JP2012231729A - Method for raising plant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for raising plants for providing consumers with fresh plants as they are.SOLUTION: This method for raising plants includes raising plants in a first area 1 followed by further raising the plants while transporting from the first area 1 to a second area 9, using a transportation device 104 enabling hydroponics, and further raising the plants delivered to the second area 9, using display devices 4 and 110 enabling hydroponics, set in the second area 9 and provided with a growth suppressing means 5 suppressing a plant growth speed, while displaying in the condition that a growth speed suppressed by the growth suppressing means 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant growing method.

  Conventionally, various methods for growing plants are known. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a growing method for growing plants using a hydroponic cultivation apparatus. In the growing method described in Patent Document 1, a plant is grown by hydroponics in a plant cultivation factory in which a hydroponic cultivation apparatus is installed, and the plant is harvested and shipped after the plant has grown and matured. Usually, a plant grown in a plant cultivation factory is harvested by cutting roots as described in Patent Document 1. The harvested plants are packed and shipped with their roots separated.

  Thereafter, the plant is shipped from a plant cultivation factory or the like with the roots cut and transported to a sales place or the like by a transport device or the like. Plants after transport are displayed on a display stand with their roots separated, and sold or offered to consumers.

JP 2000-236664 A

  By the way, a plant in a state where the roots are cut off cannot absorb moisture and releases moisture due to transpiration, so that it tends to wither and immediately loses freshness. Therefore, in the conventional method, even if the plant is grown immediately after harvesting and harvesting at a plant cultivation factory or the like, the plant releases moisture during transportation by cutting the root during harvesting. As a result, the freshness is already lost when the display is started. That is, the conventional method has a problem that it is difficult to provide fresh plants to consumers.

  In addition, plants that have had their roots cut off are increasingly withered over time after the roots have been cut. In other words, since the plants whose roots are cut are damaged quickly, there is a problem that the plants are often damaged and must be discarded even though not much time has passed since the display was started.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The place made into the objective is to provide the cultivation method of the plant which can provide a plant etc. with a fresh as it is.

  In the method for growing plants according to the present invention, after growing a plant in the first area 1, from the first area 1 to the second area 9 using the transport device 104 capable of hydroponics the plant. Using the display device 4,110 that can be hydroponically cultivated with the growth suppressing means 5 that is installed in the second area 9 and suppresses the growth rate of the plant, The plant carried into the area 9 is further grown while being displayed in a state where the growth rate is suppressed by the growth suppressing means 5.

  In this way, the plant is grown in the first area 1, grown during transportation from the first area 1 to the second area 9, and further displayed in the second area 9, so that it can be displayed to consumers. You can continue to grow the plant until just before serving. As a result, fresh plants can be provided to consumers and the like. Moreover, by displaying the plant in a state where the growth rate is suppressed, the plant can be displayed while maintaining a period such as a mature period (that is, a period that can be provided to consumers or the like).

  Moreover, in this plant growing method, it is preferable that the plant is grown until the plant matures or just before it in the first area 1, and then the plant is transported to the second area 9.

  In this plant growing method, a hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 is installed in the first area 1, and it is preferable to grow the plant using the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 in the first area 1.

  According to the plant growing method of the present invention, fresh and fresh plants can be provided to consumers and the like.

It is a graph which shows the relationship between the growth degree of the plant grown with the cultivation method of the plant of this embodiment, and the number of days. In the plant cultivation method of this embodiment, it is the hydroponic cultivation apparatus used in a 1st area. In the plant cultivation method of this embodiment, it is a perspective view which shows the plant factory as a 1st area. In the plant cultivation method of this embodiment, it is a sectional side view which shows the cultivation container used for a 2nd cultivation step. In the plant growth method of this embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the mounting method of the water absorbing body used for a 2nd growth step. In the plant growth method of this embodiment, it is a perspective view which shows the display apparatus used in a 2nd area. In the plant growth method of this embodiment, it is a sectional side view which shows the display apparatus used in a 2nd area. It is a figure which shows the modification of the display apparatus of this embodiment, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. It is a block diagram which shows the management system using the cultivation method of the plant of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The plant growing method according to the present embodiment includes a first growing step of growing a plant in the first area 1 until the maturity period (if it is a plant to be eaten, so-called eating time) or just before that, A second growing step for growing the plant while transporting the plant from the area 1 to the second area 9 and a third growing step for growing the plant while displaying the plant in the second area 9. The plant growing method of the present embodiment grows plants by hydroponics in each step.

  The first growing step is performed in the first area 1. In the first breeding step, the plant is grown from the sowing of the plant to the maturity stage or just before it. The first area 1 of the present embodiment is a place for sowing, raising seedlings, and planting, and is specifically configured by a plant factory 10. The plant factory 10 of this embodiment includes a hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 has a cultivation shelf body 20 in which shelf boards 202 are arranged in parallel so as to form a plurality of upper and lower stages, and is placed on the shelf board 202 and contains liquid fertilizer therein. A cultivating bed 21 and a cultivating light irradiation unit 22 that irradiates light on the hydroponically cultivated plant to promote the growth of the plant are provided. The hydroponics device 2 further includes a liquid manure circulation device 23 that circulates the liquid manure in the cultivation bed 21. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of hydroponic cultivation apparatuses 2 of the present embodiment are arranged in the plant factory 10 so as to face each other through a passage 11 through which an operator can pass.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cultivation shelf main body 20 includes a plurality of support columns 201 arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction at a certain interval, and a plurality of shelf plates 202 installed between the support columns 201. The column 201 and the shelf board 202 are fixed and integrated.

  The cultivation bed 21 is a cultivation tank 211 in which a liquid fertilizer capable of hydroponics is housed and a plurality of cultivation holes 213 arranged on the cultivation tank 211 and capable of inserting plants. A panel 212 is provided. The cultivation tank 211 is formed long along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation shelf body 20, and has a bottomed box shape that opens upward. The cultivation tank 211 is provided with an overflow pipe 214 that penetrates the inside and outside in the vertical direction, and the liquid level of the liquid fertilizer accommodated in the cultivation tank 211 is maintained at a constant height by the overflow pipe 214. . Note that the liquid level of this liquid fertilizer is approximately the same level as the upper opening of the overflow pipe 214.

  The cultivation panel 212 is installed so as to close the cultivation tank 211. The cultivation panel 212 of this embodiment is comprised with the resin material which consists of foamed polystyrene etc., for example. The cultivation panel 212 is formed so that its shape fits into the opening of the cultivation tank 211, and has a substantially long rectangular shape in plan view. The cultivation panel 212 has a plurality of cultivation holes 213 arranged at substantially the same pitch in the longitudinal direction, and is pierced in two rows with a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

  The liquid fertilizer circulation device 23 has a function of circulating the liquid fertilizer accommodated in the cultivation bed 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid fertilizer circulation device 23 has a liquid fertilizer tank 231 that stores liquid fertilizer, a supply path 232 that connects the liquid fertilizer tank 231 and each cultivation bed 21, and liquid fertilizer circulates in the supply path 232 A circulation pump 233 for sending out liquid manure in the liquid manure tank 231 is provided. Furthermore, the liquid fertilizer circulation device 23 includes a liquid return path 234 that connects the lower opening of the overflow pipe 214 of the cultivation bed 21 and the liquid fertilizer tank 231 in communication.

  The liquid fertilizer tank 231 accommodates circulating liquid fertilizer (culture liquid). The liquid fertilizer tank 231 of the present embodiment is installed at the lowest level of the cultivation shelf body 20. The liquid fertilizer tank 231 of this embodiment is provided with a concentration management device (not shown) that manages the EC (Electrical Conductivity) value of the liquid fertilizer accommodated therein. By managing the EC value, it is possible to grasp the salt concentration contained in the liquid fertilizer.

  The liquid fertilizer is made so that, for example, the EC value is 1.2 to 3.0 ms / cm and the PH is 6.6 to 7. The EC value of liquid fertilizer is preferably changed as appropriate depending on the type of plant and the degree of growth.

  The liquid fertilizer in the liquid fertilizer tank 231 is circulated through the supply path 232 by the circulation pump 233 and sent to each cultivation bed 21. When the liquid fertilizer is sent to each cultivation bed 21, the liquid fertilizer in the cultivation bed 21 rises and flows out from the overflow pipe 214. The liquid manure that has flowed out of the overflow pipe 214 returns to the liquid manure tank 231 from the lower opening via the liquid return path 234.

  The cultivating light irradiation unit 22 has a function of accelerating the growth of the plant by irradiating the cultivation bed 21 with light having a certain illuminance toward the plant hydroponically cultivated. The growth light irradiation unit 22 of the present embodiment is configured by a long tubular light emitter, and specifically, a fluorescent lamp. The cultivating light irradiation unit 22 is attached to the bottom surface of the shelf 202 or the top plate of the cultivation shelf body 20 and irradiates light from above the plant cultivated on the cultivation bed 21.

  The illuminating light irradiation unit 22 has its illuminance set according to the type of plant cultivated on the cultivation bed 21. The illuminance of the light emitted from the growing light irradiation unit 22 is set, for example, at a value equal to or higher than the light saturation point × 75% and lower than the light saturation point, and preferably a value around 80% of the light saturation point of the plant. Set to Specifically, the cultivating light irradiation unit 22 is preferably maintained at an illuminance of about 20000 Lx with respect to, for example, lettuce (light saturation point: 25000 Lx light compensation point: 1500 to 2000 Lx).

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 having such a configuration is disposed in a plant factory 10 as the first area 1, as shown in FIG. The operator uses the hydroponic cultivation device 2 to perform the first growing step. At this time, the worker sequentially performs the first cultivation process and the second cultivation process as described below as the first cultivation step. Specifically, for example, plants are grown as follows.

  The first cultivation process is a process from plant sowing to obtaining a seedling. This first cultivation process is performed at a place different from the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2. In the first cultivation process, plant seeds are planted in a plurality of seedling pots, and then the seedlings that have sprouted are grown until they can be planted. Thus, if a plant seedling is brought up to the state which can be planted by a 1st cultivation process, a 2nd cultivation process will be implemented next.

  A 2nd cultivation process takes out the plantable seedling obtained by the 1st cultivation process from a seedling pot, plants it on the cultivation bed 21 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2, and grows this seedling to the maturity stage or just before it. It is a process. Thus, the plant of the maturity stage or the period immediately before it obtained by the 2nd cultivation process moves to a 2nd breeding step next.

  The second growing step is a step of transporting the plant at the time of maturity obtained in the first growing step or immediately before it from the first area 1 to the second area 9 while growing the plant. It is. In the second growing step, a transport device 104 capable of hydroponics is used to transport plants from the first area 1 to the second area 9 (see the block diagram in FIG. 9).

  The transport device 104 is a device that can load the plant obtained in the first growing step and move from the first area 1 to the second area 9. The transport device 104 of the present embodiment is configured by, for example, a truck or a car. The transport device 104 includes a cultivation container 3 (see FIG. 4) capable of hydroponics and a growth suppression means 5 (not shown) that suppresses the growth rate of the plants cultivated in the cultivation container 3.

  The cultivation container 3 is mounted on the transport device 104 and has a function of growing plants while the transport device 104 is moving. As shown in FIG. 4, the cultivation container 3 is formed in a bottomed box shape that is open at the top, and can hold a liquid fertilizer for hydroponics, and the opening of the portable container 31 is closed. A holding plate 32 installed so as to perform and a moving pot 33 for protecting plants are provided.

  The portable container 31 is configured so that it can be transported in a state where plants are cultivated inside. The portable container 31 is formed of, for example, a metal container 61 and has a strength that can withstand vibration during transportation.

  The holding plate 32 has a shape such that its outer shape substantially matches the inner peripheral edge of the opening above the portable container 31, and is installed so as to cover the opening above the portable container 31. The holding plate 32 is provided with a plurality of holding holes 321 that penetrates in the thickness direction and can be inserted through the moving pot 33. The holding plate 32 is constituted by a resin plate made of, for example, styrene foam.

  The moving pot 33 has a function of accommodating a plant therein and protecting the plant even during movement. The moving pot 33 includes an outer body 331 that is formed so as to surround the outside of the plant and protects the plant, and a water absorbing body 335 that is accommodated in the outer body 331 and covers the root of the plant. The moving pot 33 is fitted into the holding hole 321 of the holding plate 32 in a state where the plant is accommodated therein. Accordingly, the moving pot 33 is detachably held on the holding plate 32.

  The outer body 331 includes a plant housing part 332 for housing plants and a guide piece 333 extending upward from the upper end of the plant housing part 332, and is formed in a so-called megaphone shape as a whole. . The outer body 331 is formed of a synthetic resin, and is formed by, for example, injection molding or cast molding. The plant accommodating portion 332 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a through hole 334 is formed in the bottom surface. The guide piece 333 of this embodiment is inclined so as to have a larger diameter toward the upper side, and functions as a guide when a plant is accommodated in the plant accommodation portion 332. Note that the guide piece 333 may be configured to contact the guide piece 333 of another adjacent movement pot 33 in a state where the plant accommodation portion 332 is fitted in the holding hole 321. Thereby, the pot 33 for movement is mounted stably and becomes difficult to rattle during transport.

  The water absorbing body 335 is formed in a bag shape so as to cover the root of the plant. The water absorption body 335 of this embodiment is comprised by sponge, for example. The water absorbing body 335 sucks and holds the liquid fertilizer by being immersed in the portable container 31 in which the liquid fertilizer is accommodated, thereby supplying the liquid fertilizer over substantially the entire root of the plant.

  In the plant growing method of the present embodiment, the first growing step is to grow the plant by hydroponics, so no soil is attached to the roots. For this reason, soil does not spill during transportation. On the other hand, in the first growing step, if a plant is grown by open field cultivation or the like, the soil is spilled during transportation because the soil is attached to the roots. In order to prevent this, the bag-shaped water-absorbing body 335 of the present embodiment is configured so that it can be tightened by a fastening means such as a string that makes the opening edge of the upper end small in a state where the root of the plant is accommodated therein. Yes. Therefore, it can be properly used whether the fastening means is used or not depending on the growing method in the first growing step.

  The transport apparatus 104 includes a growth suppression means (not shown) that suppresses the growth speed of the plant cultivated in such a cultivation container 3. The growth suppressing means of this embodiment is constituted by a cooling device. The cooling device has a function of keeping the temperature of a storage space (for example, a truck bed) in the transport device 104 that accommodates the cultivation container 3 at a constant temperature or lower. The cooling device can exert a growth suppressing effect by maintaining the temperature of the storage space at, for example, 5 ° C. or more and 23 ° C. or less, preferably 5 ° C. or more and 10 ° C. or less. Keeping the temperature low can reduce transpiration and keep plants fresh.

  In the second growing step, using such a transport device 104, for example, plants are grown as follows.

  The plant at the maturity stage or just before it obtained by the first growing step is taken out from the cultivation bed 21 and accommodated in the transfer pot 33. Immediately after taking out the plant from the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 of the plant factory 10, the operator wraps the root of the plant using the bag-shaped water absorbing body 335 (see FIG. 5). Next, the plant whose roots are wrapped by the water absorbing body 335 is stored in the outer body 331. In this way, the plant is mounted on the transfer pot 33.

  The operator stores liquid fertilizer for hydroponics in the portable container 31 and then fits the holding plate 32 into the opening of the portable container 31. In this state, the operator sequentially attaches the moving pot 33 containing the plants to the holding holes 321 of the holding plate 32. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the operator may supply the liquid fertilizer in the portable container 31 to such an extent that the lower part of the water absorbent body 335 is immersed. As a result, the liquid fertilizer passes through the through hole 334 of the transfer pot 33 and is supplied to the water absorber 335, and is supplied to the plant root via the water absorber 335. According to the water absorbing body 335, liquid fertilizer can be effectively supplied to the roots of plants even with a small amount of liquid fertilizer. Thereby, the liquid fertilizer in the portable container 31 can be minimized, and liquid fertilizer can be prevented from spilling during transportation.

  At this time, the operator can put on the moving pot 33 containing the plant in a state where the cultivation container 3 is placed in the vicinity of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 in the first area 1. Thereafter, the worker carries the cultivation container 3 in which the plant has been cultivated from the vicinity of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 to the storage space (for example, a truck bed) in the transportation apparatus 104. Then, the worker mounts the plant in the transport device 104 together with the cultivation container 3. The temperature in the accommodation space is set to, for example, 5 ° C. or more and 10 ° C. or less.

  In transplanting the plant into the transport device 104, the plant may be transported and mounted in the transport device 104 together with the cultivation container 3 after transplanting the plant into the cultivation container 3 as described above. A plant may be transplanted into the cultivation container 3 after the cultivation container 3 is mounted in the transport device 104 in advance.

  In this state, the plant cultivated in the cultivation container 3 is transported from the first area 1 to the second area 9 using the transport device 104. During transportation, the growth speed of the plant is slower than that when it is transported at room temperature because the growth speed is suppressed by the growth suppressing means. Even when the distance from the first area 1 to the second area 9 is short and the transportation time is short, the plant remains alive because the roots are not cut off, and therefore the plant grows slightly. .

  Thereafter, the plant transported to the second area 9 is taken out from the transporting device 104 together with the cultivation container 3 by the operator and transported to a predetermined place, and then installed in the second area 9. Displayed on the display device 4. The display device 4 executes the third growing step.

  The third growing step is a step of growing the plant while displaying the plant in the second area 9. The second area 9 is a place where plants can be displayed and sold, and examples include shops and restaurants such as greengrocers and fruit shops, department stores, supermarkets, kitchens of hotels and inns, and the like. In the third growing step, the plant is grown while the growth rate is suppressed using the display device 4 provided with the growth suppressing means 5.

  The display device 4 is configured such that the plants brought into the second area 9 by the transport device 104 can be cultivated by hydroponics, and can be displayed in a state where the plants are cultivated. . As shown in FIG. 6, the display device 4 includes an apparatus main body 40 whose interior is partitioned by a plurality of shelf boards 41, a tank unit 6 that is placed on the shelf board 41 and stores liquid fertilizer therein, and this And a liquid circulation device 7 for circulating the liquid fertilizer in the tank unit 6. The display device 4 further includes a light emitting unit 51 that irradiates the plants cultivated in the tank unit 6, and an air conditioner 8 that performs temperature management of the plant accommodation space in the apparatus main body 40.

  The apparatus main body 40 accommodates a first accommodating portion 42 that can be displayed in a state in which plants are cultivated, a second accommodating portion 43 that can be displayed in a state in which plants are cultivated, and a solution tank 71 of the liquid circulation device 7. And a third accommodating portion 44.

  The apparatus main body 40 has a rear plate (not shown) disposed on the rear surface and a transparent transmission plate 46 disposed on the front surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission plate 46 closes the first accommodation portion 42 and the second accommodation portion 43 so as to be freely opened and closed, and can be opened and closed independently for each of the accommodation portions 42 and 43. It is configured to be able to. The third housing portion 44 is closed by an opaque shielding plate so that the inside cannot be seen.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus main body 40 includes an air passage 47 that communicates the air outlet 91 of the air conditioner 8 with the spaces in the first storage portion 42 and the second storage portion 43. . The ventilation path 47 communicates with an air supply port 48 that faces the first accommodation portion 42 and the second accommodation portion 43. The apparatus main body 40 further includes a blower fan 49 that circulates the air in the ventilation path 47 toward the housing portions 42 and 43.

  The air blown out from the air conditioner 8 circulates in the ventilation path 47 and reaches each air supply port 48. Then, the air flows into the accommodating portions 42 and 43 from the air supply ports 48. Thereafter, the air in the accommodating portions 42 and 43 rises along the inner surface of the side plate opposite to the side where the air supply port 48 is provided, and flows into the air conditioner 8 again.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the tank unit 6 is configured to be able to be displayed in a state where plants are grown. As shown in FIG. 7, the tank unit 6 is composed of a container 61 that stores liquid fertilizer for hydroponics and a cultivation plate 63 that covers the opening of the container 61. The container 61 is formed long in the left-right direction, and has an overflow portion 62 for maintaining a constant water level at one end portion in the longitudinal direction. The overflow part 62 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the end surface of the upper opening thereof is substantially at the same level as the liquid level in the container 61. In the overflow part 62, the lower opening communicating with the upper opening is located below the bottom surface of the container 61, and the liquid fertilizer that flows in from the upper opening flows out from the lower opening.

  The cultivation board 63 is installed so as to close the upper opening of the container 61. The cultivation board 63 of this embodiment is comprised with the polystyrene foam. The cultivation plate 63 is provided with a plurality of cultivation holes 64 penetrating up and down, which are parts for cultivating plants. The cultivation holes 64 of this embodiment are drilled at a plurality of locations at a predetermined pitch in the left-right direction.

  The liquid circulation device 7 includes a solution tank 71 in which liquid manure is accommodated, and has a function of circulating the liquid manure between the solution tank 71 and the tank unit 6. The liquid circulation device 7 circulates the liquid fertilizer from the solution tank 71 so that the liquid fertilizer circulates in the supply path 72, the supply path 72 that communicates and connects the solution tank 71 and each tank unit 6. And a pump 73. The liquid circulation device 7 further includes a liquid return path 74 that connects the lower opening of the overflow portion 62 of the tank portion 6 and the inside of the solution tank 71. The supply path 72 is disposed at the end opposite to the overflow part 62 in the longitudinal direction of the container 61. The supply path 72 is installed such that the end thereof is separated from the liquid surface of the liquid fertilizer.

  The solution tank 71 contains circulating liquid fertilizer (culture liquid). The solution tank 71 is provided with a management device (not shown) for managing the EC value of liquid fertilizer accommodated therein.

  For the solution tank 71, it is more preferable to manage the EC value in detail in order to prevent the generation of a chief. For example, the EC value of the solution tank 71 of the present embodiment is usually preferably set to about 2.0 to 2.5 ms / cm. Moreover, when it is overnutrition, it sets to about 0.3-0.7 ms / cm, for example.

  The liquid fertilizer in the solution tank 71 flows through the supply path 72 by the circulation pump 73 and is sent to the tank unit 6 in the first storage unit 42 and the tank unit 6 in the second storage unit 43, respectively. When liquid fertilizer is sent to each tank section 6, the liquid level of each tank section 6 is raised and flows out from the overflow section 62. The liquid manure that has flowed out of the overflow part 62 returns to the solution tank 71 through the liquid return path 74 from the lower opening.

  The display device 4 of the present embodiment includes a growth suppressing means 5 for delaying the growth rate of plants hydroponically cultivated in the tank unit 6. The growth suppressing means 5 of this embodiment includes a light emitting unit 51 and a dimmer 52. Further, the growth suppressing means 5 of this embodiment further includes an air conditioner 8.

  The light emitting unit 51 has a function of suppressing the growth of the plant by irradiating the tank 6 hydroponically cultivated with light having a certain illuminance. The light emitting unit 51 is provided above the first storage unit 42 and the second storage unit 43, and can irradiate light from above the plants cultivated in the first storage unit 42 and the second storage unit 43. It is arranged as follows. The light emitting part 51 of the present embodiment is disposed along substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of each of the accommodating parts 42 and 43. The light emitting unit 51 of the present embodiment is configured by a long tubular light emitter, specifically, an Hf fluorescent lamp. The light emitting units 51 are arranged side by side in two rows in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

  The light emitting unit 51 is electrically connected to a dimmer 52 attached to the apparatus main body 40, and the dimmer 52 is configured to adjust the illuminance of light to be irradiated. In the present embodiment, the dimmer 52 constitutes illuminance varying means.

  The light emission part 51 sets the illumination intensity according to the kind of plant cultivated in the tank part 6. FIG. Generally, an illuminance of 80% of the light saturation point of a plant is an appropriate illuminance for promoting the growth of the plant, but the light emitting unit 51 of the present embodiment has an illuminance smaller than the appropriate illuminance. Is set. This illuminance is set to an illuminance at least equal to or higher than the light compensation point. Specifically, the light emitting unit 51 is preferably maintained at an illuminance of 2000 Lx or more and 5000 Lx or less with respect to, for example, lettuce (light saturation point: 25000 Lx light compensation point: 1500 to 2000 Lx).

  In addition, although the light emission part 51 of this embodiment is comprised by the fluorescent lamp, it may be comprised, for example by LED, and is not specifically limited. When the LED having directivity is used, a light diffusing member may be provided in the middle of the optical path to diffuse the light, and light irradiation may be performed over a wide range.

  The dimmer 52 is electrically connected to the light emitting unit 51 and can adjust the illuminance of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the dimmer 52 is attached to the front surface of the apparatus main body 40. Note that reference numeral 53 in FIG. 6 is a timer for setting the light emission time of the light emitting unit 51.

  The air conditioner 8 is a device that adjusts and manages the temperature of the internal space of the first storage unit 42 and the second storage unit 43 where the plants are grown. In the air conditioner 8, the outlet 81 communicates with each of the accommodating portions 42 and 43 via the ventilation passage 47, and the inside of the accommodating portions 42 and 43 is cooled by discharging cool air into the ventilation passage 47. To do. The air conditioner 8 of the present embodiment is configured such that the temperature of the air blown out from the outlet 81 can be freely changed by operating an operation unit provided on the front surface of the air conditioner 8.

  The air conditioner 8 of this embodiment can suppress the growth speed of the plant by keeping the temperature in each of the accommodating portions 42 and 43 displaying the plant in a low temperature state. The air conditioner 8 can exhibit a growth suppressing effect by keeping the temperature of each of the accommodating portions 42 and 43 at, for example, 5 ° C. or more and 23 ° C. or less, preferably 5 ° C. or more and 10 ° C. or less.

  In addition, the growth suppression of the plant said to this embodiment means slowing down the growth speed rather than the plant cultivated hydroponically under sunlight with respect to the growth suppression by the light emission part 51, and is air-conditioning. With respect to the growth suppression by the apparatus 8, it means that the growth rate is made slower than that of plants hydroponically cultivated at room temperature.

  In the second area 9 in which such a display device 4 is installed, for example, the third growing step is performed as follows.

  The operator cultivates the plant obtained in the second nurturing step in the plant display tank 6 in the display device 4. In this state, light is emitted from the light emitting unit 51 serving as the growth suppressing means 5, and the cultivated plant is irradiated with light having an illuminance below a certain level. In this state, plants are displayed and displayed for sale. At this time, it is more preferable that the operation unit of the air conditioner 8 is operated to keep the temperature of the first storage unit 42 and the second storage unit 43 at 5 ° C. or more and 10 ° C. or less.

  As described above, in the plant growing method of the present embodiment, the plant grown in the first growing step is further grown in the second growing step, and the plant obtained in the second growing step is further grown in the third step. In order to grow, the plant can be continuously grown from sowing to sales / display. Thereby, plants can be provided to consumers and the like at the same time as harvesting, that is, fresh plants immediately after harvesting can be provided to consumers and the like.

  Moreover, the plant growing method according to the present embodiment is the first area 1 (plant factory 10 in the present embodiment). The plant is grown until the plant matures or until immediately before the plant is grown in the second area 9. Since it is transported to (a store for sale in the present embodiment), the plant can be displayed in an optimum state from the time when the display is started.

  Moreover, since the plant cultivation method of this embodiment is adapted to grow plants using the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 in the first area 1, it can perform year-round cultivation. Moreover, since the plant growing method of the present embodiment promotes the growth of the plant in the first growing step and suppresses the growth of the plant in the third growing step, the period from sowing to the maturity period or immediately before it is matured. Can promote growth and suppress growth for the period from the mature stage displayed. Thereby, while providing a fresh plant to consumers etc., the plant which must be damaged and thrown away can be reduced, and also a plant can be provided at an early cycle.

  Here, in the plant growing method of this embodiment, when the relationship between the degree of plant growth and the number of days required for the growth is graphed, the relationship is as shown in FIG. In addition, as a comparative example, a conventional growing method (hereinafter referred to as a conventional method) in which plants are simply grown by hydroponics is also shown with a broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 1, according to the growing method of the present embodiment, the plant starts the growing step in which the growth is suppressed from the maturity period or immediately before this, so that the harvestable period is longer than the harvestable period L2 of the conventional method. L1 becomes longer. The harvestable period in this case is a period from the maturity period to the end period as shown in FIG.

  In addition, in the conventional method, the roots are cut and harvested before being transported to the second area, so that the final stage arrives earlier than shown in the graph of FIG. 1 when transported to the second area. become. That is, according to the growing method of the present embodiment, plants that are fresher and better than the conventional method can be displayed for a long time, and as a result, the harvest rate can be increased.

  In the third growing step of the present embodiment, it is also possible to grow a plant using the following display device 110. Hereinafter, a modification of the display device 4 of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the display device 110 of this modification is common to the display device 4 of the above-described embodiment, the description of the same parts is omitted, and different parts are mainly described.

  The display device 110 according to the modification is a device for displaying plants, like the display device 4 of the above embodiment.

  The display device 110 includes a display stand 111 on which the tank unit 6 for plant display is disposed, and a display room 112 that accommodates the display stand 111 therein. The display device 110 further includes a growth suppressing means 5 that delays the growth of the plant cultivated in the tank unit 6.

  The display room 112 is provided with an entrance / exit 114 through which a consumer or the like can enter / exit on a side wall 113 on the front side thereof, and an openable / closable door 115 is provided at the entrance / exit 114. In the display room 112 of the present embodiment, the front side wall 113 and the door 115 are made of a transparent member. The inside of the display room 112 is a housing space 116 for the display stand 111, and is configured in a size that allows consumers and the like to enter and exit.

  In addition, this display room 112 may be comprised by the housing of a building, and may be the unit room unitized. Moreover, although the display room of this embodiment accommodates one display stand 111, it may accommodate a plurality of display stands 111.

  The display stand 111 is configured by installing a plurality of shelf boards 118 between a plurality of support columns 117. The display stand 111 includes a liquid circulation device 7 similar to the display device 4 of the above embodiment. In the display stand 111, a light emitting unit 51 similar to the display device 4 of the above embodiment is provided on the lower surface of the shelf board 118.

  The light emission part 51 has the function to suppress the growth of the said plant by irradiating the light of the illumination below below fixed to the plant cultivated hydroponically to the tank part 6 similarly to the display apparatus 4 of the said embodiment. Yes. The light emitting unit 51 of this modification is configured by a fluorescent lamp, but may be configured by an LED. The light emitter 51 is provided with a dimmer 52 as illuminance varying means, as in the above embodiment.

  The tank part 6 is for hydroponically cultivating a plant. As the tank unit 6, the tank unit 6 having the same configuration as that of the display device 4 of the above embodiment is used.

  The display device 110 according to this modification includes an air conditioner 119. The air conditioner 119 is attached to the display room 112 and is separate from the display stand 111. The air conditioner 119 cools the inside of the accommodation space 116 of the display room 112. The air conditioner 119 of this modification can suppress the growth rate of the plant by keeping the temperature in the accommodation space 116 at a low temperature. The air conditioner 119 can exhibit a growth suppressing effect by maintaining the temperature in the accommodation space 116 at, for example, 5 ° C. or more and 23 ° C. or less, and preferably 5 ° C. or more and 10 ° C. or less.

  The growth suppression means 5 of this modification is comprised by the light emission part 51, the light controller 52, and the air conditioner 119, and can suppress the growth of a plant by these.

  The display device 110 according to the present modification can display living plants by displaying them while hydroponically cultivating the plants, as in the above embodiment, and provide fresh plants to consumers and the like. Can do. Moreover, since the display device 110 of the present modification includes the growth suppressing means 5, it can be displayed for a long time in a good state, and the plant can be delayed from being damaged. In other words, the plant can be displayed in the cultivated state and the growth rate of the plant can be suppressed, so that the plant can be displayed in a fresh state for a long time. it can.

  If such a plant growing method is used, the following distribution management system can be constructed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the system includes a first area 1 configured by a plant factory 10, a second area 9 configured by a store for sale, and the like. A transport management unit 102 that manages the transport device 104 that transports plants to the area 9 and a command to supply plants according to the amount of plants displayed on the display devices 4 and 110 in the second area 9 The distribution management system includes a monitoring control unit 103 that sends to the first area 1.

  In the second area 9, a transmission / reception device 91 that transmits management information of a shortage of plants or plants that are newly desired to be supplied is installed. The transmission / reception device 91 may be attached to the display devices 4 and 110 or may be installed at a location different from the display devices 4 and 110. When installed in the display device 4, 110, the transmission / reception device 91 may be configured to automatically manage the remaining number of plants and transmit the information.

  The monitoring control unit 103 acquires the management information transmitted by the transmission / reception device 91 in the second area 9, and based on the management information, the monitoring control unit 103 sets the predetermined second area 9 to the predetermined area. Send a signal to supply the plant. That is, the monitoring control unit 103 controls the supply of plants to the second area 9. The supervisory control unit 103 sends a signal to the transportation management unit 102 together with the transmission of the signal, and arranges the transportation device 104 in the first area 1.

  In the first area 1, a transmission / reception device 12 that receives a signal from the monitoring control unit 103 is installed. The first area 1 including the transmission / reception device 12 that has received a signal from the monitoring control unit 103 loads a predetermined amount of plants on the transport device 104 based on the received information. The transport device 104 transports the plant to the second area 9 while hydroponically cultivating it.

  The second area 9 to which the plants are transported can receive the supply of a desired amount of the deficient plants and the plants desired to be supplied. As a result, in the second area 9, plants are not easily sold out, and consumers can purchase fresh plants.

  In the plant growing method of the present embodiment, the plant to be grown may be any plant that can be hydroponically cultivated. This plant is mainly vegetables, and leaf vegetables such as lettuce, green onions, and salad vegetables are particularly preferable. Plants with fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes are also applicable.

  The growth suppressing means 5 in the display devices 4 and 110 includes the light emitting unit 51, the dimmer 52, and the air conditioners 8 and 119. However, the growth suppressing unit 5 includes only the light emitting unit 51 that emits light with a certain illuminance or less. It may be. Further, the growth suppressing means 5 may be configured only with the air conditioners 8 and 119 without including the light emitting unit 51. That is, the growth suppressing means of the present invention is not limited to the aspect of this embodiment.

  Moreover, although the 1st area 1 of this embodiment was the plant factory 10 in which the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 was installed, the 1st area of this invention is comprised by the outdoor field etc. which perform open field cultivation. It may be.

  In addition, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 in the first growing step and the display apparatus in the third growing step employ hydroponics by the so-called drip type hydroponic method (DFT). In the growing method of the invention, the hydroponics method is not particularly limited. As a hydroponics method, for example, a so-called thin film hydroponic method (NFT), rock wool, gravel, sand, rice bran, pumice, etc. are immersed in the culture solution in addition to the liquid hydroponics method. Hydroponics may be used.

  Hereinafter, in the growing method of the present invention, an example in which a plant is grown while suppressing growth in the third growing step will be described.

(Example)
In this example, cosmetus was used as a plant, and Otsuka House Fertilizer No. 1 and No. 2 (manufactured by Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd.) were prepared as liquid fertilizer at a ratio of about 3: 2. At this time, the EC value of liquid fertilizer was set at 2.6 ms / cm and PH was set at 6.6-7. The temperature of the housing part containing the cosmetus was set to about 15 ° C.

  The illuminance of light emitted from the light emitting part was set to 5000 Lx, and display was performed for 15 days while irradiating Kosletus hydroponically cultivated on the liquid fertilizer. On the other hand, as a comparative example, cosmetus hydroponically cultivated in the above liquid fertilizer was irradiated with light having an illuminance of 10,000 Lx and displayed for 15 days. Note that the initial weight of the cosmetics to be displayed is 160 g.

  As a result, the following values were obtained.

  Cosletus displayed while irradiating 5000 Lx of light grew from 160 g to 200 g in 15 days. On the other hand, cosmetics displayed while irradiating 10,000 Lx light grew from 160 g to 310 g in 15 days.

  As is apparent from this result, the cosmetus that was displayed by irradiating 10,000 Lx light grew 150 g in 15 days, whereas the cosmetus that was displayed by irradiating 5000 Lx light only grew to 40 g in 15 days. . That is, it can be seen that plant growth can be suppressed by reducing the illuminance of the light applied to the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st area 10 Plant factory 11 Passage 2 Hydroponic cultivation apparatus 20 Cultivation shelf main body 21 Cultivation bed 22 Growing light irradiation part 23 Liquid fertilizer circulation apparatus 231 Liquid fertilization tank 3 Cultivation container 33 Moving pot 4 Display apparatus 40 Apparatus main body 47 Ventilation path 48 Air supply port 49 Blower fan 5 Growth suppression means 51 Light emitting part 6 Tank part 7 Liquid circulation device 71 Solution tank 8 Air conditioner 9 Second area 104 Transportation device

Claims (3)

After growing plants in the first area,
Growing further while transporting the plant from the first area to the second area using a transport device capable of hydroponics,
Thereafter, the plant that has been brought into the second area using the display device that is installed in the second area and is capable of hydroponics with a growth suppression means that suppresses the growth rate of the plant is used to suppress the growth. A method for growing a plant, wherein the plant is further grown while being displayed in a state in which the growth rate is suppressed by means. The plant growing method according to claim 1, wherein in the first area, the plant is grown until the plant matures or just before it, and then the plant is transported to the second area. A hydroponic cultivation device is installed in the first area,
The plant growing method according to claim 1, wherein the first area is grown using the hydroponic cultivation apparatus.

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