JP2005253377A - Method for managing fertilizer application and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid excessive fertilizer application to a plant, and to prevent increases in a cost caused by the excessive fertilizer application and in environmental loading caused by flowing out of fertilizer, or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The subject method for managing the fertilizer application comprises deciding in which growth stage the plant is at the present time in its growth processes and conducting the fertilizer application to the plant in every growth stage in an amount of the fertilizer application (coefficient α1, α2, α3, α4) determined according to the growth stage at every time when an integrated value of the amount of solar radiation to the plant reaches a prescribed value (threshold value S1, S2, S3, S4) determined according to the growth stage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fertilization management method and apparatus for managing fertilization of plants in a greenhouse or the like.

  Conventionally, in fertilization to plants in a greenhouse or the like, a culture solution is regularly supplied to the culture soil so as to keep the concentration of the fertilizer contained in the soil constant (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

"Strawberry cultivation system" [searched on January 30, 2004], Internet <URL: http // www.tokaibussan.com / products / sunup.html>

  However, in the conventional fertilization method, the fertilizer concentration in the culture medium and hydroponic liquid is kept constant, although the amount of appropriate fertilization differs at each stage of the plant growth process (growth stage), Depending on the growth stage, it was possible to give more nutrients than necessary, and there were problems such as increased costs due to excessive fertilization and increased environmental load due to fertilizer runoff. There was also a problem of increase in equipment cost and labor due to fertilizer concentration management. Moreover, imbalance of component absorption (for example, excessive absorption occurs, overgrowth occurs, light shortage and disease of the lower leaf easily occur, and fruit enlargement worsens).

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems. The object of the present invention is to eliminate excessive fertilization to plants and to suppress an increase in cost due to excessive fertilization and an increase in environmental load due to fertilizer outflow. An object of the present invention is to provide a fertilization management method and apparatus capable of doing so.

  In order to achieve such an object, the fertilization management method according to the present invention includes a step of integrating the amount of solar radiation to the plant and fertilizing the plant every time the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation to the plant reaches a predetermined value. The process is provided. According to this invention, the amount of solar radiation to a plant is integrated, and fertilization to a plant is performed every time the integrated value of this solar radiation amount reaches a predetermined value. The present invention can also be configured as an apparatus to which this method is applied.

In this invention, for example, it is determined which growth stage the plant is currently in the growth process, and in each growth stage, the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation to the plant is a predetermined value determined for the growth stage. If the fertilizer is applied to the plant every time when the growth stage is reached, an appropriate amount of fertilizer can be applied at an appropriate timing in each growth stage.
In the present invention, the growth stage at which a plant is currently present is determined by a method that is based on an elapsed time since planting (in the case of a seedling, an elapsed time after planting), or a growth rate of the plant. Possible methods. For example, the growth stage can be determined by the speed of leaf development (such as how many leaves are present) and flowering of the inflorescence (coming from vegetative growth to reproductive growth). This growth stage may be judged by a person.

  According to the present invention, the amount of solar radiation applied to a plant is integrated, and fertilization to the plant is performed every time the integrated value of this solar radiation amount reaches a predetermined value. For example, each plant in each growth stage in the growth process of the plant By determining the amount of fertilization applied to the plant, it is possible to eliminate excessive fertilization to the plant, and to suppress an increase in cost due to excessive fertilization and an increase in environmental load due to fertilizer outflow.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1: Circulating hydroponic cultivation system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a circulating hydroponic cultivation system used for implementing the facility management method according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a greenhouse, 2 is a tank in which a culture solution is stored, 3 is a pump, 4 is a bed for hydroponically cultivating plants, and the tank 2 and the pump 3 constitute a fertilizer supply device 5. The fertilizer supply device 5 supplies the culture solution stored in the tank 2 to the bed 4 by the discharge force of the pump 3.

  The roof of the greenhouse 1 is provided with a solar radiation sensor 6 that detects the amount of solar radiation on the plants hydroponically cultivated in the bed 4. Reference numeral 7 denotes a control device, which is realized by hardware including a processor and a storage device, and a program that realizes various functions as the control device in cooperation with these hardware. Fertilization is performed as a function unique to the present embodiment. It has a management function (described later). The control device 7 controls the supply of the culture solution to the bed 4 by the fertilizer supply device 5 based on the amount of solar radiation from the solar radiation sensor 6 by the fertilization management function.

  Usually, the plant growth process is divided into, for example, four stages of growth. FIG. 2 shows a normal plant growth process. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the growth rate. First, the germination stage (growth stage I: t0 to t1), then the vegetative growth period (growth stage II: t1 to t2) where the leaf area increases, and then the reproductive growth period (growth) when the leaf area increases to some extent Stage III: t2 to t3), and finally the stable period (growth stage IV: after t3). The growth stage I is a fixed planting period in the case of seedlings. In the stable period, there is a balance between vegetative growth and reproductive growth.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 7 has a threshold value (predetermined value) for the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation to the plant for each growth stage. For example, for the growth stage I, five pulses of a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of solar radiation from the solar radiation sensor 6 are determined as the threshold S1 for the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation. Similarly, 4 pulses are defined as threshold values S2 and S3 for the growth stages II and III, and 5 pulses are defined as the threshold value S4 for the growth stage IV. In addition, since an appropriate threshold value changes with plants, it is made to set a required threshold value beforehand according to the kind of plant. The threshold values may be the same.

  Moreover, the fertilizer application amount (culture solution supply amount) to the plant is determined for each growth stage in the control device 7. For example, when the amount of fertilization in the growth stage III is 100, it is set as 85 for the growth stage I, 95 for the growth stage II, and 90 for the growth stage IV. In this embodiment, the amount of fertilization in the growth stage III is set, the coefficient α3 for the fertilization amount in the growth stage III is set to 1 (α3 = 1), and the coefficients α1, α2, and α4 for the growth stages I, II, and IV are set. α1 = 0.85, α2 = 0.95, and α4 = 0.9. It should be noted that the fertilization amount for the growth stages I, II, III, and IV may be set directly instead of the coefficients α1 to α4. In addition, since an appropriate fertilization amount varies depending on the plant, a necessary fertilization amount is set in advance depending on the type of plant.

  FIG. 3 shows the supply control process of the culture solution executed by the control device 7 using its fertilization management function. The control device 7 periodically repeats the process shown in FIG. First, in step 301, the amount of solar radiation from the solar radiation sensor 6 is integrated. Then, based on the elapsed time since seeding (in the case of a seedling, the time after planting) t, the current growth stage of the plant is determined (step 302).

  Assume that the elapsed time t is in the period from t0 to t1. In this case, the control device 7 determines that the plant is in the growth stage I. When the plant is in the growth stage I, the control device 7 proceeds to step 303 and determines whether or not the integrated value of the solar radiation amount has reached the threshold value S1. If the integrated value of the solar radiation amount has reached the threshold value S1, the fertilizer application amount in the growth stage I is obtained by multiplying the fertilizer application amount in the growth stage III by a coefficient α1 = 0.85 (step 304). Then, the pump 3 is driven to supply the culture solution stored in the tank 2 to the bed 4 so that this amount of fertilization is applied. In this way, in the growth stage I, every time the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation reaches the threshold value S1, fertilization with a fertilizer amount determined by the coefficient α1 = 0.85 is performed on the plants in the bed 4 (FIG. 4). (Refer to the period from t0 to t1).

  When the elapsed time t enters the period from t1 to t2, the control device 7 determines that the plant is in the growth stage II. When the plant is in the growth stage II, the control device 7 proceeds to step 305 and determines whether or not the integrated value of the solar radiation amount has reached the threshold value S2. If the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation has reached the threshold value S2, the amount of fertilization in the growth stage III is multiplied by a coefficient α2 = 0.95 to obtain the amount of fertilization in the growth stage II (step 306). Then, the pump 3 is driven to supply the culture solution stored in the tank 2 to the bed 4 so that this amount of fertilization is applied. Thus, in the growth stage II, every time the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation reaches the threshold value S2, fertilization with a fertilizer amount determined by the coefficient α2 = 0.95 is performed on the plants in the bed 4 (FIG. 4). (Refer to the period from t1 to t2).

  When the elapsed time t enters the period from t2 to t3, the control device 7 determines that the plant is in the growth stage III. When the plant is in the growth stage III, the control device 7 proceeds to step 307 and determines whether or not the integrated value of the solar radiation amount has reached the threshold value S3. If the integrated value of the solar radiation amount has reached the threshold value S3, the coefficient α3 = 1 is set, and the fertilizer application amount in the growth stage III is read (step 308). Then, the pump 3 is driven to supply the culture solution stored in the tank 2 to the bed 4 so that this amount of fertilization is applied. In this way, in the growth stage III, every time the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation reaches the threshold value S3, the fertilization amount determined by the coefficient α1 = 1 is applied to the plants in the bed 4 (shown in FIG. 4). (Refer to the period from t2 to t3).

  When the elapsed time t enters a period after t3, the control device 7 determines that the plant is in the growth stage IV. When the plant is in the growth stage IV, the control device 7 proceeds to step 309 and determines whether or not the integrated value of the solar radiation amount has reached the threshold value S4. If the integrated value of the solar radiation amount has reached the threshold value S4, the fertilizer application amount in the growth stage IV is obtained by multiplying the fertilizer application amount in the growth stage IV by a coefficient α4 = 0.9 (step 310). Then, the pump 3 is driven to supply the culture solution stored in the tank 2 to the bed 4 so that this amount of fertilization is applied. Thus, in the growth stage IV, every time the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation reaches the threshold value S4, fertilization with a fertilizer amount determined by the coefficient α4 = 0.9 is performed on the plants in the bed 4 (FIG. 4). (Refer to the period after t3). The amount of fertilizer applied shall be measured using a flow meter.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, it becomes possible to perform the optimum amount of fertilization at each growth stage at the optimum timing, eliminate the extra fertilization to the plant, increase the cost due to excessive fertilization and fertilizer outflow Increase in environmental load can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the optimum amount of fertilization at each growth stage is performed at the optimum timing, but the plant growth control is performed by adjusting the amount of fertilization and the timing of fertilization at each stage. It can also be done. By performing such growth control, excessive vegetative growth can be suppressed, and as a result, the harvest period is shortened. Further, by controlling the growth, the leaf area suitable for the planting density is optimized, and the yield per unit area is increased. Moreover, if overgrowth can be suppressed by performing growth control, the damage by a pest will be reduced. Moreover, the physiological disorder of a crop is reduced by applying and absorbing all the nutrients by the set amount.

In the present embodiment, the thresholds S1 and S4 for the integrated values of solar radiation in the growth stages I and IV are made equal, and the thresholds S2 and S3 for the integrated values of solar radiation in the growth steps II and III are made equal. The threshold value may be different for each stage, or the threshold value may be the same for all the growth stages.
In the present embodiment, the growth stage in the growth process of the plant is determined based on the elapsed time t, but may be determined based on the growth rate of the plant. The growth rate of the plant can be known from the size of the leaf area, for example.

[Embodiment 2: Soil cultivation system]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a soil cultivation system used for implementing the facility management method according to the present invention. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or equivalent components as those described with reference to FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  In this second embodiment, the plant is cultivated not by hydroponics but by soil plowing (isolation bed or nutrient solution soil plowing), a pipe L1 is provided in the space in the greenhouse 1, and the liquid fertilizer mixer from the irrigation device 8 is provided. Water or liquid fertilizer through 9 is supplied to the plant from the nozzle of the pipe L1. In addition, when supplying liquid fertilizer with respect to a plant, a fertilizer is added to the water to the piping L1 from the irrigation apparatus 8 via the liquid fertilizer mixing device 9. FIG. Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the supply amount of the liquid fertilizer (culture solution) to the plant is controlled by the control device 7 according to the growth stage of the plant. In this example, the supply of irrigation to the plant is performed under control different from the supply of the culture solution.

  As mentioned above, although the case where the cultivation of the plant in the greenhouse 1 was demonstrated as Embodiment 1, 2, this invention can be similarly applied not only to a greenhouse but to cultivation of a plant outdoors.

It is a block diagram which shows an example (Embodiment 1) of the circulation type hydroponic cultivation system used for implementation of the facility management method which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the growth process of a normal plant. It is a figure which shows the supply control process of the culture solution which a control apparatus performs with the fertilization management function. It is a figure which shows the growth process of a plant, the integrated value of solar radiation amount, and the timing of fertilization. It is a block diagram which shows an example (Embodiment 2) of the soil cultivation culture system used for implementation of the facility management method which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Greenhouse, 2 ... Tank, 3 ... Pump, 4 ... Bed, 5 ... Fertilizer supply apparatus, 6 ... Solar radiation sensor, 7 ... Control apparatus, 8 ... Irrigation apparatus, L1 ... Piping.

Claims (6)

Integrating the amount of solar radiation on the plant;
And a step of fertilizing the plant every time an integrated value of the amount of solar radiation on the plant reaches a predetermined value. A growth stage determination process for determining which growth stage the plant is currently in the growth process;
Integrating the amount of solar radiation to the plant;
In each growth stage, whenever the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation on the plant reaches a predetermined value determined for the growth stage, fertilization of the amount of fertilization determined for the growth stage is applied to the plant. A fertilization management method comprising the steps of:   The growth stage judging step judges which growth stage the plant is currently in based on the growth rate of the plant. Means for accumulating solar radiation on plants;
Means for applying fertilizer to the plant each time an integrated value of the amount of solar radiation to the plant reaches a predetermined value. Growth stage judgment means for judging which growth stage the plant is currently in the growth process,
Means for integrating the amount of solar radiation on the plant;
In each growth stage, whenever the integrated value of the amount of solar radiation on the plant reaches a predetermined value determined for the growth stage, fertilization of the amount of fertilization determined for the growth stage is applied to the plant. And a means for performing fertilization. In the fertilization management device according to claim 5,
The growth stage determining means determines which growth stage the plant is currently in based on the growth rate of the plant.

Images