JP2008271952A - Method for cultivating plant, and apparatus for cultivating plant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for cultivating a plant, while properly adjusting a cultivation environment without breaking out the plant. <P>SOLUTION: This method for cultivating the plant comprises a measurement process for measuring a temporal outer diameter change pattern of a specific site of the plant; a comparison process for comparing a temporal change pattern of a test object, when the plant is the test object, with a temporal change pattern of a contrast, when the plant is the contrast cultivated in a desired environment; and an adjustment process for coinciding the temporal change pattern of the test object with the temporal change pattern of the contrast, when the temporal change pattern of the test object does not coincide with the temporal change pattern of the contrast. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant cultivation method and a plant cultivation apparatus. Specifically, using the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant as an index, the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated, and the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter is changed to a temporal change pattern when cultivated in a desired cultivation environment. The present invention relates to a plant cultivation method for optimizing the cultivation environment so as to match, and a plant cultivation apparatus provided with means for carrying out the method.

  Plant production is strongly dependent on the cultivation environment in which it is cultivated. A cultivation environment that adversely affects the physiological functions of plants is called environmental stress, and examples thereof include nutritional stress, water stress, and salt stress. When the plant receives environmental stress, the physiological function of the plant is adversely affected, resulting in a decrease in plant productivity. Therefore, development of a method for quickly evaluating environmental stress is required.

  As one of such methods, there is a method of evaluating the environmental stress by reading various symptoms appearing in a plant subjected to the environmental stress. For example, a general method for evaluating environmental stress includes a method of observing leaf color, fruit color, or plant height. (Non-Patent Document 1).

  The above method is a general method for evaluating environmental stress. However, since these methods judge the deficiency symptom which a plant organ shows visually, a clear standard cannot be set. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the evaluation result of the environmental stress becomes less objective and the reproducibility of the evaluation cannot be established.

  Therefore, development of an objective environmental stress evaluation method that does not rely on visual inspection is required at the plant production site, and an evaluation method using information that cannot be confirmed by visual inspection has been established. For example, in nutritional stress, essential elements that are deficient in plants can be evaluated by using a method of measuring the amount of nutrient elements constituting the plant.

  However, the method for measuring the amount of nutrient elements constituting the plant requires many steps such as collecting a plant sample, decomposing the sample, preparing the sample, and measuring using a device. It is said. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that it takes time until an evaluation result is obtained, there is a disadvantage that the number of samples that can be measured in one day is limited, or a plant must be destroyed. Further, the process of decomposing the sample requires the use of powerful drugs such as nitric acid, perchloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc., and thus has a drawback that it involves danger to the person who performs the process. Moreover, since plants are collected, there are drawbacks such as a decrease in measurement accuracy due to differences between individuals.

  Therefore, in the plant production field, a method for measuring the state of a plant that changes every moment with a change in the cultivation environment of the plant in a non-destructive manner more quickly and simply with high accuracy is desired. Furthermore, it is required to stabilize the yield of the plant in the year by identifying what kind of environmental stress is being applied to the plant being cultivated and quickly removing it.

  Therefore, a method for evaluating the cultivation environment of a plant based on a more objective index based on a numerical value is developed instead of evaluating the cultivation environment based on a non-objective index based on the experience of the producer. For example, the growth evaluation method which measured the change of the stem circumference and internode length of a tomato, and made the measurement data into an index | index can be mentioned (nonpatent literature 2).

  However, this growth evaluation method has many problems such as low measurement accuracy, impossible rapid evaluation, and unclear cause of poor growth of agricultural products. The reason why a quick evaluation is impossible is that the evaluation is based on the yield of harvested crops. That is, in the growth evaluation method, when the evaluation result is obtained for the crop, it has already been harvested, so it is not possible to evaluate the environmental stress that the plant under cultivation receives. In addition, in the growth evaluation method, the cause of poor growth of crops is unclear, and from the indications indicated by the measurement data obtained by the growth evaluation method, each nutrient deficiency state that the plant is receiving is specified. One of the causes is that it is impossible.

  17 types of nutrients essential for plants have been identified, and among these, three types of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the main essential nutrient elements that influence the yield for agricultural production of plants. In the growth evaluation method described in Non-Patent Document 2, the measurement data for each of the above nutrients has not been investigated, so it is not specified which nutrient deficiency state gives what result to the measurement data. Therefore, the above growth evaluation method suggests unclear and multiple causes, such as “because of excessive irrigation or high fertilization” or “cause of lack of fertilizer in the middle of growth” I can only do it.

  In addition, a technique for measuring the stem diameter of plants with high accuracy in a non-destructive manner has been used since around 1970, and it has become clear that the stem diameter depends on environmental factors such as light, water, and humidity (non-patented). Document 3, Non-patent document 4, Non-patent document 5). Klepper et al. (A) showing a minute change in stem diameter in response to environmental changes such as temperature, light intensity, humidity, soil moisture, etc. by measuring changes in stem diameter with high accuracy, and (b) stem diameter. Suggests that a change over time occurs, which contracts during the day and swells at night (Non-Patent Document 3). One of the causes of this daily change is considered to be the water absorption of plants and the dynamics of water in plants. However, these measurement methods do not leave the field of experiment, and until the development of personal computers in the 1990s, the plant cultivation environment was evaluated using a technique that measures the stem diameter of plants with high accuracy in a non-destructive manner. It was impossible to bring the method of doing to the production site (Non-patent Document 6).

  The measurement system using the strain gauge type displacement meter described in this specification is also a technique for measuring the stem diameter of a plant with high accuracy in a non-destructive manner, and is one of the devices that enables high-precision continuous measurement. Conventionally, this apparatus has been used for the purpose of measuring stress and deformation of each member such as an aircraft and a vehicle with high accuracy. By using such a high-accuracy continuous measurement device, it is possible to early evaluate environmental stresses on plants. For example, Endo et al. Conclude that moisture conditions have the greatest effect on fruit tree growth by measuring changes in stem and pear fruit (Non-patent Document 7).

  From this, it is considered that the strain gauge displacement meter is one of the systems that can be used at the production site. Furthermore, it is suggested that the system is useful for evaluating environmental stress such as water stress (Non-patent Document 9) and salt stress (Non-patent Document 9) and nutritional stress of phosphorus deficiency (Non-patent Document 10).

Imai et al. Calculated the soil moisture that does not give stress to the tree body from the results of measuring the stem diameter contraction of the Japanese pear, the change in the diameter of the fruit, and the moisture state in the plant body using a strain gauge displacement meter. A cultivation management method for determining the number is reported (Non-patent Document 7). Moreover, Fujita et al. Reported from experiments using oysters that they were affected earlier than the fruit diameter and stem diameter by salt stress (Non-patent Document 8). In addition, in nutritional stress, phosphorus deficiency has been analyzed so far, and new knowledge that can contribute to early evaluation has been obtained (Non-Patent Document 10).
Published by Agricultural and Mountain Fishing Village Association, “Agricultural Technology System, Soil Fertilization 4 Soil Diagnosis, Growth Diagnosis”, Diagnosis of Physiological Disorders, 1984, pp323-456 Shozo Kubo, supervised by the Japanese Society of Soil Fertilizer, edited by the Editorial Committee of the Plant Nutrition Experiment Method, "Growth Evaluation Method (Tomato)", Plant Nutrition Experiment Method, published by Hirotomo Co., Ltd., 1990, pp 397-401 Klepper, B., Browning, VD and Taylor, HM 1971. `` Stem diameter in relation to plant water stress. '', Plant Physiol, 48: 683-685 Sheriff, DW 1976. "A new dendrometer for the measurement of small stems in the laboratory.", Journal of Experimental Botany, 96: 175-183 Beedlow, PA, Daly, DS and Thiedem, ME 1986. “A new device for measuring fluctuation in plant stem diameter: implications for monitoring plant responses.”, Environment Monitoring and Assessment, 6: 277-282 Link, SO, Thide, ME and vanBavel, MG 1998. `` An improved strain-gauge for continuous field measurement of stem and fruit diameter. '', Journal of Experimental Botany, 49: 1583-1587 Endo, M. 1975. "Studies on the daily change in fruit size of the Japanese pear. IV.", Journal of the Japanese Society for Horticultural Science, 43: 347-358 Imai, S., Honda, T. and Fujiwara, T. 1994. “Influence of soil moisture on daily variations of fruit and stem diameter of Japanese pear“ Kousui ”.”, Environment Control in Biology, 32: 155-162 Fujita, K., Ito, J., Mohapatora, PK, Saneoka, H., Lee, K., Kurban, H., Kawai, K. and Ohkura, K. 2003. "Circadian rhythm of stem and fruit diameter dynamics of Japanease persimmon (Diospyrus kaki Thunb.) Is affected by deficiency of water in saline environments. '', Functional Plant Biology, 30: 747-754 Fujita, K., Okada, M., Lei, K., Ito, J., Ohkura, K., Adu-Gyamfi, JJ and Mohapatora, PK 2003. “Effect of P-deficiency on photoassimilate partitioning and rhythmic changes in fruit and stem diameter of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) during fruit growth. '', Journal of Experimental Botany, 54: 2519-2528

  Thus, until now, there has been reported a method for quickly and non-destructively evaluating a plant cultivation environment using a strain gauge displacement method or the like. However, the cultivation environment could not be optimized based on the evaluation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a method for cultivating a plant while optimizing its cultivation environment without destroying the plant, and a cultivation apparatus for carrying out the method. It was made as a purpose.

  As a result of measuring the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant, the inventor of the present invention has found that the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of the specific part differs depending on the type of plant cultivation environment.

  And, by using the time-varying pattern as an index, evaluating the cultivation environment of the plant, by matching the time-varying pattern with the time-varying pattern in the case of the desired cultivation environment, without destroying the plant, The present inventors have found that plants can be cultivated while optimizing the cultivation environment so as to become a desired cultivation environment, and the present invention has been completed.

  That is, the plant cultivation method of the present invention is characterized by including the following (i) to (iii): (i) a measurement step of measuring a temporal change pattern of an outer diameter of a specific part of a plant; A comparison step of comparing a subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a subject with a control subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a control cultivated in a desired environment; and (iii) In the comparison step, when the subject temporal change pattern does not coincide with the control body temporal change pattern, an optimization step is performed so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the control body temporal change pattern.

  Thereby, the above (i) can be performed in real time. Therefore, the above (ii) and (iii) can also be performed in real time (real time). In (ii) above, since the subject temporal change pattern and the control body temporal change pattern are compared, an objective comparison can be performed. Furthermore, in the above (iii), since the optimization is performed so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the control body temporal change pattern, the optimization index is clear. Therefore, the cultivation environment of the plant can be appropriately optimized. Therefore, the plant can be cultivated while objectively and accurately optimizing the plant cultivation environment so that the plant is always grown in a desired cultivation environment.

  Moreover, in the cultivation method of the plant of the present invention, the measurement step includes the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant when the plant is cultivated in the first photoperiod, the light period, and the second photoperiod in order. This is a process for measuring a time-dependent change pattern, and the comparison process is performed in the subject and the control body from the maximum absolute value of the amount of time-dependent change in outer diameter in the light period and the plant from the second dark period. Preferably, this is a step of comparing the time until the amount of change with time in the outer diameter of the specific site returns to the maximum value of change with time in the first dark period between the subject and the control.

  Thereby, evaluation of the cultivation environment of the plant of the subject can be evaluated by comparing the maximum absolute value and the two points of time. Therefore, the plant cultivation environment of the subject can be evaluated very simply and objectively.

  In the plant cultivation method of the present invention, in the comparison step, the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the light period of the subject is less than the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the light period of the control body. And the time from when the change over time in the outer diameter of the specific part of the control body reaches the second dark period until the maximum value of the change over time in the first dark period returns to the second dark period. When the amount of change over time in the outer diameter of a specific part of the subject is shorter than the time until the maximum amount of change over time in the first dark period returns, the cultivation environment of the subject plant is nitrogen. It is preferable to evaluate that it is in a deficient state.

  Thereby, it can be evaluated whether the cultivation environment of the plant of the subject is in a nitrogen deficient state by comparing the two points of the maximum absolute value and the time. Therefore, the plant cultivation environment of the subject can be evaluated very simply and objectively.

  In the plant cultivation method of the present invention, in the comparison step, the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the light period of the subject is less than the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the light period of the control body. And the time from when the outer diameter change over time of the specific part of the control body enters the second dark period until the maximum value of the change over time in the first dark period returns to the second dark period When the time-dependent change in the outer diameter of a specific part of the subject is longer than the time required to return to the maximum value of the change over time in the first dark period, the cultivation environment of the subject's plant is phosphorus-deficient It is preferable to evaluate that it is in a state.

  Thereby, it can be evaluated whether the cultivation environment of the plant of the subject is in a phosphorus deficient state by comparing the two points of the maximum absolute value and the time. Therefore, the plant cultivation environment of the subject can be evaluated very simply and objectively.

  In the plant cultivation method of the present invention, in the above comparison step, the maximum absolute value of the outer diameter change over time in the light period of the subject is greater than the maximum absolute value of the outer diameter change over time in the light period of the control body. And the time from when the change over time in the outer diameter of a specific part of the control body enters the second dark period until the maximum value of the change over time in the first dark period returns to the second dark period. When the amount of change over time in the outer diameter of a specific part of the subject is shorter than the time until the maximum amount of change over time in the first dark period returns, the cultivation environment of the subject plant is potassium It is preferable to evaluate that it is in a deficient state.

  Thereby, it can be evaluated whether the cultivation environment of the plant of the subject is in a potassium deficient state by comparing the two points of the maximum absolute value and the time. Therefore, the plant cultivation environment of the subject can be evaluated very simply and objectively.

  Further, in the plant cultivation method of the present invention, the optimization step includes adding nitrogen to the cultivation environment when the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated to be in a nitrogen deficient state, and subject temporal change pattern It is preferable that the optimization process is performed so as to match the temporal change pattern of the control body. Thereby, a plant can be grown while optimizing cultivation environment appropriately.

  Further, in the plant cultivation method of the present invention, the optimization step includes adding phosphorus to the cultivation environment when the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated to be in a phosphorus deficient state, and subject temporal change pattern Is preferably a step of matching the above-mentioned change with time of the control body. Thereby, a plant can be cultivated while appropriately optimizing the cultivation environment of the plant.

  Further, in the plant cultivation method of the present invention, the optimization step includes adding potassium to the cultivation environment when the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated to be in a potassium deficient state, and subject temporal change pattern Is preferably a step of matching the above-mentioned change with time of the control body. Thereby, a plant can be grown while optimizing cultivation environment appropriately.

  Moreover, in the cultivation method of the plant of this invention, it is preferable that the said measurement process is measured using a strain gauge type displacement method. Thereby, the fine morphological change of a specific part can be continuously measured accurately without destroying a plant. Therefore, it is possible to continuously measure a minute change pattern of a specific portion based on a slight change in the cultivation environment. Therefore, a plant can be cultivated while precisely optimizing the cultivation environment.

  Moreover, in the cultivation method of the plant of this invention, it is preferable that the said specific site | part is a stem or a fruit. Since the stem or fruit is thicker than other parts of the plant such as leaves, the strain gauge displacement meter used in the strain gauge displacement method can be stably attached to the stem or fruit. Therefore, slight changes in the outer diameter can be accurately measured.

  Moreover, in the cultivation method of the plant of this invention, it is preferable that cultivation of a plant is performed by the hydroponics method. In hydroponics, nutrient elements are dissolved in the culture solution and are in a uniform state. Therefore, it is easy to make the nutritional state between plants uniform. Moreover, when a nutrient element is added, since the added nutrient element diffuses easily in the cultivation liquid, the composition of the cultivation liquid can be easily controlled.

  The plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising the following (iv) to (vi): (iv) Measuring means for measuring a temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant: (v) a comparison means for comparing a subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a subject with a control subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a control cultivated in a desired environment; and (vi) In the above comparison, when the subject temporal change pattern does not match the control subject temporal change pattern, an optimization means for matching the subject temporal change pattern to the control subject temporal change pattern .

  According to the above configuration, the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of the specific part of the subject is measured using the measuring means. Then, the comparison means compares the specimen temporal change pattern obtained by the measurement with the control specimen temporal change pattern. When the specimen temporal change pattern does not match the control specimen temporal change pattern, the optimization means is used to The cultivation environment is optimized by matching the temporal change pattern with the control body temporal change pattern. Hereinafter, by repeating this, the cultivation environment of the plant can be optimized so as to always be a desired cultivation environment.

  According to the plant cultivation method of the present invention, the above (i) can be performed in real time. Therefore, the above (ii) and (iii) can also be performed in real time (real time). In (ii) above, since the subject temporal change pattern and the control body temporal change pattern are compared, an objective comparison can be performed. Furthermore, in the above (iii), since the optimization is performed so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the control body temporal change pattern, the optimization index is clear. Therefore, the cultivation environment of the plant can be appropriately optimized. Therefore, the plant can be cultivated while objectively and accurately optimizing the plant cultivation environment so that the plant is always grown in a desired cultivation environment.

  Moreover, the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention measures a temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of a subject using a measuring means. Then, the comparison means compares the specimen temporal change pattern obtained by the measurement with the control specimen temporal change pattern. When the specimen temporal change pattern does not match the control specimen temporal change pattern, the optimization means is used to The cultivation environment is optimized by matching the temporal change pattern with the control body temporal change pattern. Hereinafter, by repeating this, the cultivation environment of the plant can be optimized so as to always be a desired cultivation environment.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows. Note that the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, all the nonpatent literatures described in this specification are used as reference in this specification.

(1: Plant cultivation method)
Although it does not specifically limit as a plant which can be used for the cultivation method of this invention, It is preferable that it is a plant which has a rod-like stem, or a plant which has a substantially spherical and smooth fruit. Examples of such plants include tomato, eggplant, tobacco, corn, oyster, Japanese pear, and the like.

  If the stem is rod-shaped, when measuring the stem diameter using a strain gauge displacement meter or the like, the device can be stably attached to the stem so that the load can be supported. As a result, the plant itself can be prevented from falling down due to the load of the device.

  In addition, if the fruit is almost spherical and the surface is smooth, the fruit repeatedly contracts and swells uniformly, so that the amount of change in fruit diameter can be accurately measured using a strain gauge displacement meter. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fruit has a hardness that can withstand the mounting of a strain gauge displacement meter. This prevents the fruit from being crushed or deformed by the clamping force when the strain gauge type displacement meter is attached to the fruit so that the fruit is sandwiched between the strain gauge type displacement meter and the instrument for attaching it. And changes in fruit diameter can be measured more accurately.

  The plant cultivation method of the present invention includes a measurement process, a comparison process, and an optimization process. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

<Measurement process>
The measurement process included in the cultivation method of the present invention measures a temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of a plant.

  The time-varying pattern refers to information indicating a correspondence relationship between the size of the outer diameter of a specific part of a plant and time. Such information can be expressed using a graph or a table, for example.

  In the case of a graph, the information can be expressed as a waveform indicating the correspondence between the size of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant and time. Moreover, in the case of a table | surface, the said information can be represented as a numerical value which shows the correspondence of the magnitude | size of the outer diameter of the specific site | part of a plant, and time.

  The method of creating the graph or table is not particularly limited, and can be created by using spreadsheet software such as microsoft excel (registered trademark).

  The method for measuring the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method can be used. Examples thereof include a method using a strain gauge displacement method and a laser displacement meter, and a method of measuring a change in the size of an enlarged shadow by irradiating a specific part of a fixed plant with light.

  Among these methods, it is preferable to use a strain gauge displacement method. By using the strain gauge displacement method, measuring the change in the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant at a certain measurement time as the initial value, and measuring the change in the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant as the change over time from the initial value Can do. Moreover, even if the amount of change with time in the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant is a minute amount of change in micrometer units, it can be continuously measured with high accuracy in real time (real time). Therefore, it is possible to obtain detailed information indicating the correspondence between the size of the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant and time.

  In addition, the method using the laser displacement meter is a method of measuring the distance from the object by applying a laser beam to the object. The laser displacement meter has a configuration including a light emitting element and an optical position detection element. For example, LB-040 or LB-080 manufactured by KEYENCE can be used. In general, in a method using a laser displacement meter, after irradiating a measurement target with a laser beam from the light emitting element, a part of the laser beam diffusely reflected from the measurement target is spotted on the optical position detection element. Detected as Since the position of the spot changes when the position of the measurement object changes, it is possible to measure how much the position of the object has changed by detecting the position of the spot.

  According to this method, by irradiating the outer diameter of a specific part of a plant with a laser beam, when the size of the outer diameter changes, the position of the spot detected on the optical position detection element changes. Therefore, the amount of change in the outer diameter can be measured by measuring the amount of change in the spot position.

  In the measurement step, the specific site of the plant to be measured is not particularly limited, but a stem or a fruit can be preferably used. Since the stem or fruit is thicker than other parts of the plant such as leaves, the strain gauge displacement meter used in the strain gauge displacement method can be stably attached to the stem or fruit portion. Therefore, slight changes in the outer diameter can be accurately measured.

  The strain gauge displacement method is a method of measuring the strain by measuring a change in electrical resistance that occurs when a mechanical strain is applied to the metal body using the metal body as a sensor. One embodiment of a method for measuring a change in the outer diameter of a specific part of a plant using a strain gauge displacement method is described below. The strain gauge displacement method is realized using a commercially available strain gauge displacement meter. An example of the strain gauge displacement meter is a strain gauge displacement meter manufactured by Minebea.

  First, a strain gauge displacement meter is attached to the specific part of the plant described above. For example, see [Iwao, K. and Takano, T. 1988. “Studies on measurements of plant physiological information and their agricultural applications (1) Development of non-invasive measurements of water. content in plant "Environ. Control in Biol. 26: 139-145]. That is, a displacement meter and a specific part are fixed with a rubber string or the like, a silicone rubber tube is inserted as a spring between the stem and the lever of the displacement meter, and finally a pinch cock is attached to adjust the position of the lever. The lever is connected to a metal body installed on the displacement meter. Therefore, when the outer diameter of the specific portion changes and the lever is displaced, the metal body is distorted, and the change in the outer diameter of the specific portion can be measured.

  When the specific part swells, the strain gauge displacement meter is pushed out together with the surface of the stem. Here, the inner diameter of the pinch cock is fixed to a constant value, and the lever is pressed against the pinch cock side by a spring. Since the movement of the lever is restricted by the pinch cock, the change in the outer diameter corresponding to the swelling of the specific portion can be measured. On the contrary, when the specific part contracts, the displacement meter moves together with the contraction, and the change in the outer diameter corresponding to the contraction can be measured.

  By connecting a metal body installed in a strain gauge displacement meter to a data logger, changes in the outer diameter of a specific part over time can be automatically recorded in a computer. A data logger may be selected from known ones as appropriate. As a known data logger, for example, DE-1000 type, data logger manufactured by NEC Sanei Co., Ltd., and NR-1000 manufactured by KEYENCE can be used.

  Although this measurement process is not particularly limited, it measures a time-dependent change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant when the plant is cultivated in the light cycle in the order of the first dark period, the light period, and the second dark period. It is preferable that it is a process. In this case, a plant should just be cultivated by the light cycle of the order of the 1st dark period, the light period, and the 2nd dark period. Therefore, other cultivation conditions such as temperature, humidity, and nutrition are not particularly limited, and optimum conditions for the plant used in the cultivation method of the present invention can be arbitrarily set.

  The dark period refers to a certain period in which a certain amount of light does not hit the plant in the photoperiod. The above “a plant does not receive a certain amount of light” means that the amount of light in the plant cultivation environment atmosphere is lower than 2000 lux. In the first dark period and the second dark period, the amount of light in the dark period, the length of the dark period, and the like may not be the same. The light period refers to a certain period of time during which a certain amount of light strikes a plant in the photoperiod. The above-mentioned “a certain amount of light hits the plant” means a state where the light amount in the plant cultivation environment atmosphere is 2000 lux or more.

  The method of “cultivating in the first photoperiod, the light period, and the second photoperiod in the order of the photoperiod” is not particularly limited, and a known method can be used. For example, for a plant cultivated in a light-shielding container, using a known artificial meteorological device, etc., the period in which the lighting in the artificial meteorological device is turned on, the time in which the lighting is turned off May be the dark period.

  The size of the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant changes by cultivating the plant in the light cycle in the order of the first dark period, the light period, and the second dark period. In the dark period (first dark period and second dark period), the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant is generally large, and in the light period, the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant is small. This is for the following reason.

  That is, the plant discharges moisture absorbed from the roots and the like by transpiration. Transpiration occurs when a plant senses light and pores in the leaves open. In the dark period, the plant is not exposed to light, so no transpiration occurs and the water in the plant is not discharged. Therefore, in the dark period, the amount of water in the plant increases and the plant itself swells. Therefore, the specific part of the plant also swells, and the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant increases.

  Contrary to the dark period, in the light period, the plant is exposed to light and transpiration occurs, so that water is discharged from the plant. If the amount of water that decreases due to transpiration in the light period is greater than the amount of water that increases due to absorption, the amount of water in the plant decreases and the plant itself contracts. Therefore, the specific part of the plant is also contracted, and the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant is reduced.

  Therefore, the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant decreases from the first dark period to the light period, and the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant increases from the light period to the second dark period. That is, when cultivated in the light cycle in the order of the first dark period, the light period, and the second dark period, the size of the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant changes with time. Therefore, the time-dependent change pattern of the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant can be measured by cultivating at the above photoperiod.

<Comparison process>
The comparison process included in the cultivation method of the present invention includes a subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a subject and a control subject temporal change when the plant is a control subject grown in a desired environment. The pattern is compared. By performing the comparison, it can be evaluated whether or not the cultivation environment of the subject is in a desired cultivation environment.

  The desired cultivation environment is not particularly limited as long as it is a cultivation environment that can measure a temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of a plant, and a person who intends to carry out the cultivation method of the present invention It can be set arbitrarily. Examples of the desired cultivation environment include, for example, a cultivation environment in which a plant can grow healthy without causing poor growth (hereinafter referred to as “appropriate environment”), a cultivation environment under environmental stress, and the like. Can do.

  The environmental stress refers to an environmental state that adversely affects the physiological functions of plants, and examples thereof include nutritional stress, water stress, and salt stress. The nutritional stress is a state where nutrient elements necessary for plant growth are deficient in the cultivation environment, and examples thereof include a nitrogen deficient state, a phosphorus deficient state, and a potassium deficient state.

  It is not particularly limited as a method for evaluating whether the cultivation environment of the subject is in a nitrogen deficient state, a phosphorus deficient state, or a potassium deficient state. For example, it can be evaluated by comparing whether or not the subject temporal change pattern matches the control body temporal change pattern in the above cultivation environment. Further, as described below, the evaluation can be performed by comparing the difference between the subject temporal change pattern and the control body pattern in an appropriate environment.

  The reference body temporal change pattern used for comparison with the subject temporal change pattern does not need to be one type, and a plurality of reference temporal change patterns can be used. For example, as a control body temporal change pattern, it is evaluated whether or not the cultivation environment of the subject is in the proper environment by using both the case of the appropriate environment and the case of the cultivation environment under environmental stress. In addition, it is possible to accurately evaluate whether or not the subject is under environmental stress.

  Therefore, in the optimization process described later, an appropriate response to the environmental stress can be taken. For example, when the environmental stress is a nutritional stress, an appropriate response to the nutritional stress can be taken by adding a deficient nutrient element to the cultivation environment. And the cultivation environment of a subject can be optimized more appropriately by taking the above-mentioned correspondence so that the subject temporal change pattern matches that of the appropriate environment.

  The method for comparing the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern is not particularly limited, and for example, information indicating the correspondence between the size of the outer diameter of a specific part of the subject and time is provided on the control subject. A comparison can be made by examining whether or not the information is the same information.

  Here, when the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern are represented using graphs, whether or not the waveform of the subject temporal change pattern is the same as the waveform of the control subject temporal change pattern. It can be compared by examining. In addition, when the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern are represented using tables, whether or not the numerical value of the subject temporal change pattern is the same value as the reference subject temporal change pattern Can be compared.

  In this comparison process, the maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter in the light period and the change over time in the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant from the second dark period are obtained in the subject and the control. It is preferable to compare the time required to return to the maximum value of the change over time in the first dark period between the subject and the control. Thereby, evaluation of the cultivation environment of the plant of the subject can be evaluated by comparing the maximum absolute value and the two points of time. Therefore, the plant cultivation environment of the subject can be evaluated very simply and objectively. However, this comparison process is not limited to this. The `` maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter of the specific part in the light period '' is the change over time of the outer diameter of the specific part in the light period relative to the outer diameter (zero point) of the specific part at any time in the dark period. The largest absolute value of the quantity.

  As shown in the examples described later, in the initial stage after the cultivation environment of the subject is in a nitrogen-deficient state, a phosphorus-deficient state, or a potassium-deficient state, the subject temporal change pattern and the appropriate environment Differences occur in the control body temporal change pattern of the control body. Therefore, by comparing the difference, it is possible to evaluate early whether the cultivation environment of the subject is in a nitrogen deficient state, a phosphorus deficient state, or a potassium deficient state.

  In this specification, to evaluate the nitrogen deficiency state of a subject at an early stage means that the amount of nitrogen necessary for plant growth is not supplied from the cultivation environment at an early stage (1-2 days) and in the subject. Even if the nitrogen content of the sample is not different or very small compared to the control, comparing the subject aging pattern with the control aging pattern, It means to evaluate.

  Further, in this specification, the early evaluation of the phosphorus deficiency state of the subject means that the amount of phosphorus necessary for plant growth is not supplied from the cultivation environment at the initial stage (1-2 days) and Even if the nitrogen content in the sample is not different or very small compared to the control, comparing the specimen aging pattern with the control aging pattern makes the specimen phosphorus deficient. It means to evaluate that there is.

  Further, in this specification, the early evaluation of the potassium deficiency state of a subject means that the amount of potassium necessary for plant growth is not supplied from the cultivation environment at the initial stage (1-2 days) and Even if the nitrogen content in the sample is not different or very small compared to the control, comparing the sample aging pattern with the control aging pattern makes the sample depleted in potassium. It means to evaluate that there is.

  The specific evaluation method of the nitrogen deficient state is as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the following. That is, according to the above comparison, the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the subject's light period is less than the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the light period of the control, and The time from when the outer diameter changes over time to the second dark period until it returns to the maximum value over the first dark period is outside the specific area of the subject from the second dark period. When the amount of change over time in diameter is shorter than the time until the maximum amount of change over time in the first dark period returns, it can be evaluated that the cultivation environment of the subject is in a nitrogen-deficient state.

  Moreover, the specific evaluation method of a phosphorus deficiency state is as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the following. That is, according to the above comparison, the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the subject's light period is less than the maximum absolute value of the change in the outer diameter with time in the light period of the control, and The time from when the outer diameter change over time enters the second dark period until it returns to the maximum value of the time change over the first dark period from the time when the second dark period starts, the outer diameter of the specific part of the subject It can be evaluated that the cultivation environment of the subject is in a phosphorus-deficient state when the amount of change over time is longer than the time until the amount of change over time in the first dark period returns to the maximum value.

  Moreover, the specific evaluation method of a potassium deficiency state is as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the following. In other words, the maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter during the light period of the subject is greater than the maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter during the light period of the control body, and the time of the outer diameter of the specific part of the control body over time. The time from when the change amount enters the second dark period until the maximum value of the change over time in the first dark period returns to the maximum value over time from the time when the second dark period is reached to the specific part of the subject. When the amount is shorter than the time until the amount of change with time in the first dark period returns to the maximum value, it can be evaluated that the cultivation environment of the subject is in a potassium deficient state.

  Although the control body used for this invention is not specifically limited, It is preferable that it is a plant of the same kind as a test object. Depending on the type of plant, the amount of water absorbed, the amount of water discharged, the type of nutrient elements required for growth, or the amount of nutrient elements required for growth, etc. may differ. May have an effect. If the control body and the subject are of the same type, such influence can be reduced, and this comparison process can be carried out more accurately.

  Moreover, although the cultivation conditions of the said control body are not specifically limited, It is preferable that a control body and a test object are cultivated on the same conditions. Depending on the cultivation conditions such as the temperature and humidity of the plant, the amount of absorbed water and the amount of discharged water may differ, and this may affect the temporal change pattern. By cultivating the control body and the subject under the same conditions, such influence can be reduced, and the comparison process can be performed more accurately.

  The control body temporal change pattern used in this comparison step may be measured simultaneously with the subject temporal change pattern, or may be measured in advance.

Examples of the nutrient elements necessary for the growth include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, chlorine, and cobalt. There is no particular limitation on the aspect of the above nutrients are supplied to the plant, by way of example, compounds containing nitrogen _{(Ca (NO 3) 2 ·} 4H 2 O, NaNO 2, NH 4 Cl) phosphate (NaH ₂ PO ₄ 2H ₂ O), a compound containing potassium (KSO ₄ , KCl), a compound containing calcium (CaCl ₂ 2H ₂ O), a compound containing magnesium (MgSO ₄ 7H ₂ O), iron Compound containing (C ₁₀ H ₁₂ N ₂ O ₈ FeNa), Compound containing sulfur (KSO ₄ , MgSO ₄ ), Compound containing manganese (MnSO ₄ 4H ₂ O), Compound containing boron (H ₃ BO ₃ ), Zinc compounds containing _(ZnSO 4 _7H 2 O), a compound containing copper _(CuSO 4 _5H 2 O), a compound containing molybdenum (NaMoO ₄ 2H ₂ O ), A compound containing chlorine (CaCl ₂ 2H ₂ O), and a compound containing cobalt (CoSO ₄ 7H ₂ O).

<Optimization process>
The optimization step included in the plant cultivation method of the present invention includes the step of comparing the subject temporal change pattern when the subject temporal change pattern does not match the control subject temporal change pattern in the comparison step. This is a step for matching with the body temporal change pattern. “Make the subject temporal change pattern match the control subject temporal change pattern” means that the information indicating the correspondence between the size of the outer diameter of the specific part of the subject and the time is that information of the control subject. Information (preferably the same information), and it is not always necessary to make them completely coincident with each other.

  Here, when the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern are represented using graphs, the waveform of the subject temporal change pattern is similar to the waveform of the control subject temporal change pattern (preferably (Same waveform) and does not necessarily need to be completely matched.

  In addition, when the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern are represented using a table, the numerical value of the subject temporal change pattern approximates the numerical value of the control subject temporal change pattern (preferably the same) Value), and does not necessarily need to be completely matched.

  That is, in this specification, “to optimize the cultivation environment of the subject” means to bring the cultivation environment of the subject close to the cultivation environment of the control body.

  In the optimization step, although not particularly limited, for example, when the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated as nutritional stress, a deficient nutrient element is added to the cultivation environment, and the subject temporal change pattern Is matched with the control body temporal change pattern, the cultivation environment of the subject can be optimized from the nutrition stress to the appropriate environment.

  Specifically, when the nutritional stress is in a nitrogen deficient state, nitrogen is added to the cultivation environment so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the control subject temporal change pattern. The cultivation environment can be optimized from a nitrogen-deficient state to an appropriate environment.

  In addition, when the nutritional stress is in a phosphorus deficient state, phosphorus is added to the cultivation environment so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the reference temporal change pattern. It can be optimized to an appropriate environment from a phosphorus deficient state.

  In addition, when the nutritional stress is in a potassium deficiency state, the cultivation environment of the subject is adjusted by adding potassium to the cultivation environment so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the control body temporal change pattern. It can be optimized from a potassium deficient state to an appropriate environment.

  The method of adding a nutrient element that is deficient into the cultivation environment is not particularly limited.For example, when cultivating by hydroponics, a conventionally known method is used for the deficient nutrient element as a culture solution. The method of using and adding, and when cultivating by soil cultivation, mention is made of a method of spraying nitrogen, deficient nutrient elements to the soil in the vicinity where the plant is cultivated using a conventionally known method, etc. be able to. In addition, as another method, a method of feeding a plant with a deficient nutrient element directly using foliar spraying or the like can be used.

  The cultivation method of the present invention can be applied to plants cultivated by either soil cultivation or hydroponics. However, as described above, the nutrient elements are dissolved in the cultivation liquid in hydroponics. The composition and concentration of nutrient elements in the liquid are uniform. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the error of the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of the specific portion, easily obtain a reproducible result, and perform highly accurate evaluation. Furthermore, in the case of hydroponics, when a nutrient element is added, the added nutrient element is easily diffused into the culture solution, so that the deficient nutrient element can be quickly supplied to the plant. Therefore, the cultivation method of the present invention can be suitably used for plants cultivated by hydroponics.

(2: cultivation equipment)
The plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention includes the following (iv) to (vi).

(iv) Measuring means (1) for measuring a temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of a plant:
(v) Comparison means (2) for comparing the subject temporal change pattern when the plant is the subject and the control subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a control plant cultivated in a desired environment );
And (vi) in the above comparison, when the subject temporal change pattern no longer matches the control subject temporal change pattern, the optimization to match the subject temporal change pattern with the control subject temporal change pattern Means (3).

  Hereinafter, the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the subject temporal change pattern of the subject is measured by the measuring means (1). Then, the information on the measured subject temporal change pattern is transmitted to the comparison means (2). The comparison means (2) compares the subject temporal change pattern with the control subject temporal change pattern. When the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern do not match, information indicating that they do not match is displayed. It is transmitted to the optimization means (3). As a result, the cultivation environment of the subject is optimized by the optimization means (3). Hereinafter, by repeating this, the cultivation environment of the subject can always be maintained in a desired environment.

  The measurement means (1) is not particularly limited as long as the measurement step described in <Measurement step> can be performed, but preferably includes a strain gauge displacement meter, a laser displacement meter, or the like.

  By using the measuring means (1) equipped with a strain gauge displacement meter for the subject, it is possible to accurately measure in real time (real time) even if the change in the outer diameter of a specific part of the subject with time is small. it can. Therefore, since the process implemented by the comparison means (2) and the optimization means (3) can be performed more precisely, the subject can be cultivated while optimizing the cultivation environment more accurately.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said measurement means (1) is provided with the attachment means for attaching the measurement means (1) to the specific site | part of a plant stably. The attachment means is not particularly limited, and any conventionally known means such as a string, rubber, or adhesive tape can be arbitrarily used. The reliability of the time-varying pattern to be measured can be improved by stably attaching the measuring means to the specific part of the plant using the attaching means.

  The comparison means (2) is not particularly limited as long as the comparison step described in <Comparison step> can be performed, but the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern are compared, and the subject A computer with software installed that can determine whether the time course pattern matches the control body time course pattern, and if not, matches the information to the optimization means. It is preferable that By using the computer, it is possible to automatically compare the subject temporal change pattern and the control subject temporal change pattern.

  Further, the computer may be provided with storage means for storing the subject temporal change pattern and the control body temporal change pattern, display means for displaying the comparison, determination, or transmission, and the like. The storage means is not particularly limited, and conventionally known devices such as a hard disk and a data logger can be used. The display means is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known one such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display can be used.

  The optimization means (3) is not particularly limited as long as it can carry out the optimization process described in the above <Optimization process>. For example, a conventionally known spraying device such as a sprinkler may be provided. . In the case where the optimizing means (3) is provided with the above-mentioned spraying device, water, nutrient elements and the like can be sprayed into the cultivation environment of the subject. By adjusting the application amount and application period of water or nutrient elements, or the type of nutrient elements, the specimen temporal change pattern can be matched with the control body temporal change pattern.

  Further, the optimization means (3) may be provided with a drive means that can automatically drive the sprinkler and the like based on information from the comparison means (2). In this case, information indicating that they do not match is transmitted to the driving means, and then the sprinkler and the like are driven by the driving means. As a result, the cultivation environment of the subject is optimized by the sprinkler and the like.

  The driving means is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a configuration including a power unit such as a motor and a connecting unit that connects the power unit and the appropriate unit. The connecting portion is not particularly limited as long as the power from the power portion can be transmitted to the sprinkler or the like, and a conventionally known one can be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. The following examples further illustrate the present invention in detail, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Example 1: Evaluation of tomato cultivation environment]
<Culture method of tomato>
Potted tomatoes (lycopersicon esculentum L., variety: Momotaro 8) were cultivated in a greenhouse owned by the Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University under the conditions of a maximum temperature of 32 ° C and a minimum temperature of 20 ° C by hydroponics. . Each bowl was filled with a nutrient solution having the following composition. They were cultivated in the light period and dark period. The period from 6 o'clock to 18 o'clock was the light period, and the other period was the dark period. The maximum amount of light in the cultivation environment during the light period was about 65,000 lux.
Nutrient solution:
N (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ 4H ₂ O) 50 mg l ⁻¹ ,
P (NaH ₂ PO ₄ 2H ₂ O) 10 mg l ⁻¹ ,
K (K ₂ SO ₄ / KCl 1: 1) 40 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Ca (CaCl ₂ H ₂ O) 30 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Mg (MgSO ₄ 7H ₂ O) 20 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Fe (Fe ⁺³ EDTA) 1 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Mn (MNSO ₄ 4H ₂ O) 0.2 mg l ⁻¹ ,
B (H ₃ BO ₃ ) 0.5 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Zn (ZnSO ₄ 7H ₂ O) 0.01 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Cu (CuSO ₄ 5H ₂ O) 0.01 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Mo (NaMoO ₄ 2H ₂ O) 0.01 mg l ⁻¹ ,
Co (CoSO ₄ 7H ₂ O) 0.01 mg l ⁻¹
From midnight on the 74th day (second fruit period) from the start of cultivation of tomatoes, the nutrient solution having a composition that does not contain nitrogen components (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) instead of the nutrient solution (hereinafter referred to as the nutrient solution) , Referred to as “nitrogen deficient nutrient solution”), the tomato cultivation environment was brought into a nitrogen deficient state (nitrogen deficient treatment).

Similarly, cultivation of tomatoes by using the nutrient solution having a composition not containing a phosphorus component (NaH ₂ PO ₄ 2H ₂ O) (hereinafter referred to as “phosphorus deficient nutrient solution”) instead of the nutrient solution. The environment was made phosphorus deficient (phosphorus deficiency treatment).

Similarly, by using the above nutrient solution having a composition not containing a potassium component (K ₂ SO ₄ / KCl 1: 1) instead of the nutrient solution (hereinafter referred to as “potassium deficient nutrient solution”), The cultivation environment of was deficient in potassium (potassium deficiency treatment).

  In addition, the tomato cultivated using the said nutrient solution after the 74th day (2nd fruit period) was used as a control body.

<Measurement of stem diameter change over time using strain gauge displacement method>
The time-dependent pattern of tomato stem diameter was measured using a strain gauge displacement meter (model number UL-20GR, manufactured by Minebea). Specifically, a strain gauge displacement meter was attached to the stem using a rubber string, and the change over time in the stem diameter of the stem was measured continuously for 5 days at intervals of 5 minutes. The sensor of the strain gauge type displacement meter was connected to a data logger (DE-1000 type, manufactured by NEC Sanei Co., Ltd.), and the change over time of the measured stem diameter was automatically recorded as electronic data on a computer.

<Measurement of temporal change pattern of stem diameter in tomato grown in nitrogen-deficient cultivation environment>
The measurement of the temporal change pattern of stem diameter in tomatoes grown in a nitrogen-deficient cultivation environment was performed by the following method. That is, tomatoes grown in a nitrogen-deficient cultivation environment (hereinafter referred to as “subject tomato (nitrogen)”) and the stem diameter of the control body by the method described in <Tomato Cultivation Method> above. Was measured according to the method described in <Measurement of stem diameter change with time using strain gauge displacement method>.

  FIG. 1 is a chart showing changes over time in the stem diameter of a subject's tomato (nitrogen) and changes over time in the stem diameter of a control body 0 days to 21 days after the nitrogen deficiency treatment. In FIG. 1, “-N” represents the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject, and “cont” represents the control.

  The vertical axis represents the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter when the stem diameter at 0 am on the next day after the nitrogen deficiency treatment is taken as zero. A positive stem diameter change pattern means stem swelling, and a negative stem diameter change pattern means stem contraction. The horizontal axis represents the number of days after nitrogen deficiency treatment (74th day (second fruit period) from the start of tomato cultivation).

  According to FIG. 1, it can be seen that cyclic swelling and contraction are repeated in the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject and the control body. In addition, it can be seen that in the control body, as the number of days passes from the nitrogen deficiency treatment, the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter on a daily basis shifts in the positive direction. This indicates that the stem itself becomes thicker on a daily basis as the number of days passes from the nitrogen deficiency treatment. On the other hand, in the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject, the stem diameter is almost constant and the stem diameter change pattern of the stem diameter almost daily does not move in the positive direction after 10 days from the nitrogen deficiency treatment. I understand.

  FIG. 2 (a) is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of a stem diameter of a subject tomato (nitrogen) and a temporal change pattern of a stem diameter of a control subject one day after the day of nitrogen deficiency treatment. 2 (b) is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of a stem diameter of a subject tomato (nitrogen) and a temporal change pattern of a stem diameter of a control subject two days after the day of nitrogen deficiency treatment, and FIG. (C) is a chart showing the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject and the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body 11 days after the day of nitrogen deficiency treatment, and FIG. d) is a chart showing a time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject and a time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body 14 days after the day of the nitrogen deficiency treatment.

  2 (a) to 2 (d), the ordinate represents the stem diameter at 0 am on the first, second, eleventh, and fourteenth days from the day of nitrogen deficiency treatment, respectively. It shows the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter. When the time course pattern of stem diameter is positive at a certain time, it indicates that the stem at that time is swollen more than the stem at midnight. When the time course pattern of stem diameter is negative at a certain time, It means that the stem at that time is contracted more than the stem at 0 o'clock.

  2A to 2D, the horizontal axis represents time. The dark period is between 0: 00 and 6:00 (first dark period) and between 18: 00 and 24:00 (second dark period) on the horizontal axis, and the light period is on the horizontal axis The numerical value is between 6:00 and 18:00.

  According to FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (d), when the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject and the control body are both in the dark period and in the light period, the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter becomes small, and from the light period to the dark period. Then, it can be seen that the stem diameter change pattern with time increases. This indicates that the stem contracts from the first dark period to the light period, and the stem swells from the light period to the second dark period.

  Further, according to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject in the light period is the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. It can be seen that it is smaller than the maximum absolute value of. This indicates that the contraction of the stem in the light period is larger in the control body than in the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject.

  Furthermore, after the transition from the light period to the second dark period, the time when the change pattern of stem diameter of the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject becomes the maximum value of the change pattern in the first dark period is the stem diameter of the control body. It can be seen that the time at which the time-dependent change pattern becomes the maximum value of the time-dependent change pattern in the first dark period is late. This indicates that the time for the stem contraction to recover after the light period to the dark period is shorter for the control body than for the tomato (nitrogen) of the subject.

  Further, according to FIG. 2C, the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (nitrogen) in the light period is larger than the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. You can see that it is getting bigger. This indicates that the contraction of the stem in the light period is smaller in the control body than in the subject (nitrogen). Furthermore, after the transition from the light period to the second dark period, the time when the change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (nitrogen) becomes the maximum value of the change pattern in the first dark period is the time of the stem diameter of the control body. The time when the change pattern becomes the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is substantially the same.

  Further, according to FIG. 2D, the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (nitrogen) in the light period is almost the same as the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. The same. Furthermore, after the transition from the light period to the second dark period, the time when the change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (nitrogen) becomes the maximum value of the change pattern in the first dark period is the time of the stem diameter of the control body. The change pattern is later than the time at which the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is reached.

  From the above results, in the subject (nitrogen) 1 to 2 days after the nitrogen deficiency treatment, when the time-dependent change pattern of stem diameter at 0 am is assumed to be 0, the maximum time-dependent change pattern of stem diameter in the light period In the control, the absolute value is smaller than the maximum absolute value of the stem diameter chronological change pattern in the light period when the chronological change pattern of the stem diameter at midnight is 0, and from the light period to the second dark period In the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (nitrogen), the time when the maximum value of the time-dependent change pattern in the first dark period is the first dark period in the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body. It has been found that the cultivation environment of the subject (nitrogen) can be evaluated as being in a nitrogen-deficient state when it is later than the time at which the time-dependent change pattern in FIG. Moreover, it was confirmed that this evaluation can be evaluated early (from the first day to the second day) after the nitrogen deficiency state is reached.

<Measurement of temporal change pattern of stem diameter in tomato grown in a phosphorus-deficient cultivation environment>
Changes in stem diameter over time in tomatoes cultivated in a phosphorus-deficient cultivation environment were observed by the following method. That is, by the method described in <Tomato Cultivation Method> above, the tomato cultivated in a phosphorus-deficient cultivation environment (hereinafter referred to as “subject (phosphorus)”) and the stem diameter of the control body. The change with time was observed according to the method described in <Observation of change pattern of stem diameter with time using strain gauge displacement method>.

  FIG. 3 is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body after 0 to 21 days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment. FIG. 3 represents the same thing as FIG. 1 except that the horizontal axis represents the number of days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment (the 74th day (second fruit period) from the start of tomato cultivation).

  According to FIG. 3, it can be seen that cyclic swelling and contraction are repeated in the subject (phosphorus) and the control body. In addition, it can be seen that, with the control body, as the number of days passes, the temporal change pattern of stem diameter in units of days moves in the positive direction. This indicates that as the number of days passes, the stem itself becomes thicker on a daily basis. On the other hand, in the subject (phosphorus), it can be seen that there is almost no change with time in the stem diameter over the course of 6 days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment, and the stem thickness is almost constant.

  FIG. 4 (a) is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body two days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment, and FIG. 4 (b). FIG. 4 is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body 9 days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment, and FIG. 4C is a phosphorus deficiency treatment. FIG. 17 is a chart showing a change pattern with time of stem diameter of a subject (phosphorus) and a change pattern with time of stem diameter of a control body 17 days after the test.

  4 (a) to 4 (c) show the same thing as FIG. 2 (a) except that it represents 2 days, 9 days, and 17 days after the day of phosphorus deficiency treatment, respectively. According to FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), in both the subject (phosphorus) and the control body, the change pattern of stem diameter with time becomes smaller when the dark period is changed to the light period, and when the light period is changed to the dark period, the stem is changed. It can be seen that the diameter change pattern with time increases. This indicates that the stem contracts from the dark period to the light period, and the stem swells from the light period to the dark period.

  According to FIG. 4 (a), it can be seen that the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) in the light period is larger than the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body at the same time. This indicates that the contraction of the stem in the light period is smaller in the control body than in the subject (phosphorus). It can also be seen that the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) in the light period is smaller than the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. This indicates that the maximum contraction of the stem in the light period is smaller in the control body than in the subject (phosphorus). Furthermore, after the light period to the dark period, the time when the change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) becomes the maximum value of the change pattern in the first dark period is the time change of the stem diameter of the control body. It can be seen that the pattern is earlier than the time when the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is reached. This indicates that the time for the stem contraction to return to the original state after the light period to the dark period is shorter for the control body than for the subject (phosphorus).

  On the other hand, according to FIG. 4B, there is almost no difference between the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) in the light period and the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body at the same time. Recognize. This indicates that there is no difference in stem contraction in the light period between the subject (phosphorus) and the control body. It can also be seen that there is almost no difference between the maximum value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) in the light period and the maximum value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. This indicates that there is no difference in the maximum contraction of the stem in the light period between the subject (phosphorus) and the control body. Furthermore, after the light period is changed to the second dark period, the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) becomes the maximum value of the time-dependent change pattern in the first dark period, and the stem diameter of the control body. It can be seen that there is almost no difference between the time change pattern and the time at which the time change pattern reaches the maximum value in the first dark period. This indicates that there is no difference between the subject (phosphorus) and the control body in the time when the stem contraction is restored after the light period to the dark period.

  According to FIG.4 (c), the maximum value absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) in the light period is smaller than the maximum value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. I understand. This indicates that the maximum contraction of the stem in the light period is larger in the control body than in the subject (phosphorus). Further, after the light period is changed to the second dark period, the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) does not return to 0 but remains a negative value. This indicates that the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) contracts during the second dark period.

  From the above results, in the subject (phosphorus), the maximum absolute value of the stem diameter change pattern of the stem diameter at the light period when the stem diameter change pattern at 0 am is 0, When the time-dependent change pattern of stem diameter at time is zero, the absolute value of the time-dependent change pattern of stem diameter in the light period is smaller than the absolute value, and the subject (phosphorus) is changed from the light period to the second dark period. The time at which the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is the maximum value of the temporal change pattern at the first dark period in the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body It was found that it can be evaluated that the cultivation environment of the subject (phosphorus) is in a phosphorus-deficient state in earlier cases. Further, it was confirmed that the evaluation can be performed early (from the first day to the second day) after the phosphorus deficiency state.

<Measurement of change pattern of stem diameter over time in tomatoes grown in a potassium-deficient cultivation environment>
The temporal change pattern of stem diameter in tomatoes cultivated in a potassium-deficient cultivation environment was measured by the following method. That is, by the method described in the above <Tomato Cultivation Method>, the stalk diameter of tomatoes (hereinafter referred to as “subject (potassium)”) cultivated in a potassium-deficient cultivation environment and the stalk diameter of the control body. The time-varying pattern was measured according to the method described in the above <Measurement of stem diameter-time-varying pattern using strain gauge displacement method>.

  FIG. 5 is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body after 0 to 21 days after the potassium deficiency treatment. FIG. 5 represents the same thing as FIG. 1 except that the horizontal axis represents the number of days after potassium deficiency treatment (the 74th day (second fruit period) from the start of tomato cultivation).

  According to FIG. 5, it can be seen that cyclic swelling and contraction are repeated between the subject (potassium) and the control body. In addition, it can be seen that, with the control body, as the number of days passes, the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter in units of days moves in the positive direction. This indicates that as the number of days passes, the stem itself becomes thicker on a daily basis. Furthermore, it can be seen that the subject (potassium) has almost no change in stem diameter over time, and the stem thickness is almost constant after 3 days from the potassium deficiency treatment.

  FIG. 6 (a) is a chart showing the change over time in the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and the change over time in the stem diameter of the control one day after the potassium deficiency treatment, and FIG. 6 (b) shows the potassium deficiency. FIG. 6C is a chart showing the change over time in the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and the change over time in the stem diameter of the control body two days after the treatment, and FIG. 6C shows the subject after four days after the potassium deficiency treatment. FIG. 6 is a chart showing the change over time in the stem diameter of (potassium) and the change over time in the stem diameter of the control body, and FIG. 6 (d) shows the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) subject 6 days after the potassium deficiency treatment. FIG. 6 (e) is a chart showing changes over time in the stem and changes in the stem diameter of the control body, and FIG. 6 (e) shows changes over time in the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) 15 days after the potassium deficiency treatment and the stem of the control body A chart showing the change in diameter over time That.

  6 (a) to 6 (e) represent the same as FIG. 2 (a) except that they represent 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 6 days and 15 days after the day of potassium deficiency treatment, respectively. ing.

  FIG. 6 (a) shows that there is almost no difference between the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) in the light period and the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body at the same time. It can also be seen that there is almost no difference between the maximum value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) in the light period and the maximum value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. This indicates that the maximum stem contraction in the light period is approximately the same between the subject (potassium) and the control.

  Furthermore, after the light period to the dark period, the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) becomes the maximum value of the time-dependent change pattern in the first dark period, and the time-dependent change in the stem diameter of the control body It can be seen that there is no difference between the time when the pattern becomes the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period. This indicates that there is no difference between the subject (potassium) and the control body in the time for the stem contraction to return to the original state after going from the light period to the dark period.

  According to FIG. 6 (b), the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) shifts in the negative direction by the light period, and the subject (potassium) from 8:00 to 18:00 The change pattern of stem diameter with time is negative. In the first dark period and the second dark period, the stem diameter change pattern with time is a positive value. On the other hand, the chronological change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body moves in the negative direction due to the light period, but the stalk diameter of the subject (potassium) passes through the first dark period to the light period to the second dark period. The temporal change pattern is a positive value. This indicates that the stem of the subject (potassium) contracts in the light period and expands in the first dark period and the second dark period.

  On the other hand, the stem of the control body is swollen throughout the first dark period to the light period to the second dark period. The maximum value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) in the light period is larger than the maximum value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. This indicates that the maximum value of the shrinkage amount of the subject (potassium) stem diameter is larger than the maximum value of the stem diameter shrinkage amount of the control body. Further, after the light period to the dark period, the time when the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) becomes the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body. It can be seen that is later than the time when the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is reached. This indicates that the time for the stem contraction to return to the original state after the transition from the light period to the dark period is slower in the subject (potassium) than in the control body.

  According to FIG. 6 (c), the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) in the light period is larger than the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. I understand. This indicates that the maximum contraction of the stem in the light period is larger in the control body than in the subject (potassium). Further, after the light period to the dark period, the time when the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) becomes the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body. It can be seen that is later than the time when the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period is reached. This indicates that the time for the stem to return to the original contraction after the light period to the dark period is slower for the control body than for the subject (potassium).

  According to FIG. 6 (d), the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) in the light period is larger than the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body in the light period. I understand. This indicates that the maximum contraction of the stem in the light period is larger in the control body than in the subject (potassium). In addition, after the light period is changed to the second dark period, the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) does not return to 0 but remains a negative value. This indicates that the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) is contracted during the second dark period.

  According to FIG.6 (e), the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of a test subject (potassium) moves to a negative direction by becoming a light period, and a test object (potassium) is in a light period-a 2nd dark period. The stem diameter change pattern with time is a negative value. On the other hand, the chronological change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body moves in the negative direction due to the light period, but the stalk diameter of the subject (potassium) passes through the first dark period to the light period to the second dark period. The temporal change pattern is a positive value. This shows that the stem of the subject (potassium) contracted during the light period to the second dark period, and the stem of the control body swelled through the first dark period to the light period to the second dark period. ing.

  From the above results, in the subject (potassium) 2 to 6 days after the potassium deficiency treatment, the maximum change pattern of stem diameter over time in the light period when the change pattern of stem diameter over time at 0 am is zero. In the control, the absolute value is larger than the maximum absolute value of the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter in the light period when the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter at 0 am is 0, and from the light period to the second dark period After that, the time when the maximum value of the temporal change pattern in the first dark period in the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) is the time in the first dark period in the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body It turned out that it can be evaluated that the cultivation environment of the (potassium) is in a potassium deficient state when it is later than the time when the maximum value of the change pattern is reached. It was also confirmed that this evaluation can be performed early (second day) after the potassium deficiency state is reached.

[Example 2: Tomato cultivation test]
<Culture method of tomato>
Tomato (lycopersicon esculentum L., variety: Momotaro 8) was sown in a cell pot, and the seedlings grown by soil cultivation were used in this example. Raised tomato seedlings were transplanted to the environment for hydroponics 36 days after sowing. Hydroponic cultivation environment was performed using a culture solution non-circulating type 70 L vat equipped with aeration equipment, and the culture solution was changed once every seven days. The pH of the culture solution was adjusted to pH 5.8 to 6.2 once a day using 1N sodium hydroxide and 1N hydrochloric acid. The above cultivation was performed in a glass house in Hiroshima University precision farm.

<Determination of nutrient deficiency using stem diameter>
A plant individual on the 68th day after sowing (first fruit bunch hypertrophy stage) was used. The nitrogen deficiency treatment described in Example 1 was performed on tomatoes for 20 days (N-deficient section). The phosphorus nitrogen deficiency treatment described in Example 1 was performed on tomatoes for 20 days (P deficient section). The potassium deficiency treatment described in Example 1 was performed on tomatoes for 20 days (K deficient section). A tomato grown for 20 days using the nutrient solution described in Example 1 was used as a control group. Each of the above treatments (N deficiency treatment × 2 ward, P deficiency treatment × 2 ward, K deficiency treatment × 2 ward, cultivation of control ward) was performed on 3 individuals.

  For one individual randomly selected from each section, the stem diameter was measured using a strain gauge displacement meter. Measurement of stem diameter was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. From the treatment start date, changes in the stem diameter recorded in the N-deficient, P-deficient, and K-deficient areas were compared with changes in the stem diameter every 24 hours.

  As a result of the above comparison, from 7:30 am on the day after the day when it was determined to be P-deficient according to the criteria described in Example 1, for individuals in one experimental group of P-deficient groups existing in two sections Then, phosphorus was added so that the concentration was the same as that in the control group, and cultivation was continued.

<Measurement of growth>
Three individuals in each experimental group on day 0 and day 20 after treatment were sorted into leaves, stems, roots, first fruit bunches, and second fruit bunches, and fresh weight was measured, followed by hot air at 70 ° C. for 7 days. Dried. Each sample (leaves, stems, roots, first fruit bunches, second fruit bunches) after drying was weighed with an electronic balance.

<Result>
FIG. 8 shows the change pattern of stem diameter over time in each experimental group. 8A shows the result of the N-deficient section on the fifth day after the start of the treatment, FIG. 8B shows the result of the P-deficient section on the fifth day after the start of the process, and FIG. 8C shows the result of the fifth day after the start of the process. The results for the K deficient section were shown. Note that the thick lines in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show the results of the N deficient area, the P deficient area, and the K deficient area, respectively. Further, thin lines in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C indicate the results of the control section, and the broken lines indicate the photosynthetic effective radiation amount. When the broken line is a positive value, it indicates the light period. In each experimental group, the stem diameter at 7:30 am was set to zero.

  8 (a), (b), and (c) show the results of the time course pattern of the stem diameter in the nitrogen-deficient state, the time course pattern of the stem diameter in the phosphorus-deficient state, and the potassium-deficient state shown in Example 1, respectively. It was in good agreement with the time course pattern of the stem diameter. Therefore, it was confirmed that each experimental group was deficient in each nutrient element.

  In FIG. 9, from 7:30 am on the day after the day when it was determined to be P-deficient, the dry weight of the individual when P was added to grow to the same concentration as in the control plot and cultivated for 20 days (“ P-deficient zone (with P addition) "), dry weight of individual when cultivated for 20 days without adding P (" P-deficient zone (without P addition) "in Fig. 9), day 20 of control zone The dry weight of the individual (“Control” in FIG. 9) and the dry weight of the individual on the 0th day of treatment (“Day 0” in FIG. 9) are shown.

  Each data was statistically analyzed using the Tukey method (refer to “4Steps Excel Statistics 2nd Edition, Hisae Yanai, OM Publishing; Seimakusha”) with a risk rate of 5%. In FIG. 9, when the alphabet above each bar is the same, it indicates that no significant difference is observed between the sections. When the alphabet above each bar is different, 5% between the sections. It shows that there is a significant difference in the risk rate. However, statistical analysis is not performed on the result of the process day 0.

  According to the result of FIG. 9, there is no significant difference between the results of the “control group” and the “P deficiency group (with P addition)” (risk rate 5%), and the “P deficiency group (without P addition)” is “ It was found that the dry weight was significantly lighter (risk rate 5%) compared to “control group” and “P-deficient group (with P addition)”.

  From this result, when it is determined that a certain nutrient element is deficient using the temporal change pattern of the outer diameter (eg, stem diameter) of a specific part of the plant as an index, the nutrient element is adjusted to an appropriate concentration. It was confirmed that plant growth was optimized.

  The present invention evaluates the cultivating environment of the plant using the aging pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant as an index, and matches the aging pattern with the aging pattern of the outer diameter in a desired cultivation environment. By doing, the cultivation method of the plant of optimizing the cultivation environment of the plant under cultivation, and the cultivation apparatus for implementing the method are provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can grow, optimizing the cultivation environment of a plant objectively exactly so that a plant may always be grown in a desired cultivation environment. Therefore, the present invention can be used in industries related to plant cultivation such as food industry, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industry.

FIG. 1 is a chart showing changes over time in the stem diameter of tomatoes induced to a nitrogen-deficient state and changes over time in the stem diameter of a control body after 0 to 21 days after the nitrogen deficiency treatment. . FIG. 2 (a) is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (nitrogen) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body one day after the day of nitrogen deficiency treatment. FIG. 2 (b) is a chart showing the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (nitrogen) and the time-dependent change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body two days after the day of nitrogen deficiency treatment. FIG. 2 is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of a stem diameter of a subject (nitrogen) and a temporal change pattern of a stem diameter of a control body 11 days after the day of nitrogen deficiency treatment, and FIG. It is a chart figure showing the time-dependent change pattern of the stalk diameter of the subject (nitrogen) and the time-dependent change pattern of the stalk diameter of the control body after 14 days from the treatment day. FIG. 3 is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body after 0 to 21 days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment. FIG. 4 (a) is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body two days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment, and FIG. 4 (b). FIG. 4 is a chart showing a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (phosphorus) and a temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body 9 days after the phosphorus deficiency treatment, and FIG. 4C is a phosphorus deficiency treatment. FIG. 17 is a chart showing a change pattern with time of stem diameter of a subject (phosphorus) and a change pattern with time of stem diameter of a control body 17 days after the test. FIG. 5 is a chart showing the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and the temporal change pattern of the stem diameter of the control body after 0 to 21 days after the potassium deficiency treatment. FIG. 6 (a) is a chart showing the change over time in the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and the change over time in the stem diameter of the control body one day after the potassium deficiency treatment, and FIG. FIG. 6 (c) is a chart showing the change with time of the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and the change with time of the stem diameter of the control body after 2 days from the deficiency treatment, and FIG. FIG. 6D is a chart showing the change over time in the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and the change over time in the stem diameter of the control body. FIG. 6 (d) shows the stem of the subject (potassium) 6 days after the potassium deficiency treatment. FIG. 6 (e) is a chart showing changes over time in diameter and changes in stem diameter of the control body, and FIG. 6 (e) shows changes over time in the stem diameter of the subject (potassium) and the control body 15 days after the potassium deficiency treatment. Chart showing changes with time in stem diameter A. It is a flowchart explaining the cultivation apparatus of the plant of this invention. FIG. 8 (a) shows the change pattern of stem diameter over time in the N-deficient section on the fifth day after the start of treatment, and FIG. 8 (b) shows the change pattern after start of treatment. The time course pattern of stem diameter in the P-deficient section on day 5 and FIG. 8 (c) is the time course pattern of stem diameter in the K-deficient section on day 5 after the start of treatment. In Example 2, from 7:30 am on the day after the day when it was determined to be in a P-deficient state, the dry weight of the individual ("P-deficient" when P was added to the same concentration as in the control group and cultivated for 20 days. Ward (with P addition))), dry weight of the individual when cultivated for 20 days without adding P ("P deficient ward (without P addition)"), dry weight of the individual on the 20th day of the control ward ( It is a histogram showing the dry weight of the individual on the 0th day of treatment ("0th day").

Claims (12)

A plant cultivation method comprising the following (i) to (iii):
(i) a measurement step of measuring a temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant;
(ii) a comparison step of comparing a subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a subject with a control subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a control plant cultivated in a desired environment; and
(iii) An optimization step in which, in the comparison step, when the subject temporal change pattern does not coincide with the control body temporal change pattern, the subject temporal change pattern matches the control body temporal change pattern. The measurement step is a step of measuring a time-dependent change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of the plant when the plant is cultivated in the first dark period, the light period, and the second photoperiod in the order of the photoperiod, and In the comparison step, the maximum absolute value of the change over time in the outer diameter in the light period and the change over time in the outer diameter of the specific part of the plant from the second dark period are obtained in the subject and the control. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is a step of comparing the time until the maximum amount of change with time in the first dark period is returned between the subject and the control body. In the above comparison process,
The maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter during the light period of the subject is less than the maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter during the light period of the control, and the change over time of the outer diameter of a specific part of the control Time until the maximum amount of change over time in the first dark period from when the amount entered the second dark period is the amount of change over time in the outer diameter of the specific part of the subject from the second dark period The plant cultivation environment of the subject is evaluated as being in a nitrogen-deficient state when the time is shorter than the time until the maximum amount of change with time in the first dark period returns. The method described in 1. In the above comparison process,
The maximum absolute value of the change over time in the outer diameter of the subject during the light period is less than the maximum absolute value of the change over time in the outer diameter during the light period of the control, and the change over time in the outer diameter of a specific part of the control Is the time from when the second dark period returns to the maximum value of the time course change in the first dark period, 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the plant cultivation environment of the subject is evaluated to be in a phosphorus deficient state when it is longer than the time required to return to the maximum amount of change over time in the first dark period. The method described. In the above comparison process,
The maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter during the light period of the subject is greater than the maximum absolute value of the change over time of the outer diameter during the light period of the control, and the change over time of the outer diameter of a specific part of the control Time until the maximum amount of change over time in the first dark period from when the amount entered the second dark period is the amount of change over time in the outer diameter of the specific part of the subject from the second dark period The plant cultivation environment of the subject is evaluated to be in a potassium deficient state when the time is shorter than the time until the maximum amount of change over time in the first dark period returns. The method described in 1. The above optimization process
When the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated to be in a nitrogen deficient state, nitrogen is added to the cultivation environment so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the reference temporal change pattern The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The above optimization process
When the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated to be in a phosphorus deficient state, it is a step of adding phosphorus to the cultivation environment so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the reference temporal change pattern The method according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4. The above optimization process
When the cultivation environment of the plant is evaluated to be in a potassium deficient state, it is a step of adding potassium to the cultivation environment so that the subject temporal change pattern matches the reference temporal change pattern The method according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 5.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring step is measured using a strain gauge displacement method.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the specific part is a stem or a fruit.   The plant cultivation method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plant is cultivated by a hydroponics method. A plant cultivation apparatus comprising the following (iv) to (vi):
(iv) a measuring means for measuring a temporal change pattern of the outer diameter of a specific part of a plant;
(v) a comparison means for comparing a subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a subject with a control subject temporal change pattern when the plant is a control cultivated in a desired environment; and
(vi) In the above comparison, when the subject temporal change pattern does not match the control subject temporal change pattern, an optimization means for matching the subject temporal change pattern to the control subject temporal change pattern .

Images