JP2013027369A - Hydroponic plant cultivation device and hydroponic plant cultivation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydroponic plant cultivation device which completely controls intermittent supply of culture solution and irradiation of artificial light to take predetermined timing for them so as to easily obtain desired conditions for cultivating plants to sufficiently enhance the quality and the commercial value of the plants: and to provide a hydroponic plant cultivation method.SOLUTION: The hydroponic plant cultivation device includes: a flow channel array structure to which gutter-like culture solution flow channels each having a gentle flow channel gradient are set up in parallel; a culture solution supply mechanism which circularly supplies culture solution to each of the culture solution flow channels; a panel where the plants disposed on the respective culture solution flow channels to be cultured are held or housed; a light which is set up above the panel to irradiate artificial light to the plants; and a timer which switches on/off the culture solution supply mechanism and the light. The hydroponic plant cultivation device switches on/off the culture solution supply mechanism and the light independently by the timer so as to control the supply of the culture solution by the culture solution supply mechanism and the irradiation of the artificial light by the lighting at a predetermined timing to enable intermittent supply of the culture solution.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a hydroponic plant cultivating apparatus used in the agricultural field, and is particularly suitable for use in a fully-controlled plant cultivation plant that is cultivated by irradiation with artificial light. The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus and a hydroponics plant cultivation method.

  Conventionally, various types of hydroponics plant cultivation devices have been proposed and used, but the most widely used recently is an NFT-type plant cultivation device. Since this NFT type plant cultivation device is flooded, the amount of nutrient solution used tends to be large, and its handling and processing becomes cumbersome, and the amount of nutrient solution supplied depends on the cultivation conditions and quality of plants such as vegetables. It was extremely difficult to adjust so as to be optimal. Then, in order to solve such a malfunction, the plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponics shown in patent document 1 was proposed. This hydroponic plant cultivating apparatus includes a channel section in which a plurality of gutters are arranged in parallel in an inclined state, a leg section that supports the channel section, a water supply section that supplies nutrient solution to the gutter, a rain A drainage unit that drains the nutrient solution from the paddy, a plate-shaped cultivation panel that is placed on the top of the raindrop and has holes for planting plants, and a lighting that is arranged above the cultivation panel. The cultivation panel is irradiated with artificial artificial light while supplying the nutrient solution inside.

JP 2006-197843 A

  However, in such a fully-cultivated plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponics using artificial light, the nutrient solution supply apparatus for cultivating plants is generally a submerged type (NFT method), so that the nutrient solution can be replaced. Even if the nutrient solution is not replaceable, the amount of flooding is so large that the replacement work itself becomes cumbersome and the nutrient solution is continuously supplied into the flow path. It is. Therefore, it is difficult to control the supply (distribution) of the nutrient solution in the flow path section, and the quality and commercial value of the plant are sufficiently increased, such as excessive nutrient supply to the plant and the plant growing unnecessarily. It is difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to achieve desired plant cultivation conditions by completely controlling so as to obtain a predetermined timing for intermittent supply of nutrient solution and irradiation of artificial light. It is to provide a hydroponic plant cultivating apparatus and a hydroponic plant cultivating method capable of easily obtaining the above and sufficiently enhancing the quality and commercial value of the plant.

  In order to achieve this object, the hydroponic plant cultivating apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of nutrient solution channels formed in a rain gutter shape having a weak channel gradient and arranged in parallel. And the nutrient solution supplied from the upstream end of each of the nutrient solution channels is caused to flow down the nutrient solution channel and recovered from the downstream end, and the collected nutrient solution is again fed to the nutrient solution. A nutrient water supply mechanism that supplies and circulates to the upstream end of the flow path, a panel that is arranged on the top of each nutrient liquid flow path to hold or house plants to be cultivated, and is disposed above the panel and is An illumination for irradiating the plant with artificial light; and the nutrient solution water supply mechanism and a timer for turning on and off the illumination, and the nutrient solution water supply mechanism and the illumination are turned on and off independently by the timer. Supply of nutrient solution by mechanism and irradiation of artificial light by the illumination Controlled at a constant timing, characterized in that said intermittently supplied can configure nutrient solution into each nutrient solution flow path.

  Moreover, the plant cultivation method for hydroponics according to claim 2 is characterized in that each nourishment of a channel array structure in which a plurality of nutrient solution channels formed in a rain gutter shape having a weak channel gradient are arranged in parallel. The nutrient solution supplied from the upstream end of the nutrient solution to the solution channel is caused to flow down each nutrient solution channel and collected from the downstream end, and the collected nutrient solution is returned to the upstream end of the nutrient solution channel. Supply and circulate, arrange | position the illumination which irradiates the artificial light to the said plant above the panel by which the plant arrange | positioned and hold | maintained or accommodated in the upper part of each said nutrient solution flow path, and this illumination and said nutrient solution By turning on and off the water supply mechanism independently with a timer, the supply of the nutrient solution by the nutrient solution supply mechanism and the irradiation of the artificial light by the illumination are controlled at a predetermined interrelated timing, It is characterized in that the nutrient solution is supplied intermittently.

  According to the hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus and hydroponic plant cultivation method of the present invention, the nutrient solution water supply mechanism for supplying the nutrient solution into the raindrop-shaped nutrient solution channel and the illumination for irradiating the plant with artificial light are timers. In each case, the supply of nutrient solution by the nutrient solution supply mechanism and the irradiation of artificial light by illumination are controlled at a predetermined timing so that the nutrient solution can be intermittently supplied. Desired plant cultivation conditions such as intermittent supply (distribution) of nutrient solution into the nutrient solution channel and irradiation of artificial light to the plant can be completely controlled, for example, excessive nutrient supply to the plant can be suppressed. Can be easily obtained, and the quality and commercial value of the plant can be sufficiently enhanced.

  In addition, the timer can be controlled as desired, such as supplying or stopping the nutrient solution by the nutrient solution supply mechanism, and turning on or off the lighting completely or partially overlapping. The intermittent supply can be effectively performed, for example, increasing the dry matter weight ratio of the plant, concentrating the sugar content, or suitably applying stress to the plant to induce side branches and torpedoes quickly. Quality and product value can be further increased.

The basic block diagram which shows an example of the plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponics concerning this invention Longitudinal sectional view of the main part Timing chart showing an example of operation of the nutrient solution water supply mechanism and illumination

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1-3 has shown one Embodiment of the plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponics concerning this invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as a cultivation apparatus 1) includes a flow path array structure 2 having a plurality (three in the figure) of nutrient solution flow paths 3 and the flow paths. A panel 4 arranged at the upper part of the row structure 2 (upper part of the nutrient solution flow path 3), an illumination 5 arranged above the panel 4 with a predetermined interval, and an upstream of the nutrient solution flow path 3 A nutrient solution supply mechanism 6 connected between the end 3a and the downstream end 3b, a timer device 7 for controlling the nutrient solution supply mechanism 6 and the illumination 5 are provided.

  The flow path array structure 2 has a leg portion 2a having a frame structure, and the nutrient solution flow path 3 is arranged in an inclined state with a weak gradient α (see FIG. 2) on the leg portion 2a. This nutrient solution flow path 3 is arranged in a fixed state on the leg 2a, is formed in a rain gutter shape having a semicircular cross section, and the nutrient solution 8 supplied from its upstream end 3a has a predetermined speed along the inclination. And then drained from the downstream end 3b.

  The panel 4 is formed of a plate material having a predetermined thickness and made of an appropriate material and having a rectangular shape (or square shape) in plan view. The panel 4 has an interval between the nutrient solution flow paths 3 and a shape of a cylindrical body 9 and a plant described later. A plurality (9 in the figure) of holes 4a are formed at regular intervals two-dimensionally corresponding to the types of the holes. The holes 4a are formed, for example, as straight through holes on the front and back surfaces of the panel 4, and cup-shaped tubular bodies 9 are detachably inserted into the holes 4a of the panel, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, one or a plurality of sets of appropriately shaped openings that form a flow path (absorption / drainage) of the nutrient solution 8 are provided at the opposing positions on the bottom 9 a side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 9. 10 is provided. The distribution path of the nutrient solution 8 is not limited to the opening 10 provided on the side surface of the cylindrical body 9, and is configured by providing the opening 10 in a part (or all) of the bottom 9 a of the cylindrical body 9. You can also. In the configuration in which the opening 10 is provided in the bottom portion 9a, when the cultivated plant is a large vegetable such as Komatsuna, Nozawana, Mizuna, Chingensai, etc., the seedlings grown to a predetermined size are planted in the cylindrical body 9 In the case of small vegetables, foamed urethane or the like seeded with cultivated plant seeds may be disposed at the bottom of the cylindrical body 9. As this cylindrical body 9, it is preferable to use the cylindrical body disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4507444, filed and registered by the present applicant.

  The illumination 5 is formed of, for example, a high-pressure sodium lamp or a light emitting diode (LED) of a predetermined color suitable for plant cultivation, and the illumination light (artificial light) is emitted toward the lower panel 4. ing. A second timer 7b, which will be described later, of the timer device 7 is connected to the illumination 5, and the second timer 7b is on / off controlled (lit or extinguished).

  The nutrient solution water supply mechanism 6 has a water supply port 11 a and is disposed below the water supply pipe 11 disposed above the upstream end 3 a of the nutrient solution channel 3 and the downstream end 3 b of the nutrient solution channel 3. A drainage tank 12 and a pump 13 (see FIG. 1) connected between the drainage tank 12 and the water supply pipe 11. When the pump 13 is turned on and operated, the nutrient solution 8 is supplied to the upstream end 3a of the nutrient solution flow path 3 and flows down in the nutrient solution flow path 3 and is collected in the drainage tank 12. The nutrient solution 8 is pumped up and supplied to the water supply pipe 11 again.

  The timer device 7 includes a first timer 7 a connected to the pump 13 of the nutrient solution supply mechanism 6 and a second timer 7 b connected to the illumination 5. The first timer 7a and the second timer 7b are connected to predetermined power sources (pump drive power source and illumination power source) not shown. The pump 13 and the illumination 5 are turned on and off by the timers 7a and 7b of the timer device 7, and the nutrient solution 8 is supplied or stopped (shut off) by the nutrient solution supply mechanism 6, or the illumination 5 is turned on or off. It has become. As the timer device 7, a separate or integral appropriate timer capable of on / off control of the pump 13 and the illumination 5 at a timing described later is used.

Next, operation | movement of the cultivation apparatus 1 comprised in this way is demonstrated with reference to the timing chart etc. which are shown in FIG. First, as the nutrient solution flow path 3 of the cultivation apparatus 1, rain gutters made of hard polyvinyl chloride of standard for construction and having a width of 114 mm are used, and these are arranged in parallel, and the gradient α is weak at about 3%. It fixed to the leg part 2a so that it might become a gradient. Further, as the cylindrical body 9, a cylindrical body having a diameter of 30 to 70 mm and an outer peripheral surface being tapered was used, and the illumination 5 was maintained at approximately 300 μmol ⁻² s ⁻¹ with a high-pressure sodium lamp. Furthermore, as nutrient solution 8, it was set as the standard garden trial prescription for salad vegetables, the electrical conductivity was 2.5 mS / cm, and the pH was 5.5-6.5.

  And under such conditions, a sample of chingensai, which is a large vegetable as a cultivated plant, is seeded in a seedling box, grown for 7 days after germination, and further transferred to a seedling field and grown for 7 days. The plant was planted on the cylindrical body 9 of the cultivation apparatus 1 and harvested about 15 days after the planting. This experiment was performed for Example 1 (a), Example 2 (b), and Example 3 (c) shown in FIG.

  First, the illumination 5 is controlled to be turned on / off (turned on / off), and the pump 13 is continuously turned on (operated) regardless of whether the illumination is turned on or off, and the nutrient solution 8 is continuously supplied without being intermittently ( As a comparative example), the artificial light irradiation time was turned on and off every 12 hours out of 24 hours a day, and 20 plants (Tingensai) were cultivated. As a result, the daily living weight at the time of harvesting was about 120 g on average, which was appropriate for shipping.

  On the other hand, in Example 1 shown in FIG. 3A, the nutrient solution 8 is supplied by turning on the pump 13 during the time T1 when the illumination 5 is turned on, and at the time T2 when the illumination 5 is turned off The supply of the nutrient solution 8 is stopped. That is, the nutrient solution 8 is supplied in synchronization with the irradiation of the artificial light for 12 hours, and the supply of the nutrient solution 8 is stopped when the light is extinguished (dark) for 12 hours. The reason for stopping the nutrient solution 8 in the dark is that water is required from the root during photosynthesis in chlorophyll, but water is not so necessary in the dark when photosynthesis is not performed. According to the experiment of Example 1, it was confirmed that the living weight at the time of harvesting has a tendency to decrease slightly compared with the comparative example, but the difference is not large. That is, even if the nutrient solution 8 is not supplied intermittently, the harvested living body weight difference remains within a range of about 10%, and it can be said that it is not necessarily a significant difference but within a variation range. In the case of the first embodiment, the electric power used by the pump 13 can naturally be saved as compared with the comparative example.

  In addition, in Example 2 shown in FIG. 3B, within the lighting time of the illumination 5 for 12 hours, the time for supplying the nutrient solution is shifted by 2 hours compared to the first example, and the lighting time of the lighting 5 While partially overlapping, the nutrient solution supply time T3 is 10 hours. According to the experiment of Example 2, the harvested plant was delayed in growth as compared with the comparative example, so that the living weight was reduced by about 10% on average. However, when compared in terms of dry matter weight, the decrease was less than in the case of living body weight, and it was only about a 5% decrease compared to the dry matter weight of the comparative example.

  The difference of 5% can be said that 5% of the average value is significant when variation of each measurement value is taken into consideration. In other words, in the case of Example 2, the plants grew densely, indicating that they were able to grow without excessive water. Moreover, the favorable result was able to be obtained also about the taste.

  Furthermore, in Example 3 shown in FIG. 3C, the nutrient solution supply time T4 is completely overlapped with the lighting of the illumination 5, and the nutrient solution supply is started 2 hours after the illumination 5 is started. The nutrient solution supply is stopped at the same time as the light is turned off, and the nutrient solution supply time T4 is set to 10 hours. According to the experiment of Example 3, the average weight at the time of harvesting was almost the same as Example 2 in the range of error variation. That is, it is understood that water is necessary for plants mainly during photosynthesis, and water supply in the dark does not affect much. This Example 3 further promotes the saving of power consumption of the pump 13 of Example 2, and it has been found from this Example 3 that the continuous supply of nutrient solution as in the prior art is not always necessary.

  From the experimental results of these Examples 1 to 3, intermittent water supply is well known in open field cultivation, soil cultivation, and greenhouse greenhouse cultivation, but intermittent water supply is not performed in hydroponics, and the gradient to the nutrient solution flow path 3 It is possible to hydroponically cultivate various types of plants by providing α and applying intermittent water supply to the cultivation apparatus 1 that can independently control the illumination 5 and the pump 13 by the timers 7a and 7b. Thus, it has been proved that a great effect can be expected in the field of hydroponics.

  From the above, the length of the lighting time basically determines the growth by photosynthesis, but on the other hand, the relationship with the newly set nutrient solution supply time is first known. That is, the length of the nutrient solution supply time that overlaps the lighting time of the lighting 5 or the length of the nutrient solution supply stop time during the lighting time of the lighting 5 affects the quality of the plant.

  Moreover, about the relationship between the lighting timing of the illumination 5 and the timing of nutrient solution supply, it depends on the degree of time zone overlap with each other, depends on the cultivated plant, and also on the required characteristics of the harvest, and is determined for each plant. It turns out that there is a need. This relationship is obtained for the first time by the above-mentioned experiment, and how much the nutrient solution supply time overlaps or does not overlap compared to the lighting time is determined by experiment for each plant to be cultivated. It is preferable to keep it.

  As described above, according to the cultivation apparatus 1, the nutrient water supply mechanism 6 that circulates and supplies the nutrient solution 8 into the raindrop-shaped nutrient solution flow path 3 and the illumination 5 that irradiates the plant with artificial light are provided with the first timer. 7a and the second timer 7b are turned on and off independently to control the supply of the nutrient solution 8 by the nutrient solution supply mechanism 6 and the irradiation of the artificial light by the illumination 5 at a predetermined timing. It is possible to completely control the intermittent supply (distribution) of the nutrient solution 8 into the flow path 3 and the irradiation of artificial light to the plant, for example, to suppress excessive nutrient supply to the plant. It is easy to obtain and can sufficiently enhance the quality and commercial value of plants.

  In particular, since the timers 7a and 7b can be controlled as desired, such as supplying or stopping the supply of the nutrient solution 8 by the nutrient solution supply mechanism 6 and turning on or off the illumination 5 completely or partially, the artificial light. Irradiation and intermittent supply of the nutrient solution 8 can be effectively performed, for example, increasing the dry matter weight ratio of the plant, concentrating the sugar content, or suitably applying stress to the plant to remove side branches and torpedoes. Plant quality and commercial value can be further enhanced by being able to guide them quickly.

  In addition, in the case of the conventional flooding type, when the supply of nutrient solution is stopped, it is necessary to intermittently supply a water amount of 1 ton or more at a minimum. Although it was difficult to make the water completely drained, in the case of the cultivation device 1, the raindrop-shaped nutrient solution flow path 3 having the gradient α is used, and the pump 13 is turned on and off by the timer 7a. Since the supply / stop of the nutrient solution 8 can be easily realized, the total amount of the nutrient solution 8 flowing through the nutrient solution channel 3 can be reduced to, for example, several tens of liters, and the gradient α of the nutrient solution channel 8 can be reduced. Therefore, draining can be finished automatically.

  In addition, when the supply of the nutrient solution 8 is controlled by the timers 7a and 7b, it is not necessary to circulate the nutrient solution 8 unnecessarily, so that the flow rate of the nutrient solution 8 in the nutrient solution flow path 3 can be further reduced. it can. In particular, since the cross-sectional semicircular arc shape is adopted as the nutrient solution channel 3 and a thin channel is formed in the deepest part 3c, the amount of the nutrient solution 8 used in the cultivation apparatus 1 can be further reduced. In addition, when the nutrient solution 8 is supplied or stopped, the nutrient solution 8 can be brought into contact with the root of the plant quickly and reliably, and the waiting time when the nutrient solution 8 is supplied or stopped can be reduced. .

  In addition, since the absolute flow rate of the nutrient solution 8 can be reduced by intermittent supply of the nutrient solution 8, the pump 13 can be controlled on and off systematically to the root of the plant easily and in a short time compared to a flooded type or the like. The supply and stop (draining) of the nutrient solution 8 can be repeated. Further, since the total amount of the nutrient solution itself is much smaller than that of the submerged type or other conventional methods, the nutrient solution circulation pump 13 can be reduced in size, and the cost of the pump 13 itself can be reduced. The power consumption can be reduced.

  Moreover, in conventional hydroponic plant cultivation equipment, the root of the plant is always immersed in the nutrient solution, whether in still water or fluidized water, and as a result, excess nutrient solution is supplied. The harvest tends to be in a so-called “blister” state, and the weight of the living body increases, but the quality is not necessarily excellent. On the other hand, in the case of the cultivating apparatus 1, since the nutrient solution 8 is intermittently supplied during plant growth, even before planting, even when it is not just before harvesting, “blister” is prevented. As a result, the quality of the plant can be further improved.

  In particular, since the pump 13 and the illumination 5 can be controlled on and off by the timers 7a and 7b under the condition that the nutrient solution 8 and the growth time of the plant are not wasted for the photosynthetic action of the plant, for the predetermined harvest cycle of the plant Since efficient and rapid growth is possible, the water potential of the plant can be adjusted by intermittent supply of the nutrient solution 8, so that the flavor of the plant, the amount of nutrients contained, and the like can be adjusted.

  Further, since the supply time of the nutrient solution 8 can be adjusted, the correlation with the lighting time of the illumination 5 and the like, for example, the lighting time (or the turn-off time) and the supply time of the nutrient solution 8 are completely or partially overlapped. The relationship of not overlapping at all can be set according to the plant to be cultivated, and can be applied to hydroponics of various plants.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the timer apparatus 7 of the cultivation apparatus 1 was set as the structure which has the 1st timer 7a and the 2nd timer 7b, this invention is not limited to this structure, for example, a cultivation stand is wide and it is several. In a mass production type plant factory or the like in which an illumination timer group and a plurality of nutrient solution timer groups exist, the timer device includes a plurality of illumination timer groups and a plurality of nutrient solution timer groups as a whole. It is also possible to use a timer device for the purpose or to provide a plurality of these. Moreover, in the said embodiment, the number of the holes 4a of the panel 4, the number of the nutrient solution flow path 3, the structure of the water supply pipe 11, the length of the supply time zone of the nutrient solution 8, the timing of lighting 5 etc. are examples. Thus, it is possible to adopt an appropriate configuration that provides the same operational effects as the inventions according to the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to a cultivation apparatus for cultivating by detachably inserting a cylindrical body into a panel, for example, directly using urethane foam or the like seeded with various plant seeds in a hole in the panel without using a cylindrical body. It can utilize also for the cultivation apparatus and cultivation method of various forms which insert and grow.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ..... Plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponics 2 ..... Channel structure 2a ...... Leg part 3 .... ··· Nutrient fluid flow path 3a ········ Upstream end 3b ······· Downstream end 3c ································ ········· Panel 4a ········································ Lighting 6 ·························································・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Timer device 7a ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ First timer 7b ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Second timer 8 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Nutrient solution 9 ・············································· 9 ... Water supply port 12 ... Drain tank 13 ... Pump α ... ...... gradient

Claims (2)

A channel array structure in which a plurality of nutrient solution channels formed in the shape of rain gutters having a weak channel gradient are arranged in parallel, and a nutrient solution supplied from each upstream end of each nutrient solution channel A nutrient solution water supply mechanism for flowing down the nutrient solution flow path and collecting it from the downstream end thereof and supplying the collected nutrient solution to the upstream end of the nutrient solution flow path for circulation, and an upper portion of each nutrient solution flow path A panel that holds or accommodates the plant to be cultivated and disposed, an illumination that is disposed above the panel and that irradiates the plant with artificial light, and a nourishing liquid supply mechanism and a timer that turns on and off the illumination. ,
The nutrient solution supply mechanism and the illumination are turned on and off independently by the timer to control the supply of the nutrient solution by the nutrient solution supply mechanism and the irradiation of the artificial light by the illumination at a predetermined timing. A plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponics, characterized in that the nutrient solution can be intermittently supplied to the flow path.   Supplied from the upstream end of each nutrient solution channel of the channel array structure with a plurality of nutrient solution channels formed in the shape of rain gutters with a weak channel gradient by the nutrient solution water supply mechanism The nutrient solution is allowed to flow through each nutrient flow channel and collected from the downstream end thereof, and the collected nutrient solution is supplied again to the upstream end of the nutrient solution channel and circulated. An illumination for irradiating the plant with artificial light is arranged above a panel on which the plant to be cultivated is held or accommodated, and the illumination and the nutrient solution supply mechanism are turned on and off independently by a timer, respectively. A hydroponic plant characterized in that supply of nutrient solution by a liquid water supply mechanism and irradiation of artificial light by the illumination are controlled at predetermined interrelated timings, and the nutrient solution is intermittently supplied to each nutrient solution channel. Cultivation method.

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