JP2005130712A - Device and method for treating plant seedling - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for treating plant seedlings with which a treating agent comprising attenuated viruses can be uniformly and surely applied to plant seedlings raised in a cell-forming raising seedling tray through the skin of the leaves of the plant seedlings. <P>SOLUTION: The device is so designed as to apply the treating agent to plant seedlings S raised in the cell-forming raising seedling tray 3 through the skin of the leaves 1. The device is provided with a supporting means 2 supporting the plant seedlings S under the leaves 1. The supporting means 2 has a pair of linear arm members 6, 6 holding stalks 5 of a plurality of the plant seedlings S set in line in the raising seedling tray 3 at intervals. The linear arm members 6, 6 are movable from one end side to another end side in a line direction while passing between the raising seedling tray 3 and the leaves of the plant seedlings S via a movement driving means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant seedling treatment apparatus and a treatment method for applying a treatment agent such as a plant virus from a leaf epidermis to a plant seedling.

  When a plant virus, filamentous fungus, or bacterium infects a plant and causes disease, damage such as a decrease in yield or quality is caused. Therefore, at present, as one of means for preventing and preventing these damages, a treatment for applying a treatment agent such as an attenuated virus to a plant seedling is performed in advance.

Further, conventionally known processing methods include the following.
There is a method of inoculating a plant virus by spraying a virus solution onto a plant seedling with a spray and rotating a roller on which a polishing agent is attached to the plant seedling by pressing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
As another method, there is a method in which a virus is sprayed on a plant seedling, a brush is brought into contact with the plant seedling, and a plant virus is inoculated (for example, see Patent Document 2).

However, in the conventional method, when the treatment agent is sprayed, since the leaves hang down or the orientations (angles) of the leaves vary, the treatment agent cannot be uniformly and reliably applied to all seedlings. There is a drawback. In other words, the treatment agent is sprayed on unnecessary portions, which is very inefficient and wastes expensive treatment agent, resulting in high cost.
Furthermore, since the treatment agent is sprayed manually, the virus infection rate varies depending on the location of the seedling, and there is a disadvantage that the work time is long and the efficiency is poor.

In addition, when a roller or brush is brought into contact with the epidermis of the leaves of the seedlings, the leaves hang down, so that the wounds cannot be uniformly and reliably damaged, or the seedlings are pushed down and unnecessary parts (for example, There is a drawback that the stem is damaged.
JP-A-4-330005 JP 2000-201535 A

  The problem to be solved is that the treatment agent cannot be applied uniformly and reliably, a large amount of treatment agent is required, and the cost is increased. In addition, it takes a lot of work time and is inefficient.

A plant seedling treatment apparatus according to the present invention is a plant seedling treatment apparatus that applies a treatment agent to a plant seedling from a leaf epidermis, and includes support means for supporting the plant seedling at a position below the leaves. .
The plant seedling is grown in a cell-molded seedling tray, and the support means has a pair of linear arm members that sandwich a plurality of plant seedlings arranged in a row in the seedling tray with a gap, The linear arm member can be moved forward and backward from one end side to the other end side in the row direction of the seedling tray through the space between the seedling tray and the leaves of the plant seedling by the advance / retreat driving means.
Alternatively, the plant seedling is grown in a seedling tray, and the support means moves closer to both sides of the row of the plurality of plant seedlings arranged in a row on the seedling tray and crawls the leaves of the plant seedling from below. And a pair of oscillating support plates that support the leaves from below, and the oscillating support plates have notch recesses formed at every pitch of cells in which the plant seedlings are planted in a row. Yes.

  In addition, the treatment agent is in a liquid state, and is provided with a nozzle that sprays the treatment agent toward the epidermis of the leaf of the plant seedling at an upper position of the seedling tray, and the nozzle has a base of the leaf. It is also preferable to have a nozzle tip for spraying the treatment agent in a ring shape as a substantial center.

The plant seedling treatment method according to the present invention is a plant seedling treatment method in which a treatment agent is applied to the plant seedling from the leaf epidermis, and the plant seedling is supported by a supporting means at a position below the leaves, The said processing agent is given from the upper position of this plant seedling.
Moreover, the said processing agent is made into the liquid form containing a wound, and sprays and provides this processing agent with respect to the said leaf of the said plant seedling.

In the present invention, since the plant seedling is supported from below and the plant seedling does not fall down or the leaf hangs down, the treatment agent can be provided uniformly and reliably. Therefore, an expensive processing agent is not used wastefully, the processing agent can be minimized, and the cost can be reduced.
Even for plant seedlings that have not germinated in the center of the cell, the leaf can be aligned to the upper position of the center of the cell, and when the treatment agent is applied, the stem is held substantially vertically and the leaves It can be kept horizontal and can be reliably treated.
Moreover, since processing is performed on the plant seedlings grown in the cell-molded seedling raising tray, the work is automated and speeded up, and the work efficiency can be improved.

  FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing an embodiment of a plant seedling treatment apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. This processing apparatus gives the plant seedling S a treatment agent (useful material) from the epidermis of the leaf 1, and the target plant seedling S includes cell-shaped seedlings such as vegetables, flower buds, legumes, and turf. .

  Specifically, cucumbers, melons, watermelons, pumpkins, camphores and other cucurbits, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, peppers, tolbum, eggplants, cigarettes and other solanaceous crops, cabbage, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and other crucifers Crop, Lettuce, Saladana, Chrysanthemum and other Asteraceae crops, Perilla and other perennial crops, Honey bees and Seri, etc. Aceraceae crops such as Spinach and sugar beet, Lariceae crops such as onion, leek and leek, Strawberry Rosaceae crops, convolvulaceae crops such as sweet potato, legume crops such as soybean, pea, alfalfa, rice crops such as rice, shiba, pansy, petunia, aster, impatiens, carnation, canna, snapdragon, celosia, salvia , Cyclamen, Zinnia, Stock, Geranium, Nadesico A sunflower, vinca, primula, begonias, verbena, marigold, EUSTOMA, the flowers, and the like, such as ornamental cabbage.

The plant seedling S to which the treatment agent is given by this apparatus is intended for seedlings (such as crops) grown in the cell-shaped seedling raising tray 3 (hereinafter referred to as the seedling raising tray 3), and the size of the seedling tray 3 is 50 holes. Although a ~ 288-hole tray can be used, in particular, when considering the working efficiency and seedling efficiency in this apparatus, the 128-hole to 200-hole tray is preferred.
In addition, the seedling size suitable for the treatment is not particularly limited as long as it can be managed from the cotyledon seedling to the seedling tray 3, but a seedling is preferable in consideration of uniform treatment and a small amount of the treatment agent.

The plant seedling treatment apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail. The apparatus includes support means 2 that supports the plant seedling S at a position below the leaves 1 of the plant seedling S. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are general views of a processing apparatus provided with the support means 2.
Moreover, the processing method performed in this apparatus is a processing method of a plant seedling which gives a processing agent to the plant seedling S from the epidermis of the leaf 1, and the plant seedling S ( It is performed by supporting the back surface of the leaf 1) and applying a treatment agent from above the plant seedling S.

  In addition, as a processing agent of this invention, the virus, microorganisms, another effective substance, various chemical | medical solutions, and a wound agent etc. say what combined suitably 1 type, or 2 or more types.

In the following specific description, a wound is sprayed on the skin of the leaf 1 of the plant seedling S, and the leaf 1 is scratched to give a chemical solution or the like to the plant seedling S.
In addition, the wounded object and the chemical liquid may be sprayed at the same time or separately, and in the case of separate, the order may be first. That is, the chemical solution or the like may be sprayed first, and then the wounded object may be sprayed.
Particularly preferred from the viewpoint of work efficiency, the treatment containing the chemical solution and the wounded material for the leaves 1 of the plant seedling S is performed using a treatment agent (mixed solution) which is made liquid with the chemical solution and the wounded material. In this method, the agent (mixed solution) is sprayed simultaneously by the nozzle 8.

The target virus includes not only an attenuated strain (attenuated virus) for avoiding damage caused by the virus by giving it to the plant in advance, but also a virulent strain for determining the resistance of the plant to the target virus. .
Specific examples of viruses include: Alphamovirus genus (Alfalfa mosaic virus), Vimovirus genus (Rice mosaic virus), Carlavirus genus (carnation latent virus, chrysanthemum B virus, Impatiens latent virus), carmo Virus genus (melon pod spot virus, pea stalk virus), caulimovirus genus (cauliflower mosaic virus, petunia leaf permeabilizing virus, soybean green leaf spotted virus), comovirus genus (squash mosaic virus), spider virus genus (Cucumber mosaic virus, chrysanthemum spotted virus), genus Faba virus (broad bean virus virus), phlovirus genus (broad bean mosaic virus), iral virus genus (Prunus necrotic ring spot) Irs, tobacco streak virus), Necrovirus genus (Eustoma grandiflora virus, Tobacco necrosis virus), Nepovirus genus (Arabic mosaic virus, Tobacco ring point virus, Tomato black ring point virus, Tomato ring point virus), Potex virus genus (Potato X virus), Potyvirus genus (sweet potato shrunken mosaic virus, kidney bean mosaic virus, kidney bean yellow mosaic virus, carnation bain mottle virus, celery mosaic virus, clover leaf vein yellowing virus, lettuce mosaic virus, leek dwarf virus, papaya Ring spot virus, perilla mottle virus, potato Y virus, soybean mosaic virus, sweet potato mottle mosaic virus, tobacco green mosaic virus, turnip mosaic Irs, Pumpkin Mosaic Virus, Shiba Mosaic Virus, Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus), Limovirus Genus (Ryegrass Mosaic Virus), Sobemovirus Genus (Southern Bean Mosaic Virus, Red-faced Mosaic Virus), Tobamovirus Genus (Tobacco Mosaic Virus, Cucumber Green Spot Mosaic) Virus, Watermelon Green Spot Mosaic Virus, Pepper Mild Mottle Virus, Tomato Mosaic Virus, Tobravirus Genus (Tobacco Stem Virus), Tombus Virus Genus (Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus), Tospovirus Genus (Tomato Yellowing) Virus, melon yellow spot virus, watermelon gray spotted virus, impatiens necrotic spot virus, iris yellow spot virus).

  Specific examples of effective microorganisms include filamentous fungi such as Trichoderma genus, Gliocladium genus, Penicillium genus, and Talaromyces genus that act antagonistically against plant diseases, and Pseudomonas. Examples include bacteria such as (Pseudomonas) genus, Bacillus genus, Enterobacter genus, Pantoea genus, Leclercia genus, Serratia genus and the like.

  Other effective substances as treatment agents include systemic acquired resistance inducers, agricultural chemicals, plant hormones, fertilizers and the like. Among these, the systemic acquired resistance inducer is a substance that has the effect of increasing systemic resistance against subsequent infection with pathogenic bacteria by treating the plant body in advance. Specifically, aminobutyric acid , Sulfur-containing amino acids, silicon, oligosaccharides, phosphoric acid, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, erythritol, steviol, saccharin, jasmonic acid and the like.

  Further, the wounded material (scratched material) includes an abrasive, such as silicon carbide (trade name, carborundum), celite, bentonite, quartz sand, sea sand, ceramic powder, and the like. The average particle diameter is preferably 15 to 70 μm. If the average particle size is less than the lower limit value, the scratching action is weakened, and if the upper limit value is exceeded, the conveyance efficiency in a pump or the like may be reduced.

The whole of the treatment apparatus will be described. This apparatus has the support means 2 for supporting the plant seedling S, the administration means for supplying a treatment agent to the supported plant seedling S, and the seedling tray 3 in one direction (the seedling tray). , In the direction of the arrow: the direction of arrow m).
The form of the treatment agent is preferably liquid in consideration of work efficiency and infection rate of treatment agents such as viruses.

Further, this apparatus comprises a tank 14 for storing a liquid processing agent, and a stirrer 15 for preventing precipitation, uneven distribution, etc. of the composition of the processing agent (chemical solution and wounded material) in the tank 14, and the administration described above. The means includes a pump 16 connected to the tank 14 via a tube (not shown), and a nozzle 8 for injecting the processing agent by the operation of the pump 16.
In addition, the tube can be easily removed, facilitating the cleaning operation, and speeding up the type exchange of the processing agent. Further, the tube, the pump 16 and the tank 14 are made of materials having excellent chemical resistance.

The tank 14 stores the chemical solution and the like along with the wounded material (and distilled water) as a liquid, but may be of a two-tank type so that the chemical solution and the wounded material are stored separately. Further, the tank 14 is preferably made of a material that does not allow direct sunlight to pass through. Further, when the treatment agent is denatured by temperature, it is preferable to provide a heat retaining means for keeping the temperature constant in the tank 14.
The stirrer 15 is a magnet stirrer to simplify the structure.

  In FIG. 1, the pump 16 is for transporting the chemical solution or the like in the tank 14 together with the scratched material (and distilled water). For example, a syringe pump or a blow pump can be used. Although not shown in the figure, the chemical solution or the like and the damaged object may be transported separately (when the tank 14 is a two-tank type). Further, the transport amount of the mixed liquid (chemical solution and the wounded material in solution) by the pump 16, that is, the ejection amount from the nozzle 8 is controlled by controlling the capacity, weight, transport time, etc. of the pump 16. It maintains quantitativeness.

Next, the support means 2 will be described. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the support means 2, FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the support means 2 in the middle of the operation of supporting the plant seedling S, and FIG. 6 is a support means. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows a mode that the plant seedling S is supported in 2 from the downward direction.
The support means 2 includes a pair of parallel linear arm members 6 and 6 and advance / retreat driving means (not shown) for moving the linear arm members 6 and 6 back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

The pair of linear arm members 6 and 6 are plate-like support members that sandwich the stems 5 of a plurality of plant seedlings S arranged in a row on the seedling tray 3 with a gap g. It is possible to advance and retreat between one end side in the row direction of the seedling tray 3 and the other end side through the leaf 1 of the seedling S. The row direction of the seedling tray 3 is the direction of the arrow n in FIG.
In FIG. 6, the height H (height position) of the linear arm members 6 and 6 is set to 10 mm to 30 mm from the upper surface of the seedling tray 3 to the upper surface of the linear arm member 6. In addition, this height position can be freely changed according to the kind of plant seedling S and the growth condition.

The advancing / retracting drive means (not shown) includes, for example, a motor and a mechanism for converting the rotational motion by the motor into a linear motion, and is connected to the base end side of the linear arm members 6 and 6, so Thus, the linear arm members 6 and 6 are integrally moved forward and backward in the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 1, the advancing / retreating drive means is provided in a machine room portion 17 installed on the side of the transporter 9 for transporting the seedling tray 3, and the linear arm members 6 and 6 are connected to the machine chamber portion 17 as shown in FIG. It protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the opening on the side surface and is advanced and retracted.

  Further, the pair of linear arm members 6 and 6 can be moved toward and away from each other by the gap changing means 7, and advance and retreat through between the seedling raising tray 3 and the plant seedling S leaf 1 as shown in FIG. 4. At this time, it is separated with a gap G, and when the stems 5 of all plant seedlings S arranged in a line with the straight arm members 6 and 6 moving forward, they come close to each other and have a gap g. It is comprised so that it may pinch | interpose.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gap changing means 7 is provided with a base member 20 at the base end portion of each of the pair of linear arm members 6 and 6, and at the front and rear portions of the base member 20, Horizontal swing arms 18 and 19 are pivotally mounted, and the swing arms 18 and 18 (19 and 19) of the straight arm members 6 and 6 are vertically aligned at the center between the straight arm members 6 and 6. The linear arm members 6 and 6 can be moved toward and away from each other while maintaining a parallel state.

Then, by the advancement of the straight arm members 6 and 6 (arrow i in FIG. 4), the tip portions of the base members 20 and 20 are guide blocks having a concave shape in plan view provided on the inner side of the opening of the machine chamber portion 17. The linear arm members 6 and 6 come close to each other by abutting on the inclined surfaces 22 and 22 and sliding on the inclined surfaces 22 and 22.
Further, a resilient member 23 such as a compression coil spring that urges the linear arm members 6 and 6 in a direction to separate the linear arm members 6 and 6 is disposed between the linear arm members 6 and 6, and the base members 20 and 20 are guided by the guide block 21. The linear arm members 6 and 6 are separated while the linear arm members 6 and 6 that do not come into contact with the forward and backward movements.
As shown in FIG. 4, the dimension between the linear arm members 6 and 6 is configured so that the gap G of 10 mm to 12 mm is narrowed to the gap g of 6 mm to 8 mm by the gap changing means 7.

  Further, the linear arm members 6 and 6 are configured to be movable in the height direction by elevating driving means (not shown). That is, the straight arm members 6 and 6 move back and forth between the seedling tray 3 and the leaf 1 of the plant seedling S, but when the straight arm members 6 and 6 move forward, the straight arm members 6 and 6 contact the leaf 1. In order to prevent it from being pushed down, the straight arm members 6 and 6 are advanced in advance at a low position near the upper surface of the seedling tray 3, and the straight arm members 6 and 6 sandwich the plant seedlings S in one row. The straight arm members 6 and 6 may be moved upward by the lifting drive means and supported so as to lift the leaf 1 from below. That is, the linear arm members 6 and 6 may be configured to be operable in a three-dimensional direction by the advance / retreat driving means, the gap changing means 7 and the elevation driving means.

  Further, the leading end portions 6a and 6a of the linear arm members 6 and 6 are formed with inclined guiding surfaces 29 and 29 that are open toward the distal end (the interval between the linear arm members 6 and 6 is enlarged). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for the seedling a that germinates from the edge of the cell 13 of the seedling tray 3 and the seedling b that germinates from the center of the cell 13 and hangs to the side, Even if the orientation of 1 is various, the base of leaf 1 (between the cotyledons at the upper end of stem 5) is surely forced to be positioned above the center of cell 13 so that leaf 1 can be Supporting, the epidermis of the leaf 1 can be directed upward. That is, the linear arm members 6 and 6 have an alignment function.

  That is, the straight arm members 6 and 6 are inserted between the seedling raising tray 3 and the back surface of the leaf 1 so as to sandwich the stems 5 arranged in a row by the advancing and retreating driving means, and the arm interval is narrowed by the gap changing means 7, One row of plant seedlings S including plant seedlings S that have not germinated from the portion can be aligned in the center of the cell, and the leaves 1 can be kept substantially horizontal.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of another embodiment of the supporting means 2, FIG. 8 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 9 is a sectional side view thereof. This support means 2 moves closer to both sides of a row of a plurality of plant seedlings S arranged in a row on the seedling tray 3, and swings the plant seedling S so as to crawl from below to support the leaf 1 from below. A pair of swinging support plates 11, 11 is provided.
The swing support plate 11 is a horizontal member whose longitudinal direction is the row direction of the seedling tray 3 (arrow n direction in FIG. 1), and the swing support plate 11 is the pitch of the cells 13 in which the plant seedlings S are planted in a row. A notch recess 12 is formed each time to form a comb shape, and the plant seedling S is supported by sandwiching the stem 5 of the plant seedling S between the notch recesses 12 and 12 that are facing each other.

The swing axis C of the swing support plate 11 is in the longitudinal direction of the swing support plate 11 (the direction of the arrow n being the row direction), and the edge on the side opposite to the side where the notch recess 12 is formed. It is arranged close to it and operates by swinging drive means (not shown) provided in the machine chamber 17 (see FIG. 1).
Further, the approaching movement of the swing support plate 11 to the both sides of the plant seedling S row is as shown in FIG. You may comprise by a raising / lowering drive means (illustration omitted) so that it may descend | fall from an upper position (above the seedling tray 3) to a perpendicular direction.

Alternatively, the approaching movement to both sides of the row of the plant seedlings S of the swing support plate 11 is omitted from illustration, but the swing support plate 11 is positioned above the seedling tray 3 in a vertical wall-like posture and is planted. You may comprise so that the both sides of the row | line | column of the seedling S may advance / retreat horizontally by the advancing / retreating drive means (illustration omitted) between the row direction one end side of the seedling raising tray 3 to the other end side.
Then, when located on both predetermined side portions, as shown in FIG. 9, the swinging support plate 11 having a vertical wall-like posture swings 90 ° in the direction of gripping the leaf 1 by the operation of the swinging drive means ( The plant seedling S is supported from below.

In FIG. 8, the shape of the notch recess 12 of the swing support plate 11 is a U-shape cut into a rectangle, but is not limited thereto, and may be an arc shape or a semi-oval shape. .
And since the notch recessed part 12 is formed for every pitch of the cell 13 by which the plant seedling S is planted in a line, as shown in FIG. 9, in a pair of notch recessed parts 12 and 12 facing, Even if the orientation of the leaves 1 is various for the seedling a that has sprouted from the edge of the cell 13 or the seedling b that has sprouted from the center of the cell 13 and hangs to the side. The base of the leaf 1 (between the cotyledons that are the upper end of the stem 5) is surely forcibly positioned above the center of the cell 13, the leaf 1 is supported from the back, and the epidermis of the leaf 1 is directed upward be able to. That is, the swing support plates 11 and 11 have a position alignment function.

  That is, the swinging support plates 11 and 11 are positioned on both sides with a row of plant seedlings S in between, the swinging support plates 11 and 11 are swung so as to scoop up the leaves 1, and germinate from the center of the cell. The row of plant seedlings S including the plant seedlings S that are not present can be aligned in the center of the cell, and the leaves 1 can be kept in a substantially horizontal plane.

  Further, the linear arm member 6 in FIG. 3 and the swing support plate 11 in FIG. 7 are flat plate members having a width dimension w larger than the thickness dimension t, and these are between the leaf 1 and the seedling tray 3. Functions as a shielding plate. That is, it is possible to prevent the soil of the cell 13 from being rolled up due to the spraying (wind pressure) of the treatment agent containing the damaged object. The ratio ε (= t / w) between the thickness dimension t and the width dimension w is about 0.1 to 1.0 (0.1 ≦ ε ≦ 1.0).

Further, as shown in the front view of the main part of FIG. 10, the processing apparatus of the present invention is positioned above the seedling tray 3 and above the linear arm members 6 and 6 or the swinging support plates 11 and 11 at the processing position. In addition, a nozzle (spray nozzle) 8 for spraying (spraying) the treatment agent onto the epidermis of the leaves 1 of the plant seedling S is provided. In FIG. 10, two nozzles 8 are provided in a drooping manner at the same interval as the pitch of the cells 13 with respect to one head 24, and the head 24 extends along a horizontal guide 25 straddling the upper part of the seedling tray 3. Then, the treatment agent is sprayed on the row of plant seedlings S in order while moving in the row direction (arrow e direction) by the operation of the drive actuator (not shown).
The number of nozzles 8 can be the same as the number of plant seedlings S in one to one row.

The nozzle 8 may be a straight pipe with a narrowed tip, but is preferably a two-fluid nozzle that ejects the treatment agent from the center and ejects air from the periphery.
Furthermore, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 11, the nozzle tip 8a of the nozzle 8 sprays the processing agent in an annular shape around the base of the leaf 1 (the growth point between the cotyledons) (high pressure spray: discharge pressure). 0.05 MPa to 0.5 MPa). That is, a spray region is defined between two concentric circles indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In addition, the base of the leaf 1 which becomes the spray center is the leaf of the plant seedling S in which the stem 5 of the plant seedling S rises vertically from the center point of the cell 13 (not the base of the actual leaf 1 of the plant seedling S). 1 is an ideal base position.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the processing apparatus of the present invention places a seedling tray 3 and intermittently transfers the seedling tray 3 in a row direction (arrow m) perpendicular to the column direction. Is provided. And the conveyance machine 9 has the operation | movement control part 10 which moves the seedling tray 3 to the row direction every row direction pitch of the cell 13, whenever a processing agent is given to the plant seedling S of 1 row of the seedling tray 3. FIG.
Thereby, it becomes possible to give a treatment agent to a large amount of plant seedlings S in a short time, and automation can be achieved and work efficiency can be improved.
In the case of a 128-hole tray, it takes about 30 minutes when an expert inoculates the seedlings with a treatment agent manually by a cotton swab one by one. And it takes 3-5 minutes.

The transporter 9 places a plurality of seedling trays 3 on the upstream end and transports them toward the downstream side, and is a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor.
Further, the transport machine 9 includes a horizontal conveyor section 26, guide members 30 and 30 on both sides of the conveyor section 26, and motors (not shown). It has a stopper and a sensor that are connected and provided near the conveyor unit 26 to position the seedling tray 3, and can feed the seedling tray 3 at a pitch. On the upper surface of the conveyor unit 26, a plurality of seedling trays 3 can be placed. In FIG. 1, a length that allows a plurality of (5) seedling trays 3 of 128-hole trays to be placed side by side in the transport direction (row direction). Have

  In FIG. 6, the arrow f is the traveling direction of the seedling tray 3, and the plant seedling S (on the left side in FIG. 6) supported by the linear arm members 6 and 6 of the support means 2 is located at the nozzle 8 at the upper position. When the treatment agent is applied to all of the row of plant seedlings S supported by the straight arm members 6 and 6, the seedling tray 3 is moved to the direction of the arrow f in the direction of the arrow f by the carrier 9 in the cell 13 1. The processing is advanced by the pitch, and then the processing of a row of plant seedlings S on the upstream side of the figure is started. In addition, the plant seedling S on the right side of FIG. 6 shows the plant seedling S to which the treatment agent was given (treated).

  Similarly, in FIG. 9, the arrow f is the traveling direction of the seedling tray 3, and the plant seedling S (on the left side in FIG. 9) supported by the swinging support plates 11 and 11 of the support means 2 is in the upper position. When the treatment agent is given from the nozzle 8 and the treatment agent is given to all the rows of plant seedlings S supported by the swinging support plates 11, 11, the seedling tray 3 is moved to the cell in the direction of arrow f by the carrier 9. 13 is advanced by one pitch, and then the processing of a row of plant seedlings S on the upstream side of the figure is started. In addition, the plant seedling S on the right side of FIG. 9 shows the plant seedling S to which the treatment agent was given (treated).

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the treatment apparatus of the present invention provides a treatment agent in a post-treatment section B on the downstream side of the treatment section A that applies a treatment agent to the plant seedling S supported by the support means 2. A washing means 27 for washing the plant seedling S to which
In the post-processing section B, the cleaning means 27 is a pipe member straddling the upper position of the transport path (conveyor section 26) of the transport machine 9, and water supplied to the pipe member is supplied from a hole provided in the pipe wall of the pipe member. Water is sprinkled, and the excess treatment agent remaining on the plant seedling S (leaf 1) is washed away.

In addition, when using a plant virus as a treatment agent, since it is immediately taken into the cell of the leaf 1 in which the epidermis has been damaged by the wounded material, it is washed in the post-processing unit B having a predetermined interval from the processing unit A. Does not reduce the infection rate of viruses and the like. Depending on the treatment agent, flushing may not be necessary.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a tray member (sink) 28 that collects excess processing agent, cleaning water, soil, and the like is disposed below the processing unit A and the post-processing unit B.
Further, the machine room 17 on the side of the conveyor unit 26 of the transporter 9 is provided with a control panel (not shown), and may be configured to have an operation switch and a setting function such as discharge pressure and spray amount. Good.

In addition to the liquid, the treatment agent may be in the form of a slurry, gel, or powder (powder), and administration means corresponding to the form (for example, means for application by spraying, brush or cotton swab) ) May be configured. When the treatment agent is a powder, the administration means may be the one that drives the powder into the leaves 1.
Furthermore, you may design the particle | grains which give a damage function to a processing agent. That is, it is good also as the particle | grains which coated the chemical | medical solution etc. on the surface of the abrasive | polishing agent.
Moreover, although the conveying machine 9 is set as the structure which transfers the raising seedling tray 3 only to the horizontal direction of a horizontal surface, it can also be set as the stage structure which transfers to a horizontal surface orthogonal 2 directions (XY direction).

Next, about the infection rate of the attenuated virus with respect to the plant seedling S raised in the seedling tray 3, when the plant seedling S is supported by the support means 2 (Example) and when the conventional plant seedling S is not supported Comparison with (conventional example) will be described.
Table 1 shows the infection rate of the attenuated virus between the example and the conventional example, and the infection rate is calculated based on the number of infected seedlings, with the number of inoculated seedlings being 40.

In both the examples and the conventional examples, the plant seedling S is a cucumber seedling (variety name: Tsuya Taro), the first cotyledon seedling grown in a 128-hole seedling tray, and the inoculated virus is ZYMV (Zucchini macular) Mosaic virus 2002 attenuated virus (freeze-dried preparation) was used, and a liquid with a wound with 0.3% carborundum was added.
In addition, as other inoculation conditions, the nozzle lower end position was 5 cm (average) above the leaf 1, the discharge pressure was 0.3 MPa, and the spray amount per seedling was 0.25 μl.
In the evaluation of infection, the upper leaves were sampled on the 10th day after the inoculation, determined by ELISA method, and the seedlings that showed a value more than twice that of the uninoculated seedlings were regarded as infections.

Next, when the plant seedling S is replaced by the virus seed, and the plant seedling S is supported by the supporting means 2 using the above-described processing apparatus, the infection rate of the attenuated virus to the plant seedling S grown in the seedling tray 3 is supported ( A comparison between the example and the case of the conventional method (conventional example) will be described. This conventional method is a method in which an attenuated virus is rubbed by hand onto a leaf epidermis using a cotton swab.
Table 2 shows the infection rate of the attenuated virus between the example and the conventional example, and the infection rate is calculated based on the number of infected seedlings, with the number of inoculated seedlings being 40.

In both the examples and the conventional examples, the plant seedling S is a tomato seedling (variety name: Momotaro), which is as damaged by viral diseases as cucumber, and the first cotyledon seedling grown in a 128-hole seedling tray. The inoculated virus was CMV (Cucumber Mosaic Virus) attenuated virus CM95 strain (freeze-dried preparation), and it was in a liquid state to which a wound with 0.3% carborundum was added.
Further, as other inoculation conditions in the examples, the nozzle lower end position is a height of 5 cm (average) above the leaf 1, the discharge pressure is 0.3 MPa, and the spray amount per seedling is 0.25 μl. . In the evaluation of infection, the upper leaves were sampled on the 10th day after the inoculation, determined by ELISA method, and the seedlings that showed a value more than twice that of the uninoculated seedlings were regarded as infections.

As described above, when both the cucumber seedling and the tomato seedling are spray-inoculated with a treatment agent such as a plant virus on the plant seedling S (young seedling) by the high-pressure spray inoculation method as described above, conventionally, the seedling is generated due to its discharge pressure. Fallen, the leaves rolled up, and the leaves 1 could not maintain a posture substantially perpendicular to the nozzles 8, and stable inoculation was not possible.
However, according to the present invention, the supporting means 2 supports the leaf 1 so that it does not sag, and the stem 5 is supported so as not to fluctuate greatly, so that it is substantially perpendicular to the epidermis of the leaf 1 (cotyledon). The treatment agent can be spray-inoculated to obtain an extremely high infection rate (can be set to approximately 100%).
Furthermore, in Example 2, the time required to process 40 seedlings was 10 minutes in the case of manual processing using a cotton swab (conventional example), while the processing using the above processing apparatus ( In Example), it was 1 minute. That is, according to the processing apparatus of the present invention, work efficiency can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a plant seedling treatment apparatus for applying a treatment agent to the plant seedling S from the epidermis of the leaf 1, comprising the supporting means 2 that supports the plant seedling S at a position below the leaf 1. Therefore, by supporting (stabilizing) the plant seedling S from below, even if force (pressure by spraying) acts on the leaf 1 when applying the treatment agent from the upper position, the plant seedling S falls down or leaves 1 Since it does not sag, it becomes possible to give a processing agent uniformly and reliably. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost without wastefully using an expensive processing agent.

Further, the plant seedling S is grown in the cell-molded seedling tray 3, and the support means 2 has a pair of linear arm members 6, which sandwich the stems 5 of the plurality of plant seedlings S arranged in a row in the seedling tray 3 with a gap g. 6, the straight arm members 6, 6 can be moved back and forth between the seedling tray 3 and the leaves 1 of the plant seedling S by the advance / retreat driving means from one end side to the other end side in the row direction of the seedling tray 3. Therefore, even if there is a plant seedling S that has not germinated in the center of the cell, the leaves of a plurality of plant seedlings S can be aligned to the upper position in the center of the cell at a time. When giving the agent, the stem 5 can be held substantially vertically and the leaves can be kept substantially horizontal. Therefore, the treatment agent can be provided uniformly and reliably.
Moreover, since the process is performed on the plant seedling S grown in the seedling tray 3, the operation is automated and speeded up, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Further, the plant seedling S is grown in the seedling tray 3, and the support means 2 moves closer to both sides of the row of the plurality of plant seedlings S arranged in a row on the seedling tray 3, and crawls the leaves 1 of the plant seedling S from below. Since the pair of swing support plates 11 and 11 that swing and support the leaf 1 from below are provided, the leaf 1 can be reliably supported from below.
Furthermore, even for plant seedlings S that have not germinated in the center of the cell, the leaves of a plurality of plant seedlings S can be aligned to the upper position of the cell center at the same time. The stem 5 can be held substantially vertically to keep the leaves substantially horizontal. Therefore, the treatment agent can be provided uniformly and reliably.
Moreover, since the process is performed on the plant seedling S grown in the seedling tray 3, the operation is automated and speeded up, and the work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, the treatment agent is in a liquid state, and is provided with a nozzle 8 for spraying the treatment agent toward the epidermis of the leaf 1 of the plant seedling S at a position above the seedling tray 3, and the nozzle 8 substantially omits the base of the leaf 1. Since it has the nozzle front-end | tip part 8a which sprays a processing agent cyclically | annularly as a center, it can spray a processing agent rapidly and efficiently. In addition, since the treatment agent is not sprayed on the growing point, it does not affect the growth of subsequent seedlings.

  Furthermore, it is a processing method of the plant seedling which gives a processing agent to the plant seedling S from the epidermis of the leaf 1, wherein the supporting means 2 supports the plant seedling S in the lower position of the leaf 1, and the processing is performed from the upper position of the plant seedling S. In order to give the agent, by supporting the plant seedling S from below, even if force (pressure by spraying) acts on the leaf 1 when applying the treatment agent from the upper position, the plant seedling S falls down or the leaf 1 Since it does not hang down, it becomes possible to give a processing agent uniformly and reliably. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost without wastefully using an expensive processing agent.

  The treatment agent is in a liquid form containing a wound, and the treatment agent is sprayed and applied to the leaves 1 of the plant seedling S. Therefore, the treatment agent can be taken into the leaves 1 at the same time as the damage to the epidermis. Speed and efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is based on the research result in promotion of a science and technology promotion adjustment expense, leading research, etc. of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology "Establishment of a plant vaccine development and its utilization system."

It is a whole top view showing one embodiment of the processing device of the plant seedling of the present invention. It is a whole side view of the processing apparatus of a plant seedling. It is a perspective view explaining the principal part of a support means. It is a top view explaining the principal part of a support means. It is a top view which shows the principal part of the support means which supports a plant seedling. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows the principal part of the support means which supports a plant seedling. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of a support means. It is a top view of the support means of FIG. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows the principal part of the support means of FIG. 7 which supports a plant seedling. It is a front view explaining a nozzle. It is a top view explaining the spraying area | region of the processing agent by a nozzle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Leaf 2 Support means 3 Cell molding seedling tray 5 Stem 6 Straight arm member 8 Nozzle 8a Tip part 9 Conveyor
10 Operation control unit
11 Swing support plate
12 Notch recess
13 cell S plant seedling g gap

Claims (6)

  A plant seedling treatment apparatus for applying a treatment agent to the plant seedling (S) from the epidermis of the leaf (1), comprising supporting means (2) for supporting the plant seedling (S) at a position below the leaf (1). An apparatus for treating plant seedlings, comprising:   The plant seedling (S) is nurtured in a cell-molded seedling tray (3), and the support means (2) includes a plurality of plant seedling (S) stems (5) arranged in a row in the seedling tray (3). And a pair of linear arm members (6), (6) sandwiching the seedling tray (3) and the plant seedlings (6) by advancing and retreating driving means. The plant seedling treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plant seedling tray (3) is capable of advancing and retreating from one end side to the other end side in the row direction through the leaves (1) of S).   The plant seedling (S) is grown in a seedling tray (3), and the support means (2) approaches to both side portions of the plurality of plant seedlings (S) arranged in a row on the seedling tray (3). It has a pair of swing support plates (11) (11) that move and swing so as to crawl the leaves (1) of the plant seedling (S) from below and support the leaves (1) from below. Furthermore, the said rocking | fluctuation support plate (11) is processed with the plant seedling of Claim 1 in which the notch recessed part (12) is formed for every pitch of the cell (13) with which this plant seedling (S) is planted in a line. apparatus.   The treatment agent is in a liquid state, and is provided with a nozzle (8) for spraying the treatment agent toward the epidermis of the leaves (1) of the plant seedling (S) at a position above the seedling tray (3). 4. The plant seedling treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (8) has a nozzle tip (8 a) that sprays the treatment agent in an annular shape about the base of the leaf (1).   A plant seedling treatment method in which a treatment agent is applied to a plant seedling (S) from the epidermis of a leaf (1), and the plant seedling (S) is supported by a supporting means (2) at a position below the leaf (1). And the processing method of the plant seedling characterized by giving the said processing agent from the upper position of this plant seedling (S).   The method for treating a plant seedling according to claim 5, wherein the treatment agent is in a liquid form containing a wound, and the treatment agent is sprayed onto the leaves (1) of the plant seedling (S).

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