CN106163263B - Cultivation device and cultivation method - Google Patents

Cultivation device and cultivation method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN106163263B
CN106163263B CN201580016337.4A CN201580016337A CN106163263B CN 106163263 B CN106163263 B CN 106163263B CN 201580016337 A CN201580016337 A CN 201580016337A CN 106163263 B CN106163263 B CN 106163263B
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
culture
culture medium
particles
liquid
water
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.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CN201580016337.4A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Other versions
CN106163263A (en
Inventor
池口直树
马场将人
中井龙资
松尾圭一郎
深川大志
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Yanmar Green System Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Yanmar Green System Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Yanmar Green System Co Ltd filed Critical Yanmar Green System Co Ltd
Publication of CN106163263A publication Critical patent/CN106163263A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN106163263B publication Critical patent/CN106163263B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • 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
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
    • 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
    • A01G27/00—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots
    • A01G27/003—Controls for self-acting watering devices
    • 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
    • A01G27/00—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots
    • A01G27/005—Reservoirs connected to flower-pots through conduits
    • 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
    • A01G27/00—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots
    • A01G27/02—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots having a water reservoir, the main part thereof being located wholly around or directly beside the growth substrate
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
    • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Hydroponics (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)

Abstract

The cultivation device of the present invention includes: a culture medium configured to hold a crop; and a culture solution supply mechanism configured to supply a culture solution to the culture medium base, wherein the culture medium base includes a frame body, filler particles inside the frame body, and a region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action, the region being provided at least in a middle layer portion of a layer formed by the filler particles.

Description

Cultivation device and cultivation method
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a cultivation apparatus and a cultivation method.
Background
Soil cultivation of crops incurs various problems such as damage caused by continuous cropping, poor growth of the whole crop caused by inhibition of root elongation by hard soil, and reduction in yield caused by pests or soil deterioration. In recent years, as a cultivation method for solving these problems, water cultivation has been receiving attention, and various systems have been developed.
Generally, hydroponics is performed by directly immersing roots of plants in a culture solution without using any culture medium. In order to avoid root rot of plants, conventional hydroponics is performed by supplying a large amount of oxygen to roots. Therefore, an oxygen supply structure such as a diffuser pipe or a culture solution circulating pump capable of delivering air with the circulation of the culture solution supplies oxygen to the roots (see Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-9644).
Documents of the prior art
Patent document
Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-9644
Disclosure of Invention
Technical problem
However, the existing cultivation apparatus does not sufficiently supply oxygen, and also has disadvantages such as high maintenance cost of the system.
In hydroponics in which roots are immersed in a culture solution, excessive supply of water causes an increase in the moisture content of crops to be harvested, which may deteriorate the taste. In order to maintain or enhance the taste of crops, it is known to apply water stress such as drought stress or osmotic stress to increase the sugar degree. However, a cultivation apparatus capable of more stably applying appropriate water stress is required.
In addition, existing soil cultivation requires a large amount of soil. Therefore, a very large mass of soil is used. This prevents the establishment of farmlands on, for example, cultivation shelves (high-heels). When the farmlands have different heights, leveling the land requires a large amount of work and incurs high cost.
Under the above circumstances, the present invention has been completed. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cultivation apparatus and a cultivation method that can stably apply appropriate water stress to crops, can supply sufficient oxygen to the roots of the crops at low cost to avoid root rot, and can reduce the amount of soil used compared to soil cultivation.
Technical scheme
The present invention has been accomplished to achieve the object. A cultivation apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention includes a culture medium section configured to hold a crop, and a culture solution supply mechanism configured to supply a culture solution to the culture medium section, wherein the culture medium section includes a frame body, filler particles inside the frame body, and a region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action, the region being provided at least in a middle layer section of a layer formed of the filler particles.
A cultivation method of one embodiment of the present invention includes supplying a culture solution to a culture medium section that holds a crop, wherein the culture medium section includes a frame body, filler particles inside the frame body, and a region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action, the region being provided at least in an intermediate layer portion of a layer formed by the filler particles, and the culture solution is supplied to the crop through the region.
The invention has the advantages of
The cultivation apparatus and cultivation method according to the embodiment of the present invention can stably apply appropriate water stress to crops, can supply sufficient oxygen to the roots of crops at low cost to avoid root rot, and can reduce the amount of soil used compared to soil cultivation.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a cultivation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cultivation apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the yield and the sugar content in the evaluation of the amount of the medium.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the arrangement of a pot frame (ポット (side of health)) in the evaluation of agricultural fields having different heights.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes in the temperature of the interior of the greenhouse, the temperature of the liquid in the reservoir and the temperature of the culture medium.
Description of the reference symbols
1 cultivation device
2 culture substrate
3 storage part
4 frame body
5 filling particles
6 culture solution supply area
7 liquid feeding part
8-permeable root barrier sheet
9a first waterproof sheet
9b second waterproof sheet
11 moisture sensor
12 moisture tension sensor
13 controller
14 supply pipe
20 culture solution supply mechanism
21 water level salinity regulating mechanism
31 cultivation device
32 culture medium
33 storage part
34 frame body
35 filling particles
36 culture solution supply region
37 platform
38 water level regulating mechanism
39 water level meter
40 controller
41 supply pipe
42 thermometer
43 heating device
50 Farmland
51a first basin frame
51b second basin frame
51c third basin frame
P crop
Detailed Description
[ details of embodiments of the present invention ]
A cultivation apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention includes a culture medium section configured to hold a crop, and a culture solution supply mechanism configured to supply a culture solution to the culture medium section, wherein the culture medium section includes a frame body, filler particles inside the frame body, and a region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action, the region being provided at least in a middle layer portion of a layer formed of the filler particles.
In the cultivation apparatus, the culture base section includes a frame body, filler particles inside the frame body, and a region configured to exhibit capillary action to supply the culture liquid into the culture base section, the region being provided at least in a middle layer section of a layer formed of the filler particles. As a result, an excessive supply of the culture solution can be avoided, and an appropriate water stress can be stably applied to the roots of the crops. The region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action has a gas phase more than a liquid phase, and thus has high gas permeability. Therefore, even if there is no oxygen supply structure, root rot due to oxygen deficiency can be effectively suppressed. Thereby, the equipment cost and the operation cost can be reduced. Particles such as soil filling the frame are used in an amount to exhibit capillary action in the area. Therefore, the amount of soil used can be significantly reduced compared to conventional soil cultivation, which enables the weight of the culture base to be reduced. Therefore, a farm field can be established on a cultivation rack formed of an inexpensive material such as a resin pipe, and different heights of the farm field can be easily adjusted by adjustment of the cultivation rack. Herein, "water stress" refers to drought stress, for example, due to exposure of crops to low humidity, and osmotic stress due to high osmotic pressure caused by a high salinity environment surrounding crops.
The culture liquid supply mechanism preferably includes a storage part configured to store the culture liquid, and a liquid feeding part provided between the culture base part and the storage part; and the liquid feeding part is preferably configured to feed the culture liquid in the storage part to the bottom of the particles in the culture base part by capillary action. The culture liquid supply mechanism includes a storage part and a liquid feeding part so that the culture liquid can be easily and reliably supplied into the culture medium part even when the culture medium part and the storage part are isolated from each other. In addition, the culture solution in the reservoir part is supplied to the bottom of the granules in the culture base part by capillary action, so that the culture solution is supplied from the reservoir part to the culture base part in one direction. As a result, the horizontal spread of disease through the stored water can be prevented.
The system preferably comprises a mechanism configured to adjust the level or salinity of the culture fluid within the reservoir. By thus making it possible to adjust the water level or salinity of the culture liquid in the reservoir, it is possible to control drought stress or osmotic stress applied to the roots of crops. Therefore, the sugar degree of the crop to be harvested can be further improved.
The system preferably includes a temperature adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the temperature of the culture liquid in the storage part. By adjusting the temperature of the culture solution in the storage part in this manner, the temperature of the culture medium can be adjusted to a temperature suitable for the growth of crops. Further, the operation cost incurred by temperature adjustment of the culture solution is lower than that of air conditioning or the like for adjusting the air temperature. Therefore, the temperature of the culture medium can be adjusted at low cost as compared with conventional air temperature adjustment by an air conditioner or the like. In addition, the temperature of the culture medium changes in a manner closely related to the temperature of the culture solution. Therefore, the temperature of the medium is easily adjusted.
The frame preferably comprises a water-permeable barrier sheet at least as a bottom. By including the water-permeable root barrier sheet at least as the bottom portion in the frame body, the root portion of the crop in the culture medium can be prevented from entering the reservoir portion. As a result, prevention of root rot and application of water stress can be more effectively achieved. In addition, contamination of the storage portion can be prevented.
The particles are preferably soil. When such particles are soil, the middle layer portion of the layer formed by the filler particles can exhibit capillary action more reliably and efficiently. As a result, prevention of root rot and application of water stress can be more effectively achieved.
The soil is preferably sand. When sand is used as soil in this way, the ratio of gas phase to liquid phase can be further increased in the middle layer portion of the layer formed by the packed particles, and the oxygen supplying ability can be effectively increased. In addition, sand has a low organic content and a small number of microorganisms living therein, compared to soil, and thus root diseases are not likely to occur. Therefore, the circulating filtration treatment of the culture solution and the sterilization of the cultivation apparatus, which are required in, for example, the hydroponics, can be omitted or simplified. In addition, sand is physicochemically stable. Therefore, even if the sand is used throughout the year, damage caused by continuous cropping is not easily caused, and the sand can be continuously used; and root diseases are not easy to occur. In addition, since sand has a single-particle structure as compared with other soils having a granular structure, sand has high reproducibility of capillary action and high uniform diffusivity of water, which makes moisture regulation easy. As a result, high-quality crops can be cultivated at low cost. Here, "sand" refers to, for example, a pile of unconsolidated fragments of capillary water held in pores, for example, fragments having a diameter of 0.01mm or more and 2mm or less.
The layer formed of the filler particles preferably has a capillary rise height of 3cm or more and 300cm or less. Such a capillary rise height can increase the degree of freedom in system design and improve workability in agricultural work (see ).
The particles preferably contain 50 mass% or more of single particles having a particle diameter of 0.1mm or more and 1mm or less. When the particles have such characteristics, the middle layer portion more effectively exhibits capillary action, and the ratio of gas phase to liquid phase in the middle layer portion is further increased, which makes it possible to more effectively suppress root rot due to oxygen deficiency. Here, the "particle diameter" is an average particle diameter of the particles determined as follows: the granules were sieved in order of decreasing mesh size through sieves specified in JIS-Z8801-1(2006) and the number of granules on the sieves and the mesh size of each sieve were calculated.
The granules preferably have a mass of 1.00g/cm3Above and 3.00g/cm3The following tap density. When the particles have a tap density in such a range, the middle layer portion can more effectively exhibit capillary action, and the ratio of gas phase to liquid phase in the middle layer portion can be further increased, thereby more effectively suppressing root rot due to oxygen deficiency. Here, "tap density" refers to the bulk density of the powder, and is a value measured according to JIS-Z2512 (2012).
A cultivation method of another embodiment of the present invention includes supplying a culture liquid to a culture medium section that holds a crop, wherein the culture medium section includes a frame body, filler particles inside the frame body, and a region to which the culture liquid is supplied by capillary action, the region being provided at least in an intermediate layer portion of a layer formed by the filler particles, and the culture liquid is supplied to the crop through the region.
According to the above cultivation method, the culture solution is supplied to the crop from the region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action of the layer formed of the packed particles in the frame. Therefore, an excessive supply of the culture solution can be avoided and an appropriate water stress can be stably applied to the roots of the crops. In addition, the region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action has a gas phase more than a liquid phase, and thus has high gas permeability. Therefore, even if there is no oxygen supply structure, oxygen can be sufficiently supplied to the roots of crops, thereby effectively suppressing root rot. In addition, in the cultivation method, particles such as soil filling the frame are used in an amount showing capillary action in the area. Therefore, the amount of soil used can be significantly reduced compared to conventional soil cultivation, which enables the weight of the culture base to be reduced. Therefore, the cultivation method enables a farmland to be established on a cultivation rack formed of an inexpensive material such as a resin pipe, and different heights of the farmland can be easily adjusted by adjustment of the cultivation rack.
[ details of embodiments of the present invention ]
Hereinafter, a cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[ first embodiment ]
The cultivation apparatus 1 shown in fig. 1 mainly includes a culture medium section 2 configured to hold a crop P, and a culture solution supply mechanism 20 configured to supply a culture solution to the culture medium section 2. The culture medium part 2 includes a frame 4, filler particles 5 filling the frame 4, and a culture solution supply region 6 to which a culture solution is supplied by capillary action, and the region 6 is provided at least in the middle layer part of the layer formed by the filler particles 5. The culture liquid supply mechanism 20 includes a storage part 3 configured to store the culture liquid, and a liquid feeding part 7 configured to supply the culture liquid to the bottom of the filler particles 5 in the culture base part 2. The cultivation apparatus 1 further includes a water level salinity adjusting mechanism 21 configured to adjust the water level and salinity of the culture liquid in the storage part 3, a water permeable root barrier sheet 8, a first waterproof sheet 9a, and a second waterproof sheet 9 b.
< culture Medium >
The culture medium part 2 includes a frame 4, filler particles 5 filling the frame 4, and a culture solution supply region 6 to which a culture solution is supplied by capillary action, the region 6 being provided at least in an intermediate layer part of a layer formed of the filler particles 5. The culture medium part 2 is a part configured to hold the crop P.
(frame body)
The frame 4 holds the filler particles 5 and also prevents the roots of the crop P from reaching the outside of the frame 4.
The frame 4 is a bottomed cylindrical body. The frame body 4 is not particularly limited in planar shape; from the viewpoint of transportation, the planar shape is preferably a shape capable of achieving stacking, and more preferably a circular shape. The bottom of the frame 4 is composed of a water permeable barrier sheet 8. By forming at least the bottom of the frame 4 with the water-permeable root barrier sheet 8, the root of the crop P in the culture medium part 2 can be prevented from entering the reservoir part 3.
Incidentally, the side portions and the upper portion of the frame body 4 may be constituted by the water permeable barrier sheet 8 in addition to the bottom portion of the frame body 4. However, from the viewpoint of improving the water retentivity of the culture medium part 2, it is preferable that only the bottom surface is composed of the water-permeable barrier sheet 8.
The lower limit of the average inner diameter of the frame 4 is preferably 6cm, and more preferably 9 cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average inner diameter of the frame 4 is preferably 23cm, and more preferably 15 cm. When the average inner diameter of the frame body 4 is less than the lower limit, the roots of the crop P cannot spread sufficiently, which may cause poor growth. In contrast, when the average inner diameter of the frame body 4 is larger than the upper limit, the culture base 2 may have an excessively large mass. Incidentally, the "average inner diameter" means an average value of the diameter of a circle (circle-corrected diameter) having the same area as the area of the internal shape (plan view) of the housing 4 in the height direction of the housing 4.
The material of the frame 4 forming the portion other than the bottom portion (water-permeable barrier sheet 8) is not particularly limited; examples of the material include paper and sheet-like resin having air and water permeability. The sheet resin can be woven fabric or non-woven fabric; in particular, a porous resin film is preferable, and a porous resin film manufactured by stretching a film of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene is more preferable.
The water permeable barrier sheet 8 may be provided only on the bottom surface portion of the frame 4; in addition, as shown in fig. 1, the sheet 8 may also be provided in a region other than the frame body 4 in a plan view. The water-permeable root barrier sheet 8 having water permeability is provided so as not to inhibit the transport of the culture solution while providing effects such as water-proof, light-shielding. Incidentally, the bottom of the frame body 4 may be bonded to the water permeable barrier sheet 8; alternatively, the frame 4 may be placed on the water permeable barrier sheet 8.
The water-permeable barrier sheet 8 is not particularly limited in material; examples of materials include paper and cloth.
The lower limit of the average thickness of the water-permeable barrier sheet 8 is preferably 0.1mm, more preferably 0.2 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the water-permeable barrier sheet 8 is preferably 5mm, and more preferably 3 mm. When the average thickness of the water-permeable root barrier sheet 8 is less than the lower limit, the root may not be sufficiently blocked. Conversely, when the average thickness of the water-permeable barrier sheet 8 exceeds the upper limit, the cost of the water-permeable barrier sheet 8 may be excessive.
(particle)
The middle layer part and the lower layer part of the layer formed by the filling particles 5 of the filling frame body 4 are contained in the culture solution supply region 6 exhibiting the capillary action. The filler particles 5 are not particularly limited as long as the layer formed by filling exhibits capillary action. Examples of the particles 5 include soil, fine pumice such as pumice sand, pulverized particles of porous volcanic rock, granular rock wool, coral sand, coral, and charcoal; and two or more selected from these may be used in combination. Among them, the infill particles 5 are preferably soil from the viewpoint that the capillary action is sufficiently ensured and the soil which is not used any more can be restored to natural soil.
Examples of the soil include commercially available horticultural cultivation substrates, vermiculite, bentonite, zeolite, sand, palustre, jalaponite and weathered granite (true sandy soil). Among them, sand is preferable. The use of sand as soil enables a further increase in the gas-to-liquid ratio, which effectively increases the oxygen supply capacity. As a result, even if there is no oxygen supply mechanism, root rot due to oxygen deficiency can be effectively suppressed. In addition, the organic matter content of sand is low and the number of microorganisms living therein is small, compared to the general culture medium, so that root diseases do not easily occur.
The lower limit of the particle diameter of the single particles of the filler particles 5 is preferably 0.1mm, more preferably 0.15 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the particle size is preferably 1mm, more preferably 0.6 mm. When the particle size is less than the lower limit, the culture liquid supply area 6 may have an excessively small amount of pores, which may result in excessive humidity and a high possibility of growing unwanted microorganisms (i.q.). In contrast, when the particle diameter is larger than the upper limit, the culture liquid supply region 6 may have an excessively large number of pores, which may cause insufficient capillary action, so that a predetermined amount of the culture liquid cannot be supplied to the roots.
The lower limit of the content of the single particles having a particle diameter of 0.1mm or more and 1mm or less in the filler particles 5 is preferably 50% by mass, and more preferably 80% by mass. When the content of the single particles is less than the lower limit, the culture liquid supply region 6 may exhibit insufficient capillary action, so that a predetermined amount of the culture liquid cannot be supplied to the roots.
As for the particles of the filler particles 5, the lower limit of the tap density is preferably 1.00g/cm3More preferably 1.65g/cm3More preferably 1.70g/cm3. On the other hand, the upper limit of the tap density of the particles is preferably 3.00g/cm3More preferably 1.85g/cm3More preferably 1.83g/cm3. When the tap density of the particles is less than the lower limit, the culture liquid supply region 6 may have an excessively large number of pores, which may cause insufficient capillary action, so that a predetermined amount of the culture liquid cannot be supplied to the roots. In contrast, when the tap density of the particles is larger than the upper limit, the culture liquid supply region 6 may have an excessively small amount of pores, which may result in excessive humidification and a high possibility of growing unwanted microorganisms.
The lower limit of the capillary rise height of the layer formed of the filler particles 5 is preferably 3cm, more preferably 10cm, and still more preferably 20 cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the capillary rise height of the layer formed of the filler particles 5 is preferably 300cm, more preferably 200cm, and still more preferably 40 cm. The layer formed of the filler particles 5 is prepared in such a manner that the capillary rise height satisfies such a range, thereby improving the degree of freedom in system design and also improving workability of agricultural activities. When the layer formed by the filler particles 5 has a capillary rise height smaller than the lower limit, the culture liquid may not be supplied to the roots of the crop P, which results in poor growth of the crop P. In contrast, when the layer formed of the filler particles 5 has a capillary rise height greater than the upper limit, it may be difficult to apply water stress to the roots.
Incidentally, the capillary rise height (m) h was obtained by the following formula (1), wherein the surface tension (N/m) of the culture solution is represented by T, the contact angle (°) of the culture solution is represented by θ, and the density (kg/m) of the culture solution is represented by3) Denoted by p, gravity (m/s)2) Is represented by g, and the 10 mass% particle diameter (m) of the filler particles 5 is represented by r. The "10 mass% particle diameter" refers to a particle diameter D (10% particle diameter D) at which the mass percentage of particles passing through the particle is 10%, which is read from a particle diameter cumulative curve according to JIS-a1204(2009) "test method for soil particle size distribution", and10)。
h＝2Tcosθ/ρgr (1)
in the single frame 4, the lower limit of the average flow rate of the culture liquid is preferably 0.2L/hr, more preferably 0.3L/hr, at a position of 0cm in height from the bottom surface of the frame 4 in the culture liquid supply region 6. When the average flow rate of the culture liquid is less than the lower limit, the water absorption rate required for the crop P may not be satisfied, and the crop P may die due to water shortage. Incidentally, the average flow rate is an average value of measured values of the amount (L) of the culture solution passing through the bottom surfaces of 5 or more independent frames 4 and reaching the culture solution supply area 6.
When the average flow rate of the culture liquid in the culture liquid supply area 6 is sufficiently high, there is a point in the culture liquid supply area 6 where the water absorption rate of the crop P is equal to or less than the average flow rate. Therefore, the crop P absorbs water without limitation (the water absorption in this case is referred to as daily maximum water absorption). In this state, as the water level of the liquid surface of the reservoir 3 described later gradually decreases, the water supply rate gradually decreases, which results in a restriction of water absorption (in this case, the water absorption amount is referred to as daily limit water absorption amount). In the cultivation apparatus 1, the daily water absorption amount of the crop P can be approximately calculated from the daily water consumption amount, and the water absorption amount can be limited to a desired ratio. The water supply is continued even when the average flow rate of the culture liquid is limited. Therefore, the culture medium part 2 is less likely to dry, so that the roots are less likely to be damaged, as compared with the case where the water supply amount is limited. The decrease in the water holding amount of the culture medium part 2 due to the limitation of the water supply rate can also be measured based on the decrease in the weight of the culture medium part 2. Therefore, the manager can perform water control without an expensive moisture sensor.
The lower limit of the filling height of the filling particles 5 is preferably 1cm, more preferably 3cm, and further preferably 5 cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the filling height of the filling particle 5 is preferably 50cm, more preferably 30cm, and further preferably 15 cm. When the filling height of the filler particles 5 is less than the lower limit, the roots of the crop P may break the capillary structure of the culture liquid supply area 6, which may result in poor growth. In contrast, when the filling height of the filling particles 5 is larger than the upper limit, the culture medium part 2 may have an excessively large mass.
The lower limit of the water holding amount of the culture solution in the culture solution supply region 6 is preferably 0.04L, more preferably 0.05L, and still more preferably 0.10L. On the other hand, the upper limit of the amount of water held by the culture medium in the culture medium supply region 6 is preferably 2L, more preferably 1.5L, and still more preferably 0.6L. When the water holding amount of the culture liquid in the culture liquid supply area 6 is less than the lower limit, failure in supplying water from the storage part 3 due to, for example, a failure of the cultivation apparatus 1 may cause a high risk of total damage to the crop P. In contrast, when the water holding amount of the culture liquid is larger than the upper limit, the culture base part 2 may have a large mass, or it may be difficult to adjust the water holding amount. Incidentally, the water retention amount is found by: the mass of the culture medium part 2 in a dried state is subtracted from the mass of the culture medium part 2 in a water-retaining state, and the obtained value is converted into a volume.
< culture solution supply mechanism >
The culture liquid supply mechanism 20 includes a storage part 3 configured to store a culture liquid, and a liquid feeding part 7 provided between the culture base part 2 and the storage part 3.
(liquid delivery part)
The liquid feeding portion 7 is a sheet-like member. The liquid feeding unit 7 is provided between the culture medium part 2 and the reservoir part 3 such that a part of the liquid feeding unit 7 is immersed in the reservoir part 3 described later. The liquid feeding part 7 lifts the culture liquid in the reservoir part 3 by capillary action to supply the culture liquid to the bottom of the packed granules 5 in the culture base part 2 through the water permeable root barrier sheet 8. The culture medium supply mechanism 20 includes a liquid feeding unit 7; as a result, even when the culture medium part 2 and the storage part 3 are isolated from each other, the culture liquid can be easily and reliably supplied into the culture medium part 2.
The liquid feeding part 7 is not particularly limited as long as it can lift the culture liquid by capillary action to supply the culture liquid to the bottom of the packed particles 5. Examples of the liquid sending part 7 include nonwoven fabric, rock wool sheet, felt sheet, and urethane sheet. Among these, the nonwoven fabric is preferable from the viewpoint of exhibiting an appropriate capillary action and realizing an appropriate water absorption rate.
The lower limit of the water permeability of the liquid-feeding portion 7 is preferably 0.01%, more preferably 1%. On the other hand, the upper limit of the water permeability of the liquid feeding portion 7 is preferably 40%, and more preferably 30%. When the water permeability of the liquid feeding part 7 is less than the lower limit, the amount of culture liquid supplied to the bottom of the packed particles 5 of the culture medium part 2 may be insufficient. Conversely, when the water permeability of the liquid feeding portion 7 is greater than the upper limit, the liquid feeding portion 7 and the resulting cultivation apparatus 1 may incur an excessively high cost. Here, the water permeability of the liquid feeding portion 7 as a planar member means a ratio of water that has been transferred to the back surface to water sprayed on the front surface.
The lower limit of the average thickness of the liquid-feeding portion 7 is preferably 0.5mm, and more preferably 0.7 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the liquid-feeding portion 7 is preferably 2mm, and more preferably 1.5 mm. When the average thickness of the liquid sending part 7 is less than the lower limit, the liquid sending part 7 may have low strength, which may cause breakage. In contrast, when the average thickness of the liquid feeding portion 7 is larger than the upper limit, the liquid feeding portion 7 may incur high cost.
The lower limit of the water level raised by the liquid feeding portion 7 is preferably 3cm, more preferably 10cm, and still more preferably 20 cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the water level raised by the liquid feeding portion 7 is preferably 300cm, more preferably 200cm, and still more preferably 40 cm. When the water level raised by the liquid feeding part 7 is less than the lower limit, the amount of culture liquid supplied to the bottom of the packed granules 5 of the culture base part 2 may be insufficient, resulting in water shortage. In contrast, when the water level raised by the liquid sending part 7 is greater than the upper limit, the liquid sending part 7 may incur high cost. Here, the elevated water level is determined in the following manner. First, the liquid feeding portion 7 was cut into pieces having a width of 4cm and a length of 120 cm. The sheet was covered with a polyethylene film having an average thickness of 0.03mm (the film was subjected to thermocompression bonding to have a bag shape; the sheet was inserted into the film so as to be surrounded and covered by the film) to prepare a measurement sample. The measurement sample was set on a rack so as to be suspended vertically. At this time, the upper and lower portions of the sample were each exposed by 5cm, and the sample was set in contact with the surface of the liquid. The water level raised with respect to the liquid surface after 5 times of 24 hours was measured, and the average of the measured values was determined as the raised water level.
(storage section)
The storage section 3 is constituted by a water-impermeable storage tank configured to hold a culture solution. The reservoir part 3 is provided so as to be separated from the culture medium part 2. Specifically, the reservoir part 3 is provided below the culture medium part 2 and in a region not overlapping with the culture medium part 2 in a plan view. The storage part 3 is provided in such an area that the roots of the crop P can be more reliably prevented from entering the storage part 3, and a single storage part 3 can be shared by a plurality of culture base parts 2. Incidentally, the storage tank of the storage part 3 has an open upper part to facilitate the supply of the culture solution; and a second waterproof sheet 9b is provided at the bottom and side of the groove to prevent the culture solution from leaking. The first waterproof sheet 9a and the second waterproof sheet 9b may be formed of a single sheet.
Part of the liquid feeding part 7 is immersed in the reservoir part 3, and the culture liquid is supplied to the bottom of the packed particles 5 of the culture medium part 2 through the liquid feeding part 7. The culture solution is supplied in one direction from the reservoir part 3 to the culture medium part 2, thereby preventing diseases occurring in hydroponics from spreading horizontally through the stored water.
The culture solution held in the reservoir 3 preferably contains a fertilizer. The fertilizer preferably contains a chemical fertilizer from the viewpoint that the propagation of unnecessary microorganisms can be suppressed in the storage section 3. Incidentally, the fertilizer may be added to the culture solution or may be directly put into the culture medium part 2.
The upper portion of the storage portion 3 is preferably shielded from light by a light shielding member. Examples of the light shielding member include a water-permeable root barrier sheet 8 and a first waterproof sheet 9 a. By shielding the reservoir 3 from light in this manner, the growth of algae in the reservoir 3 can be suppressed. In the cultivation apparatus 1, the culture solution held in the storage unit 3 does not directly contact the roots of the crop P. Such features cooperatively enable the reservoir 3 to be maintained in a clean state. Therefore, the growth of unnecessary microorganisms can be suppressed in the culture solution even without performing the filtration treatment.
< waterproof sheet >
The first waterproof sheet 9a is provided on the upper surface side of the water-permeable root barrier sheet 8 and the liquid-feeding part 7 in a region other than the region where the culture medium 2 is provided. For example, the first waterproof sheet 9a prevents evaporation of the culture solution and prevents the leaked culture solution and the like from entering the storage part 3. As described above, the first waterproof sheet 9a may also function as a light shielding member.
The second waterproof sheet 9b is provided on the lower surface side of the water permeable root barrier sheet 8, the liquid sending part 7, and the storage part 3. For example, the sheet 9b isolates the cultivation apparatus 1 from the ground surface, thereby preventing the leaked culture solution from penetrating into the ground.
The first waterproof sheet 9a and the second waterproof sheet 9b are not particularly limited as long as they block water and roots of the crop P. Examples of these sheets include polyolefin films, fluororesin films, and biodegradable plastic films.
< Water level salinity regulating mechanism >
The water level salinity adjusting mechanism 21 includes a moisture sensor 11 and a moisture tension sensor 12 embedded in the packed granules 5 of the culture base 2, and a controller 13 configured to adjust the amount and salinity of the culture liquid additionally supplied to the storage part 3 based on the measured values of these sensors.
The moisture sensor 11 measures the moisture content of the culture medium 2. The moisture tension sensor 12 measures the moisture tension between the filler particles 5. The controller 13 controls the amount of the culture liquid supplied to the reservoir 3 through the supply pipe 14 based on the moisture content in the culture base 2 and the moisture tension between the infill granules 5 to adjust the water level of the culture liquid of the reservoir 3, thereby applying appropriate drought stress to the crop P. The rise or fall of the water level of the culture liquid in the reservoir part 3 enables adjustment of the liquid level in the culture base part 2 after capillary rise. Therefore, the water level of the culture liquid in the storage part 3 is adjusted thereby to apply drought stress for increasing the sugar degree. This can enhance the taste of the crop P.
In the existing hydroponics, it is difficult to control the amount of the culture solution supplied to the crops so as to be reduced. In contrast, the cultivation apparatus 1 makes it possible to adjust the liquid level in the culture medium 2 after capillary rise based on the moisture content in the culture medium 2 and the moisture tension between the filler particles 5. Thereby, the amount of the culture solution supplied to the crop P can be adjusted to be reduced.
The controller 13 adjusts the amount of salt added to the culture liquid supplied to the storage part 3 through the supply pipe 14 based on the moisture content in the culture base 2 and the moisture tension between the infill granules 5 so as to apply appropriate osmotic stress to the crop P. This makes it possible to adjust the osmotic pressure of the culture liquid relative to the roots of the crop P. Thereby, osmotic stress may be applied to increase the sugar degree, thereby enhancing the taste of the crop P. Incidentally, when salt is added to the culture solution in this way, salt is added in an amount for adjusting only the salinity of the culture solution absorbed from the roots of the crop plants P. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of salt used, as compared with the case where salt is directly added in existing hydroponics.
As described above, the cultivation apparatus 1 is configured to adjust the water level and is also configured to adjust the salinity. As a result, water stress can be effectively applied to the crop P with a small amount of added salt.
[ cultivation method ]
The cultivation method includes supplying a culture solution to a culture medium section holding a crop P, wherein the culture medium section 2 includes a frame body 4, filling particles 5 filling the frame body 4, and a culture solution supply area 6 to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action, the area 6 being provided at least in a middle layer portion of a layer formed by the filling particles 5, and the culture solution is supplied to the crop P through the culture solution supply area 6.
More specifically, the cultivation method includes a step of supplying the culture solution to the culture medium section 2 through the solution feeding section 7 (culture solution supplying step); a step of adjusting the water level of the reservoir part 3 holding the culture solution supplied to the culture base part 2, thereby applying drought stress to the crop P (drought stress step); and a step of adjusting the salinity of the culture solution supplied to the culture medium part 2, thereby applying osmotic stress to the crop plants P (osmotic stress step).
< culture solution supplying step >
In the culture medium supply step, the liquid feeding part 7 supplies the culture medium held in the storage part 3 to the bottom of the culture medium part 2. The culture liquid is supplied to the culture liquid supply region 6 of the culture medium part 2 by capillary action in the layer formed by the filler particles 5 in the frame 4. Specifically, the culture solution is lifted from the reservoir part 3 holding the culture solution by capillary action in the liquid feeding part 7; and the culture solution is supplied to the bottom of the packed granules 5 in the culture medium part 2 through the water-permeable root barrier sheet 8. The culture liquid that has been supplied to the bottom of the filler particles 5 is supplied to the roots of the crop P via the culture liquid supply area 6 by capillary action in the layer formed by the filler particles 5.
In the culture solution supply step, the culture solution is added to the reservoir part 3 in an amount suitable for supply to the crop P depending on the state of the culture solution supplied to the culture medium part 2. Specifically, the moisture content in the culture medium part 2 and the moisture tension between the packed particles 5 are measured using the moisture sensor 11 and the moisture tension sensor 12. The controller 13 additionally supplies the culture solution to the storage unit 3 based on the measurement result. In this way, the culture solution can be continuously supplied to the crop P.
< drought stress step >
In the drought stress step, the water level of the reservoir 3 holding the culture solution is adjusted according to the state of the culture solution supplied to the culture medium part 2. Thereby adjusting the water level to apply drought stress. Specifically, the moisture content in the culture medium part 2 and the moisture tension between the packed particles 5 are measured using the moisture sensor 11 and the moisture tension sensor 12. The controller 13 adjusts the supply amount of the culture solution to be added to the reservoir 3 based on the measurement result. Thereby adjusting the amount of the culture liquid supplied to the reservoir part 3, and thus adjusting the water level of the culture liquid in the reservoir part 3. In this way, the level of the culture liquid in the reservoir part 3 is raised or lowered, thereby adjusting the liquid level in the culture base part 2 after the capillary tube has risen. Thus, an appropriate drought stress is applied to crop P.
< step of osmotic stress >
In the osmotic stress step, the salinity of the culture solution supplied to the culture medium part 2 is adjusted according to the state of the culture solution supplied to the culture medium part 2. Thereby adjusting salinity of the culture solution to apply osmotic stress. Specifically, the moisture content in the culture medium part 2 and the moisture tension between the packed particles 5 are measured using the moisture sensor 11 and the moisture tension sensor 12. The controller 13 adjusts the amount of salt added to the culture solution supplied to the reservoir 3 based on the measurement result. Thereby, the osmotic pressure of the culture solution relative to the roots of the crop P is adjusted, thereby applying appropriate osmotic stress to the crop P.
< advantages >
The cultivation apparatus includes a culture liquid supply region configured to exhibit capillary action to supply a culture liquid into a culture medium portion, the region being provided at least in a middle layer portion of a layer formed of filler particles within a frame. Therefore, the over-supply of the culture solution is avoided, thereby stably applying appropriate water stress to the roots of the crops. In addition, the culture solution supply region to which the culture solution is supplied by capillary action has a gas phase more than a liquid phase, and thus has high gas permeability. Therefore, the cultivation apparatus enables effective suppression of root rot due to oxygen deficiency even without an oxygen supply structure.
In addition, in the cultivation apparatus, the frame body is filled with particles such as soil in an amount showing capillary action in the culture liquid supply area. Therefore, the amount of soil used can be significantly reduced compared to existing soil cultivation, which enables the weight of the culture base to be reduced. Therefore, the cultivation apparatus enables to establish a farm field on a cultivation rack formed of an inexpensive material such as a resin pipe. The different heights of the farmland can be easily adjusted through the adjustment of the cultivation frame.
In addition, the cultivation device uses subsurface irrigation, and compared with ground irrigation, the subsurface irrigation can save water. This is because the upper layer of the culture medium has a relatively low water holding amount and evaporation does not easily occur. Since evaporation does not easily occur, interference between humidity management and irrigation management in a greenhouse does not easily occur. In the cultivation apparatus, the storage tank of the storage part is non-permeable to water, which enables further water saving; and a completely closed cultivation apparatus which does not generate waste water can be constructed. In addition, since the amount of water lost by evaporation is very small, the consumption amount of the culture solution can be basically accurately determined, which enables quantification of plant growth based on the amount of water absorbed. Furthermore, since the amount evaporated from the culture medium part is small, the salts permeate into the water held in the culture medium part. This has the advantage over surface irrigation and capillary hydroponics that salt accumulation is less likely to occur. In addition, the culture medium can be easily washed.
In addition, the minimization of the amount of the culture medium in the cultivation apparatus enables the increase of the consumption rate of the culture liquid held in the culture medium part. Thus, the culture liquid in the storage part is substantially the same as the culture liquid in the culture medium part. As a result, effects due to changes in the culture solution can be obtained immediately as compared with other medium works, which makes it easy to adjust, for example, the pH of the culture medium.
[ second embodiment ]
The cultivation apparatus 31 shown in fig. 2 mainly includes a culture medium section 32 configured to hold the crop P, and a culture solution supply mechanism configured to supply a culture solution to the culture medium section 32. The culture medium part 32 includes a frame 34, filler particles 35 filling the frame 34, and a culture solution supply region 36 to which a culture solution is supplied by capillary action, and the region 36 is provided at least in the middle layer part of the layer formed by the filler particles 35. Incidentally, the culture liquid supply mechanism is constituted by a storage part 33 configured to store the culture liquid. The cultivation apparatus 31 further includes a water level adjustment mechanism 38 configured to adjust the water level of the culture liquid in the storage part 33, and a temperature adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the temperature of the culture liquid in the storage part 33.
In the cultivation apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the storage part 3 and the culture medium part 2 are isolated from each other. In contrast, in the cultivation apparatus 31, the storage part 33 and the culture medium part 32 are not isolated from each other, and the culture medium supply mechanism does not have a liquid feeding part. These are differences from the cultivation apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Incidentally, since the cultivating device 31 does not have a liquid feeding portion, it does not have the permeable root barrier sheet 8, the first waterproof sheet 9a, the second waterproof sheet 9b, and the like of the cultivating device 1. Hereinafter, differences from the cultivation apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be explained.
< culture Medium >
The culture medium part 32 includes a frame 34, filler particles 35 filling the frame 34, and a culture solution supply region 36 to which a culture solution is supplied by capillary action, and the region 36 is provided at least in the middle layer part of the layer formed by the filler particles 35. The culture medium part 32 is a part configured to hold the crop P.
The frame 34 has a bottom portion having a plurality of fine through holes through which the culture medium passes but the filler particles 35 do not pass. The frame 34 is placed on a plurality of stages 37 provided at the bottom of the storage section 33. The bottom of the frame 34 is immersed in the culture medium. The impregnated portion of the packing particle 35 is a culture solution permeating layer into which the culture solution has permeated. The entire portion of the packed granules 35 above the culture solution permeation layer is a culture solution supply region 36. In the cultivation apparatus 31, oxygen deficiency easily occurs in the culture liquid permeation layer, so that the root of the crop P does not easily stretch into the culture liquid permeation layer.
In the frame 34, a portion other than the bottom portion, such as a side surface, is not particularly limited in material. The material may be the same as that in the portion (except the bottom portion) of the frame body 4 of the first embodiment, such as the material of the side face. Specifically, examples of the material include paper and sheet-like resin having air permeability and water permeability. The sheet resin can be woven fabric or non-woven fabric; in particular, a porous resin film is preferable, and a porous resin film manufactured by stretching a film of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene is more preferable.
< culture solution supply mechanism >
The culture liquid supply mechanism is constituted by a storage part 33 configured to store the culture liquid.
(storage section)
The storage 33 comprises a plurality of platforms 37 arranged at the bottom. The culture medium part 32 is placed on these platforms 37. A culture solution held at a predetermined water level in the reservoir 33; the culture medium part 32 is set in the reservoir part 33 so that the bottom of the frame 34 is immersed in the culture medium. Incidentally, it is preferable to provide a plurality of culture medium parts 32 in a single storage part 33. When a plurality of culture mediums 32 are provided in a single storage part 33, drought stress to these plurality of culture mediums 32 can be regulated simultaneously and equally.
< Water level regulating mechanism >
The water level adjusting mechanism 38 includes a water level gauge 39 installed in the reservoir 33, and a controller 40 configured to adjust the amount of the culture liquid supplied to the reservoir 33 based on the water level measured with the water level gauge 39.
The water level gauge 39 is configured to measure the water level of the culture liquid in the reservoir 33, and send the measurement result to the controller 40.
The controller 40 is configured to determine the amount of the culture liquid supplied to the storage part 33 based on the water level measured with the water level meter 39, and to supply the culture liquid through the supply pipe 41. For example, when the controller 40 controls the supply amount of the culture solution so as to maintain a certain water level in the storage part 33, the culture solution is automatically supplied. This enables to reduce the watering workload of the manager.
Controller 40 may be used to control the amount of broth supplied to reservoir 33, thereby adjusting the water level of reservoir 33 to impose drought stress. As described above, the rise or fall of the water level of the culture liquid in the reservoir 33 enables adjustment of the liquid level in the culture base 32 after the capillary has risen. In this way, by controlling the amount of the culture liquid supplied to the storage part 33, it is possible to apply appropriate drought stress to the crop P.
The controller 40 may be used to adjust the amount of salt added to the culture solution supplied to the reservoir 33. The controller 40 can determine the amount of the culture liquid held in the reservoir 33 based on the water level measured by the water level gauge 39; also, based on the amount of the culture solution, the amount of salt added can be determined so as to apply appropriate osmotic stress to the crop P. In this way, the osmotic pressure of the culture liquid relative to the roots of the crop P can be adjusted, thereby applying an appropriate osmotic stress to the crop P. Incidentally, in the regulation of osmotic stress, as in the cultivation apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, a mechanism configured to determine the moisture content in the culture medium 32 and the moisture tension between the infill particles 35 may be provided, so that a more appropriate osmotic pressure is applied.
< temperature adjustment mechanism >
The temperature adjustment mechanism includes, for example, a thermometer 42 embedded in the filler particles 35 of the culture base 32, and a heater 43 provided in the controller 40 and configured to heat the culture liquid supplied from the controller 40 to the storage part 33.
The inventors studied the temperature of the culture medium as described later and found that the temperature of the culture medium changes so as to be more closely related to the temperature of the culture medium than to the air temperature in the greenhouse. Therefore, the inventors found that adjusting the temperature of the culture liquid supplied to the culture medium section enables more effective adjustment of the temperature of the culture medium section than conventionally adjusting the air temperature in a greenhouse with an air conditioner or the like. Based on these findings, a temperature adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the temperature of the culture liquid is provided for the purpose of adjusting the temperature within the culture medium section.
The controller 40 is configured to control the heater 43 based on the temperature of the culture base 32 determined by the thermometer 42 to adjust the temperature of the culture liquid supplied to the storage part 33 so that the culture liquid supplied to the root of the crop P has an appropriate temperature, and is also configured to supply the temperature-adjusted culture liquid to the storage part 33. As described above, the temperature of the culture medium part 32 changes in a manner closely related to the temperature of the culture solution. By adjusting the temperature of the culture liquid supplied to the reservoir part 33 to adjust the temperature of the culture liquid supplied to the culture medium part 32 in this manner, the temperature in the culture medium part 32 can be accurately adjusted. Therefore, such a temperature adjustment mechanism enables easy and efficient adjustment of the temperature inside the culture medium 32, as compared with conventional adjustment in which the temperature of the culture medium is adjusted by adjusting the air temperature inside a greenhouse with an air conditioner or the like.
< advantages >
The cultivation apparatus does not have a liquid feeding portion as a culture liquid supply mechanism, which enables a simple configuration and a reduction in equipment cost. In addition, the cultivation apparatus is configured to determine the water level of the storage part with a water level gauge, which enables accurate adjustment of the water level in the storage part.
In addition, the cultivation apparatus is configured to adjust the temperature of the culture solution with the temperature adjustment mechanism, thereby adjusting the temperature of the culture medium section. As a result, the cultivation apparatus can be operated at low cost, which enables the cultivation cost of crops to be reduced, as compared with conventional regulation in which the temperature of a culture medium is regulated by regulating the air temperature in a greenhouse with an air conditioner or the like.
[ other embodiments ]
The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
In the first embodiment, a sheet member is used as the liquid feeding portion 7. However, the liquid feeding part 7 is not limited to a sheet member as long as it can supply the culture liquid in the storage part 3 into the culture medium part 2. For example, the liquid feeding part 7 may be a plate-like or cylindrical supply channel connected to the reservoir part 3 and the culture medium part 2. The liquid feeding portion 7 may be a structure containing particles preferably used as the filler particles 5. Specifically, for example, soil, fine pumice such as pumice sand, crushed particles of porous volcanic rock, granular rock wool, coral sand, coral or charcoal may be formed into a plate shape or a cylindrical shape, or may be filled into a cylindrical frame, thereby providing a structure that is not destroyed by the passage of the culture solution. This structure can be used to connect the reservoir part 3 to the bottom of the culture medium part 2.
The above embodiments describe cultivation apparatuses that use controllers to regulate drought stress and osmotic stress. However, cultivation devices that do not include such a controller are also within the scope of the present invention. Even in the absence of the controller, such a cultivation device includes a region configured to exhibit capillary action to supply the culture liquid into the culture medium portion, the region being provided at least in a middle layer portion of the layer formed by the filling particles within the frame. Thereby, an excessive supply of the culture solution can be avoided, so that an appropriate water stress can be stably applied to the roots of the crops, and root rot due to oxygen deficiency can be effectively suppressed.
In the first embodiment, the drought stress and the osmotic stress applied to the crop P by the controller 13 may be applied simultaneously, or may be applied separately at different timings suitable for the crop P. Alternatively, the cultivation apparatus may be configured to apply only either one of drought stress and osmotic stress.
The first embodiment describes a configuration including the moisture sensor 11 and the moisture tension sensor 12 as the water level salinity adjusting mechanism 21. Alternatively, as in the second embodiment, another configuration may be used in which the water level salinity adjusting mechanism includes a water level gauge and a controller configured to control the amount of the culture liquid supplied to the storage part. For example, a water level gauge is installed in the reservoir; the amount of the culture solution supplied to the reservoir is adjusted based on the water level to thereby adjust drought stress and osmotic stress applied to the crop P. When the water level gauge is used as the water level salinity adjusting mechanism, the measurement object is visible and easy to measure, and the water level gauge can be installed at low cost, compared to the case of using the moisture sensor and the moisture tension sensor.
The first embodiment describes the cultivation apparatus 1 including the water permeable root barrier sheet 8, the first waterproof sheet 9a, and the second waterproof sheet 9 b. However, cultivation devices that do not include these elements are also within the scope of the present invention.
Examples
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
< evaluation of growth >
In the examples, tomato seedlings were planted in a culture medium prepared by filling a pot frame with sand (containing 80 mass% or more of sand grains having a particle size of 0.15mm to 0.6 mm) to a height of 4 cm; immersing a lower portion of the culture base in a storage part holding a culture solution having a water level of 3 cm; and standing the tomato seedlings for more than 2 months. During this time, for example, oxygen supply required in hydroponics is not performed, and the culture solution is continuously supplied to maintain the water level. As a result, tomatoes grow without suffering from root rot even after the lapse of 2 months and result.
In the comparative example using hydroponics, it is the top priority to ensure dissolved oxygen to maintain root respiration and prevent the propagation of unwanted microorganisms. Therefore, a large amount of work is required for moisture management. In contrast, the cultivation method of the above embodiment makes it possible to omit an oxygen supply device and a sterilization device, and reduce the workload of water management.
< evaluation of amount of Medium >
Tomato seedlings were planted in a culture medium prepared by filling a cylindrical pot frame having a bottom surface with a plurality of through holes and a height of 30cm with 4.3L of sand (containing 80 mass% or more of sand grains having a particle size of 0.15mm to 0.6 mm). Thus, the evaluation seedlings of test No. 1 as examples were prepared. For the two evaluation seedlings of test No. 1, the bottom of each culture medium was immersed in a culture medium reservoir maintained at a water level of 2 cm; and the tomato seedlings were left to stand for 2 months. Then, salt was added to the culture solution to apply osmotic stress to perform a treatment of increasing the sugar degree for 1 month. Thus, a total of 30 fruits were harvested. With respect to the fruits harvested from each evaluation shoot, their sugar degree (Brix value) was measured and their yield conversion value (ton/1000 m) was determined2Year). FIG. 3 shows these average yield values in tons/1000 m in bar chart form and black dots, respectively2Per year) and average sugar degrees (° Bx). Incidentally, error bars in fig. 3 indicate standard deviations.
An evaluation seedling of test No. 2 was prepared as an example in the same manner as the evaluation seedling of test No. 1 except that the height of the pot frame body having a cylindrical shape was 25 cm. From such two evaluation seedlings of test No. 2, 27 fruits were harvested in total, and evaluated as the evaluation seedlings of test No. 1.
An evaluation seedling of test No. 3 was prepared as an example in the same manner as the evaluation seedling of test No. 1 except that the height of the pot frame body having a cylindrical shape was 20 cm. From such 2 evaluation seedlings of test No. 3, 28 fruits were harvested in total, and evaluated as the evaluation seedlings of test No. 1.
As test No. 4 of the examples, a pot frame body having a height of 15cm was used; the upper part (5cm) has a cylindrical shape; the lower part (10cm) is a plate which is vertically arranged in a mode that the thickness direction is in the horizontal direction; and the lower portion has a tapered shape. The pot frame was filled with sand and tomato seedlings were planted. The sand filling the upper cylindrical portion of the tub body has a volume of 0.5L. For 1 test No. 4 evaluation seedling, the pot frame was placed on the bottom of the reservoir so that the lowest cylindrical position of the pot frame was 8cm above the water surface of the culture medium reservoir holding a water level of 2 cm. Thus, the culture medium is lifted to the cylindrical culture medium part by the capillary action of the plate-like sand filling the lower part of the pot frame. Incidentally, the plate-like sand filling the lower portion of the pot frame body has an average thickness of 1 cm. 14 fruits were harvested from the evaluation seedlings of test No. 4, and evaluated as the evaluation seedlings of test No. 1.
Tomato seedlings were planted in a culture medium prepared by filling 2.2L of sand into a cylindrical pot frame having a height of 20cm and a plurality of through holes in the bottom surface. Thus, the evaluation seedling of test No. 5 was prepared as an example. The two test seedlings No. 5 were placed so that the bottom surface of the pot frame was 7cm above the water surface of the culture medium reservoir part holding a water level of 2 cm. The nonwoven fabric is disposed between the bottom surface of the pot frame and the water surface of the culture medium in the reservoir, so that the culture medium is lifted to the culture medium by capillary action in the nonwoven fabric. A total of 29 fruits were harvested from these evaluation seedlings of test No. 5, and evaluated as in the evaluation seedlings of test No. 1.
Tomato seedlings were planted in soil composed of the same sand as in test No. 1. Thus, the evaluation seedling of test No. 6 was prepared as a comparative example. The 14 evaluation seedlings of test No. 6 were subjected to conventional soil cultivation for 3 months without the treatment for improving the sugar content, and a total of 195 fruits were harvested. These evaluation seedlings of test No. 6 were evaluated as the evaluation seedlings of test No. 1.
Tomato seedlings were planted in soil composed of the same sand as in test No. 1. Thus, the evaluation seedling of test No. 7 was prepared as a comparative example. The 12 evaluation seedlings of test No. 7 were subjected to conventional soil cultivation, and thus the treatment for improving the sugar degree was performed for 1 month after 2 months. Thus, a total of 162 fruits were harvested. These evaluation seedlings of test No. 7 were evaluated as the evaluation seedlings of test No. 1.
[ evaluation results ]
With respect to the results in fig. 3, the examples of test nos. 1 to 5 were compared with conventional soil cultivation (test No. 6) without treatment for improving the sugar degree. As a result, although the fruit of test No. 6 had an average sugar degree of 6.2 ° Bx, the fruits of test nos. 1 to 5 produced high-sugar fruits having an average sugar degree of 6.7 ° Bx or more and 7.5 ° Bx or less.
On the other hand, the fruit harvested in the conventional soil cultivation (test No. 7) subjected to the treatment for increasing the sugar degree had a high average sugar degree of 7.8 ° Bx; however, the average yield conversion is relatively low at 12.5 tons/1000 m2And (4) a year. In contrast, in the examples of test Nos. 1 to 5, the average yield was 20.8 tons/1000 m2Above/year, this is at least 1.6 times the yield of trial No. 7. Thus, it was confirmed that the cultivation methods of test nos. 1 to 5 can produce high-sugar fruits that compensate for the decrease in yield due to the treatment for increasing the sugar content. In other words, crops can be cultivated in such a way that there is a good balance between sugar content and yield.
In addition, test No. 4 using a subminiature pot frame filled with 0.5L of sand had 21.4 tons/1000 m2The average yield per year is converted to a value, which is equal to the yield of fruit obtained by conventional soil cultivation. Incidentally, according to the conventional soil cultivation,2.75 seedlings were planted on average per bed (1000 mm. times.600 mm. times.70 mm) and 42L of sand was used. In other words, conventional soil cultivation uses 15.3L of sand per plant. Therefore, the use of the ultra-small pot frame of test No. 4 enables the amount of sand used in the conventional soil cultivation to be reduced by 96.7%.
< evaluation in agricultural fields having different heights >
The growth state of the crop is evaluated in different heights of the field using the cultivation apparatus of the first embodiment. Specifically, referring to fig. 4, a farmland 50 having a length of 25m constructed on a cultivation shelf is used. The first, second, and third pot frames 51a, 51b, and 51c containing planted tomato seedlings having 5 or 6 expanded leaves are placed at 3 positions corresponding to both end portions and the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the farm field 50. These tomato seedlings were cultivated until a third floral cluster was observed. The cultivation period is 43 days. The vertical height of the pot frame increases in the order from the first pot frame 51a placed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the farm field 50, the second pot frame 51b placed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the farm field 50, and the third pot frame 51c placed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the farm field 50. The height difference between the first pot frame body 51a and the third pot frame body 51c is about 3 cm.
With respect to the tomato seedlings planted in the 3 pot frames, i.e., the first, second, and third pot frames 51a, 51b, and 51c, no difference in growth was observed at different positions of the agricultural field 50. This demonstrates that the cultivation method can achieve the same quality between cultivated tomato seedlings even in the presence of certain height differences.
< study of Medium temperature >
The cultivation apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is used; measuring the temperature of the air in the greenhouse, the temperature of the culture medium 2, and the temperature of the culture medium in the storage part 3; the relationship between the temperature of the culture medium part 2, the temperature in the greenhouse, and the temperature of the culture medium in the storage part 3 was examined. Tomato seedlings are cultivated by the cultivation device 1. Fig. 5 shows the variation of these temperatures with time 5.5 days immediately before harvest.
The results in FIG. 5 show that the temperature of the culture medium part 2 changes in a manner more closely related to the temperature of the culture medium than to the air temperature in the greenhouse. Therefore, the adjustment of the temperature of the culture medium is facilitated by adjusting the temperature of the culture solution supplied to the culture medium section 2 in the cultivation apparatus 1 in fig. 1, as compared with the conventional adjustment of the air temperature in the greenhouse by an air conditioner or the like.
Industrial applicability
In summary, the cultivation apparatus and the cultivation method of the present invention make it possible to stably apply appropriate water stress to crops and sufficiently supply oxygen to the roots of the crops at low cost, thereby avoiding root rot. As a result, high-quality crops can be cultivated at low cost. In addition, the cultivation apparatus and the cultivation method of the present invention enable the amount of soil used to be reduced as compared with soil cultivation, thereby making it easy to set cultivation shelves for farmlands.

Claims (6)

1. A cultivation device, comprising:
a culture medium configured to hold a crop; and
a culture solution supply mechanism configured to supply a culture solution to the culture medium section,
wherein the culture medium base comprises a frame body, filler particles inside the frame body, and a region to which the culture liquid is supplied by capillary action, the region being provided at least in an intermediate layer portion of a layer formed of the filler particles,
the particles are sand, and the particles are sand,
the particles contain 50 mass% or more of single particles having a particle diameter of 0.1mm or more and 1mm or less,
the particles had a particle size of 1.00g/cm3Above and 3.00g/cm3The following tap density was determined by the following method,
further, the frame body includes a water-permeable barrier sheet at least as a bottom portion.
2. The cultivating device according to claim 1, wherein,
the culture solution supply mechanism includes a storage part configured to store the culture solution, and a solution feed part provided between the culture base part and the storage part,
the liquid feeding part is configured to lift the culture liquid in the storage part by capillary action and to feed the culture liquid to the bottom of the particles in the culture base part via the water-permeable root barrier sheet.
3. The cultivation device as claimed in claim 2, which includes a mechanism configured to adjust the water level or salinity of the culture liquid within the storage part.
4. The cultivation device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, which includes a temperature adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the temperature of the culture liquid in the storage portion.
5. The cultivating device according to claim 1, wherein,
the layer formed by the filler particles has a capillary rise height of 3cm or more and 300cm or less.
6. A cultivation method comprising supplying a culture medium to a culture medium holding a crop by a culture medium supply mechanism,
wherein the culture medium base comprises a frame body, filler particles in the frame body, and a region to which the culture liquid is supplied by capillary action, the region being provided at least in a middle layer portion of a layer formed of the filler particles, and
supplying the culture solution to the crop through the area,
the particles are sand, and the particles are sand,
the particles contain 50 mass% or more of single particles having a particle diameter of 0.1mm or more and 1mm or less,
the particles had a particle size of 1.00g/cm3Above and 3.00g/cm3The following tap density was determined by the following method,
further, the frame body includes a water-permeable barrier sheet at least as a bottom portion.
CN201580016337.4A 2014-05-21 2015-05-20 Cultivation device and cultivation method Expired - Fee Related CN106163263B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2014105721 2014-05-21
JP2014-105721 2014-05-21
JP2014-256292 2014-12-18
JP2014256292A JP6576632B2 (en) 2014-05-21 2014-12-18 Cultivation apparatus and cultivation method
PCT/JP2015/064421 WO2015178409A1 (en) 2014-05-21 2015-05-20 Cultivation apparatus and cultivation method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN106163263A CN106163263A (en) 2016-11-23
CN106163263B true CN106163263B (en) 2020-05-22

Family

ID=54554075

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN201580016337.4A Expired - Fee Related CN106163263B (en) 2014-05-21 2015-05-20 Cultivation device and cultivation method

Country Status (4)

Country Link
JP (1) JP6576632B2 (en)
KR (1) KR20170005796A (en)
CN (1) CN106163263B (en)
WO (1) WO2015178409A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2017184619A (en) * 2016-03-31 2017-10-12 幸男 黒川 Eco-cultivation system and plant cultivation house
JP6893790B2 (en) * 2017-01-17 2021-06-23 ヤンマーグリーンシステム株式会社 Cultivation equipment and cultivation method
WO2019013346A1 (en) * 2017-07-13 2019-01-17 株式会社プラントライフシステムズ Nutrient solution
WO2018146664A2 (en) * 2018-03-16 2018-08-16 Universidad De Panamá Temperature regulating system and method in countercurrent flow for hydroponic crops
JP6835998B1 (en) * 2020-05-15 2021-02-24 株式会社ミクニ How to grow carrots

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1200234A (en) * 1997-02-28 1998-12-02 韩玉娥 Method for cultivation of crops
CN102860250A (en) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-09 乔奥华塑胶制品(深圳)有限公司 Culture solution planting device
CN103250622A (en) * 2013-04-06 2013-08-21 王强 Water absorption soilless cultivation device

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5823731A (en) * 1981-08-03 1983-02-12 カネボウ株式会社 Culturing of crops
JPS59150254U (en) * 1983-03-28 1984-10-08 原　幸宏 plant hydroponic equipment
JP2908550B2 (en) * 1990-09-28 1999-06-21 株式会社東芝 Hydroponic cultivation equipment
JP2955219B2 (en) * 1995-10-27 1999-10-04 株式会社大弘 Plant cultivation method and cultivation apparatus used therefor
JPH09275782A (en) * 1996-04-16 1997-10-28 Hitachi Ltd Device for hydroponics
JP3177498B2 (en) * 1998-05-20 2001-06-18 高知県 Hydroponics method and apparatus for ginger
JP2001292643A (en) * 2000-04-14 2001-10-23 Taiyo Kogyo Co Ltd Crop cultivation apparatus
JP3712687B2 (en) * 2002-04-04 2005-11-02 一男 大城 Cultivation method
JP2011139636A (en) * 2010-01-05 2011-07-21 Enseki Aojiru Kk Method for cultivating garlic and device for cultivating garlic
WO2012014536A1 (en) * 2010-07-28 2012-02-02 シャープ株式会社 Plant culture container and plant culture system
JP5290263B2 (en) * 2010-12-13 2013-09-18 協和株式会社 Hydroponic cultivation equipment
JP5767876B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2015-08-26 株式会社ユアサメンブレンシステム Disinfection device for hydroponics culture using membrane filtration and method thereof
JP2013102710A (en) * 2011-11-11 2013-05-30 Minoru Industrial Co Ltd Automatic watering device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1200234A (en) * 1997-02-28 1998-12-02 韩玉娥 Method for cultivation of crops
CN102860250A (en) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-09 乔奥华塑胶制品(深圳)有限公司 Culture solution planting device
CN103250622A (en) * 2013-04-06 2013-08-21 王强 Water absorption soilless cultivation device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP6576632B2 (en) 2019-09-18
WO2015178409A1 (en) 2015-11-26
KR20170005796A (en) 2017-01-16
CN106163263A (en) 2016-11-23
JP2016000027A (en) 2016-01-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN106163263B (en) Cultivation device and cultivation method
JPH01104119A (en) Method and apparatus for culture of mineral cotton of plant under control of suction pressure
JP3678654B2 (en) Plant cultivation container and plant cultivation method
WO2016098414A1 (en) Cultivation device and cultivation method
KR100635397B1 (en) Water purification apparatus
JP4344828B2 (en) Plant cultivation method and cultivation apparatus
JP3768489B2 (en) Plant cultivation apparatus and plant cultivation method
JP2008193980A (en) Plant cultivation system and plant cultivation method
CN105960163A (en) Method and system for surface and subsurface water retention
JP4590561B2 (en) Hydroponic cultivation system using inclined bed
JP6680514B2 (en) Cultivation device and cultivation method
JP2012100595A (en) Cultivation container, method for cultivating fruit vegetable with high sugar content, and tomato with high sugar content
KR101435906B1 (en) Hydroponics cultivation apparatus
JP7000552B2 (en) Cultivation system and cultivation method
JP2008182909A (en) Plant cultivation system
JP6807728B2 (en) Cultivation method and cultivation equipment
JP7033502B2 (en) Cultivation system and cultivation method
WO2019163056A1 (en) Cultivation system and cultivation method
JPH08191639A (en) Water-impermeable nonwoven fabric for nutritive solution culture
JPWO2019142363A1 (en) Cultivation method and cultivation equipment
JPH09107827A (en) Breeding of plant by solution culture
JP6292695B1 (en) Hydroponic non-circulating vertical hydroponics system and vertical hydroponics method
JP2022066836A (en) Cultivation device
WO2001028312A1 (en) Medium for cultivation
GB1588174A (en) Plant growth vessels

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
C06 Publication
PB01 Publication
C10 Entry into substantive examination
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
TA01 Transfer of patent application right

Effective date of registration: 20190428

Address after: Japan Osaka

Applicant after: Yangma Green System Co.,Ltd.

Address before: Osaka City, Osaka of Japan

Applicant before: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

TA01 Transfer of patent application right
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant
CF01 Termination of patent right due to non-payment of annual fee

Granted publication date: 20200522

CF01 Termination of patent right due to non-payment of annual fee