JP2005095132A - Culture method for long-day plant and facility therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a culture method for long-day plants that is effective when far infrared in the range of the absorption wavelength of phytochrome A of a long-day plant is used and provide a cultivation facility suitable for long-day plants. <P>SOLUTION: This culture method for long-day plant is provided with a step where far infrared light of which main emission wavelength is in the range from 700 to 800 nm, with a photon flux density of ≥ 0.04 μmol m<SP>-2</SP>s<SP>-1</SP>is continuously irradiated to long-day plants at an ambient temperature while the time when sunshine is not radiated. Further, the step where the plant is radiated with white light in the period of the time when the sun light is irradiated may be added to the step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a long-day plant cultivation method and a long-day plant cultivation facility suitable for carrying out this cultivation method.

  Conventionally, when cultivating florets belonging to long-day plants artificially in a greenhouse or the like, it is better to cultivate under conditions close to the growth environment (especially day length, temperature) of the original species of the florets, Plant cultivation facilities that can artificially reproduce the growth environment such as greenhouses are used.

  Further, a relatively simple plant cultivation device is known that controls the daytime to be longer by using sunlight, a fluorescent lamp, and an incandescent lamp in combination. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In addition, since the wavelength range and irradiation amount of light necessary for growth differ from plant to plant, in order to perform optimal irradiation, the ratio of the photon flux density for each wavelength and the light amount control for each wavelength on the surface of the plant to be grown, A plant cultivation apparatus that controls irradiation time is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). And in this plant cultivation apparatus, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide which are growth environments other than said light are also controlled. More specifically, the light source includes blue (X: 400 to 500 nm), green (G: 500 to 600 nm), red (Y: 600 to 700 nm), and deep red (Z: 700 to 800 nm). Equipped with light-emitting diodes of wavelengths, the irradiation amount of each light-emitting diode is changed according to the type of plant to be cultivated, X: 0-50%, Y: 40-100%, Z: 0-10%, X + Y + Z = A light source configured to be 100%, or a light source such that (X + Y + Z): G = 30 to 80%: 20 to 70%, and X + Y + Z + G = 100% is provided.

  Thus, in Patent Document 2, when growing a young plant with a long-day plant, after irradiating blue light and red light at the initial stage of the growth, after irradiating deep red light, all light is extinguished. When the stock is full, the plant is irradiated with light that contains only red and blue but not deep red to prevent flower bud formation when the stock is young. In addition, the carnation growing condition is that only red, green and blue LEDs are used and the lighting time is 15 hours. The rose growing condition is that the red, green and blue LEDs are lighted for 15 hours. It is described that the red, green, and blue LEDs are lit for 10 hours.

  Furthermore, there is known a fluorescent lamp for plant growth that can promote photosynthesis of plants and control morphogenesis such as plant height, leaf area and shape approximate to growth under natural light (see Patent Document 3). .) The fluorescent lamp disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes three types of rare earth element-activated phosphors having emission peak wavelengths of 440 to 470 nm, 540 to 560 nm, and 600 to 620 nm, and a far red emission phosphor having a peak wavelength of 700 to 800 nm. The phosphor layer is made of and emits light with a ratio of the photon flux included in the wavelength region of 600 to 700 nm and the photon flux included in the wavelength region of 700 to 800 nm of 0.8 to 1.2.

  Also known is a fluorescent lamp having the same emission energy ratio of wavelengths 400 to 500 nm, 500 to 600 nm, and 600 nm or more (see Patent Document 4).

  Furthermore, if the copper sulfate solution absorbs far-red light of sunlight and irradiates light with a transmitted light red / far-red light ratio greater than 1, the plant height and internode length of chrysanthemums are often shortened. It has been reported (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  As can be understood from the above, in order to suppress the flowering of long-day plants, it is effective to irradiate with red light having a wavelength of at least 600 to 700 nm, or to irradiate far red light together at an appropriate ratio. It has been said.

  On the other hand, when light irradiation (complementary light) is performed on long-day plants at night, white light and red light are effective, but far-red light has been conventionally considered ineffective. Therefore, it is not known to perform supplementation only with far-red light when supplementing at night.

  In addition, in conventional supplementary light breeding, “light interruption” in which light is supplemented from 22:00 to 02:00 after daylight sunlight irradiation, and from 17:00 to 22: following daylight sunlight irradiation. It is better to promote long-day plants by supplementing light only during a part of the night, such as “extension of light period”, where the light is supplemented by 00, and in the dark state during the other hours. Has been considered.

Recently, what has been learned about long-day plants is as follows (see Non-Patent Document 2). That is,
1. Phytochrome A: Absorbs far-red light to suppress the action of phytochrome B (flowering suppression) and promote flowering.

  2. Phytochrome B: absorbs red light and suppresses flowering.

  3. Phytochrome D: Has the same effect as phytochrome B, but mainly acts to complement phytochrome B.

4: Phytochrome E: Same as above 5: Cryptochrome 1: Absorbs blue light to promote flowering.

  6: Cryptochrome 2: Absorbs blue light to suppress the action of phytochrome B.

  In the conventional technology for promoting the growth and flowering of long-day plants as described above, light irradiation with artificial light is continuously performed for a predetermined time.

On the other hand, as represented by strawberries, from December to March in the severe winter season, from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am in order to prevent the plant from going to dormancy and maintain the awake state In the meantime, the electric lighting cultivation is performed in which the incandescent bulb is continuously turned on to make the strawberry have a light response. This electric cultivation method is referred to as a dark period interruption method. Further, in this dark period interruption method, in order to reduce the running cost of lighting, the incandescent lamp is turned on and off cyclically. In this case, it is performed in a cycle of lighting for 30 minutes−lighting for 30 minutes or lighting for 45 minutes−lights for 15 minutes.
JP-A-4-349824 JP-A-10-178899 JP-A-5-217556 JP-A-4-304822 Rajapakse, NC, MJMcMahon and JWKelly.1993.End of day far redlight reverses height reduction of Chrysanthemum induced by CuSO4spectral filters.Scientia Horticulturae. 53: 249-259. Todd Mockler et al., 2003

  However, sunlight has a continuous spectrum including ultraviolet light to infrared light, and includes a lot of spectral energy such as blue light, green light, red light, and far red light. Therefore, only inefficient control can be performed for a specific phytochrome. Therefore, when a long-day plant is grown only with sunlight, the flowering time varies depending on the weather, and the plant height varies, which has many problems in terms of stable supply and quality of flower products.

  In addition, the combined use of sunlight and artificial light is mainly performed in the early morning and evening twilight hours as described above. However, in this case, since any spectral radiation of sunlight exists, any phytochrome is used. Therefore, it has the same problem as above.

  Furthermore, it is also conceivable to irradiate sunlight during a time zone where sunlight is irradiated, and to irradiate artificial light during a time zone (nighttime) when sunlight is not irradiated. However, since the artificial light in the prior art found in Patent Documents 1 to 4 has red light in any of them, the reaction of phytochrome B (D, E) is mainly performed. Therefore, since flowering and plant height growth are suppressed, it is not suitable for forcing cultivation of long-day plants.

  On the other hand, when looking at the cultivation temperature, long-day plants bloom under long-day conditions (spring), so they must be sown in the autumn and cultivated in the cold season of winter. In the above cultivation, the low temperature period suppresses the growth of flowers, spends the number of days to reach flowering, and also suppresses the growth of plant height. Then, in the cultivation apparatus of patent document 2, when cultivating a long-day plant, the temperature conditions which assist flowering and growth can be provided by making growth temperature higher than the temperature of nature. However, since there is always red light that suppresses flowering and plant height growth of long-day plants, there is a problem that flower bud differentiation is suppressed and the effect of promoting flower bud differentiation necessary for flower buds cannot be obtained. In addition, in order to promote the flowering and plant height of long-day plants, the red light of 600 to 700 nm has an adverse effect as described above. It is inappropriate for promoting flowering of plants and growth of plant height.

  Conventionally, in order to promote the flowering and plant height growth of long-day plants, light is interrupted in the time zone where sunlight is not irradiated (midnight supplementation performed between 22:00 and 02:00), light. It is possible to irradiate with light for several hours such as the period extension (evening supplementary light performed between 17:00 and 22:00) and the light period extension (early morning supplementary light performed between 02:00 and 09:00). It has been considered effective. However, according to experiments in the inventor's research, it has been found that such a light irradiation technique is ineffective for promoting flowering and plant height growth of long-day plants.

  Furthermore, the dark period interruption method used in plant cultivation represented by strawberries does not promote plant growth and flowering.

  On the other hand, the present inventor has studied the conditions for promoting the plant height growth and flowering of long-day plants by using far-red light, and as a result, the present invention has been made.

  In addition, the present inventor, when accelerating the growth and flowering of long-day plants by irradiating with far red light, even if the irradiation of far red light is intermittent, We found the fact that the growth and flowering promoting action was performed in the same way as in the case of typical irradiation. Based on this discovery, research was also conducted on irradiation conditions for promoting the plant height growth and flowering of long-day plants by performing cyclic irradiation of far-red light, and as a result, the present invention was made.

  The present invention provides an effective method for cultivating long-day plants when using far-red light, which is the absorption wavelength range of phytochrome A of long-day plants, and a long-day plant cultivation facility suitable for carrying out this method. The purpose is to do.

  In addition, the present invention also provides a method for cultivating a long-day plant that is effective when using far-red light, which is the absorption wavelength region of phytochrome A of a long-day plant, and has an economical running cost, and this method. Another object is to provide a long-day plant cultivation facility suitable for implementation.

The method for cultivating long-day plants of the invention defined in claim 1 is a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated, an ambient temperature of 5 to 40 ° C., an emission main wavelength of 700 to 800 nm, and the main It is characterized by comprising a step of continuously irradiating the long-day plant with far-red light so that the photon flux density in the wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more. .

  In the present invention and each of the following inventions, the definitions and technical meanings of terms are as follows unless otherwise specified.

  The “time period in which sunlight is not irradiated” means not only direct sunlight, but also so-called daylight that widely includes solar radiation under cloudy weather where there is no direct sunlight due to clouds or the like. Therefore, the time zone when sunlight is not irradiated varies depending on the season and latitude. In addition, strictly speaking, the time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated refers to the time zone from sunset to sunrise, but in the present invention, it does not have to be strict. Therefore, about 1 to 2 hours of sunrise and about 1 hour of sunset. May or may not be included on the contrary. Therefore, the time zone when sunlight is not irradiated can be set to, for example, 17:00 to 09:00.

  “Ambient temperature of 5 to 40 ° C.” means that the ambient temperature of a long-day plant to be cultivated by the method of the present invention is in the range of 5 to 40 ° C. It may be maintained within the range, or may be maintained within the above range by artificially controlling the ambient temperature. Of course, it goes without saying that both of the above-mentioned means can be used in combination according to the season. When the ambient temperature is artificially controlled, for example, a heating facility can be used in the low temperature period in winter and a cooling facility can be used in the high temperature period in summer. Then, if the ambient temperature is in the range of 5 to 40 ° C., long-day plant flowering and plant height growth are performed by irradiating far-red light under the predetermined conditions of the present invention in a time zone where sunlight is not irradiated. Can be promoted. However, when the ambient temperature is less than 5 ° C. or more than 40 ° C., it is impossible to achieve the object of the invention even if the light irradiation according to the present invention is performed. In addition, although the ambient temperature depends on the relationship with light irradiation, generally, the higher the temperature is within the above range, the earlier the flowering start time, and the shorter the plant height and internode length.

  With respect to light irradiation, the “emission main wavelength” is a main wavelength in light emission of a light source to be used, and thus has the largest spectral energy. The light source to be used is desirably light having a total wavelength range of 700 to 800 nm centered on the emission main wavelength, but a wavelength range with relatively little spectral energy is incidentally present at other than 700 to 800 nm. Allow that. And the light of the wavelength range whose luminescence main wavelength is 700-800 nm is generally called far red light or deep red light.

  The light source that generates the far-red light having the emission main wavelength is not particularly limited in the present invention. As the light source, a light emitting diode is optimal for the reason explained in the invention of claim 3. However, it may be a fluorescent lamp, a high-pressure discharge lamp, such as a metal halide lamp. However, in the case of a fluorescent lamp or a metal halide lamp, although a bright line spectrum other than far red light is incidentally generated as will be described later, far red light as the emission main wavelength can be obtained.

A fluorescent lamp for emitting far-red light can be obtained by adopting, as a phosphor layer, a phosphor that emits far-red light when excited mainly by ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 254 nm emitted by low-pressure mercury vapor discharge. it can. As this type of phosphor, for example, a phosphor that is made of iron-activated lithium aluminate phosphor and emits far-red light having an emission peak at a wavelength of 740 nm can be used. The phosphor has a general formula of LiAl ₂ : Fe. In addition, 0.01 to 1.0% by mass of one or more kinds of metal oxide fine particles selected from the group of MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, and Y ₂ O ₃ are adhered to the surface of the phosphor particles. As a result, the luminous flux maintenance factor can be improved. Similarly, the general formula Gd 3 instead of the configuration in _Ga 5 O _12: it is also possible to use a fluorescent lamp having a phosphor layer containing _Cr phosphor.

  On the other hand, a metal halide lamp can be obtained by adding a halide of a luminescent metal that emits far-red light when vapor of the luminescent metal emits light by discharge in addition to mercury and a rare gas.

  In the fluorescent lamps and metal halide lamps described above, blue light and green light are incidentally generated in addition to the far red light when they are lit, since mercury is included as a discharge medium. This is because it is included in the light emission. However, since these blue light and green light have a smaller spectral energy than far red light, there is no essential influence on the main actions and effects of irradiation with far red light. Nevertheless, in the present invention, the secondary light irradiation of blue light or green light is not disturbed with respect to the light irradiation of far red light, and therefore it is preferable that it does not exist. For this purpose, an optical filter can be used in combination with the light source as desired in order to substantially block the amount of light outside the emission main wavelength region. Further, as can be understood from the above, in the present invention, the emission main wavelength is within the above range, and other wavelength bodies have spectral energy such as red light of 600 to 700 nm, green light of 500 to 600 nm, and Even if 400 to 500 nm of blue light is present in the whole or a part of each wavelength region as long as it is within the range that does not substantially impede the action of the emission main wavelength, it is acceptable. .

By the way, the lower limit of the photon flux density in the emission main wavelength region in the present invention is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ . This is because light of the above-mentioned wavelength range is effective for the growth of long-day plants even with a slight amount of light on the order of the moonlight. The upper limit is not particularly limited. In general, the higher the photon flux density, the faster the growth. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting the photon flux density, it is possible to adjust the shipping time so that it can be shipped at a desired time (for example, when the market price is high).

  Moreover, the time of light irradiation of far-red light in the time zone when sunlight is not irradiated shall be continuously performed through the said time zone. Such an irradiation time method is also called a day length extension method. Note that “continuously” is not only completely continuous, but even if there is a short interruption in the middle or at the start or end, there is no significant hindrance to the growth of long-day plants, ie, flowering and plant height control. If it is within about 1 hour, for example, it means that it is allowed. In the present invention, the meaning of “irradiation of far-red light” includes irradiation and non-irradiation of far-red light and cyclic irradiation included in one cycle.

  Next, in this invention, the light irradiation conditions of the time slot | zone when sunlight is irradiated are not specifically limited. For example, it is possible to irradiate a long-day plant directly or indirectly through a covering that allows sunlight to pass through or converts light quality. In the latter case, the planted long-day plant is irradiated with sunlight that has passed through a covering that converts sunlight into light quality, and the light quality conversion has a red / far-red photon flux density ratio of 1. It can be configured to be smaller. However, the specific structure of the long-day plant cultivation facility used is not limited. Further, the covering is allowed to be in the form of a film or a plate. The covering in the form of a film can be easily obtained as a light quality conversion synthetic resin film. The cover in the form of a plate is obtained by applying a light quality conversion thin film to a glass plate or a translucent constituent resin plate, or imparting light quality conversion characteristics to the glass or the translucent constituent resin plate itself. May be. Furthermore, a covering may be arrange | positioned so that a long-day plant may be coat | covered inside plant cultivation structures, such as a greenhouse, and may comprise the wall surface (a ceiling is included) of a plant cultivation structure.

  Moreover, light irradiation by an artificial light source can also be performed as a light irradiation condition in a time zone in which sunlight is irradiated. The light irradiation in this case may have a spectral distribution similar to sunlight or a different spectral distribution.

  In the present invention, the long-day plant to be irradiated with light may take any form, but it is preferably a long-day plant in a planted state. A “long-planted long-day plant” generally refers to a directly-seeded seedling that has grown in a field without the planting process. It means you may. Further, the long-day plant is not only a flower bud, particularly a cut flower having a relatively high plant height, but may be a houseplant or a vegetable if necessary. Furthermore, you may use a pot and a pot for fixed planting.

  Thus, in the present invention, by having the above-described configuration, the far-red light continuously irradiated in a predetermined amount in the time zone where sunlight is not irradiated effectively absorbs phytochrome A. Since the action of phytochrome B is suppressed, the number of days that a long-day plant reaches flowering can be accelerated, and the growth of plant height and internode length can be promoted.

  In addition, as the amount of light irradiation increases, the number of days that the long-day plant reaches flowering is reduced in inverse proportion. In this way, by adjusting the amount of far-red light that irradiates the long-day plant, the number of days of light irradiation treatment can be controlled. Multi-period work is also possible. It also saves on winter heating costs.

The long-day plant cultivation method of the invention defined in claim 2 is a first step of irradiating the long-day plant with at least white light in a time zone in which sunlight is irradiated; In a band and at an ambient temperature of 5 to 40 ° C., the emission main wavelength is 700 to 800 nm, and the photon flux density in the main wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more. And a second step of continuously irradiating the long-day plant with far-red light.

  The present invention includes a first step of irradiating a long-day plant with at least white light in a time zone in which sunlight is irradiated as compared with the invention of claim 1. “White light” may be sunlight or artificial light. The artificial light may be a light source that generates white light having a continuous emission spectrum, such as a high-pressure xenon discharge lamp, or white light by additive color mixture of at least blue light, green light, and red light. Of course, it goes without saying that it may be a mixture of sunlight and artificial light. In this case, the artificial light is allowed to be far red light. Accordingly, it is possible to configure the far-red light source to remain on all day.

  And in this invention, by having said structure, in addition to continuous irradiation of the far-red light in the time zone when sunlight is not irradiated, white light is irradiated in the time zone when sunlight is irradiated. By irradiating a long-day plant, flowering of the long-day plant and growth of plant height can be further promoted.

    The method for cultivating long-day plants of the invention defined in claim 3 is the method for cultivating long-day plants according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main wavelength of light emitted to the long-day plants in the time zone where sunlight is not irradiated is 700. Far red light at ˜800 nm is characterized by being generated by a light emitting diode.

  The present invention defines a preferred configuration of a light source that generates far-red light to be irradiated in a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated. As a light emitting diode which becomes a light source of far red light, for example, a quaternary mixed crystal made of aluminum, indium, gallium, and phosphorus (AlInGaP) or a ternary crystal such as AlGaAs and GaAsP, and a light emission main wavelength within a wavelength range of 700 to 800 nm. A light emitting diode provided with a light emitting diode element (chip) having the above can be used. Moreover, in order to obtain a desired photon flux density and to facilitate handling, it is possible to use a light emitting diode module that is formed by combining a plurality of light emitting diodes.

  The light emitting diode module may have any structure. For example, a large number of light emitting diode elements can be mounted on the surface of the wiring board, and a heat sink can be provided on the back side of the wiring board to quickly dissipate heat generated by the light emitting diode. In order to thermally connect the heat sink to the back surface of the wiring board and maintain an electrically insulating relationship, the wiring board and the heat sink can be thermally conductive and bonded with an insulating synthetic resin.

  Further, the light emitting diode module can be replaced with passive heat radiating means such as a heat sink or a heat pipe, or in addition to these, an active heat radiating means can be provided. As the active heat dissipation means, for example, a fan or a Peltier element for cooling the light emitting diode module can be used. These active heat radiating means may be separated from the light emitting diode module or may be integrally coupled.

  Thus, in the present invention, far-red light is generated by the light emitting diode. However, the light emitting diode can efficiently and easily obtain light only in a desired emission main wavelength band, and further, Has the advantage of That is, the light irradiation device becomes compact, has a long life, has high mechanical strength, and does not use a substance with a large environmental load such as mercury, and has high emission efficiency with respect to light having a main emission wavelength.

    The method for cultivating a long-day plant according to the invention of claim 4 is the method for cultivating a long-day plant according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein luminescence is performed on the long-day plant in a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated. Irradiation of far-red light having a dominant wavelength of 700 to 800 nm is characterized by being performed by cyclic irradiation including non-irradiation for one hour or less and irradiation for a non-irradiation time or more in one cycle.

  In the present invention, “cyclic irradiation” of far-red light refers to light irradiation that is performed by periodically repeating irradiation and non-irradiation of far-red light at predetermined time intervals. Moreover, in cyclic irradiation, the reason for prescribing the non-irradiation time to 1 hour or less is as follows. That is, if the non-irradiation time is 1 hour or less, an effect close to the effect of promoting the growth and flowering of long-day plants in the case of continuous irradiation with the far-red light can be obtained. Effects cannot be obtained. Moreover, even if the non-irradiation time is within a range of 1 hour or less, a shorter one is more effective.

  On the other hand, irradiation time should just be more than non-irradiation time. For example, if the non-irradiation time is 1 hour, the irradiation time can be set to 1 hour or longer than 1 hour. Similarly, if the non-irradiation time is 15 minutes, the irradiation time can be set to 15 minutes or longer. Therefore, the irradiation time can be set mainly from the viewpoint of economy, that is, power saving, within the above conditions. For example, if the irradiation time is set to be less than the non-irradiation time, the power saving rate (non-irradiation time / cycle) can be reduced to 0.5 or less, which is economical and preferable.

  When an artificial light source is used to irradiate far-red light having a main emission wavelength of 700 to 800 nm by cyclic irradiation, a timer or a computer can be used as the artificial light source. Thereby, cyclic irradiation can be performed automatically.

  Thus, in the present invention, by having the above configuration, the growth and flowering of long-day plants are promoted by cultivation by natural daylength, and the growth is close to the case of continuously irradiating far-red light. In addition, an effect of promoting flowering can be obtained, and significant power saving can be achieved. Therefore, the running cost is reduced compared to continuous irradiation.

The long-day plant cultivation facility of the invention according to claim 5 is a facility structure that accommodates long-day plants; and a light emission main wavelength in the time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated is 700 to 800 nm, and a photon in the main wavelength region. An artificial light source disposed in the facility structure so that the long-day plant is continuously irradiated with far-red light so that the bundle density is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more; And a temperature management means for maintaining the ambient temperature at 5 to 40 ° C.

  The present invention defines the configuration of a long-day plant cultivation facility suitable for the implementation of the invention of claim 1. In the present invention, the “facility structure” is a structure that defines a space for accommodating long-day plants, and is a frame structure that does not have a wall surface made of a light-transmitting member, a translucent panel, or a sheet-like structure. For example, a greenhouse (house) structure formed by assembling the above-mentioned covering body into a framework is applicable. The frame assembly is formed by assembling extruded frames such as metal pipes and aluminum, or a so-called plastic tunnel in which a plurality of synthetic resin tubes are bent against the elasticity and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. Allow to be.

The light source has a light emission dominant wavelength of 700 to 800 nm and is far red so that the photon flux density of the principal wavelength is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more in a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated. What is necessary is just to arrange | position so that light may be irradiated to a long-day plant substantially continuously, and the thing beyond that is not specifically limited. The “substantially continuously” includes a continuous mode and a mode in which cyclic irradiation is continuously performed. Specifically, the configuration as described in claims 1 and 4 is allowed.

  Furthermore, the light source may be placed either inside or outside the enclosure. However, if the light source is placed inside the enclosure, there is no loss of light when passing through the enclosure, and it is close to a long-day plant. It is preferable because the illumination efficiency can be improved by increasing the illuminance. The light source may be any light source such as a light emitting diode, a fluorescent lamp, and a metal halide lamp. In the case of a light-emitting diode, it is convenient to use a light-emitting diode module in which a large number of light-emitting diode elements are integrated, so that handling becomes easy. In the case of a fluorescent lamp, if it is a long-day plant cultivation facility with a relatively small cultivation scale, a bulb-type fluorescent lamp is easier to use, but if the long-day plant cultivation scale is large, using a straight-tube fluorescent lamp is effective. Is. In particular, since the light bulb-type fluorescent lamp can be disposed simply by attaching a screw-in type lamp socket and screwing the cap of the light bulb-type fluorescent lamp into the socket, the structure and handling of the plant cultivation apparatus is simple and easy.

  Next, as long as the temperature management means is a means for maintaining the ambient temperature of the long-day plant at 5 to 40 ° C. in a time zone where sunlight is not irradiated, various air conditioners, ventilation fans, windows capable of heating and cooling are used. Alternatively, it may be a ventilation means such as a door. In addition, if the ambient temperature of the long-day plant can be maintained at 5 to 40 ° C. under natural conditions depending on the latitude of the place where the long-day plant cultivation facility is installed and the season in which it operates, temperature control is performed with the latitude and / or season. It can be seen that the means are arranged.

  And in this invention, by having the structure demonstrated above, when using the far-red light which is the absorption wavelength range of the phytochrome A of a long-day plant, a long-day plant cultivation facility effective It can be provided, and is particularly suitable for carrying out the respective inventive methods of claims 1 to 3.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the emission main wavelength is 700 to 800 nm and the photon flux density in the main wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² at a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated and the ambient temperature is 5 to 40 ° C. -By having the process of continuously irradiating the long-day plant with far-red light so as to be s ^-1 or more, the flowering arrival days are fast, and the growth of plant height and internode length is promoted. A method for cultivating a plant can be provided.

According to invention of Claim 2, in the time slot | zone when sunlight is irradiated, the 1st process of irradiating at least white light with respect to a long-day plant, the time slot | zone when sunlight is not irradiated, and ambient temperature are 5-5. At 40 ° C., the long-day plant is continuously irradiated with far-red light so that the main emission wavelength is 700 to 800 nm and the photon flux density in the main wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more. By providing the 2nd process to perform, the cultivation method of the long-day plant which accelerates | stimulates the flowering of a long-day plant and the growth of plant height can be provided.

    According to the invention of claim 3, in addition, the far-red light having a main emission wavelength of 700 to 800 nm for irradiating a long-day plant in a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated is generated by the light-emitting diode, and thus desired light is emitted. In addition to being able to efficiently and easily obtain light only in the main emission wavelength band, the light irradiation device is compact, has a long life, has high mechanical strength, and uses a substance with high environmental impact such as mercury. It is possible to provide a method for cultivating a long-day plant that has high emission efficiency with respect to light having a dominant emission wavelength.

    According to the invention of claim 4, in addition, irradiation with far-red light having a main emission wavelength of 700 to 800 nm performed on a long-day plant in a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated is non-irradiation for 1 hour or less. By performing cyclic irradiation that includes irradiation for more than the non-irradiation time in one cycle, growth and flowering of long-day plants are promoted by cultivation by natural day length, and growth close to continuous irradiation with far-red light In addition, an effect of promoting flowering can be obtained, and a significant power saving can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a method for cultivating a long-day plant in which running costs are reduced as compared with continuous irradiation.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the facility structure and the time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated, the emission main wavelength is 700 to 800 nm, and the photon flux density in the main wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ^−1. As described above, an artificial light source disposed in the facility structure so as to continuously irradiate a long-day plant with far-red light, and a temperature management means for maintaining the ambient temperature of the long-day plant at 5 to 40 ° C. Can provide a long-day plant cultivation facility that is effective when using far-red light that is the absorption wavelength region of phytochrome A of long-day plants.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

    FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show a first mode for carrying out the long-day plant cultivation method and long-day plant cultivation facility of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the long-day plant cultivation facility, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the light emitting diode module, showing a graph showing the spectral distribution characteristics of the light emitting diode that generates red light. In FIG. 1, H is a long-day plant cultivation facility, F is a cultivation bed, and P is a long-day plant.

  First, the long-day plant cultivation facility H will be described. The long-day plant cultivation facility H includes a facility structure 1, a support frame 2, and a light source 3. The facility structure 1 is composed of an outer frame structure and defines the outline of the long-day plant cultivation facility H.

  The support frame 2 is used to support a plurality of light sources 3 on the ceiling side of the long-day plant cultivation facility H, and to divide a plurality of treatment zones corresponding to the light sources 3 in order to perform an experiment described later. ing. Each processing section is partitioned by the light reflective sheet 4.

The light source 3 is disposed such that the irradiation amount of the far-red light of the long-day plant has a photon flux density of 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more. The light-emitting diode is a far-red light emitting diode, has a spectral distribution characteristic as shown in FIG. 2, is supported downward by the support frame 2, and is disposed to face each processing section. That is, the light source 3 has a main emission wavelength of 740 nm, and most of the radiant energy emits far red light. In addition, although the radiant energy of a very small part is red light close to a wavelength of 700 nm, the amount thereof is extremely small.

  Further, the light source 3 forms a flat light emitting diode module LM as shown in FIG. That is, the light emitting diode module LM includes a large number of light emitting diode elements LED, a wiring board PCB, a heat conductive synthetic resin TCR, and a heat sink HS. Many light-emitting diode elements LED are chip-shaped surface-mounting types, and are mounted on the surface of the wiring board PCB. The wiring board PCB has a flat plate shape and employs a printed wiring system. The heat conductive synthetic resin TCR is insulative as well as heat conductive, and is disposed so as to cover the back surface of the wiring board PCB on which a large number of light emitting diode elements LED are mounted. The heat conductive synthetic resin TCR is configured to cover and insulate the conductive portions of the wiring board PCB. The heat sink HS forms an aluminum radiation fin, is supported by the heat conductive synthetic resin TCR, and is thermally coupled to the light emitting diode element LED via the heat conductive synthetic resin TCR.

  Furthermore, a light-emitting diode module LM constituting the light source 3 is provided with a lighting circuit (not shown), and is configured to be connected to a power source via this lighting circuit. The lighting circuit energizes and lights a large number of light emitting diode elements LED, controls the blinking of the light source 3, and further controls the dimming of the large number of light emitting diode elements LED according to an external signal. It is configured as possible.

  The cultivation bed F is disposed below the artificial light source 3 and provides a floor surface by separating the long-day plant P from the ground.

  The long-day plants P are planted in a flower pot and arranged in the cultivation bed F, and in the time zone in which sunlight is irradiated, white light is irradiated by the sunlight transmitted through the facility structure 1. And in the time zone when sunlight is not irradiated, far red light is continuously irradiated by the light source 3.

  Furthermore, the long-day plant cultivation facility H is configured so that the ambient temperature of the long-day plant can be maintained within a range of 5 to 40 ° C. by a heating device and a cooling device that are not illustrated.

Hereinafter, experimental results will be described. First, experimental specifications are shown below.
1. Specifications of light source 3 (1) Light source 3: Light emitting diode module (manufactured by Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp.), spectral distribution characteristics are as shown in FIG.
(2) Light reflective sheet 4: (Product name: Silver poly film)
2. Experimental conditions (1) Long-day plant: Gypsophila "Bristol Fairy"
(2) Experimental method (2-1) A seedling of Gypsophila perforatum was planted one by one in No. 5 pot to prepare 3 seedlings, and 9 strains were tested per treatment area. The treatment area was set such that the frame had a width of 80 cm, a depth of 76 cm, and a height of 113 cm or 160 cm, and the light emitting diode module LM was positioned on the ceiling portion of the support frame 2. Moreover, it arrange | positioned so that the light emitting diode module LM may be located in the position of 90 cm in height from the cultivation bed F. FIG.

  The plant was cultivated under natural light from 9:00 to 17:00, and supplemented by the light source 3 continuously from 17:00 to 9:00 of the next morning to make it 24 hours long. The test started on May 16, 2002 and was discontinued on October 9th, 20 weeks after the start of treatment.

The treatment zone has day / night temperatures (6: 00-18: 00/18: 00-6: 00) at three stages of cultivation temperature: 17/12 ° C, 24/19 ° C, 30/25 ° C, and sunlight. In the time zone when no light is irradiated, far-red light is continuously irradiated using the light source 3 so that the photon flux density is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more.
3. Experimental Results The experimental results will be described below with reference to FIGS.

4 to 7 show the experimental results in the first embodiment for carrying out the long-day plant cultivation method of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a graph showing the change in the number of leaves, and FIG. 5 is the plant height of the flowering side branch. FIG. 6 is a graph showing changes in plant height of flowering side branches, and FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes in flowering side branch rate. Moreover, in each figure, the curves A, B, and C show the specimens with the largest irradiation light quantity in that order.
(1) Number of leaves on flowering side branch: The results shown in FIG. 4 were obtained. As can be understood from the figure, there was almost no influence of the amount of irradiation light and its influence. Although not shown, the transition varied depending on the temperature.
(2) Plant height of flowering side branches: The results shown in FIG. 5 were obtained. As can be understood from the figure, the effect of light irradiation appeared remarkably, and a sufficient plant height extension promoting effect was obtained even when the amount of irradiated light was small. Also, the plant height increased as the amount of light increased. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawing, the plant height increased as the temperature decreased, and the plant height decreased as the temperature increased.
(3) Internode length of flowering side branch: The results shown in FIG. 6 were obtained. As can be understood from the figure, the effect of light irradiation appears remarkably, and a sufficient internode length expansion promoting effect was obtained even when the amount of light irradiated was small. In addition, the greater the amount of light, the greater the internode length. Furthermore, although not shown, the growth of the internode length increased as the temperature decreased, and the internode length decreased as the temperature increased.
(4) Flowering side branch rate: The results shown in FIG. 7 were obtained. As can be understood from the figure, the higher the amount of irradiated light, the greater the increase in the flowering side branch rate. Although not shown, the flowering start time was earlier as the temperature was higher, and there was almost no influence of the amount of irradiation light.
(5) Cut flower quality: As a result of the experiment, the cut flower obtained by the method of the present invention was excellent in quality.

    FIG. 8 is a graph showing the spectral distribution characteristics of the fluorescent lamp in the second embodiment for carrying out the long-day plant cultivation method of the present invention. That is, this embodiment uses a fluorescent lamp as a light source that generates far-red light having a main emission wavelength of 700 to 800 nm. That is, the fluorescent lamp has a phosphor layer mainly composed of iron-activated lithium aluminate phosphor, and emits far-red light having an emission peak at a wavelength of 740 nm. However, in this fluorescent lamp, the emission line spectrum of blue light and green light is generated in a small amount in addition to ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 254 nm due to low-pressure mercury vapor discharge of the discharge medium. In addition, the ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 254 nm is wavelength-converted into far-red light by irradiating the phosphor layer. Note that the irradiation with the fluorescent lamp is performed by continuous irradiation.

    FIG. 9: is a graph which shows the change of the flowering side branch rate among the experimental results in the 2nd form for implementing the cultivation method of the long-day plant of this invention. In the figure, the horizontal axis indicates the number of weeks (week) after the start of treatment, and the vertical axis indicates the flowering side branch rate (%). In the figure, curve D represents data when light is irradiated using a 14 W fluorescent lamp, curve E is 28 W fluorescent lamp, and curve E is 56 W fluorescent lamp. Therefore, each curve shows that the amount of light irradiated according to the W number of the fluorescent lamp is large.

  As can be understood from the figure, the larger the amount of light, the faster the flowering side branch rate rises, and the flowering side branch rate increases.

    FIG. 10: is a graph which shows the change of a flowering rate among the experimental results of the Example in the 3rd form for implementing the cultivation method of the long-day plant of this invention, and a comparative example. This embodiment corresponds to the invention defined in claim 4, and irradiation of far-red light having a light emission dominant wavelength of 700 to 800 nm is performed with 1 irradiation for 1 hour or less and irradiation for a period of 1 or more hours. Performed by cyclic irradiation included in the cycle. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed week after the start of treatment, and the vertical axis represents the flowering rate (%). In addition, a plurality of curves in the figure correspond to the reference numerals attached thereto and the reference numerals given in Table 1 below. In the figures and tables, reference numerals 2, 3 and 4 surrounded by ○ are examples, and reference numerals 1, 5, 6 and 7 are comparative examples.

The conditions of this experiment are as follows. That is, the flowering rate for the elapsed week was investigated by using a red-breasted gypsophila “Bristol Fairy” as a long-day plant and irradiating it with sunlight and far-red light. Sunlight was applied between 9 am and 5 pm depending on the weather of the day. Far-red light is radiated from the light emitting diode, has a light emission dominant wavelength of 700 to 800 nm, and is set in advance so that the photon flux density in the principal wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more. Has been. The far-red light was individually determined for the example and the comparative example in the time zone from 5 pm to 9 am on the following day, and was irradiated according to the irradiation conditions shown in Table 1. The experimental environment was temperature controlled at 24 ° C during the day and 19 ° C during the night.

図１０および表１から理解できるように、本発明の第３の形態における実施例（○で囲んだ符号２、３および４）によれば、連続照射の比較例○で囲んだ符号１に近い開花率が得られる。なお、実施例における省電力率は５０％である。これに対して、比較例○で囲んだ符号５、６および７においては、開花率が実施例より明らかに劣っている。なお、比較例○で囲んだ符号５および６は、実施例より劣るものの照射しない場合より開花の促進効果が得られているのに対して、比較例○で囲んだ符号７の場合は照射しない場合と変わらなかった。

As can be understood from FIG. 10 and Table 1, according to the examples in the third mode of the present invention (reference numerals 2, 3 and 4 surrounded by circles), it is close to the reference numeral 1 surrounded by the comparative example ○ of continuous irradiation. The flowering rate is obtained. In addition, the power saving rate in an Example is 50%. On the other hand, the flowering rate is clearly inferior to that of the examples in the reference numerals 5, 6 and 7 surrounded by the comparative example ○. In addition, although the code | symbols 5 and 6 enclosed with comparative example (circle) are inferior to an Example, the effect of promoting a flowering is acquired rather than the case where it does not irradiate, In the case of the code | symbol 7 enclosed with comparative example (circle) It was not different from the case.

The conceptual diagram of the plant cultivation facility which shows the 1st form for implementing the cultivation method of a long day plant of this invention, and a long day plant cultivation facility Graph showing the spectral distribution characteristics of a light emitting diode that also emits far-red light Similarly, side view of LED module The graph which shows the change of the number of leaves among the experimental results in the 1st form for implementing the cultivation method of the long-day plant of this invention A graph showing the change in plant height of flowering side branches Similarly, a graph showing the change in internode length of flowering side branches A graph showing the change in the flowering side branch rate The graph which shows the spectral distribution characteristic of the fluorescent lamp in the 2nd form for enforcing the cultivation method of the long-day plant of this invention The graph which shows the change of the flowering side branch rate among the experimental results in the 2nd form for implementing the cultivation method of the long-day plant of this invention The graph which shows the change of the flowering rate among the experimental results of the Example in the 3rd form for implementing the cultivation method of the long-day plant of this invention, and a comparative example

Explanation of symbols

      DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facility structure, 2 ... Support frame, 3 ... Light source, 4 ... Light reflective sheet, F ... Cultivation bed, H ... Long-day plant cultivation facility, P ... Long-day plant

Claims (5)

In a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated and in an ambient temperature of 5 to 40 ° C., the emission main wavelength is 700 to 800 nm, and the photon flux density in the main wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s. ^A method for cultivating a long-day plant, comprising a step of continuously irradiating the long-day plant with far-red light so as to be ⁻¹ or more. A first step of irradiating a long-day plant with at least white light in a time zone in which sunlight is irradiated;
In a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated and in an ambient temperature of 5 to 40 ° C., the emission main wavelength is 700 to 800 nm, and the photon flux density in the main wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s. ^A second step of continuously irradiating the long-day plant with far-red light so as to be ^-1 or more;
The cultivation method of the long-day plant characterized by comprising. 3. The long-day plant according to claim 1, wherein the far-red light having a main emission wavelength of 700 to 800 nm to be irradiated to the long-day plant in a time zone where the sunlight is not emitted is generated by a light-emitting diode. Cultivation method. Irradiation of far-red light having a main emission wavelength of 700 to 800 nm performed on a long-day plant in a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated is in one cycle of non-irradiation of 1 hour or less and irradiation of non-irradiation time or more. The method for cultivating a long-day plant according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method is carried out by cyclic irradiation included in the plant. A facility structure containing long-day plants;
In a time zone in which sunlight is not irradiated, far-red light is emitted so that the main emission wavelength is 700 to 800 nm and the photon flux density in the main wavelength region is 0.04 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ or more. An artificial light source arranged in the facility structure so as to continuously irradiate the plant for long days;
Temperature control means for maintaining the ambient temperature of the long-day plant at 5 to 40 ° C .;
A long-day plant cultivation facility characterized by comprising:

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