent binder, so that it functions as a water-impervious granular material and effectively evaporates water in the plant growth medium. Can be suppressed. Moreover, since a hygroscopic filler is used as a filler, water vapor | steam can be absorbed in a non-water-permeable core part. Therefore, evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium can be efficiently suppressed.

In the artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
The non-water-permeable core part preferably has a non-water-permeable film coated on the surface.

  According to the artificial soil particle of this configuration, the water-impermeable core portion functions as a water-impervious granular material by the water-impermeable membrane coated on the surface, so that the evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium is effective. Can be suppressed. Moreover, since a hygroscopic filler is used as the filler, water vapor that could not be blocked by the non-water-permeable membrane can be absorbed by the hygroscopic filler. Therefore, the evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium can be further suppressed.

In the artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The hygroscopic filler preferably includes at least one selected from the group consisting of cellulose short fibers, vinylon fibers, and diatomaceous earth.

  According to the artificial soil particles of this configuration, since an appropriate material is used as the hygroscopic filler, water vapor that could not be blocked by the non-water-permeable membrane is efficiently secured while ensuring the air permeability as the artificial soil particles. Can be absorbed. Therefore, the evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium can be further suppressed.

In the artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The water-impermeable membrane is a group consisting of water-insoluble ethyl cellulose, shellac, rosin, tall oil, soybean oil, fish oil, beef tallow, machine oil, liquid paraffin, spindle oil, acetyl cellulose, phenol resin, polyvinyl acetate, and coumarone resin. It is preferable to include at least one selected from

  According to the artificial soil particle of this structure, since the suitable material is used as a water-impermeable membrane, a water-impermeable core part functions reliably as a water-impervious granular material. Therefore, the evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium can be reliably suppressed.

In the artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The water-permeable membrane preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, agar, polyethylene glycol, sodium alginate, alginate, potassium alginate, and ammonium alginate.

  According to the artificial soil particle of this structure, since an appropriate material is used as a water-permeable membrane, moisture can move reliably along the surface of the core portion. Thereby, even if upper surface irrigation or the like is performed, moisture quickly moves downward along the surface of the core portion. Therefore, it is possible to ensure good air permeability without excessive water collecting in the plant growth medium.

In the artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The water permeable membrane preferably has a thickness of 0.1 μm to 5 mm.

  According to the artificial soil particle of this structure, since it has an appropriate thickness as a water permeable membrane, even if top surface irrigation or the like is performed, moisture quickly moves downward along the surface of the core portion. Therefore, it is possible to ensure good air permeability without excessive water collecting in the plant growth medium.

The characteristic configuration of the method for producing artificial soil particles according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A granulation step of granulating a filler to form a water-impermeable core,
A water-permeable membrane coating step of coating the surface of the non-water-permeable core with a water-permeable material capable of moving moisture;
It is to include.

  According to the method for producing artificial soil particles of this configuration, by performing the granulation step of granulating the filler to form a water-impermeable core part, moisture in the plant growth medium is formed by the water-impermeable core part. It is possible to effectively suppress the evaporation of water and to maintain a certain air permeability as the artificial soil particles by the gap formed between the fillers. In addition, by performing a water-permeable film coating step of coating the surface of the non-water-permeable core portion with a water-permeable material, moisture can move along the surface of the core portion. However, excessive moisture does not accumulate in the plant growth medium, and moisture damage to the plant does not occur. Therefore, the artificial soil particles produced according to the present invention can extend the interval of irrigation while maintaining the growth of the plant.

In the method for producing artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
In the granulation step, the hygroscopic filler is preferably granulated using a water-repellent binder.

  According to the method for producing artificial soil particles of this configuration, in the granulation step, the hygroscopic filler is granulated using a water-repellent binder, so the core portion functions as a water-impervious granular material, Evaporation of moisture can be effectively suppressed. Moreover, by using a hygroscopic filler as a filler and granulating the core part, water vapor can be absorbed by the non-water-permeable core part. Therefore, evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium can be efficiently suppressed.

In the method for producing artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
The granulation step preferably includes a non-water-permeable membrane coating step of coating the surface of the core portion formed by granulating the hygroscopic filler with a hydrophobic material.

  According to the method for producing artificial soil particles of this configuration, by performing the non-water-permeable membrane coating step of coating the surface of the core portion with a hydrophobic material, the core portion functions as a water-impervious granular material and grows plants. The evaporation of moisture in the medium can be effectively suppressed. Moreover, by using a hygroscopic filler as a filler and granulating the core, water vapor that could not be blocked by the non-water-permeable membrane can be absorbed by the hygroscopic filler. Therefore, the evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium can be further suppressed.

In the method for producing artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
In the granulation step, granulation is preferably performed using a binder having affinity for the filler.

  According to the method for producing artificial soil particles of this configuration, since granulation is performed using a binder having affinity for the filler, the fillers are connected to each other while being covered with the binder. As a result, voids formed between a plurality of adjacent fillers are strong, and air permeability as artificial soil particles is maintained even when a strong force is applied from the outside.

In the method for producing artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
In the water-permeable membrane coating step, the water-permeable material is preferably used in a weight ratio of 0.01 times or more with respect to the filler.

  According to the method for producing artificial soil particles of this configuration, since an appropriate amount of water-permeable material is used for the filler in the water-permeable membrane coating step, the water-permeable material having an appropriate thickness on the surface of the core portion. A film is formed. As a result, even when top surface irrigation or the like is performed, moisture can move quickly along the surface of the core portion. Therefore, it is possible to ensure good air permeability without excessive water collecting in the plant growth medium.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing artificial soil particles according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a plant is planted in a plant growth medium in which artificial soil particles according to the present invention and general soil are combined. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a plant is planted in a plant growth medium in which artificial soil particles according to the present invention and natural soil are combined.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment regarding the artificial soil particle which concerns on this invention, and the manufacturing method of artificial soil particle is described based on FIGS. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configurations described in the embodiments and drawings described below.

<Artificial soil particles>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing artificial soil particles 50 according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a schematic configuration diagram of the first artificial soil particle 50a in which the surface of the water-impermeable core portion 10a is covered with the water-permeable membrane 20, and FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the 2nd artificial soil particle 50b which coat | covered the water-permeable film 20 on the surface of the coated water-impermeable core part 10b. The artificial soil particles 50 cover the non-water-permeable core portion 10 formed by assembling the filler 1 and the non-water-permeable core portion 10, and move moisture along the surface of the non-water-permeable core portion 10. The water-permeable membrane 20 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the artificial soil particle 50 forms a water-impermeable core 10 (10a, 10b) having a different structure depending on the type of filler 1 used. ing. Hereinafter, the 1st artificial soil particle 50a provided with the water-impermeable core part 10a and the 2nd artificial soil particle 50b provided with the water-impermeable core part 10b are demonstrated.

(First artificial soil particles)
The first artificial soil particle 50 a uses a hydrophobic filler 1 a as the filler 1. The hydrophobic filler 1a may be any material that forms a void 2 between the plurality of hydrophobic fillers 1a and gives the artificial soil particles 50 a certain rigidity, for example, glass powder, Examples thereof include silica powder, metal powder, and hydrophobic polymer resin. Since the 1st artificial soil particle 50a uses the hydrophobic filler 1a, as shown to Fig.1 (a), the non-water-permeable core part 10a is formed only by gathering the hydrophobic filler 1a, Functions as a water-blocking granular material. Since the non-water-permeable core portion 10a aggregates the hydrophobic fillers 1a, voids 2 are formed between the hydrophobic fillers 1a, and the air permeability as the first artificial soil particles 50a is secured by the voids 2. ing. Note that moisture is hardly absorbed in the gap 2. This is because a certain water-repellent effect is generated in the gap 2 due to the hydrophobic property of the hydrophobic filler 1a. In addition, the first artificial soil particles 50a are provided with the water-permeable membrane 20 that enables the movement of moisture along the surface of the non-water-permeable core portion 10a. Moisture moves downward along the surface of the non-water-permeable core 10a by gravity. For this reason, excessive moisture does not accumulate in the plant growth medium, and moisture damage to the plant does not occur. As a result, plant growth can be maintained for a long time by one irrigation, and the irrigation can be easily managed.

  The water permeable membrane 20 contains a water permeable material. The water-permeable material is a material having a high affinity for moisture, but a material having a relatively weak adsorption force for moisture. By using the material, the surface of the artificial soil particle 50a has an affinity for moisture, but the adsorptive power for moisture becomes weak. Thereby, the artificial soil particles 50a can move moisture along the surface of the non-water-permeable core portion 10a, and when moisture is supplied to the plant growth medium by top surface irrigation or the like, the moisture is not transferred to the core-permeable core portion 10a. It can be moved downward along the surface and discharged, and air permeability in the plant growth medium is ensured. As a result, excessive moisture does not accumulate in the plant growth medium, and no moisture damage occurs on the plant.

  Examples of the water-permeable material used for the water-permeable membrane 20 include diatomaceous earth, agar, polyethylene glycol, sodium alginate, alginic acid ester, potassium alginate, and ammonium alginate, and preferably diatomaceous earth, agar, and sodium alginate. It is also possible to use a mixture of different water-permeable materials as the water-permeable material.

  Since the artificial soil particles 50a ensure the movement of moisture existing in the external environment by the water-permeable membrane 20, it is important that the amount of the water-permeable material used is within an appropriate range. As the usage-amount of a water-permeable material, it is preferable to use 0.01 times or more with respect to the weight of the hydrophobic filler 1a, and it is more preferable to use 0.1 times or more. When the amount of the water-permeable material used is less than 0.01 times the weight of the hydrophobic filler 1a, the outer surface of the artificial soil particle 50a cannot be sufficiently covered with the water-permeable material, and the artificial soil particle 50a is surrounded by The downward movement of the existing moisture may be reduced, causing moisture damage to the plant.

  Since the artificial soil particle 50a secures the movement of moisture existing in the external environment by the water-permeable membrane 20, the thickness of the water-permeable membrane 20 is set to an appropriate size in order to keep the moisture migration of the external environment. There is a need to. The thickness of the water-permeable membrane 20 is set to 0.1 μm to 5 mm, preferably 20 μm to 1 mm. When the thickness of the water permeable membrane 20 is set to be smaller than 0.1 μm, it becomes difficult to move water around the artificial soil particles 50a, and excessive moisture in the plant growth medium is not properly discharged, and the plant is wet. There is a risk of harm. On the other hand, when the thickness of the water permeable membrane 20 is set to be larger than 5 mm, the water present around the artificial soil particles 50a is excessively discharged, and there is a possibility that the water shielding property as the plant growth medium is lowered.

(Second artificial soil particle)
The filler 1 used for the second artificial soil particle 50b may be any material that forms a void 2 between the plurality of fillers 1 and gives the artificial soil particle 50 a certain rigidity, and preferably the hygroscopic filler 1b. Used. The artificial soil particles 50 ensure air permeability by the voids 2 formed between the fillers 1, but a part of the water vapor that cannot be blocked by the non-water-permeable membrane 30 described later passes through the voids 2. The water shielding properties of the artificial soil particles 50 may be reduced. Therefore, when the hygroscopic filler 1b is used for the non-water-permeable core portion 10, the water vapor that cannot be blocked by the non-water-permeable membrane 30 is reliably absorbed by the hygroscopic filler 1b. As a result, evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium can be further suppressed. On the other hand, when the hygroscopic filler 1b is used for the second artificial soil particles 50b, the core portion has water permeability. For this reason, in the 2nd artificial soil particle 50b, as shown in FIG.1 (b), the surface of the core part formed by gathering the hygroscopic filler 1b is coat | covered with the water-impermeable film 30, and a water-imperviousness is obtained. The core portion 10b is formed. Since the second artificial soil particle 50b includes the water permeable membrane 20 that enables the movement of moisture along the surface of the non-water-permeable core portion 10b, like the first artificial soil particle 50a, the upper surface irrigation Etc., and can be suitably used.
When a water-repellent binder is used as the binder, the water-impermeable core portion 1 can be formed even if the hygroscopic filler 1 b is used as the filler 1. In this case, since the core part uniformly contains a water-repellent binder, the movement of moisture can be shielded, and even if the surface of the core part is not covered with the non-water-permeable film 30, the water-impervious granular material. Function as. Examples of the water-repellent binder include natural latex, polychloroprene latex, styrene-butadiene latex, styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine latex, acrylonitrile-butadiene latex, carboxyl-modified styrene-butadiene latex, and carboxyl-modified styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine latex. And carboxyl-modified acrylonitrile-butadiene latex and carboxyl-modified methyl methacrylate-butadiene latex.

  Examples of the hygroscopic filler 1b include cellulose fiber, vinylon fiber, diatomaceous earth, perlite, vermiculite, and bentonite. Among the cellulose fibers, cellulose short fibers, vinylon fibers, and diatomaceous earth are preferable. It is also possible to use a mixture of different types of hygroscopic fillers as the hygroscopic filler 1b.

  Since the water-impermeable membrane 30 includes a hydrophobic material, the water-impermeable core portion 10b functions as a water-impervious granular material. Therefore, even if the water stored in the bottom of the pot such as the bottom irrigation or the water retained in the plant growth medium is evaporated to the external environment, the water-impermeable core 10b functions as a water-impervious granular material. In addition, evaporation of moisture to the external environment can be suppressed. The water-impermeable membrane 30 is formed with fine communication holes (not shown) that communicate with the water-impermeable core portion 10b (not shown), ensuring air permeability between the water-impermeable core portion 10b and the external environment. ing.

  Examples of the hydrophobic material used for the water-impermeable membrane 30 include water-insoluble ethyl cellulose, shellac, rosin, tall oil, soybean oil, fish oil, beef tallow, machine oil, liquid paraffin, spindle oil, acetyl cellulose, phenol resin, Examples thereof include polyvinyl acetate and coumarone resin, and water-insoluble ethyl cellulose, acetyl cellulose, and polyvinyl acetate are preferable. It is also possible to use a mixture of different types of hydrophobic materials as the hydrophobic material.

  Since the water-impermeable core portion 10b of the second artificial soil particle 50b functions as a water-impervious granular material, it is important that the amount of the hydrophobic material contained in the water-impermeable membrane 30 is used in an appropriate range. become. The hydrophobic material is preferably used in an amount of 0.02 to 2 times, more preferably 0.08 to 0.4 times the weight of the hygroscopic filler 1b. When the amount of the hydrophobic material used is less than 0.02 times the weight of the hygroscopic filler 1b, the outer surface of the granular material made of the hygroscopic filler 1b cannot be sufficiently covered with the hydrophobic material, and the non-conductive There is a possibility that the water shielding property of the aqueous core portion 10b may be lowered. On the other hand, when the usage-amount of hydrophobic material exceeds 2 times with respect to the weight of the hygroscopic filler 1b, the space | gap 2 formed between the hygroscopic filler 1b is covered with hydrophobic material, and the 2nd artificial soil particle 50b As a result, there is a risk that the air permeability will decrease.

  In addition, it is important for the non-water-permeable core portion 10b of the second artificial soil particle 50b to set the thickness of the non-water-permeable membrane 30 to an appropriate size. The thickness of the water-impermeable membrane 30 is set to 10 to 500 μm, preferably 50 to 200 μm. If the thickness of the water-impermeable membrane 30 is set to be smaller than 10 μm, the water-impervious core portion 10b has a water-impervious property that may not sufficiently suppress evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium. On the other hand, if the thickness of the water-impermeable membrane 30 is set to be larger than 500 μm, the air permeability as the second artificial soil particle 50b may be lowered.

<Method for producing artificial soil particles>
The artificial soil particles 50 are formed by granulating the filler 1 to form the water-impermeable core portion 10 and the surface of the water-impermeable core portion 10 is covered with a water-permeable material capable of moving moisture. It manufactures by implementing a water-permeable film coating process. In the granulation step of forming the non-water-permeable core part 10, for example, when the hydrophobic filler 1a is used as the filler 1, the emulsion of the binder is stirred while stirring a predetermined amount of the hydrophobic filler 1a with a stirring and mixing granulator. A small portion of the liquid is added to form the core. The binder to be used is preferably a binder having an affinity for the filler 1 to be used, and examples thereof include polyolefin resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyurethane resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, and latexes. it can. When a binder having an affinity for the filler 1 is used, the fillers 1 are connected to each other while being coated with the binder, so that the voids 2 formed between the adjacent fillers 1 are strong.
Subsequently, after drying the core part formed with the hydrophobic filler 1a with a dryer, the temperature of the dryer is increased, the binder dispersed in the core part is melted, and the hydrophobic fillers 1a are fixed to each other. The water-permeable core part 10a is formed. The non-water-permeable core portion 10a is dried and classified as necessary to adjust the particle size.

In the granulation step, when the hygroscopic filler 1b is used as the filler 1, a non-water-permeable film coating step of covering the surface of the core portion formed by granulating the hygroscopic filler 1b with a hydrophobic material may be performed. preferable. In the non-water-permeable membrane coating step, for example, a core part formed by granulating the hygroscopic filler 1b is put into an appropriate container, and water about half the volume (occupied volume) of the core part is added. Water is soaked into the gap 2 of the above. Next, a dispersion of a hydrophobic material in which the hydrophobic material is dispersed in a solvent such as water or ethanol (for example, an ethanol solution of 5 wt% water-insoluble ethyl cellulose) is prepared, and the core portion in which water is immersed The dispersion of hydrophobic material having a volume of 1/3 to 1/2 of the volume of the core is added. It is also possible to mix additives such as pigments, fragrances, bactericides, antibacterial agents, deodorants, and insecticides in the dispersion of the hydrophobic material. Next, the dispersion of the hydrophobic material is impregnated from the outer surface of the core while rolling so that the dispersion of the hydrophobic material uniformly adheres to the outer surface of the core. At this time, since the water has soaked into the central portion of the core portion, the hydrophobic material stays in the vicinity of the outer surface portion of the core portion. Thereafter, the core portion to which the hydrophobic material is adhered is dried with a dryer, and the hydrophobic material is fixed to the hygroscopic filler 1b in the vicinity of the outer surface of the core portion to form the water-impermeable membrane 30, thereby making the water-impermeable membrane 30 non-water-permeable. The core portion 10b is prepared. When a hydrophobic polymer such as polyvinyl acetate is used as the hydrophobic material, after drying the core, the dryer is heated to melt the hydrophobic polymer to form the non-water-permeable film 30. The water-permeable core part 10b is produced. In the non-water-permeable membrane 30, when the hydrophobic material dispersion is dried, the solvent contained in the hydrophobic material dispersion evaporates to form a porous structure. The porous structure functions as a communication hole that communicates the non-water-permeable core portion 10b with the external environment. Therefore, the water-impermeable core portion 10b can obtain water-imperviousness by the water-impermeable membrane 30 while maintaining air permeability with the external environment through the communication hole.
In the granulation step, when a water-repellent binder is used as the binder, even if the hygroscopic filler 1b is used as the filler 1, the water-impermeable core portion 1 can be formed.

  In the water-permeable film coating step of coating with a water-permeable material, for example, a coating solution is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the water-permeable material in a solvent such as water or ethanol. A binder or the like is appropriately added to the coating liquid according to the type of the water-permeable material to be used. Next, while rolling the water-impermeable core portion 10 so that the coating liquid uniformly adheres to the outer surface of the water-impermeable core portion 10, 1/3 of the volume of the water-impermeable core portion 10. A coating liquid of 1/2 water-permeable material is added and impregnated from the outer surface of the non-water-permeable core part 10. At this time, since the water-impermeable core 10 is a hydrophobic granular material, the water-permeable material stays in the vicinity of the outer surface of the water-impermeable core 10. Thereafter, the non-water-permeable core portion 10 to which the water-permeable material is adhered is dried with a dryer to form the water-permeable membrane 20, whereby the artificial soil particle 50 is completed. When the binder is added to the coating liquid, the artificial soil particles 50 are completed by melting the binder and fixing the water-permeable material to the surface of the non-water-permeable core portion 10 to form the water-permeable film 20. To do.

  When using a polymer gelling agent such as sodium alginate as the water-permeable material, for example, the water-permeable membrane 20 can be formed by the following method. A 0.1 to 5% by weight sodium alginate aqueous solution is prepared, and 1/3 to 1/2 of the sodium alginate aqueous solution of the volume of the non-water-permeable core part 10 is added. Next, a coating liquid is added while rolling the non-water-permeable core portion 10 so that the sodium alginate aqueous solution uniformly adheres to the surface of the non-water-permeable core portion 10. Impregnation from the outer surface of At this time, since the water-impermeable core 10 is a hydrophobic granular material, the sodium alginate aqueous solution remains near the outer surface of the water-impermeable core 10. Thereafter, an aqueous solution of polyvalent metal ions (for example, Ca ions) is added to cause ionic crosslinking between molecules of sodium alginate, and the sodium alginate is gelled to form the water-permeable membrane 20. And the artificial soil particle 50 will be completed if the non-water-permeable core part 10 to which the gelled sodium alginate adhered was dried with a dryer.

  Examples of polyvalent metal ions for gelling the polymer gelling agent include aqueous chloride solutions of polyvalent metals such as calcium chloride, barium chloride, strontium chloride, nickel chloride, aluminum chloride, iron chloride and cobalt chloride, calcium nitrate , Barium nitrate, Aluminum nitrate, Iron nitrate, Copper nitrate, Cobalt nitrate and other polyvalent metal nitrate aqueous solution, Calcium lactate, Barium lactate, Aluminum lactate, Zinc lactate polyvalent metal lactate aqueous solution, Aluminum sulfate, Zinc sulfate And sulfate aqueous solutions of polyvalent metals such as cobalt sulfate. These polyvalent metal ion aqueous solutions can be used in combination of two or more.

<Plant growth medium using artificial soil particles>
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the plant P is planted in the plant growth medium 100 in which the artificial soil particles 50 and the general soil 51 according to the present invention are combined. FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the plant P is planted in the plant growth medium 100 by the bottom irrigation 52, and FIG. It is the graph which compared the progress of the volumetric water content of the culture medium which used only general soil 51 (for example, vermiculite, pearlite, etc.). The artificial soil particle 50 of the present invention can be used to produce the plant growth medium 100 by using only the artificial soil particle 50 and cultivate the plant P. However, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to do. In the plant growth medium 100, the water-impervious layer 40 is formed at a predetermined depth from the upper surface of the plant growth medium 100 using the artificial soil particles 50 of the present invention. The water shielding layer 40 is for suppressing water in the plant growth medium 100 from evaporating to the external environment. The artificial soil particles 50 evaporate from the bottom of the pot even when the bottom watering 52 as shown in FIG. 2A is performed because the water-impermeable core 10 described in FIG. 1 functions as a water-impervious granular material. Evaporation to the outside environment is suppressed by the water shielding layer 40. Moreover, since the water-impermeable core portion 10 of the artificial soil particle 50 is formed by assembling the fillers 1, voids 2 are formed between the fillers 1. Since the air gap 2 allows air to pass therethrough, air permeability as the artificial soil particles 50 can be ensured, and the root of the plant P does not fall short of oxygen.
When performing bottom irrigation 52 as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the moisture in the soil is always supplied from the water W at the bottom of the pot. Maintained. In the plant growth medium 100, since the artificial soil particles 50 are used as the water shielding layer 40, evaporation of moisture in the plant growth medium 100 can be suppressed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the plant growth medium 100 can extend the period during which the volumetric water content by the bottom irrigation 52 is maintained, as compared with a medium using only the general soil 51, As a result, the irrigation interval can be greatly extended. In addition, since the surface of the water-impermeable core portion 10 of the artificial soil particles 50 is covered with the water-permeable membrane 20, the artificial soil particles 50 can move moisture by the water-permeable membrane 20 even when the upper surface is irrigated. It becomes possible, and excess moisture is discharged downward through gaps 53 formed between the plurality of artificial soil particles 50. Thereby, since the air permeability as the plant growth medium 100 is ensured, the artificial soil particles 50 can be suitably used also in the upper surface irrigation.

<Natural soil medium using artificial soil particles>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the plant P is planted in the plant growth medium 101 in which the artificial soil particles 50 and the natural soil 54 according to the present invention are combined. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the plant P is planted in the plant growth medium 101 in which the artificial soil particles 50 are provided with the two water-impervious layers 40 (40a, 40b). 3 (b) is a graph comparing the course of the volumetric water content of the plant growth medium 101 that combines the artificial soil particles 50 and the natural soil 54 with the course of the volumetric moisture content of the medium using only the natural soil 54. is there. The artificial soil particles 50 can also be used in combination with natural soil 54, as shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, two water shielding layers 40 are provided inside the plant growth medium 101 using the artificial soil particles 50 of the present invention. The first water shielding layer 40a has a predetermined depth from the top surface of the plant growth medium 101 and is formed above the root of the plant P, and the second water shielding layer 40b is below the root of the plant P. Forming. The first water shielding layer 40a suppresses the evaporation of moisture from the plant growth medium 101, and the second water shielding layer 40b suppresses the outflow of moisture downward. In the case of outdoor cultivation as shown in FIG. 3A, when top surface irrigation is performed, a certain amount or more of moisture is retained in the natural soil 54 above the second impermeable layer 40b. Moreover, since the water | moisture content currently hold | maintained at the natural soil 54 is suppressed by the 1st water shielding layer 40a, the area | region which the root of the plant P can absorb a water | moisture content, ie, the 1st water shielding layer 40a and the 2nd water shielding material. The water retention of the natural soil 54 existing in the region between the layers 40b is greatly improved. Since the artificial soil particles 50 can move moisture by the water permeable membrane 20, excessive moisture in the plant growth medium 101 passes through the gaps 53 formed between the plurality of artificial soil particles 50. It passes through and is discharged downward to prevent the plant P from being damaged by moisture. Thus, when the artificial soil particle 50 of this invention is used, as shown in FIG.3 (b), compared with the culture medium using only the natural soil 54, it becomes possible to maintain a volume moisture content for a fixed period. . Therefore, for example, even if the natural soil 54 is sandy soil with low water retention, the roots of the plant P absorb moisture by the two water-impervious layers 40 (40a, 40b) of the artificial soil particles 50. The water retention of the natural soil 54 can be improved in a region where it can be applied, and can be applied to greening of deserts and the like.

  The artificial soil particles and the method for producing artificial soil particles according to the present invention can be used in the fields of agriculture and horticulture in home gardens, foliage plants, plant factories, indoor greening, desert greening, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filler 1a Hydrophobic filler 1b Hygroscopic filler 10 (10a, 10b) Non-water-permeable core part 20 Water-permeable film 30 Non-water-permeable film 40 (40a, 40b) Water-impervious layer 50 Artificial soil particle 50a First artificial soil particle 50b Second artificial soil particle

Claims (12)

A water-impermeable core formed by assembling fillers;
A water-permeable membrane that covers the non-water-permeable core portion and allows moisture to move along the surface of the core portion;
Artificial soil particles with. The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
The artificial soil particle according to claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable core portion is granulated using a water-repellent binder. The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
The artificial soil particle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a surface of the water-impermeable core is coated with a water-impermeable membrane.   The artificial soil particle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hygroscopic filler includes at least one selected from the group consisting of cellulose short fibers, vinylon fibers, and diatomaceous earth.   The non-water-permeable membrane is a group consisting of water-insoluble ethyl cellulose, shellac, rosin, tall oil, soybean oil, fish oil, beef tallow, machine oil, liquid paraffin, spindle oil, acetyl cellulose, phenol resin, polyvinyl acetate, and coumarone resin. The artificial soil particle of Claim 3 containing at least 1 type selected from these.   The artificial membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water-permeable membrane includes at least one selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, agar, polyethylene glycol, sodium alginate, alginate, potassium alginate, and ammonium alginate. Soil particles.   The artificial soil particle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the water-permeable membrane has a thickness of 0.1 µm to 5 mm. A granulation step of granulating a filler to form a water-impermeable core,
A water-permeable membrane coating step of coating the surface of the non-water-permeable core with a water-permeable material capable of moving moisture;
For producing artificial soil particles. The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
The method for producing artificial soil particles according to claim 8, wherein in the granulation step, the hygroscopic filler is granulated using a water-repellent binder. The filler is a hygroscopic filler,
The method for producing artificial soil particles according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the granulating step includes a non-water-permeable film coating step of coating a surface of a core portion formed by granulating the hygroscopic filler with a hydrophobic material. .   The method for producing artificial soil particles according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein in the granulation step, granulation is performed using a binder having affinity for the filler.   The method for producing artificial soil particles according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein in the water-permeable membrane coating step, the water-permeable material is used in a weight ratio of 0.01 times or more with respect to the filler.

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