JP2007537730A - Plant growing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention supplies the water to the plant so that the rhizome of the plant is in contact with the main body of water, and the first pipe line (4) having one end connected to the suction device through a suction device provided in contact with the main body of water. A method for growing a plant comprising drawing water into the second pipe (5) connected to the other end of the first pipe (4) through the first pipe (4), The two lines (5) are at least partially filled with air, and water is discharged from the first line (4) into the air space of the second line (5), and the suction device is phenol urea formaldehyde; Urea melamine formaldehyde polymer; polyurethane; furan polymer; and a foam formed from a polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and butylene. Method for growing plants (provided that the plant is grown in growing culture medium for phenol urea formaldehyde foam, and the suction device excluding methods formed from phenol urea formaldehyde foam) provides. The present invention also provides an apparatus suitable for performing the method.

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant growing method for controlling the flow rate of irrigation water through a rhizome environment of a plant. Specifically, the present invention relates to a plant growth method using a culture medium for growing, more specifically, a culture medium for growing mineral cotton. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

  It is well known to grow plants on natural or artificial growth media, specifically mineral cotton, such as rock wool or glass wool growth substrates. In general, water containing fertilizer and other additives is flowed through the culture medium for cultivation as necessary, thereby supplying water and, if necessary, fertilizer and other additives to the cultivation incubator. It is important that plants receive a sufficient supply of water, oxygen and other substances such as fertilizers carried by water.

  Water is one means of transporting oxygen to the growth medium (although oxygen can also enter the growth medium directly from the air, for example, by other means). Specifically, when water is supplied from a dropping device disposed above the culture medium for growing mineral cotton, the water dropped onto the growth culture medium contains abundant oxygen. This oxygen is transported to the growing culture medium and absorbed by the plant rhizomes.

  Similar considerations apply to other additives such as fertilizers dissolved in water. Increasing the rate of water flow to the growth medium increases the rate of supply of additives carried by the water.

  There are other reasons why it is advantageous to have a sufficient water flow rate. Increasing the water flow rate thereby increases turbulence around the rhizomes, which increases the rate of transfer of beneficial ingredients such as water and fertilizers to the rhizomes. The water stream also removes unwanted by-products released to the growth medium by the plant.

  However, simply increasing the rate of water supply to the growth medium can cause problems. Specifically, the maximum flow rate is determined by the maximum flow rate of water through the growth medium under gravity. If the water supply rate exceeds this passing flow rate, the surplus water will only overflow.

  It is possible to adjust the growth medium to obtain a higher maximum flow rate. However, this usually requires a reduction in the density of the growth medium, especially when the growth medium is mineral cotton. This in itself makes the water distribution through the growth medium poor. The water level at the top of the growing medium is much lower than the water level at the bottom of the growing medium. The top can be overdried and the bottom can be supersaturated.

  It is desirable to actively control the flow rate of water passing through the growth medium. A prior publication, European Patent Application Nos. 300,536 and 409,348, discloses an active water flow system.

  European Patent Publication No. 300,536 discloses a system in which a capillary system controls the flow of water through a growth medium. A water tube extends into the growth medium and is connected to a water pump. The pumping of water from the growth medium is set at a predetermined flow rate. The conduit system is substantially filled with water, and the flow rate is determined by the speed substantially set in the water pump. This publication discusses “suction pressure”, which relates to the force that plants need to exert to remove water from the growing medium. In this sense, high “suction pressure” correlates with a low water content in the growth medium, and the purpose of this publication is to maintain an appropriate amount of water in the growth medium. Therefore, it is to maintain the suction pressure appropriately.

  EP 409,438 relates to the same water pump system. This publication further provides a joint member between the conduit system and the growth medium. This is intended to prevent plant rhizomes from growing and entering the duct system. It is stated that the advantage of the joint member is that it retains more moisture than the surrounding growth medium and prevents air from entering the duct system from the slab side.

  WO 95/31094 describes a drainage system for active and passive liquid drainage of growing cultures. A series of growth culture media are provided, each having a “suction plug” connected to a siphon hose that drains into a standpipe. There is no indication of the material from which the “suction plug” is made.

  All of these systems are effective and useful, but there is room for improvement in several areas. Specifically, the above-described system requires that the surface on which the plant grows, i.e. the greenhouse floor, be almost exactly level. Otherwise, the pressure in the system and the flow rate of water will vary depending on the height at which the slab of the growth medium (eg, mineral cotton) is placed. There may also be problems with the pipeline system being substantially filled with water. Thus, there is an unbroken water pathway from one plant to any other plant in the system. This can transmit plant viruses and other infectious diseases across all crops.

  WO 94/03046 discloses another system for growing plants in mineral cotton. In this system, the water content of mineral cotton is kept constant by supplying water to the culture medium for growing mineral cotton through a water supply pipe and removing water through a drain pipe. A common pipe system is used for water supply and drainage. In this system, there is a continuous connection between the culture medium water and the drainage system water, as in the systems of the aforementioned European Patent Application Nos. 300,536 and 409,346.

  Another known system for growing plants is known as the thin film hydroponic (NFT) system. In this system, plants are grown without a small breeding block or growth medium, and the plant and, if used, the block are housed in a plastic container, such as a plastic film container. Water is dripped into the container and, if used, into the breeding block and drained from the plastic container through the hole. Such systems have the problem that the drainage process is greatly influenced by the flatness of the surface on which the plants are grown. If the surface is not flat, the drainage becomes uneven and the plants are individually exposed to different degrees of saturation.

  WO 03/005808 describes a system that effectively addresses all of these problems. There is a tube integrated into the growth system and using a cavity partially filled with liquid and partially filled with air to induce a controlled release of liquid from the growth medium. A system is described that is part of a road system and includes a device that draws liquid and closes air. In particular, there is provided a first conduit through a step of providing a plant, a step of supplying water such that the rhizome of the plant contacts the body of water, and a suction device provided in contact with the body of water. A method for growing a plant is disclosed which includes a step of drawing water into the second pipe and a step of drawing water through the first pipe into the second pipe, wherein the second pipe is at least partially filled with air, The first and second pipes are connected so that the path opens to the air space of the second pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the plant is provided to the growth medium, water is supplied to the growth medium and is drawn from the growth medium through a suction device provided to the growth medium. This system has many advantages over previous systems such as EP 300,536, 409,348, and WO 95/31094 and 94/03046.

  It is disclosed that the suction device can pull up water from the culture medium for growth by capillary force. The suction device is made of a porous material, which is stated to include stone (especially volcanic stone), ceramics, mineral cotton, or porous glass. Organic polymer foams and organic polymer fibers have also been disclosed as potential materials for suction devices. In practice it is stated that stones, especially volcanic stones, are preferred.

  The preferred suction device material in this publication has been found to have certain disadvantages. Specifically, after a period of use, nutrients in the water irrigating the system tend to deposit on the surface of the stone or ceramic suction device. If the size of the suction device hole is small, this can cause clogging of the suction device.

  The present invention seeks to address this problem by providing specific types of materials for suction devices.

  According to the present invention, a plant is provided, water is supplied to the plant so that the rhizome of the plant is in contact with the main body of water, and water is supplied to the first conduit through a suction device provided in contact with the main body of water. A method for growing a plant comprising drawing and drawing water through a first conduit to a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is at least partially filled with air, and the first conduit is a second tube The first and second pipes are connected so as to be released to the air space of the road, and the suction device includes a phenol urea formaldehyde polymer; a urea melamine formaldehyde polymer. Formed from foams formed by polymers selected from homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and butylene; and polyurethane; furanic polymers; There is provided a method for growing a plant, which is characterized in that

  Thus, the polymer foam is formed, for example, from polyethylene, polypropylene, or polybutylene, and also uses ethylene-propylene-butylene-terpolymers, as well as ethylene-propylene, ethylene-butylene, and propylene-butylene copolymers. be able to.

  The term “foam” includes materials of a three-dimensional network structure (mesh) on a microscale.

  In a preferred embodiment, the line pressure is controlled by an air pump.

  The use of organic polymer foam of the type indicated above has been found to alleviate the problem of nutrient deposition in the pores of the suction device and allow for a smooth and long-lasting process. WO 03/005808 generally describes organic polymer foams, but does not mention the specific materials described above. Specifically, there is no mention that these specific materials can address the problem of nutrient deposition in the pores of the suction device.

  The present invention is integrated within the growth system and is partially filled with liquid and partially filled with air to induce controlled liquid release from the growth medium. A part of a pipeline system that uses an open cavity and includes a device for drawing liquid and air-locking. A device that draws liquid and airlocks is generally in the form of a suction device such as a suction plug inserted into the culture medium for growth. The suction device is formed from one of the defined materials and can form an airlock if the pressure in the conduit system tends to draw air through the system. As the pressure to draw water into the system increases, the water flow generally increases to a pulling force of a water column of at least 30 centimeters.

  Since the force that tends to draw water through the system is greater than the force that holds water in the suction device, the pressure can rise to a pulling force that causes the suction device to release air rather than water into the first conduit.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the plant is provided to the growth medium and water is supplied to the growth medium and drawn from the growth medium through a suction device provided to the growth medium. Therefore, the device for drawing and air-locking the liquid is preferably integrated into the growth medium.

  It is not necessary to provide a flush surface, so the system can be easily and directly applied to any greenhouse without having to first level the floor.

  The first pipeline is open to the air space in the second pipeline. In a preferred embodiment, at least two, preferably a number of conduits are provided, each connected to a suction device that contacts the body of water that contacts the rhizome of the plant. When plants are grown on a growth medium, it is common to provide multiple slabs, each containing one or a few plants. In this case, each suction device is generally associated with one slab, but in some cases, one suction device is associated with each plant. Thus, viruses and pathogens from one plant can be drawn from the growth medium to the first conduit and then released to the second conduit, but are associated with the second conduit and other plants. There is no water path between the other first pipes. Thus, the risk of transfer of viruses or other pathogens is significantly reduced.

  With the air pump, it is possible to control the flow of water through the environment surrounding the plant rhizomes, for example the growth medium, simply by modifying the pressure in the pipeline system, so that the advantages mentioned above, for example Control of oxygen supply rate and supply rate of other additives, control of water content, pH, EC (electrical conductivity), nutrients such as nitrogen and trace elements, and removal of unnecessary by-products can be obtained. It is also possible to achieve this using a dense culture medium that provides excellent water distribution.

  It is possible to change the air pressure in the pipeline system quickly and easily, and thus it is possible to modify the flow rate and water content without difficulty.

  If a growth medium is used and a suction device is placed at the bottom of the growth medium, water is drawn from the bottom of the growth medium and the tendency to become water saturated at the growth culture base is mitigated .

  The present invention also provides an apparatus suitable for use in plant growth. The apparatus comprises a growing environment adapted to contain plants and water such that the rhizomes of the plants are in contact with the body of water, including phenolureaaldehyde polymer; urea melamine formaldehyde polymer; polyurethane; furan polymer One end of the first conduit formed from a foam formed by a polymer selected from homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and butylene, and arranged to draw water from the growing environment By the way, a suction device connected to the first pipe line is provided. The first conduit is connected at the other end to the second conduit, and the device includes means for drawing water from the second conduit. The device is sized such that, in use, the second conduit is at least partially filled with air. The apparatus preferably also comprises an air pump arranged to control the air pressure of the pipeline system.

  As in the method of the present invention, the growing environment is preferably a growing culture medium, and the suction device is preferably provided in the growing culture medium.

  In the present invention, it is essential that the body of water in contact with the rhizome of the plant is in contact with a defined suction device. The suction device can draw water from the culture medium for growth. That is, it is possible to take in water against the pressure. Thus, although the present invention can include a system that provides a reduced pressure condition or pumping, the suction device is capable of taking water without it. Specifically, it is possible to first pull water from the culture medium for growth by capillary force.

  The polymer foam is preferably formed from a phenolurea formaldehyde polymer, a urea melamine formaldehyde polymer, a polyurethane or a furan polymer. Other embodiments are formed from homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and butylene, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene.

  The suction device is preferably formed from either phenolurea formaldehyde polymer foam or polyurethane foam. Furthermore, it is preferably a phenolurea formaldehyde polymer foam. One type of such foam is sold under the trade name Oasis, which has a three-dimensional mesh (or net) structure.

  Alternatively, the suction device can be formed from urea melamine formaldehyde polymer. A suitable polymer is sold under the trade name Fytocell ™ by the company Fytogreen. It is made from an aminoplast resin and has an open cell structure. Similar products that can be used are sold by the company under the trade names Fytofoam ™ and Hydrocell ™.

  Nets in which a substantially square or rectangular mesh is formed having a distance between the intersections of about 20 to about 100 micrometers, especially about 40 to 60 micrometers. The strands forming the mesh are preferably in the range of 2 to 20 micrometers, but particularly preferred strands preferably have a high level in this range, for example a thickness of 4 to 20 micrometers. . The thickness is preferably 1/10 to 1/5 of the distance between the mesh intersections, and preferably 1/8 to 1/5.

  The material used for the suction device must be sufficiently hydrophilic to provide the desired capillary action. One type of foam is formed from a polymer that is essentially sufficiently hydrophilic to allow this action, otherwise the foam preferably also includes a wetting agent.

It is preferred that the suction device has a density of at least 60 kg / m ³ , especially when the suction device is formed from a phenolurea formaldehyde foam. The density of the suction device can be increased to, for example, 900 kg / m ³ . In particular, for polyethylene suction devices, the density can be between 600 and 820 kg / m ³ . The urea melamine formaldehyde material can have a density / dry matter content of 14 to 20 kg / m ³ .

  The polymer foam generally has an open foam structure.

  The suction device must hold water better than air. The suction device holds water against the force of at least 10 cm water column, preferably at least 13 cm water column, more preferably at least 20 cm water column, and most preferably at least 30 cm water column. It is preferable. Some can hold water against forces up to 200 centimeters of water.

  The ability of the aspirator to hold water can be more or less (if used) depending on the nature of the growth medium. For example, when the growth medium is stone wool, a suction device that can hold water against the force of at least 5 centimeters of water column gives acceptable results. However, when the growth medium is soil, best results can be achieved when the suction device can hold water against the force of at least 50 centimeters of water.

  If the pressure in the second line is below atmospheric pressure (preferably), the suction device generally holds water more firmly than air at the water column value. The water column value is determined by subtracting the height of the second pipe above the suction device from the pressure difference in the second pipe that is lower than atmospheric pressure (often referred to as underpressure). In practice, the suction device needs to hold water against a force that is substantially equal to the underpressure in the second conduit.

  When a culture medium for growth is used, the material of the suction device preferably has an average pore size that is smaller than the average pore size of the culture medium for growth.

  It can be stated that the suction device is substantially air-locked. That is, the suction device allows a substantial amount of air to pass through the body of water in contact with the rhizomes (ie, through the growth medium if used) and to pass to the first and second conduits. Absent.

  The air pressure in the first and second pipelines is generally predetermined and is preferably lower than atmospheric pressure. As air enters the second line through the suction device, this pressure is affected and changes to some extent. This also has the effect of subjecting a separate suction device of a single system to different air pressures, which is what the claimed system seeks to avoid. However, in systems where the pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure, for example in a water column of about 20 centimeters, it does not matter if low levels of air enter the side line through the suction device. Therefore, the suction device is air-locked to such an extent that a substantial amount of air can be prevented from entering the second conduit, which has a substantial effect on the air pressure in the second conduit.

  In systems that include an air pump, leakage of air into the system can be addressed by the air pump.

  The suction device generally has a total volume of about 2 to 100 cubic centimeters.

  Typically, the suction device is provided as an individual element within each slab of the growth medium (each slab contains one or a few plants) or separately within a large slab (containing many plants) Each suction device is associated with one small slab or a few plants in a large slab.

  A suction device having such a property can be expressed as a “suction plug”. The device can take any shape or size. Generally, the suction device is generally cylindrical or oblong in shape. However, it need not be a single element. For example, it may be in the form of two or more individual pin-shaped elements. In general, the dimensions of the suction device are chosen to be appropriate for the plant rhizome environment (either the growth medium slab or the body of water).

  The suction device can also be provided by a layer of material along the base of the slab rather than a suction plug. For example, the growth medium slab may be provided from mineral cotton, the top layer being formed from mineral cotton and the base layer being formed from a defined foam such as a phenol formaldehyde urea foam or polyethylene foam. Such a layer may be provided on a separate slab or a single large slab arranged to carry multiple plants.

  Plants are generally commercial crops of the type grown in greenhouses. The crop may be, for example, tomato, cucumber, pepper, eggplant, rose or mushroom.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plant is grown on a growth medium. Any natural or artificial growth medium can be used, such as soil, peat, coir, perlite, or artificial glassy fiber (MMVF), and mixtures thereof. Other suitable growth media include a mixture of polyurethane and granulated mineral fibers, as described in WO 02/00009. If the suction device is formed from a phenolurea formaldehyde foam, such as sold under the name Oasis®, no growth medium is made from this material. Preferably, the growth medium is formed from mineral wool such as glass wool or preferably rock wool.

  Culture media for growing mineral cotton can be made in a conventional manner by providing a mineral melt and forming fibers from the melt. A binder can be added to the fiber during fiber production, or less preferably, after fiber production. When a binder is used, a hydrophilic binder is preferred.

  The culture medium for growth preferably contains a wetting agent. This can be used in addition to a binder. Alternatively, a single substance that acts as a binder and wetting agent can be used.

  The growth medium can include other additives well known in the art, such as clay or lignite, to modify and improve its performance.

  In one embodiment, the growth medium is in the form of a series of small breeding blocks, each containing one plant, and the breeding blocks are housed in a plastic container, such as a plastic sheet. This is one embodiment of the NFT system discussed above.

  Another embodiment of the NFT system does not use any growth medium. Instead, plants are grown with their rhizomes in contact with the body of water contained in a plastic container such as a plastic sheet.

  In this method, water is supplied to the plant, for example when a growth medium is used. This can be used by any conventional means such as, for example, dropping water supply. This method is particularly preferred because it is rich in oxygen when water reaches the plant environment, for example, the growth medium. The water injection may be continuous or intermittent. The water can include fertilizers, bioactive additives such as bactericides when appropriate for growing crops, and other additives.

  The suction device is connected to one end of the first conduit, which generally has a small diameter. The inner diameter is preferably 1 to 10 mm, more preferably 2 to 6 mm, and particularly preferably about 4 mm.

  The other end of the first pipeline is connected to the second pipeline. The second conduit is at least partially filled with air. Thereby, the pressure in the system can be controlled by the air pump. In a preferred system where several first conduits fall within one second conduit, the first conduit is the air space in the second conduit so that there is no continuous water path between the plants. Spill into. In general, the first conduit is connected to the top of the second conduit. In general, the first conduit is substantially filled with water while the water flows during use.

  The relative volume of air and water in the pipeline system varies according to the required water flow rate and the size of the pipeline. However, preferably 80% or less, more preferably 60% or less, particularly preferably 40% or less of the internal volume of the pipeline system is occupied by water. Most preferably, the volume of the internal conduit occupied by water is 20% or less, especially 10% or less.

  The pressure of the pipeline system is generally from 3000 Pa below atmospheric pressure to 3000 Pa above atmospheric pressure, preferably from 2000 Pa below atmospheric pressure to 2000 Pa above atmospheric pressure. A pressure below atmospheric pressure, for example, 100 to 2000 Pa under atmospheric pressure is preferred.

  It is possible to provide a system in which the air pressure in the pipe is higher than the atmospheric pressure on the premise that the outflow point from the first pipe into the second pipe is lower than the suction plug. This means that water moves from the suction plug to the second conduit by gravity. Pressures above atmospheric pressure reduce this tendency, but any combination of height and air pressure can be used, provided that the total force tends to move water to the second conduit.

  The outflow point from the first pipeline to the second pipeline is preferably higher than the suction device. The entire second conduit is preferably higher than the suction device, and more preferably higher than the entire culture medium for growth. In this case, the pressure in the pipeline system is lower than atmospheric pressure. This has the advantage that when a bubble is generated in the first line, the bubble automatically moves to the second line without having to induce a pressure change in the system.

  To optimally operate a preferred system comprising two or more suction devices, each associated with one first conduit, and two or more first conduits flowing out to a single second conduit The difference in height between the height of the suction device and the point at which the first conduit exits the second conduit must be the same for each suction device / first conduit combination. It is not necessary that all suction devices are at the same height as each other or that all first conduits are at the same height with respect to each other. However, the relative height of the end of the first conduit relative to the suction device must be the same for virtually all sets.

  Those skilled in the art will consider the relative height of the suction device and the outlet point from the first conduit to the second conduit to obtain the required force to draw water from the suction device into the second conduit. It will be appreciated that the air pressure of the conduit system can be selected.

  It is preferable that the height of the outflow point from the first pipeline to the second pipeline is not lower than any point of the first pipeline. That is, it is preferable that no part of the first pipe line is located higher than the outflow point to the second pipe line.

  The system is equipped with several slabs of growth medium such as mineral cotton, each slab is equipped with a suction device and a first conduit, all of the first conduits are in a single second conduit Is preferred. More preferably, a series of such systems are provided, and at least two, and generally several second lines, are all provided to flow into a single third line. The water then flows into a third line with a siphon in it that removes the water from the system. The siphon is preferably arranged at the lowest point of the third pipeline.

  The second line may be arranged at any angle as long as it allows water to flow out of the system, or preferably into the third line. Generally, it is arranged at an angle of 0 to 45 ° with respect to the horizontal.

  The water siphoned from the system is usually recirculated after sterilization.

  The system is started by any suitable means for directing the initial water flow to the first line, for example using an air pump or other suction means or only gravity. In a tightly sealed system, no additional means for increasing or decreasing the air pressure is required, but in practice it is convenient to include a means to control the system pressure over time.

  Preferably, an air pump is used to control the pressure in the system, which may be connected to any point in the line system, but is usually connected to the second or third line. is there. It is often convenient to connect an air pump to the third line. The air pump is adjusted to control the air pressure in the system within a desired range.

  By adjusting the force so that the water tends to move from the suction device to the second conduit, the water is drawn from the growth medium to the conduit system.

  The system of the present invention can be used for any cultivation method. It is particularly useful for water flow control of oxygen management systems as discussed in WO 03/005807.

  Next, the system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a series of slabs 1 of a culture medium for growing mineral cotton. In each slab 1, a plant 2 is arranged for growing (see FIG. 2). Each slab is provided with a suction plug 3 formed from a material connected to the first conduit 4, Oasis (registered trademark) (phenol formaldehyde urea foam). All of the first pipelines 4 merge into one second pipeline 5 depicted as a sideways pipeline. In the preferred system, there is a series of transverse channels 5, each of which has a series of first lines supplying water. In FIG. 1, two lateral pipes 5 are shown. All the lateral pipes 5 flow into the third pipe 6. This third pipeline is depicted as the main pipeline. Connected to the main line 6 is an air pump 7. The lowest point of the main pipeline 6 is a siphon 8, which is used for draining water.

  It will be appreciated that the outlet point of each first line 4 entering the transverse line 5 is higher than the associated suction plug 3.

  The first conduit 4 generally has an inner diameter of 1 to 10 mm, preferably about 6 mm. The transverse second conduit 7 generally has an inner diameter of 20-80 mm, preferably 40-80 mm.

  The system is set up as follows: Fill the siphon 8 with water. Fill slab 1 with water. Thereby, the suction plug 3 is filled with water from the slab 1 by capillary action. The air pump 7 is then started to reduce the air pressure in the pipeline system. For example, the air pressure is lowered to a value about 10 Pa lower than the atmospheric pressure. As described above, as a result of the low pressure in the pipeline system, water from the suction plug 3 is drawn into the first pipeline 4 and dripped into the lateral pipeline 5 at the top of the lateral pipeline 5. FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the transverse pipe 5 and shows the air space and the water flowing along the bottom of the pipe. In this way, the water removed from each slab is isolated from all other slabs. The water flows along the bottom of the lateral pipe 5 and flows into the main pipe 6. The water is removed from the system by the siphon 8 so that it can be drained regardless of the air pressure and without affecting the air pressure.

  In the illustrated system, the point where the first conduit 4 flows out into the lateral conduit 5 is higher than the suction plug 3. Therefore, in order to draw water through the first conduit 4, it is necessary to raise the water to a necessary height by setting the air pressure to a value sufficiently lower than the atmospheric pressure. The relative height is the same for all suction plug / first line pairs.

1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the device according to the invention. FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view through a portion of the device according to the invention. 2 is a further schematic illustration of a device according to the invention.

Claims (27)

Water is supplied to the plant so that the rhizome of the plant is in contact with the main body of water, and the water is drawn through a suction device provided in contact with the main body of the water into a first pipe line having one end connected to the suction device, and A method for growing a plant comprising drawing water into a second pipeline connected to the other end of the first pipeline through the first pipeline,
The second conduit is at least partially filled with air, and water is discharged from the first conduit into the air space of the second conduit;
A suction device is formed from a foam formed by a phenol urea formaldehyde polymer; urea melamine formaldehyde polymer; polyurethane; furan polymer; and a polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and butylene. A method for growing plants characterized in that the plant is grown in a culture medium for growing phenolurea formaldehyde foam and the suction device is formed from phenolurea formaldehyde foam.   The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure in each line is controlled by an air pump.   The plant is grown in the growth medium so that water is supplied to the growth medium and water is drawn from the growth medium through a suction device provided in the growth medium. The method described in 1.   4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction device is formed from a phenolurea formaldehyde polymer foam.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction device is formed from a polyethylene foam.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner diameter of the first pipe line is 6 to 50%, preferably 7 to 30%, of the inner diameter of the second pipe line.   The pipeline is dimensioned and the flow rate of the water is controlled such that water occupies a value not exceeding 20%, preferably not exceeding 10% of the internal volume of the pipeline system. The method according to any one of 1 to 6.   The growth medium is in the form of one or more slabs with at least two suction devices in the form of suction plugs, each suction plug being connected to a first conduit, wherein at least two first The method according to claim 3, wherein the conduit is connected to a single second conduit.   3. A method according to claim 2, wherein at least two second lines are provided, which follow a single third line to which an air pump is connected.   10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein water is removed from the pipeline system by siphon.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the air pressure in the pipeline system is lower than atmospheric pressure, preferably 100 Pa to 2500 Pa lower than atmospheric pressure.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a point of flowing out from the first pipeline to the second pipeline is at a higher position than the suction device.   12. The second conduit of claim 1 to 11, wherein the second conduit is substantially straight and is disposed at an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal and has a height that exceeds the height of the suction device at all points. The method according to any one of the above.   9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second conduit is substantially straight and is arranged at an angle of 0 to 45 ° with respect to the horizontal and has a height lower than the height of the suction device in all respects. The method according to claim 1.   A suction device against at least 5 centimeters of water, preferably against at least 10 centimeters of water, more preferably against at least 20 centimeters of water, most preferably at least 30 centimeters of water; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein water is retained.   4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the growth medium is formed from artificial glassy fibers, preferably stone wool. A plant growing device comprising a growing environment adapted to contain plants and water so that the rhizomes of the plants are in contact with the body of water,
A suction device arranged to draw water from the growth environment, a first conduit connected to the suction device and arranged to draw water from the suction device, and a suction device for the first conduit A second conduit connected to the unconnected end, and means for draining water from the second conduit, and the apparatus is at least partially air when the second conduit is in use The dimensions are determined so that
A suction device formed from a foam formed by a phenol urea formaldehyde polymer; urea melamine formaldehyde polymer; polyurethane; furan polymer; and a polymer selected from homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and butylene. A plant growing device characterized in that the plant is grown on a culture medium for growing phenolurea formaldehyde foam and the suction device is excluded from a device formed from phenolurea formaldehyde foam.   The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an air pump arranged to control air pressure in the first and second conduits.   The apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the growth environment is a culture medium for growth.   20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising means for supplying water to the growing environment, preferably a dropper.   21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the inner diameter of the first conduit is 6-50%, preferably 7-30%, of the inner diameter of the second conduit.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 21, further comprising a third pipeline connected to the second pipeline.   23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the means for draining water from the second conduit comprises a siphon provided at the lowest point of the third conduit.   24. A device according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the suction device has any one of the features described in claims 4, 5 and 15.   20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the growing culture medium is an artificial glassy fiber, preferably stone wool.   The device according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein a point of flowing out from the first conduit to the second conduit is higher than the suction device.   26. The method of claims 17-25, wherein the second conduit is substantially straight and is disposed at an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal and has a height that exceeds the height of the suction device at all points. The apparatus of any one of Claims.

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