CA2063036A1 - Basic material for a plant cultivating substrate and cultivating substrate for plants - Google Patents
Basic material for a plant cultivating substrate and cultivating substrate for plantsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2063036A1 CA2063036A1 CA002063036A CA2063036A CA2063036A1 CA 2063036 A1 CA2063036 A1 CA 2063036A1 CA 002063036 A CA002063036 A CA 002063036A CA 2063036 A CA2063036 A CA 2063036A CA 2063036 A1 CA2063036 A1 CA 2063036A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plant
- substance
- fibers
- substrate
- basic material
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 125
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 119
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 138
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 112
- 230000008635 plant growth Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 82
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 claims description 51
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 38
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000003501 hydroponics Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005342 ion exchange Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000004936 stimulating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010410 dusting Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920005610 lignin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 claims 8
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 52
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 description 45
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 34
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 26
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 20
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 18
- 239000011573 trace mineral Substances 0.000 description 18
- 235000013619 trace mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 18
- 239000003077 lignite Substances 0.000 description 16
- 239000003415 peat Substances 0.000 description 16
- 229920001807 Urea-formaldehyde Polymers 0.000 description 15
- 239000004021 humic acid Substances 0.000 description 15
- QJZYHAIUNVAGQP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-nitrobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid Chemical compound C1C2C=CC1C(C(=O)O)C2(C(O)=O)[N+]([O-])=O QJZYHAIUNVAGQP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 14
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 13
- 235000010755 mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 13
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 13
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 12
- GUJOJGAPFQRJSV-UHFFFAOYSA-N dialuminum;dioxosilane;oxygen(2-);hydrate Chemical compound O.[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3].O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O GUJOJGAPFQRJSV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 229910052901 montmorillonite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 7
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphoric acid Chemical compound OP(O)(O)=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 235000019353 potassium silicate Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium silicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-][Si]([O-])=O NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 235000008733 Citrus aurantifolia Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[K+] KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 5
- 235000011941 Tilia x europaea Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 239000004571 lime Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000618 nitrogen fertilizer Substances 0.000 description 5
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- -1 bark Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004202 carbamide Substances 0.000 description 4
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 235000021317 phosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Formaldehyde Chemical compound O=C WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910000147 aluminium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011490 mineral wool Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910017464 nitrogen compound Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 150000002830 nitrogen compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- ODGAOXROABLFNM-UHFFFAOYSA-N polynoxylin Chemical compound O=C.NC(N)=O ODGAOXROABLFNM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000008262 pumice Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- RMAQACBXLXPBSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicic acid Chemical compound O[Si](O)(O)O RMAQACBXLXPBSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 3
- CZAUMIGWDFREBR-UHFFFAOYSA-N (6-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-diazinan-4-yl)urea Chemical compound CC1CC(NC(N)=O)NC(=O)N1 CZAUMIGWDFREBR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000195493 Cryptophyta Species 0.000 description 2
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000003863 ammonium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- QGBSISYHAICWAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N dicyandiamide Chemical compound NC(N)=NC#N QGBSISYHAICWAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002515 guano Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010871 livestock manure Substances 0.000 description 2
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002823 nitrates Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000010452 phosphate Substances 0.000 description 2
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K phosphate Chemical compound [O-]P([O-])([O-])=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 2
- 150000003013 phosphoric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- CHWRSCGUEQEHOH-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassium oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[K+].[K+] CHWRSCGUEQEHOH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910001950 potassium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010902 straw Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium oxide Chemical compound [Ca]=O ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000006173 Good's buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Orthosilicate Chemical compound [O-][Si]([O-])([O-])[O-] BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PCBOWMZAEDDKNH-HOTGVXAUSA-N [4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]methyl (3as,6as)-2-(3-fluoro-4-sulfamoylbenzoyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate Chemical compound C1=C(F)C(S(=O)(=O)N)=CC=C1C(=O)N1C[C@H]2CN(C(=O)OCC=3C=CC(OC(F)(F)F)=CC=3)C[C@@H]2C1 PCBOWMZAEDDKNH-HOTGVXAUSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002956 ash Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003899 bactericide agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002374 bone meal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940036811 bone meal Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000011449 brick Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003139 buffering effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001861 calcium hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- YLUIKWVQCKSMCF-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium;magnesium;oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[Mg+2].[Ca+2] YLUIKWVQCKSMCF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000013522 chelant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003818 cinder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002817 coal dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000855 fungicidal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000417 fungicide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000012010 growth Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003284 horn Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000003864 humus Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910010272 inorganic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011147 inorganic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000021190 leftovers Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002897 organic nitrogen compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000010451 perlite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019362 perlite Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229930195732 phytohormone Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 229920002401 polyacrylamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000136 polysorbate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000011118 potassium hydroxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000004760 silicates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000011121 sodium hydroxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004071 soot Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000015112 vegetable and seed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008158 vegetable oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010455 vermiculite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052902 vermiculite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000019354 vermiculite Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013343 vitamin Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011782 vitamin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940088594 vitamin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229930003231 vitamin Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
- C05F11/00—Other organic fertilisers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G24/20—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material
- A01G24/22—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material containing plant material
- A01G24/23—Wood, e.g. wood chips or sawdust
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G24/40—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor characterised by their structure
- A01G24/42—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor characterised by their structure of granular or aggregated structure
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G24/40—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor characterised by their structure
- A01G24/44—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor characterised by their structure in block, mat or sheet form
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G24/50—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor contained within a flexible envelope
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Ecology (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
In order to provide a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate, which has the necessary advantageous properties for best possible plant growth in the plant cultivating substrate, it is suggested that this basic material comprise non-peaty plant fibers produced by mechanical crushing which are provided on their fiber surface with a substance for improving plant growth.
In order to provide a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate, which has the necessary advantageous properties for best possible plant growth in the plant cultivating substrate, it is suggested that this basic material comprise non-peaty plant fibers produced by mechanical crushing which are provided on their fiber surface with a substance for improving plant growth.
Description
20~i3~3 Basic Material for a Plant Cultivating Substrate and Cultivating Substrate for Plants The invention relates to a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate as well as a method for producing the same.
Moreover, the invention relates to a cultivating substrate for plants.
It is known to use peat for plant cultivating substrates and this must have certain properties in order to obtain an optimum plant cultivating substrate.
Since peat is not available in unlimited quantities and, for reasons of environment protection, can no longer be cut in unlimited quantities as well as the fact that, in addition, considerable costs are incurred for renaturing measures during peat extraction, the object underlying the invention is to provide a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate which has the necessary advantageous properties for best possible plant growth in the plant cultivating substrate.
This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention by a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate which comprises non-peaty plant fibers produced by mechanical defibration, these fibers being provided on their fiber surface with a substance for improving plant growth.
Moreover, the invention relates to a cultivating substrate for plants.
It is known to use peat for plant cultivating substrates and this must have certain properties in order to obtain an optimum plant cultivating substrate.
Since peat is not available in unlimited quantities and, for reasons of environment protection, can no longer be cut in unlimited quantities as well as the fact that, in addition, considerable costs are incurred for renaturing measures during peat extraction, the object underlying the invention is to provide a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate which has the necessary advantageous properties for best possible plant growth in the plant cultivating substrate.
This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention by a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate which comprises non-peaty plant fibers produced by mechanical defibration, these fibers being provided on their fiber surface with a substance for improving plant growth.
2~63~36 The advantage of the inventive basic material is to be seen in the fact that all types of plant material having a high proportion of cellulose and lignin, in particular lignified plant material, can be used as a starting material. The properties of the plant fibers which are required for use in the plant cultivating substrate are achieved by the plant fibers being provided on their surface with substances for improving plant growth.
It is particularly advantageous for the mechanically defibrated plant fibers to be produced mechanically due to the action of shearing forces at a temperature of more than 60C. In a plant fiber produced in this manner it is ensured that an optimum defibration of the starting material takes place and so the fibrous structure of the basic material is that desired for a plant cultivating substrate.
defribation of this type can be carried out particularly advantageously when the mechanically defibrated plant fibers are produced by defibrating plant material in an extruding apparatus since the extruding apparatus acts on the plant material by way of shearing forces and, in addition, a temperature of more than 60C results due to the friction and pressure and this leads to a particularly advantageous fibrous structure.
The residue from wood-processing plants, from agricultural and forestry enterprises, such as, for example, bark, weak timber, branches, in particular wood chippings, straw and stalks or stems as well, have proven to be particularly suitable as plant material for the production of the plant fibers.
206~Q~
With respect to the manner in which the substance for improving plant growth is applied to the surface of the plant fibers, various procedures are conceivable. For example, an advantageous procedure is for the substance for improving plant growth to be applied to the ~urface of the plant fibers in the course of the mechanical defibration of the plant material and thereby be well fixed to the plant fibers.
With respect to the type of substances for improving plant growth, the most varied possibilities are conceivable. In a favourable variation of the inventive basic material, the substance for improving plant growth comprises plant-compatible substances having an alkaline effect and adjusting the pH value of the plant fibers to one suitable for plants.
Substances of this type can preferably be calcium carbonate, dolomitic lime, caustic lime, potash lye, soda lye, silicate solutions, such as water glass, alkaline acting nutrient salts and similar substances.
With these substances which have an alkaline effect, a pH value of the basic material can advantageously be adjusted to b~tween approximately 4 and approximately 6.
In a further embodiment of the inventive basic material, the substance for improving plant growth comprises, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances, substances protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition. This is of great advantage since the plant fibers normally contain components which can be decomposed microbially and a strong microbial decomposition is, however, undesirable for a plant cultivating substrate.
2~3~3~, Embodiments of such substances preventing a strong microbial decomposition are, f~r example, silicates in a solid or liquid form, such as highly dispersed silicic acid, synthetic resins, vegetable oils, coal dust, ,n particular lignite, ash, cinders, soot, substances having a fungicide or bactericide effect, whereby the latter are substances which naturally occur or are chemically synthetized.
Preferably, the substances protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition are substances providing the plant fibers with a coating, whereby this coating prevents any microbial decomposition.
Alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth, the substance for improving plant growth in a further embodiment of the inventive basic material comprises substances which increase the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers. This is of especially great advantage since the chemical properties of the inventive basic material, in particular in conjunction with any fertilizing, are considerably improved hereby.
Examples of such substances for increasing the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers are, for example, clays containing montmorillonite, zeolites or also synthetic resins.
In a further, advantageous embodiment of an inventive basic material, and alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances, plant nutrient carriers which are also applied to the surface of the plant fibers are provided as the substance for improving plant growth.
2~3~3~
Plant nutrient carriers of this type can comprise, in principle, organic and/or inorganic substances.
Examples of such plant nutrient carriers are, for example, ammonium salts, nitrates, phosphates, potash salts, synthetic organic nitrogen compounds, such as urea, formaldehyde condensates, such as dicyanodiamide, crotonylidene diurea, or natural nitrogen compounds, such as proteins, humus substances containing nitrogen or plant nutrient carriers of animal and vegetable origin, such as liquid manure, dung, horn meal, bone meal, guano.
Further advantageous substances for improving plant growth are trace nutrient carriers, such as magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum as a salt, as a chelate or as a metal powder.
Finally, an additional, preferred embodiment of an inventive basic material provides, in addition, substances for stimulating plant growth, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth. These substances for stimulating plant growth have a direct effect on the growth activity of the plants. Examples of such substances for stimulating plant growth are humic acids in a solid or liquid form, algae powder and algae extracts in a solid or liquid form, phytohormones, vitamins and similar supplements.
A leonhardite-shale powder has proven to be particularly advantageous. This contains approximately 75 ~ humic acid, at the same time gives the plant fibers a brown colour and also has a good buffer force. In addition, it improves the ion exchange capability.
~6~3~
The plant growth can also be improved by adding substances which improve the water~absorption capacity of the plant fibers or the rewetting capability of the plant fibers after drying out.
Substances of this type are, for example, clays, surfactants, cross-linked polyacrylamides and similar substances.
The inventive object is also accomplished by a method for producing a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate which is characterized in that non-peaty plant fibers are produced by mechanically defibrating plant material and that these plant fibers are provided on their surface with substances for improving plant growth.
In a particularly favourable embodiment of the inventive method, non-peaty plant material is mechanically defibrated due to the action of shearing forces at a temperature of more than 60C to form plant fibers.
It is particularly expedient for this plant material to be mechanically defibrated in an extruding machine to form plant fibers.
Moreover, it is advantageous in the inventive method for the surface of the plant fibers to be provided with substances for improving plant growth during the mechanical defibration of the plant material since the conditions prevailing during mechanical defibration provide an improved adhesion of the substances for improving plant growth to the surface of the plant fibers.
With respect to the manner in which the substances for improving plant growth are added, additional possibilities are conceivable.
2~3~t~6 In a preferred possibility, the substances for improving plant growth are added to the plant material prior to the mechanical defibration to form plant fibers.
In one alternative, the substances for improving plant growth are added to the plant fibers produced by mechanical defibration and applied to their surface, i.e. they are applied to the surface after mechanical defibration.
Furthermore, several possibilities are conceivable with respect to the manner in which the substances for improving plant growth are added.
In an advantageous possibility, the substances for improving plant growth are added in a liquid form.
In an alternative or supplementary possibility, the substances for improving plant growth are added in a solid form.
Further, it is conceivable, particularly during adding in a solid form, to apply the substances for improving plant growth to the surface of the plant fibers by dusting.
Quite generally, it is of advantage within the scope of the present invention for the substances for improving plant growth tc be fixed as securely as possible to the surface of the plant fibers. This is preferably done by mechanical action.
It is particularly advantageous to combine the defibration of the plant material with the mechanical action for fixing the substances for improving plant growth. This results, in particular, when the substances for improving plant growth are fixed to the surface of the fibers by mechanical action during the mechanical defibration of the plant material.
2 ~
With respect to the substances for improvin~ plant growth which are to be applied to the surface of the plant fibers, a large number of variations and combinations of these variations is conceivable.
In an advantageous possibility, the substances for improving plant growth comprise plant-compatible substances which have an alkaline effect and adjust the pH value of the plant fibers to one suitable for plants. Individual substances of this type have already been mentioned in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Alternatively or supplementarily, it is conceivable for the substances for improving plant growth to be substances protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition.
Individual examples of substances of this type have already been specified in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Moreover, it is advantageous, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances, for the substances for improving plant growth to comprise substances increasing the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers. Individual examples of such substances have already been mentioned in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Finally, it is also of advantage, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth, when these comprise plant nutrient carriers. Plant nutrient carriers of this type have also be described in detail in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
2~6~
Lastly, it is also of advantage, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth, for these also to comprise substances for stimulating plant growth.
Examples for substances of this type have again been specified in the above in conjunction with the basic material.
In an additional embodiment of the inventive method, substances improving the water-absorption capacity of the plant fibers are added as substances for improving plant growth. It is, in addition, particularly preferable for substances improving the rewetting capability of the fibers to also be added. Examples of such substances are again mentioned in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
A particularly advantageous embodiment of an inventive basic material comprises inventive non-peaty plant fibers which are produced by mechanical crushing. These plant fibers are provided on their fiber surface with leonhardite-shale powder, which contains 75 ~ humic acid, ureaform, calcium carbonate and trace element fertilizer as well as, in addition, with an NPK
compound fertilizer. In this respect, pinewood chippings are used, in particular, to which calcium carbonate, ureaform and leonhardite-shale powder as well as the trace element fertilizer are added prior to defibrating and following defibrating the NPK
compound fertilizer is mixed with these plant fibers provided with such substances for improving plant growth.
The inventive basic material is used, on the one hand, for soil improvement and, on the other hand, alone or also mixed with additional materials as a cultivating substrate for plants.
2063~3~
Apart from a basic material, the invention also relates to a cultivating substrate for plants. An inventive cultivating substrate for plants of this type is also intended to have the same ecological advantages as the inventive basic material, in particular peat as starting material for such a cultivating substrate is intended to be replaceable at least partially.
This object is accomplished by a cultivating substrate for plants which has a proportion of more than 10 ~ by volume of basic material having one or more of the aforementioned features.
It is even more advantageous for the proportion of the basic material having the features described in the above to be more than 30 % by volume.
Even more advantageous is a proportion of the basic material described above which is more than 50 ~ by volume.
Moreover, the cultivating substrate also comprises additives.
Such additives are, for example, substrate-aerating additives, i.e. those which provide for a particularly good ventilation of the substrate and, therefore, the root system of plants growing in this substrate.
Examples of such substrate-aerating materials are peat, bark, perlite, sand, pumice gravel, burned and foamed clay materials and granulated foamed plastics.
Substrate-aerating substances of this type can be added to the cultivating substrate in proportions of O to 90 ~ by volume.
2~3~.~ri In addition, it is advantageous for substances which stabilize the substrate volume to be added. Substances of this type for stabilizing the substrate volume are sand, pumice gravel, burned and foamed clay materials as well as granulated foamed plastics since these are not subject to any microbial decomposition and therefore retain their volume for a long time. Such substances for stabilizing the substrate volume can be added to the cultivating substrate in proportions of 0 to 90 ~ by volume.
Finally, it is also of advantage for the additives to be water-storing additives. These additives have the purpose of storing water in addition to the basic material. Water-storing additives of this type are, for example, peat, natural clays, pumice gravel as well as burned and foamed, open-pored clay materials, such as, for example, crushed expanded clay, brick chippings and similar products. Such water-storing substances can be added to the cultivating substrates in proportions of 0 to 90 % by volume.
Finally, it is of advantage for the additives to be additives having ion exchange properties. Such additives having ion exchange properties are, for example, clays containing different amounts of montmorillonite in powder or granulate form as well as stonework containing zeolite and vermiculite.
Preferably, additives of this type are mixed with the cultivating substrate in a proportion of 7 to 200 kg/m3.
Furthermore, it is of advantage for plant nutrient carriers to be added to the cultivating substrate. These plant nutrient carriers can be provided alternatively or supplementary to the plant nutrient carriers applied to the surface of the basic material.
~630~
For example, it is conceivable to provide the surface of the basic material with the necessary base content of plant nutrients but then add to the cultivatin~ substrate which is intended to be suitable for special plants the special plant nutrient carriers.
Plant nutrient carriers of this type can be added in many different ways.
Pre~erably, the plant nutrient carriers can be both organic and/or inorganic plant nutrient carriers.
Inorganic plant nutrient carriers are, for example, ammonium salts, nitrates, phosphates, potash salts, mineral compound fertilizers, plastic-coated single or multiple nutrient fertilizers having a long-term effect.
The following can be used, for example, as plant nutrient carriers: natural nitrogen compounds, such as guano, horn meal, liquid manure, dung or synthetic nitrogen compounds, such as urea, urea formaldehyde condensate, dicyanodiamide, crotonylidene diurea etc.
Plant nutrient carriers of this type are preferably added in a proportion of 0.5 to 3 kg/m .
Finally, lime is preferably added to the cultivating substrate, whereby the lime makes up a proportion of 2 to 6 kg/m3 in the cultivating substrate and with the lime the pH value of the cultivating substrate can be regulated to approximately 4 to approximately 6.
2 ~ ~ 3 ~ c~ fJ
Moreover, a trace nutrient carrier is also expediently added as plant nutrient carrier. Such a trace nutrient carrier can include iron, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum as salts, chelates or metal powder. The proportion of trace nutrient in the cultivating substrate is preferably 0.01 to ~.2 kg/m3.
Finally, the inventive object is also accomplished by a cultivating substrate for plants which is characterized by a proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers of more than 10 ~ by volume.
The proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers is advantageously more than 30 ~ by volume and it is even better to have a proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers of more than 50 % by volume.
In addition, it is of advantage for this cultivating substrate to comprise substances for improving plant growth. Examples of such substances for improving plant growth have been mentioned at the outset in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Moreover, it is of advantage for the cultivating substrate to comprise additives improving the physical properties of the substrate. Examples and proportions of such additives are explained in conjunction with the cultivating substrate described above.
Finally, it is also of advantage for this cultivating substrate to comprise plant nutrient carriers which have also been described in detail in conjunction with the cultivating substrate and, finally, it is of advantage for this cultivating substrate to comprise lime, the proportion of lime being comparable with that specified above.
20~3~
It iS known to use as substrates for soil-less cultivating methods, for example, rock wool, expanded clay, PU foam and similar materials, such as described, for example, in the journal "Deutscher Gartenbau" 20/1990, pages 1354 to 1355 or 38/l~90, pages 2467 to 2469 or 48/1990, pages 3067 to 3071.
These materials have the disadvantage that they cannot be disposed of after their use in a manner favourable to the environment.
It is therefore an additional object of the invention to make available a substrate material for hydroponics which, on the one hand, provides the possibility of operating these hydroponics in the same manner as with the substrates previously known and, on the other hand, can be disposed of advantageously and in a manner which is ecologically beneficial.
This object is accomplished by a substrate for soil-less hydroponics which comprises a basic material having one or more of the features described above.
Moreover, this object is also accomplished by a substrate which comprises a cultivating substrate having one or more of the features described above.
A substrate of this type is particularly advantageous when this has plant fibers provided with water-insoluble substances for improving plant growth. Plant fibers treated in this manner have the great advantage that the substances for improving plant growth are not dissolved in the nutrient solution for the hydroponics and washed out with this but remain in the substrate.
2a63~36 It is particularly expedient for the basic material or the cultivating substrate to react to conventional nutrient solutions for hydroponics essentially neutrally with respect to substance exchange, i.e. it does not pass any substances to this nutrient solution and also does not absorb any substances from these nutrient solutions so that the basic material, even though it is an inorganic material, reacts to the nutrient solution essentially like an inert material.
In this respect it is particularly expedient for the basic material to react to a conventional nutrient solution for hydroponics essentially neutrally with respect to nitrogen absorption and, therefore, not alter the nitrogen content of the conventional nutrient solution.
The conventional nutrient solution can, in particular, be a nutrient solution such as those known from the state of the art for hydroponics methods having rock wool as a substrate, so-called rock wool cultivations.
In an additional, advantageous embodiment of such a substrate the hydroponics is a bag cultivation having automatic drip watering and, in particular, the automatic drip watering takes place in a closed system. It is of significance, in particular, for hydroponics of this type that the basic material or the cultivating substrate reacts to a conventional nutrient solu*ion essentially neutrally with respect to substance exchange.
Furthermore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive substrate, this is packed in block form in a film packaging and, in particular, the film packaging is designed as a closed film bag so that the inventive substrate is easy to handle.
2~3a3~
In addition, the invention relates to a substrate which comprises exclusively basic material or cultivating substrate having one or more of the features described above.
Finally, the invention also relates to the use of a basic material or a cultivating substrate with the features described above as a substrate for soil-less hydroponics, in particular having one or several of the features of hydroponics described in the above.
A particularly advantageous, inventive substrate comprises plant fibers defibrated in accordance with the invention, provided with leonhardite-shale powder as humic acid carrier, ureaform as nitrogen carrier, calcium carbonate for buffering and trace element fertilizer, wherein the leonhardite-shale powder, ureaform and the calcium carbonate are not soluble in water or difficult to dissolve in water.
Additional features and advantages of the invention result from the following embodiments of preferred cultivating substrates.
Preferably, the production of the fiber material used in accordance with the invention takes place by defibrating the residue from wood-processing plants, agricultural and forestry enterprises, such as bark, weak timber, branches, wood chippings, straw, stalks and stems and the like.
Such leftovers are introduced into a twin-screw processing plant DSA lO0 of UWAS Umwelttechnik GmbH, Mayerbacherstrasse 69, D-8045 Ismaning or a similar processing plant which defibrates plant material by pulvarizing or crushing, preferably at a high temperature and high pressure, and comprises, for exa~ple, twin 2 ~
screws, and is processed by this plant to form the fibrous material used in accordance with the invention.
Proceeding on the basis of such a production method for fibrous material, the following advantageous examples of an inventive ~asic material can be produced:
Example 1.1 Pinewood chippings and leonhardite-shale powder are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, their dosage being such that 1.5 kg of leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings. This mixture is mechanically defibrated in the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 and at the same time the leonhardite-shale powder is applied to the plant fibers.
Example 1.2 Pinewood chippings and lignite powder are added via separate dosing devices to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, the dosage being such that 3 kg of lignite powder are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings. This mixture is mechanically defibrated in the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 and at the same time the lignite powder is applied to the fibers.
Example 1.3 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and finely ground clay are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being selected such that 3 kg of lignite powder and 2 kg of finely ground clay are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings, the finely ground clay preferably containing montmorillonite in an amount of approximately 70 %.
2~3~3~
Example 1.4 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and humic acid powder are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 of pinewood chippings to 3 kg of lignite powder and 2 kg of humic acid powder.
Example 1.5 Pinewood chippings, calcium carbonate, lignite powder, finely ground clay containing approximately 70 %
montmorillonite and humic acid powder are added to the twin-screw processing plant via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 of pinewood chippings to 3.5 kg of calcium carbonate, 3 kg of lignite powder, 2 kg of finely ground clay and 2 kg of humic acid powder.
Example 1.6 Pinewood chippings, calcium carbonate, lignite powder, finely ground clay containing approximately 70 ~
montmorillonite and fertilizer are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 3.5 kg calcium carbonate, 3 kg lignite powder, 2 kg finely ground clay and 1.5 kg ureaform as fertilizer.
Example 1.7 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and highly dispersed silicic acid are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 3kg lignite powder and 1 kg highly dispersed silicic acid.
~63~3~
Example 1.8 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and water glass are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 3 kg lignite powder and 0.5 kg water glass.
Rxample 1.9 Pinewood chippings are introduced into the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100. First of all, 0.5 kg of water glass and, subsequently, 1 kg of preferably 75 % strength phosphoric acid are added to the defibrating block of the twin-screw machine in order to regulate the pH value of the plant fibers thus produced to approximately 4 to approximately 6.
Example 1.10 In all the Examples 1.1 to 1.9, the pinewood chippings are pretreated, prior to their introduction to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, with an NPK fertilizer solution 8-8-6, wherein 2.4 1 of such a fertilizer solution are sprayed onto 1 m3 pinewood chippings. This NPK fertilizer solution has the following composition:
8 % total nitrogen, 8 % water-soluble phosphate, 6 %
water-soluble potassium oxide.
Example 1.11 The plant fibers produced according to Examples 1.1 to 1.8 are sprayed with water glass and phosphoric acid and subsequently dried in accordance with the desired moisture content of the basic material. In this respect, 0.5 kg of 2~63~3~
water glass are first sprayed onto 1 m3 of plant fibers and, subsequently, 1 kg of about 75 % strength phosphoric acid so that the pH value of the plant fibers is between approximately 4 and approximately 6.
Example 1.12 The plant fibers produced according to the Examples 1.1 to 1.9 are sprayed with an NPK fertilizer solution 8-8-6 and subsequently dried to the desired moisture content. In this raspect, 1 m3 of plant fibers is sprayed with 2.4 l of NPK
fertilizer solution 8-8-6, this fertilizer solution comprising 8 ~ total nitrogen, 8 % water-soluble phosphate and 6 ~ water-soluble potassium oxide.
Example 1.13 Plant fibers produced according to the Examples 1.2, 1.3 and 1.6 to 1.9 are sprayed with urea solution and humic acid extract and subsequently dried to the desired moisture content, approximately 1 l of approximately 50 % strength urea solution and 1 l of humic acid extract containing 12 %
humic acid being sprayed onto 1 m3 of plant fibers.
Example 1.14 The twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 is fed with 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 1.5 kg leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid, 1.5 kg ureaform, 2.25 kg calcium carbonate and 0.15 kg trace element fertilizer~ In addition, 2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 are added to and mixed with 1 m3 of such plant fibers exiting from the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 and provided with substances for improving plant growth.
~l~S~3~
The examples of basic materials explained in the above can be used independently as cultivating substrate for plants.
Moreover, a cultivating substrate for plants can be produced on the basis of the basic material according to Examples l.l to 1.14 which has the components specified in the following examples:
Example 2.1 Calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and 100 g trace element fertilizer, e.g. Radigen, are added to the inventive basic material according to Examples 1.1 to 1.14, wherein 2 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 1 m3 of the inventive basic material.
Example 2.2 The cultivating substrate according to Example 2.1 comprises, in addition, a long-term nitrogen fertilizer, for example a synthetic urea formaldehyde condensate, such as ureaform, in an amount of 1 kg to 1 m3 of the inventive basic material.
Example 2.3 The cultivating substrate for plants comprises the inventive basic material and, in addition, calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2, finely ground clay containing approximately 70 ~ montmorillonite and trace element fertilizer, whereby 2 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer, 15 kg of finely ground clay and 100 g of trace element fertilizer, e.g. Radigen, are used for 1 m3 of the inventive basic material.
~ J~
Example 2.4 The inventive basic material is mixed with high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and trace element fertilizer are added to this mixture, whereby 500 1 of high moorland peat, 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 500 1 of basic material.
Example 2.5 The cultivating substrate according to Example 2.4 comprises, in addition, a long-term nitrogen fertilizer, whereby 1 kg of long-term nitrogen fertilizer is used for 500 1 of basic material.
Example 2.6 The inventive basic material is mixed with high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2, ureaform and granulated clay containing 20 %
montmorillonite are added to this mixture, whereby 500 ~ of high moorland peat, 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer, 1.5 kg of ureaform and 40 kg of granulated clay are used for 500 1 of basic material.
Additional embodiments of an inventive cultivating substrate use the plant fibers which are described at the outset and produced with the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, in particular plant fibers from forestry waste.
The composition of such cultivating substrates for plants results from the following embodiments:
2 Q o ~
Example 3.1 The plant fibers are mixed with calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and finely ground clay as well as trace element fertilizer, whereby 2 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer, 15 kg of finely ground clay containing approximately 70 %
montmorillonite and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 1 m of plant fibers.
Example 3.2 Plant fibers produced with the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 are mixed with high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and trace element fertilizer, e.g. Radigen, are added to this mixture, whereby 700 1 of high moorland peat, 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 300 1 of plant fiber.
Example 3.3 Plant fibers produced with the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 are mixed with composted coniferous bark and high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and trace element fertilizer are added to this mixture, whereby 333 1 of composted coniferous bark and 333 1 of high moorland peat are used for 333 1 of plant fibers and 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are added to the mixture of these 3 components.
Example 3.4 An inventive cultivating substrate contains the proportions of cultivating substrate according to Example 3.3 and, in 2 ~
- 2~ -addltion, a long~term nitrogen fertilizer, e.g. synthetic urea formaldehyde condensates, such as ureaform, whereby l ~g of long-term nitrogen fertilizer is additlonally added to the mixture of 333 l of plant fibers, 333 l of composted coniferous bark and 333 1 of high moorland peat.
Example 3.5 An inventive cultivating substrate contains, apart from the proportions according to Example 3.4, in addition, granulated clay containing approximately 20 %
montmorillonite, whereby 120 kg of granulated clay are added additionally to the mixture of 333 l of plant fiber, 333 1 of composted coniferous bark and 333 l of high moorland peat.
A11 the aforementioned examples of the inventive cultivating substrates are produced such that they have a p~ value of between approximately 4 and approximately 6.
Preferably, the lnventive cultivating substrates are used in the field of ornamental plants and are, therefore, adapted to suit ornamental plants with respect to the substances for improving plant growth.
The inventive basic material or the inventive cultivating substrates can, however, also be used in professional fields, in particular for economic plants.
A particularly preferred possibility of using the inventive basic materials or cultivating substrates is, in particular, in soil-less cultivating methods, in particular soil-less hydroponics. For example, bag cultivations can be carried out i~ a alosed system with automatic drip watering by using an inventive basic material or cultivating substrate as substrate.
2 ~ 3 ~
For Example, a substrate of this type has the following composition:
Example 4.1 Pinewood chippings are fed to the twin-screw processing system DSA 100 together with calcium carbonate, ureaform, trace element fertilizer and leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid, whereby as advantageous mixing ratio 1.5 kg of leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid, 1.5 kg of ureaform and 2.25 kg of calcium carbonate as well as 0.15 kg of trace element fertilizer are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings. The pH value is hereby adjusted in the range of between approximately 4 and approximately 6.
This substrate is packed in the form of parallelepiped briquettes and closed on all sides by polyethylene film.
The size of the briquettes is, for example, 90 x 15 x 8 cm.
It is particularly advantageous for the mechanically defibrated plant fibers to be produced mechanically due to the action of shearing forces at a temperature of more than 60C. In a plant fiber produced in this manner it is ensured that an optimum defibration of the starting material takes place and so the fibrous structure of the basic material is that desired for a plant cultivating substrate.
defribation of this type can be carried out particularly advantageously when the mechanically defibrated plant fibers are produced by defibrating plant material in an extruding apparatus since the extruding apparatus acts on the plant material by way of shearing forces and, in addition, a temperature of more than 60C results due to the friction and pressure and this leads to a particularly advantageous fibrous structure.
The residue from wood-processing plants, from agricultural and forestry enterprises, such as, for example, bark, weak timber, branches, in particular wood chippings, straw and stalks or stems as well, have proven to be particularly suitable as plant material for the production of the plant fibers.
206~Q~
With respect to the manner in which the substance for improving plant growth is applied to the surface of the plant fibers, various procedures are conceivable. For example, an advantageous procedure is for the substance for improving plant growth to be applied to the ~urface of the plant fibers in the course of the mechanical defibration of the plant material and thereby be well fixed to the plant fibers.
With respect to the type of substances for improving plant growth, the most varied possibilities are conceivable. In a favourable variation of the inventive basic material, the substance for improving plant growth comprises plant-compatible substances having an alkaline effect and adjusting the pH value of the plant fibers to one suitable for plants.
Substances of this type can preferably be calcium carbonate, dolomitic lime, caustic lime, potash lye, soda lye, silicate solutions, such as water glass, alkaline acting nutrient salts and similar substances.
With these substances which have an alkaline effect, a pH value of the basic material can advantageously be adjusted to b~tween approximately 4 and approximately 6.
In a further embodiment of the inventive basic material, the substance for improving plant growth comprises, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances, substances protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition. This is of great advantage since the plant fibers normally contain components which can be decomposed microbially and a strong microbial decomposition is, however, undesirable for a plant cultivating substrate.
2~3~3~, Embodiments of such substances preventing a strong microbial decomposition are, f~r example, silicates in a solid or liquid form, such as highly dispersed silicic acid, synthetic resins, vegetable oils, coal dust, ,n particular lignite, ash, cinders, soot, substances having a fungicide or bactericide effect, whereby the latter are substances which naturally occur or are chemically synthetized.
Preferably, the substances protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition are substances providing the plant fibers with a coating, whereby this coating prevents any microbial decomposition.
Alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth, the substance for improving plant growth in a further embodiment of the inventive basic material comprises substances which increase the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers. This is of especially great advantage since the chemical properties of the inventive basic material, in particular in conjunction with any fertilizing, are considerably improved hereby.
Examples of such substances for increasing the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers are, for example, clays containing montmorillonite, zeolites or also synthetic resins.
In a further, advantageous embodiment of an inventive basic material, and alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances, plant nutrient carriers which are also applied to the surface of the plant fibers are provided as the substance for improving plant growth.
2~3~3~
Plant nutrient carriers of this type can comprise, in principle, organic and/or inorganic substances.
Examples of such plant nutrient carriers are, for example, ammonium salts, nitrates, phosphates, potash salts, synthetic organic nitrogen compounds, such as urea, formaldehyde condensates, such as dicyanodiamide, crotonylidene diurea, or natural nitrogen compounds, such as proteins, humus substances containing nitrogen or plant nutrient carriers of animal and vegetable origin, such as liquid manure, dung, horn meal, bone meal, guano.
Further advantageous substances for improving plant growth are trace nutrient carriers, such as magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum as a salt, as a chelate or as a metal powder.
Finally, an additional, preferred embodiment of an inventive basic material provides, in addition, substances for stimulating plant growth, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth. These substances for stimulating plant growth have a direct effect on the growth activity of the plants. Examples of such substances for stimulating plant growth are humic acids in a solid or liquid form, algae powder and algae extracts in a solid or liquid form, phytohormones, vitamins and similar supplements.
A leonhardite-shale powder has proven to be particularly advantageous. This contains approximately 75 ~ humic acid, at the same time gives the plant fibers a brown colour and also has a good buffer force. In addition, it improves the ion exchange capability.
~6~3~
The plant growth can also be improved by adding substances which improve the water~absorption capacity of the plant fibers or the rewetting capability of the plant fibers after drying out.
Substances of this type are, for example, clays, surfactants, cross-linked polyacrylamides and similar substances.
The inventive object is also accomplished by a method for producing a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate which is characterized in that non-peaty plant fibers are produced by mechanically defibrating plant material and that these plant fibers are provided on their surface with substances for improving plant growth.
In a particularly favourable embodiment of the inventive method, non-peaty plant material is mechanically defibrated due to the action of shearing forces at a temperature of more than 60C to form plant fibers.
It is particularly expedient for this plant material to be mechanically defibrated in an extruding machine to form plant fibers.
Moreover, it is advantageous in the inventive method for the surface of the plant fibers to be provided with substances for improving plant growth during the mechanical defibration of the plant material since the conditions prevailing during mechanical defibration provide an improved adhesion of the substances for improving plant growth to the surface of the plant fibers.
With respect to the manner in which the substances for improving plant growth are added, additional possibilities are conceivable.
2~3~t~6 In a preferred possibility, the substances for improving plant growth are added to the plant material prior to the mechanical defibration to form plant fibers.
In one alternative, the substances for improving plant growth are added to the plant fibers produced by mechanical defibration and applied to their surface, i.e. they are applied to the surface after mechanical defibration.
Furthermore, several possibilities are conceivable with respect to the manner in which the substances for improving plant growth are added.
In an advantageous possibility, the substances for improving plant growth are added in a liquid form.
In an alternative or supplementary possibility, the substances for improving plant growth are added in a solid form.
Further, it is conceivable, particularly during adding in a solid form, to apply the substances for improving plant growth to the surface of the plant fibers by dusting.
Quite generally, it is of advantage within the scope of the present invention for the substances for improving plant growth tc be fixed as securely as possible to the surface of the plant fibers. This is preferably done by mechanical action.
It is particularly advantageous to combine the defibration of the plant material with the mechanical action for fixing the substances for improving plant growth. This results, in particular, when the substances for improving plant growth are fixed to the surface of the fibers by mechanical action during the mechanical defibration of the plant material.
2 ~
With respect to the substances for improvin~ plant growth which are to be applied to the surface of the plant fibers, a large number of variations and combinations of these variations is conceivable.
In an advantageous possibility, the substances for improving plant growth comprise plant-compatible substances which have an alkaline effect and adjust the pH value of the plant fibers to one suitable for plants. Individual substances of this type have already been mentioned in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Alternatively or supplementarily, it is conceivable for the substances for improving plant growth to be substances protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition.
Individual examples of substances of this type have already been specified in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Moreover, it is advantageous, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances, for the substances for improving plant growth to comprise substances increasing the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers. Individual examples of such substances have already been mentioned in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Finally, it is also of advantage, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth, when these comprise plant nutrient carriers. Plant nutrient carriers of this type have also be described in detail in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
2~6~
Lastly, it is also of advantage, alternatively or supplementary to the aforementioned substances for improving plant growth, for these also to comprise substances for stimulating plant growth.
Examples for substances of this type have again been specified in the above in conjunction with the basic material.
In an additional embodiment of the inventive method, substances improving the water-absorption capacity of the plant fibers are added as substances for improving plant growth. It is, in addition, particularly preferable for substances improving the rewetting capability of the fibers to also be added. Examples of such substances are again mentioned in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
A particularly advantageous embodiment of an inventive basic material comprises inventive non-peaty plant fibers which are produced by mechanical crushing. These plant fibers are provided on their fiber surface with leonhardite-shale powder, which contains 75 ~ humic acid, ureaform, calcium carbonate and trace element fertilizer as well as, in addition, with an NPK
compound fertilizer. In this respect, pinewood chippings are used, in particular, to which calcium carbonate, ureaform and leonhardite-shale powder as well as the trace element fertilizer are added prior to defibrating and following defibrating the NPK
compound fertilizer is mixed with these plant fibers provided with such substances for improving plant growth.
The inventive basic material is used, on the one hand, for soil improvement and, on the other hand, alone or also mixed with additional materials as a cultivating substrate for plants.
2063~3~
Apart from a basic material, the invention also relates to a cultivating substrate for plants. An inventive cultivating substrate for plants of this type is also intended to have the same ecological advantages as the inventive basic material, in particular peat as starting material for such a cultivating substrate is intended to be replaceable at least partially.
This object is accomplished by a cultivating substrate for plants which has a proportion of more than 10 ~ by volume of basic material having one or more of the aforementioned features.
It is even more advantageous for the proportion of the basic material having the features described in the above to be more than 30 % by volume.
Even more advantageous is a proportion of the basic material described above which is more than 50 ~ by volume.
Moreover, the cultivating substrate also comprises additives.
Such additives are, for example, substrate-aerating additives, i.e. those which provide for a particularly good ventilation of the substrate and, therefore, the root system of plants growing in this substrate.
Examples of such substrate-aerating materials are peat, bark, perlite, sand, pumice gravel, burned and foamed clay materials and granulated foamed plastics.
Substrate-aerating substances of this type can be added to the cultivating substrate in proportions of O to 90 ~ by volume.
2~3~.~ri In addition, it is advantageous for substances which stabilize the substrate volume to be added. Substances of this type for stabilizing the substrate volume are sand, pumice gravel, burned and foamed clay materials as well as granulated foamed plastics since these are not subject to any microbial decomposition and therefore retain their volume for a long time. Such substances for stabilizing the substrate volume can be added to the cultivating substrate in proportions of 0 to 90 ~ by volume.
Finally, it is also of advantage for the additives to be water-storing additives. These additives have the purpose of storing water in addition to the basic material. Water-storing additives of this type are, for example, peat, natural clays, pumice gravel as well as burned and foamed, open-pored clay materials, such as, for example, crushed expanded clay, brick chippings and similar products. Such water-storing substances can be added to the cultivating substrates in proportions of 0 to 90 % by volume.
Finally, it is of advantage for the additives to be additives having ion exchange properties. Such additives having ion exchange properties are, for example, clays containing different amounts of montmorillonite in powder or granulate form as well as stonework containing zeolite and vermiculite.
Preferably, additives of this type are mixed with the cultivating substrate in a proportion of 7 to 200 kg/m3.
Furthermore, it is of advantage for plant nutrient carriers to be added to the cultivating substrate. These plant nutrient carriers can be provided alternatively or supplementary to the plant nutrient carriers applied to the surface of the basic material.
~630~
For example, it is conceivable to provide the surface of the basic material with the necessary base content of plant nutrients but then add to the cultivatin~ substrate which is intended to be suitable for special plants the special plant nutrient carriers.
Plant nutrient carriers of this type can be added in many different ways.
Pre~erably, the plant nutrient carriers can be both organic and/or inorganic plant nutrient carriers.
Inorganic plant nutrient carriers are, for example, ammonium salts, nitrates, phosphates, potash salts, mineral compound fertilizers, plastic-coated single or multiple nutrient fertilizers having a long-term effect.
The following can be used, for example, as plant nutrient carriers: natural nitrogen compounds, such as guano, horn meal, liquid manure, dung or synthetic nitrogen compounds, such as urea, urea formaldehyde condensate, dicyanodiamide, crotonylidene diurea etc.
Plant nutrient carriers of this type are preferably added in a proportion of 0.5 to 3 kg/m .
Finally, lime is preferably added to the cultivating substrate, whereby the lime makes up a proportion of 2 to 6 kg/m3 in the cultivating substrate and with the lime the pH value of the cultivating substrate can be regulated to approximately 4 to approximately 6.
2 ~ ~ 3 ~ c~ fJ
Moreover, a trace nutrient carrier is also expediently added as plant nutrient carrier. Such a trace nutrient carrier can include iron, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum as salts, chelates or metal powder. The proportion of trace nutrient in the cultivating substrate is preferably 0.01 to ~.2 kg/m3.
Finally, the inventive object is also accomplished by a cultivating substrate for plants which is characterized by a proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers of more than 10 ~ by volume.
The proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers is advantageously more than 30 ~ by volume and it is even better to have a proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers of more than 50 % by volume.
In addition, it is of advantage for this cultivating substrate to comprise substances for improving plant growth. Examples of such substances for improving plant growth have been mentioned at the outset in conjunction with the inventive basic material.
Moreover, it is of advantage for the cultivating substrate to comprise additives improving the physical properties of the substrate. Examples and proportions of such additives are explained in conjunction with the cultivating substrate described above.
Finally, it is also of advantage for this cultivating substrate to comprise plant nutrient carriers which have also been described in detail in conjunction with the cultivating substrate and, finally, it is of advantage for this cultivating substrate to comprise lime, the proportion of lime being comparable with that specified above.
20~3~
It iS known to use as substrates for soil-less cultivating methods, for example, rock wool, expanded clay, PU foam and similar materials, such as described, for example, in the journal "Deutscher Gartenbau" 20/1990, pages 1354 to 1355 or 38/l~90, pages 2467 to 2469 or 48/1990, pages 3067 to 3071.
These materials have the disadvantage that they cannot be disposed of after their use in a manner favourable to the environment.
It is therefore an additional object of the invention to make available a substrate material for hydroponics which, on the one hand, provides the possibility of operating these hydroponics in the same manner as with the substrates previously known and, on the other hand, can be disposed of advantageously and in a manner which is ecologically beneficial.
This object is accomplished by a substrate for soil-less hydroponics which comprises a basic material having one or more of the features described above.
Moreover, this object is also accomplished by a substrate which comprises a cultivating substrate having one or more of the features described above.
A substrate of this type is particularly advantageous when this has plant fibers provided with water-insoluble substances for improving plant growth. Plant fibers treated in this manner have the great advantage that the substances for improving plant growth are not dissolved in the nutrient solution for the hydroponics and washed out with this but remain in the substrate.
2a63~36 It is particularly expedient for the basic material or the cultivating substrate to react to conventional nutrient solutions for hydroponics essentially neutrally with respect to substance exchange, i.e. it does not pass any substances to this nutrient solution and also does not absorb any substances from these nutrient solutions so that the basic material, even though it is an inorganic material, reacts to the nutrient solution essentially like an inert material.
In this respect it is particularly expedient for the basic material to react to a conventional nutrient solution for hydroponics essentially neutrally with respect to nitrogen absorption and, therefore, not alter the nitrogen content of the conventional nutrient solution.
The conventional nutrient solution can, in particular, be a nutrient solution such as those known from the state of the art for hydroponics methods having rock wool as a substrate, so-called rock wool cultivations.
In an additional, advantageous embodiment of such a substrate the hydroponics is a bag cultivation having automatic drip watering and, in particular, the automatic drip watering takes place in a closed system. It is of significance, in particular, for hydroponics of this type that the basic material or the cultivating substrate reacts to a conventional nutrient solu*ion essentially neutrally with respect to substance exchange.
Furthermore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive substrate, this is packed in block form in a film packaging and, in particular, the film packaging is designed as a closed film bag so that the inventive substrate is easy to handle.
2~3a3~
In addition, the invention relates to a substrate which comprises exclusively basic material or cultivating substrate having one or more of the features described above.
Finally, the invention also relates to the use of a basic material or a cultivating substrate with the features described above as a substrate for soil-less hydroponics, in particular having one or several of the features of hydroponics described in the above.
A particularly advantageous, inventive substrate comprises plant fibers defibrated in accordance with the invention, provided with leonhardite-shale powder as humic acid carrier, ureaform as nitrogen carrier, calcium carbonate for buffering and trace element fertilizer, wherein the leonhardite-shale powder, ureaform and the calcium carbonate are not soluble in water or difficult to dissolve in water.
Additional features and advantages of the invention result from the following embodiments of preferred cultivating substrates.
Preferably, the production of the fiber material used in accordance with the invention takes place by defibrating the residue from wood-processing plants, agricultural and forestry enterprises, such as bark, weak timber, branches, wood chippings, straw, stalks and stems and the like.
Such leftovers are introduced into a twin-screw processing plant DSA lO0 of UWAS Umwelttechnik GmbH, Mayerbacherstrasse 69, D-8045 Ismaning or a similar processing plant which defibrates plant material by pulvarizing or crushing, preferably at a high temperature and high pressure, and comprises, for exa~ple, twin 2 ~
screws, and is processed by this plant to form the fibrous material used in accordance with the invention.
Proceeding on the basis of such a production method for fibrous material, the following advantageous examples of an inventive ~asic material can be produced:
Example 1.1 Pinewood chippings and leonhardite-shale powder are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, their dosage being such that 1.5 kg of leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings. This mixture is mechanically defibrated in the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 and at the same time the leonhardite-shale powder is applied to the plant fibers.
Example 1.2 Pinewood chippings and lignite powder are added via separate dosing devices to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, the dosage being such that 3 kg of lignite powder are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings. This mixture is mechanically defibrated in the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 and at the same time the lignite powder is applied to the fibers.
Example 1.3 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and finely ground clay are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being selected such that 3 kg of lignite powder and 2 kg of finely ground clay are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings, the finely ground clay preferably containing montmorillonite in an amount of approximately 70 %.
2~3~3~
Example 1.4 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and humic acid powder are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 of pinewood chippings to 3 kg of lignite powder and 2 kg of humic acid powder.
Example 1.5 Pinewood chippings, calcium carbonate, lignite powder, finely ground clay containing approximately 70 %
montmorillonite and humic acid powder are added to the twin-screw processing plant via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 of pinewood chippings to 3.5 kg of calcium carbonate, 3 kg of lignite powder, 2 kg of finely ground clay and 2 kg of humic acid powder.
Example 1.6 Pinewood chippings, calcium carbonate, lignite powder, finely ground clay containing approximately 70 ~
montmorillonite and fertilizer are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 3.5 kg calcium carbonate, 3 kg lignite powder, 2 kg finely ground clay and 1.5 kg ureaform as fertilizer.
Example 1.7 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and highly dispersed silicic acid are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 3kg lignite powder and 1 kg highly dispersed silicic acid.
~63~3~
Example 1.8 Pinewood chippings, lignite powder and water glass are added to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 via separate dosing devices, the mixing ratios being 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 3 kg lignite powder and 0.5 kg water glass.
Rxample 1.9 Pinewood chippings are introduced into the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100. First of all, 0.5 kg of water glass and, subsequently, 1 kg of preferably 75 % strength phosphoric acid are added to the defibrating block of the twin-screw machine in order to regulate the pH value of the plant fibers thus produced to approximately 4 to approximately 6.
Example 1.10 In all the Examples 1.1 to 1.9, the pinewood chippings are pretreated, prior to their introduction to the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, with an NPK fertilizer solution 8-8-6, wherein 2.4 1 of such a fertilizer solution are sprayed onto 1 m3 pinewood chippings. This NPK fertilizer solution has the following composition:
8 % total nitrogen, 8 % water-soluble phosphate, 6 %
water-soluble potassium oxide.
Example 1.11 The plant fibers produced according to Examples 1.1 to 1.8 are sprayed with water glass and phosphoric acid and subsequently dried in accordance with the desired moisture content of the basic material. In this respect, 0.5 kg of 2~63~3~
water glass are first sprayed onto 1 m3 of plant fibers and, subsequently, 1 kg of about 75 % strength phosphoric acid so that the pH value of the plant fibers is between approximately 4 and approximately 6.
Example 1.12 The plant fibers produced according to the Examples 1.1 to 1.9 are sprayed with an NPK fertilizer solution 8-8-6 and subsequently dried to the desired moisture content. In this raspect, 1 m3 of plant fibers is sprayed with 2.4 l of NPK
fertilizer solution 8-8-6, this fertilizer solution comprising 8 ~ total nitrogen, 8 % water-soluble phosphate and 6 ~ water-soluble potassium oxide.
Example 1.13 Plant fibers produced according to the Examples 1.2, 1.3 and 1.6 to 1.9 are sprayed with urea solution and humic acid extract and subsequently dried to the desired moisture content, approximately 1 l of approximately 50 % strength urea solution and 1 l of humic acid extract containing 12 %
humic acid being sprayed onto 1 m3 of plant fibers.
Example 1.14 The twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 is fed with 1 m3 pinewood chippings, 1.5 kg leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid, 1.5 kg ureaform, 2.25 kg calcium carbonate and 0.15 kg trace element fertilizer~ In addition, 2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 are added to and mixed with 1 m3 of such plant fibers exiting from the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 and provided with substances for improving plant growth.
~l~S~3~
The examples of basic materials explained in the above can be used independently as cultivating substrate for plants.
Moreover, a cultivating substrate for plants can be produced on the basis of the basic material according to Examples l.l to 1.14 which has the components specified in the following examples:
Example 2.1 Calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and 100 g trace element fertilizer, e.g. Radigen, are added to the inventive basic material according to Examples 1.1 to 1.14, wherein 2 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 1 m3 of the inventive basic material.
Example 2.2 The cultivating substrate according to Example 2.1 comprises, in addition, a long-term nitrogen fertilizer, for example a synthetic urea formaldehyde condensate, such as ureaform, in an amount of 1 kg to 1 m3 of the inventive basic material.
Example 2.3 The cultivating substrate for plants comprises the inventive basic material and, in addition, calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2, finely ground clay containing approximately 70 ~ montmorillonite and trace element fertilizer, whereby 2 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer, 15 kg of finely ground clay and 100 g of trace element fertilizer, e.g. Radigen, are used for 1 m3 of the inventive basic material.
~ J~
Example 2.4 The inventive basic material is mixed with high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and trace element fertilizer are added to this mixture, whereby 500 1 of high moorland peat, 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 500 1 of basic material.
Example 2.5 The cultivating substrate according to Example 2.4 comprises, in addition, a long-term nitrogen fertilizer, whereby 1 kg of long-term nitrogen fertilizer is used for 500 1 of basic material.
Example 2.6 The inventive basic material is mixed with high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2, ureaform and granulated clay containing 20 %
montmorillonite are added to this mixture, whereby 500 ~ of high moorland peat, 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer, 1.5 kg of ureaform and 40 kg of granulated clay are used for 500 1 of basic material.
Additional embodiments of an inventive cultivating substrate use the plant fibers which are described at the outset and produced with the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100, in particular plant fibers from forestry waste.
The composition of such cultivating substrates for plants results from the following embodiments:
2 Q o ~
Example 3.1 The plant fibers are mixed with calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and finely ground clay as well as trace element fertilizer, whereby 2 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer, 15 kg of finely ground clay containing approximately 70 %
montmorillonite and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 1 m of plant fibers.
Example 3.2 Plant fibers produced with the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 are mixed with high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and trace element fertilizer, e.g. Radigen, are added to this mixture, whereby 700 1 of high moorland peat, 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of mineral NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are used for 300 1 of plant fiber.
Example 3.3 Plant fibers produced with the twin-screw processing plant DSA 100 are mixed with composted coniferous bark and high moorland peat and calcium carbonate, mineral NPK compound fertilizer 12-12-17-2 and trace element fertilizer are added to this mixture, whereby 333 1 of composted coniferous bark and 333 1 of high moorland peat are used for 333 1 of plant fibers and 4 kg of calcium carbonate, 2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer and 100 g of trace element fertilizer are added to the mixture of these 3 components.
Example 3.4 An inventive cultivating substrate contains the proportions of cultivating substrate according to Example 3.3 and, in 2 ~
- 2~ -addltion, a long~term nitrogen fertilizer, e.g. synthetic urea formaldehyde condensates, such as ureaform, whereby l ~g of long-term nitrogen fertilizer is additlonally added to the mixture of 333 l of plant fibers, 333 l of composted coniferous bark and 333 1 of high moorland peat.
Example 3.5 An inventive cultivating substrate contains, apart from the proportions according to Example 3.4, in addition, granulated clay containing approximately 20 %
montmorillonite, whereby 120 kg of granulated clay are added additionally to the mixture of 333 l of plant fiber, 333 1 of composted coniferous bark and 333 l of high moorland peat.
A11 the aforementioned examples of the inventive cultivating substrates are produced such that they have a p~ value of between approximately 4 and approximately 6.
Preferably, the lnventive cultivating substrates are used in the field of ornamental plants and are, therefore, adapted to suit ornamental plants with respect to the substances for improving plant growth.
The inventive basic material or the inventive cultivating substrates can, however, also be used in professional fields, in particular for economic plants.
A particularly preferred possibility of using the inventive basic materials or cultivating substrates is, in particular, in soil-less cultivating methods, in particular soil-less hydroponics. For example, bag cultivations can be carried out i~ a alosed system with automatic drip watering by using an inventive basic material or cultivating substrate as substrate.
2 ~ 3 ~
For Example, a substrate of this type has the following composition:
Example 4.1 Pinewood chippings are fed to the twin-screw processing system DSA 100 together with calcium carbonate, ureaform, trace element fertilizer and leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid, whereby as advantageous mixing ratio 1.5 kg of leonhardite-shale powder containing humic acid, 1.5 kg of ureaform and 2.25 kg of calcium carbonate as well as 0.15 kg of trace element fertilizer are added to 1 m3 of pinewood chippings. The pH value is hereby adjusted in the range of between approximately 4 and approximately 6.
This substrate is packed in the form of parallelepiped briquettes and closed on all sides by polyethylene film.
The size of the briquettes is, for example, 90 x 15 x 8 cm.
Claims (72)
1. Basic material for a plant cultivating substrate, characterized in that this comprises non-peaty plant fibers produced by mechanical crushing, these fibers being provided on their fiber surface with a substance for improving plant growth.
2. Basic material as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the mechanically defibrated plant fibers are produced mechanically due to the action of shearing forces at a temperature of more than 60°C.
3. Basic material as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the mechanically defibrated plant fibers are produced by defibrating plant material in an extruding apparatus.
4. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth is applied to the surface of the plant fibers in the course of the mechanical defibration of the plant material.
5. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises a plant-compatible substance having an alkaline effect and adjusting the pH value of the plant fibers to one suitable for plants.
6. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises a substance protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition.
7. Basic material as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the substance protecting the fibers against strong microbial decomposition is a substance providing the plant fibers with a coating.
8. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises a substance increasing the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers.
9. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises plant nutrient carriers.
10. Basic material as defined in claim 9, characterized in that the plant nutrient carriers comprise organic substances.
11. Basic material as defined in claim 9, characterized in that the plant nutrient carriers comprise inorganic substances.
12. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises trace nutrient carriers.
13. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises a substance for stimulating plant growth.
14. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises a substance improving the water-absorption capacity of the plant fibers.
15. Basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth comprises a substance improving the rewetting capability of the fibers after drying out.
16. Method for producing a basic material for a plant cultivating substrate, characterized in that non-peaty plant fibers are produced by mechanically defibrating plant material having a high proportion of cellulose and lignin, in particular of lignified plant material, and that these plant fibers are provided on their surface with a substance for improving plant growth.
17. Method as defined in claim 16, characterized in that the plant material is mechanically defibrated due to the action of shearing forces at a temperature of more than 60°C to form non-peaty plant fibers.
18. Method as defined in claim 17, characterized in that the plant material is mechanically defibrated in an extruding machine to form plant fibers.
19. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the surface of the plant fibers is provided with a substance for improving plant growth during the mechanical defibration of the plant material.
20. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth is added to the plant material prior to the mechanical defibration to form plant fibers.
21. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth is added to the plant fibers produced by mechanical defibration and applied to their surface.
22. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth is added in a liquid form.
23. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth is added in a solid form.
24. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth is applied to the surface of the plant fibers by dusting.
25. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that the substances for improving plant growth are fixed on the surface of the plant fibers by mechanical action.
26. Method as defined in claim 25, characterized in that the substance for improving plant growth is fixed on the surface of the fibers by mechanical action during the mechanical defibration of the plant material.
27. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 26, characterized in that a plant-compatible substance having an alkaline effect and adjusting the pH value of the plant fibers to one suitable for plants is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
28. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that a substance protecting the plant fibers against strong microbial decomposition is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
29. Method as defined in claim 28, characterized in that the substance protecting the fibers against strong microbial decomposition is a substance providing the plant fibers with 2 coating.
30. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 29, characterized in that a substance increasing the ion exchange capacity of the plant fibers is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
31. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 30, characterized in that a plant nutrient carrier is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
32. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 31, characterized in that a trace nutrient carrier is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
33. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 32, characterized in that a substance stimulating plant growth is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
34. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 33, characterized in that a substance improving the water-absorption capacity of the plant fibers is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
35. Method as defined in any of claims 16 to 34, characterized in that a substance improving the rewetting capability of the fibers after drying out is added as the substance for improving plant growth.
36. Basic material for a plant cultivating substrate, characterized in that this is produced as defined in any of claims 16 to 35.
37. Cultivating substrate for plants, characterized in that this comprises a proportion of more than 10 % by volume of basic material as defined in any of the preceding claims.
38. Cultivating substrate as defined in claim 37, characterized in that the proportion of basic material is more than 30 %
by volume.
by volume.
39. Cultivating substrate as defined in one of claims 37 or 38, characterized in that the proportion of basic material is more than 50 %.
40. Cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 37 to 39, characterized in that this comprises an additive.
41. Cultivating substrate as defined in claim 40, characterized in that the additive is a substrate-aerating substance.
42. Cultivating substrate as defined in claim 40 or 41, characterized in that the additive is a substance stabilizing the substrate volume.
43. Cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 40 to 42, characterized in that the additive is a water-storing additive.
44. Cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 40 to 43, characterized in that the additive is an additive having ion exchange properties.
45. Cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 37 to 44, characterized in that this comprises a plant nutrient carrier.
46. Cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 37 to 45, characterized in that this comprises a trace nutrient carrier.
47. Method of producing a cultivating substrate for plants, characterized in that in a first step the basic material is produced as defined in claims 16 to 36.
48. Method as defined in claim 47, characterized in that an additive as defined in one or more of claims 40 to 44 is added to the basic material.
49. Method as defined in claim 47 or 48, characterized in that a plant nutrient carrier is added to the basic material.
50. Method as defined in any of claims 47 to 49, characterized in that a trace nutrient carrier is added to the basic material.
51. Method as defined in one of claims 49 or 50, characterized in that the material is provided on its surface with a plant nutrient carrier and/or a trace nutrient carrier and that by adding the plant nutrient carrier and/or the trace nutrient carrier to the basic material the cultivating substrate is adapted to a special use for special plants.
52. Cultivating substrate for plants, characterized in that this comprises a proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers of more than 10 % by volume.
53. Cultivating substrate as defined in claim 52, characterized in that the proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers is more than 30 % by volume.
54. Cultivating substrate as defined in claim 53, characterized in that the proportion of mechanically defibrated non-peaty plant fibers is more than 50 % by volume.
55. Cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 52 to 54, characterized in that this comprises substances for improving plant growth as defined in any of claims 5 to 15.
56. Cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 52 to 55, characterized in that this comprises additives as defined in any of claims 40 to 44.
57. Method for producing the cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 52 to 56, characterized in that the plant fibers are produced by mechanical defibration of non-peaty plant material.
58. Method as defined in claim 57, characterized in that the plant material is mechanically defibrated by the action of shearing forces at a temperature of more than 60°C to form non-peaty plant fibers.
59. Method as defined in claim 58, characterized in that the plant material is mechanically defibrated in an extruding machine to form plant fibers.
60. Method as defined in any of claims 57 to 59, characterized in that substances for improving plant growth are added prior to the mechanical defibration of the plant material to form the plant fibers.
61. Method as defined in any of claims 57 to 60, characterized in that substances for improving plant growth are added after the mechanical defibration of the plant material to form plant fibers.
62. Method as defined in any of claims 57 to 61, characterized in that substances for improving plant growth are added in a liquid form.
63. Method as defined in any of claims 57 to 62, characterized in that substances for improving plant growth are added in a solid form.
64. Substrate for soil-less hydroponics, characterized in that this comprises a basic material as defined in any of claims 1 to 36.
65. Substrate for soil-less hydroponics, characterized in that this comprises a cultivating substrate as defined in any of claims 37 to 63.
66. Substrate as defined in claim 64 or 65, characterized in that the basic material or the cultivating substrate comprises plant fibers provided with water-insoluble substances for improving plant growth.
67. Substrate as defined in any of claims 64 to 66, characterized in that the basic material or the cultivating substrate reacts to conventional nutrient solutions for hydroponics essentially neutrally with respect to substance exchange.
68. Substrate as defined in claim 67, characterized in that the basic material or the cultivating substrate reacts to conventional nutrient solutions for hydroponics essentially neutrally with respect to nitrogen absorption.
69. Substrate as defined in any of claims 64 to 68, characterized in that the hydroponics is a bag cultivation having automatic drip watering.
70. Substrate as defined in claim 69, characterized in that the automatic drip watering takes place in a closed system.
71. Substrate as defined in any of claims 64 to 70, characterized in that this is packed in block form in a film packaging.
72. Substrate as defined in claim 71, characterized in that this is packed in a film bag closed on all sides.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4108675 | 1991-03-16 | ||
| DEP4108675.9 | 1991-03-16 | ||
| DE4130468A DE4130468A1 (en) | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-13 | BASIC MATERIAL FOR A PLANT CULTURE SUBSTRATE AND CULTURAL SUBSTRATE FOR PLANTS |
| DEP4130468.3 | 1991-09-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2063036A1 true CA2063036A1 (en) | 1992-09-17 |
Family
ID=25901965
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002063036A Abandoned CA2063036A1 (en) | 1991-03-16 | 1992-03-13 | Basic material for a plant cultivating substrate and cultivating substrate for plants |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (2) | EP0504644A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2063036A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4130468A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2610176B2 (en) * | 1988-09-27 | 1997-05-14 | 井上 敏 | Organic fertilizer production equipment |
| DE4301312C2 (en) * | 1993-01-20 | 2002-05-29 | Peter Bott | plant substrate |
| DE4401278C2 (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1996-02-29 | Allplant Entw & Marketing Gmbh | Method and device for producing culture substrate |
| DE4401279C1 (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1995-04-13 | Allplant Entw & Marketing Gmbh | Culture substrate and its preparation |
| DE29503009U1 (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 1995-06-14 | Dedden, Lothar, 26160 Bad Zwischenahn | Plant substrate |
| CA2215284A1 (en) * | 1995-03-13 | 1996-09-19 | Carl V. Santoiemmo | Medium for storing, transporting and/or growing a plant |
| DE19610247A1 (en) * | 1995-08-08 | 1997-02-13 | Peter Dr Schopf | Recovery of sunflower and other stems - cuts them into lengths to be dried and mixed with bonding agents for use as insulation and construction materials |
| ITMI20041777A1 (en) * | 2004-09-17 | 2004-12-17 | Martini Spa | BIODEGRADABLE COMPOUND SUBSTRATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANTS WITH GAMIC AND AGAMIC PROPAGATION |
| US7165358B2 (en) * | 2004-11-18 | 2007-01-23 | Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc. | Chipped wood as a substrate for plant growth |
| DE102005017043A1 (en) | 2005-04-12 | 2006-10-19 | Tilco Biochemie Gmbh | A preparation for regulating the pH of the soil in combination with an increase in soil fertility |
| ITBO20080758A1 (en) * | 2008-12-18 | 2010-06-19 | Stefano Frapoli | MATTRESS FOR PLANT SUPPORT |
| DE102009034137A1 (en) | 2009-07-22 | 2011-01-27 | Inotec Glienke & Glienke Gbr (Vertretungsberechtigte Gesellschafter: Peter O. Glienke | Liquids storing and expandable composite material and its production and application |
| DE102014019350A1 (en) * | 2014-12-22 | 2016-06-23 | Agri V Raiffeisen eG | Process for the production of plant or potting soil or special soil and soil in this regard |
| CA3078702A1 (en) * | 2017-10-09 | 2019-04-18 | Profile Products L.L.C. | Hydroponic growing medium |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2248780A1 (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-05-23 | Ass Foret Cellulose Afoc | Plant growth media - comprising granules or flakes of wood fibre |
| FR2510593B1 (en) * | 1981-07-29 | 1986-05-30 | Guidat Gilbert | INERT MATERIAL FOR CROPS SOILS OR PLANS AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD |
| GB8323275D0 (en) * | 1983-08-31 | 1983-10-05 | Hillier Nurseries Winchester L | Compost ingredient |
| US4686790A (en) * | 1985-10-29 | 1987-08-18 | Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research | Degradable agricultural plastic articles, e.g., mulching film, comprising slowly released multinutrients in matrix of thermoplastic, and process for preparing same |
| FR2590761B1 (en) * | 1985-11-29 | 1989-01-06 | Beghin Say Sa | ABOVE GROUND CULTURE MEDIUM COMPRISING SUPERABSORBENT PARTICLES AND USE OF THIS MEDIUM FOR ABOVE GROUND CULTURE |
| DE3724551A1 (en) * | 1987-07-24 | 1989-02-02 | Heinze Gerald | Process for the preparation of an organic/organic fertiliser |
| DE3731267A1 (en) * | 1987-09-17 | 1989-04-06 | Heinze Gerald | Method for the production of a soil auxiliary |
| DE3805536A1 (en) * | 1988-02-23 | 1989-08-31 | Erwin Lenz Cochem Rizinusschro | ORGANIC-MINERAL DUENGER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING PELLETS FROM THE ORGANIC-MINERAL DUENGER |
| EP0409186B1 (en) * | 1989-07-21 | 1993-12-22 | Takeda Garden Products Co., Ltd. | Artificial bed soil |
| GB2237012A (en) * | 1989-10-05 | 1991-04-24 | Richard John Cleeve | Growing medium |
| DE4040772C1 (en) * | 1990-02-05 | 1992-07-30 | Mfe Marienfelde Gmbh Unternehmen Fuer Ernaehrung, 8542 Roth, De | |
| DE4040771C1 (en) * | 1990-12-19 | 1992-07-30 | Mfe Marienfelde Gmbh Unternehmen Fuer Ernaehrung, 8542 Roth, De | |
| DE4003395C1 (en) * | 1990-02-05 | 1991-10-17 | Marienfelde Gmbh & Co., 2000 Hamburg, De | |
| CH680290A5 (en) * | 1990-03-20 | 1992-07-31 | Iup Inst Fuer Umweltpflege Ag | |
| DE4041329A1 (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1992-06-25 | Wilfried Schraufstetter | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A Peat Substitute From Vegetable Raw Materials And Waste |
-
1991
- 1991-09-13 DE DE4130468A patent/DE4130468A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1992
- 1992-03-02 EP EP92103539A patent/EP0504644A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-03-13 CA CA002063036A patent/CA2063036A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-03-14 EP EP92104428A patent/EP0504762A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0504762A1 (en) | 1992-09-23 |
| DE4130468A1 (en) | 1992-09-17 |
| EP0504644A1 (en) | 1992-09-23 |
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