JP2016136855A - Antifungal artificial soil particle and antifungal artificial soil culture medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an antifungal artificial soil particle which is obtained by considering the relationship between an artificial soil particle and an antifungal agent used in it to allow the antifungal agent to effectively exert antifungal activity.SOLUTION: An antifungal artificial soil particle 50 (51, 52, 53) has a fiber lump-like body 11 into which a plurality of fibers 1 are aggregated and contains at least one fungus inhibitor 6 selected from the group consisting of a fungal DNA synthesis inhibitor and a fungal chitin synthesis inhibitor as an active ingredient. Alternatively, an antifungal artificial soil particle 50 (54) has a filler mass 12 into which a plurality of fillers 3 having a pore 4 are aggregated and contains at least one fungus inhibitor 6 selected from the group consisting of a fungal chitin synthesis inhibitor and a fungal DNA synthesis inhibitor as an active ingredient.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an antifungal artificial soil particle obtained by imparting antifungal properties to an artificial soil particle, and an antifungal artificial soil medium using the antifungal artificial soil particle.

  In recent years, plant factories that grow plants such as vegetables and flower buds in an environment in which growth conditions are controlled are increasing. Conventional plant factories have been centered on hydroponic cultivation of leafy vegetables such as lettuce, but recently, various plants such as flower buds and root vegetables have been cultivated using artificial soil. . Artificial soil used in plant factories and the like is required not only to have excellent basic performance as soil, but also to have a clean feeling and be easy to handle. For example, products have been developed in which artificial soil is placed in transparent or translucent pots and indoor plants are cultivated. Such products with high interior properties are particularly required to have a beautiful appearance and a clean feeling. The However, since artificial soil is exposed to a humid environment for a long period of time, bacteria and molds propagate in the artificial soil during plant cultivation, resulting in root rot of the cultivated plant, resulting in the beauty of the houseplant. And sanitary hygiene. In addition, the artificial soil itself was discolored by bacteria and molds, which caused the appearance to deteriorate.

  Conventionally, a solid medium for hydroculture that attempts to maintain the aesthetics of the medium by preventing the growth of molds and bacteria has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The solid medium for hydroculture of Patent Document 1 is a glass foam carrying a antifouling agent having antifungal and antibacterial properties. Patent Document 1 discloses that a naturally-derived substance or food additive is used as an antifouling agent.

JP 2011-4658 A

  In order to effectively exhibit the fungicidal action in artificial soil particles having antifungal properties (hereinafter referred to as “antifungal artificial soil particles”), the structure of the artificial soil particles should be fully considered. It is necessary to select an appropriate fungicide. In this regard, the solid medium for hydroculture of Patent Document 1 uses a glass foam obtained by baking glass at a high temperature as the medium, but the size and distribution state of bubbles existing inside the glass foam are controlled. Therefore, there is a possibility that the fungicidal action may not be sufficiently exhibited simply by including a fungicide in the glass foam. Moreover, the culture medium for hydroculture of patent document 1 is utilized in hydroponics, and is not assumed to be used as an alternative to natural soil. For this reason, it cannot be diverted as a culture medium for florets or foliage plants, and even if the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, it is difficult to prevent the growth of molds in artificial soil.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in consideration of the relationship between artificial soil particles and the fungicide used therefor, the fungicide with which the fungicide of the fungicide is effectively exhibited. An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial soil particle and an antifungal artificial soil medium using the antifungal artificial soil particle.

The characteristic configuration of the mold-proof artificial soil particles according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A mold-proof artificial soil particle having a fiber mass formed by aggregating a plurality of fibers,
It is to contain at least one fungal inhibitor selected from the group consisting of fungal DNA synthesis inhibitors and fungal chitin synthesis inhibitors as active ingredients.

  According to the mold-proof artificial soil particle of this structure, the suitable mold inhibitor is contained as an active ingredient in the fiber block formed by aggregating a plurality of fibers. The mold-proof artificial soil particles configured as described above are excellent in sustainability while effectively exhibiting the mold-proof action because the mold inhibitor enters the fibers of the fiber block.

In the moldproof artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
It is preferable that a coating layer for covering the fiber block is provided, and at least the mold inhibitor is held in the coating layer.

  According to the mold-proof artificial soil particles of this configuration, the mold inhibitor is present in at least the coating layer covering the fiber mass, so that the mold-proofing action is efficiently exhibited and discoloration and the like can be prevented. Moreover, the surface of the fiber lump provided with the coating layer is in an uneven state due to the fibers. For this reason, the coating layer containing the fungicide inhibitor is firmly bonded to the fiber lump, and there is no possibility of peeling off and dropping off.

The characteristic configuration of the mold-proof artificial soil particles according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
Mold-proof artificial soil particles having a filler aggregate formed by aggregating a plurality of fillers having pores,
It is to contain at least one fungal inhibitor selected from the group consisting of fungal DNA synthesis inhibitors and fungal chitin synthesis inhibitors as active ingredients.

  According to the mold-proof artificial soil particles of this configuration, an appropriate fungal inhibitor is contained as an active ingredient in a filler aggregate formed by aggregating a plurality of fillers having pores. The mold-proof artificial soil particles configured in this way are those that have excellent sustainability while effectively exhibiting the mold-proofing action because the mold inhibitor is surrounded by filler in the filler aggregate. Become.

In the moldproof artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
It is preferable that a communication hole is formed between the fillers, and the fungicide inhibitor is held at least in a region extending from the opening of the communication hole to the particle surface.

  According to the mold-proof artificial soil particles of this configuration, the mold inhibitor is retained in the region extending from the opening of the communicating hole to the particle surface, so that the mold-proofing action is effectively exhibited and discoloration is prevented. Can do. In addition, since the communication holes formed between the fillers have a complicated shape due to the surrounding filler, the mold inhibitor is gradually released with the inner walls of the communication holes as a resistance, and the mold is continuously prevented. The effect can be exerted.

In the moldproof artificial soil particles according to the present invention,
It is preferable to further contain a quaternary ammonium salt as an antibacterial component.

  According to the mold-proof artificial soil particle of this structure, in addition to the mold inhibitor, since it contains a quaternary ammonium salt as an antibacterial component, it is possible to suppress the growth of not only mold but also bacteria. .

The characteristic composition of the mold-proof artificial soil culture medium concerning the present invention for solving the above-mentioned subject,
That is, the mold-proof artificial soil particles according to any one of the above are used.

  According to the mold-proof artificial soil medium of the present configuration, the mold-proof artificial soil particles of the present invention are used, so that the mold-proof artificial soil excellent in sustainability while effectively exhibiting the mold-proof action. A soil medium can be provided.

In the antifungal artificial soil medium according to the present invention,
It is preferable that the content of the mold inhibitor is adjusted to 0.05 to 2.0 g / L.

  According to the fungus-proof artificial soil medium of this structure, since the fungal inhibitor is adjusted to have an appropriate content, it can be generated with a normal artificial soil culture medium. Therefore, the fungicidal action can be exerted as necessary and sufficiently. Moreover, if it is said range, since the growth of a plant will not be inhibited by the inhibitor for molds, it can continue growing a plant in a healthy state over a long period of time.

In the antifungal artificial soil medium according to the present invention,
A growth medium for florets or foliage plants is preferred.

  According to the mold-proof artificial soil medium of this configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress the growth of molds and bacteria, and therefore, especially for flower buds or houseplants where importance is placed on maintaining high hygiene and aesthetics. It can be suitably used as a growth medium.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the mold-proof artificial soil particle of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of mold-proof artificial soil particles in which a mold inhibitor is retained. FIG. 3 is a photograph showing the results of an antifungal evaluation test.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to mold-proof artificial soil particles (mold-proof artificial soil culture medium) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configurations described in the embodiments and drawings described below.

[Composition of artificial soil particles]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the mold-proof artificial soil particle of the present invention. Hereinafter, the mold-proof artificial soil particles may be simply referred to as “artificial soil particles”. 1A to 1D illustrate four types of artificial soil particles 51, 52, 53, and 54. FIG. These artificial soil particles contain fibers and / or fillers as a base material.

  An artificial soil particle 51 in FIG. 1A includes a fiber block 11 as a base 10. The fiber lump 11 is an aggregate of a plurality of fibers 1. A gap 2 is formed between the fibers 1 constituting the fiber lump 11. The fiber lump 11 can retain moisture in the gap 2. Therefore, the state of the void 2 of the fiber lump 11 is related to the water retention of the fiber lump 11. The state of the gap 2 can be adjusted by changing the amount (density) of the fibers 1 used to form the base 10, the type, thickness, length, and the like of the fibers 1. The fiber 1 preferably has a thickness of 5 to 100 μm and a length of 0.5 to 10 mm.

  Natural fibers or synthetic fibers are appropriately selected as the fibers 1 constituting the fiber lump 11, but are preferably hydrophilic fibers. Preferable hydrophilic fibers include, for example, cellulose, cotton, wool, and rayon as natural fibers, and examples of synthetic fibers include vinylon, urethane, nylon, and acetate. Of these, cellulose, cotton, and vinylon are more preferably used. The fiber 1 may be a mixture of natural fiber and synthetic fiber.

  In constructing the fiber lump 11, it is possible to introduce a water absorption promoting material into the gap 2 between the fibers 1. When the artificial soil particles 51 including the water absorption promoting material have moisture around them, the moisture is quickly absorbed and held in the voids 2 in the fiber lump 11 through the water absorption promoting material. Therefore, even when the irrigation is in the initial stage or when the amount of irrigation is small, the plant can use the water necessary for plant growth. As a result, the number of times of watering the cultivated plant can be reduced, and the labor of the operator can be reduced. As a method of introducing the water absorption promoting material into the fiber mass 11, for example, a method of directly granulating a mixture of the fiber 1 and the water absorption promoting agent, or adding a granulating liquid containing the water absorption promoting material during the granulation of the fiber 1 And a method of granulating the fiber 1 after coating the surface of the fiber 1 with a water absorption promoting material.

  Examples of the water absorption promoting material include agar, polyethylene glycol, carrageenan, gelatin, pectin, alginic acid and salts or derivatives thereof, polyacrylamide water absorbent resin, polyvinyl alcohol water absorbent resin, polyalkylene oxide water absorbent resin, and the like. A hydrophilic substance is mentioned. Of these hydrophilic substances, agar, polyethylene glycol, alginic acid, and salts or derivatives thereof are preferably used. As for polyethylene glycol, those having a molecular weight of 2000 to 20000 are preferable. Examples of alginic acid and salts or derivatives thereof include alginic acid, sodium alginate, potassium alginate, calcium alginate, ammonium alginate, and alginate. Each of the above water absorption promoting materials may be used in a state where two or more kinds are mixed.

  The fiber lump 11 is formed by a known granulation method. For example, long fibers are aligned with a carding device or the like, cut to a length of about 3 to 10 mm, and the produced fibers are tumbled granulated, fluidized bed granulated, stirred granulated, compressed granulated, extruded granulated, etc. To granulate. At this time, the fibers 1 are entangled with each other and agglomerated. In this granulation step, it is preferable to mix a binder (resin emulsion or the like) with the fiber 1. However, when a water absorption promoting material is added to the fiber 1, the water absorption promoting material also functions as a binder, so that it is not necessary to add a new binder. The binder preferably contains a heat-meltable material (such as a thermoplastic resin). In this case, when the fiber lump containing the binder produced after the granulation step is heated at an appropriate temperature, the binder is melted and the fibers 1 are fixed, and the particle structure becomes stable. In granulating the fiber lump 11, it is possible to use short fibers as the fibers 1. In this case, the resin emulsion is added in small amounts and granulated while stirring the short fibers with a stirring and mixing granulator. Thereby, the short fibers forming the fiber lump 11 are partially fixed and a strong base 10 can be formed.

  Artificial soil particles 52 in FIG. 1 (b) are those in which a coating layer 20 is provided on the outer surface of a fiber block 11 configured as a base 10. By providing such a coating layer 20, rapid drying of the fiber mass 11 can be prevented. Moreover, when the coating layer 20 is configured as a porous membrane through which water can pass or a permeable membrane through which moisture can permeate, the moisture absorption / release characteristics of the artificial soil particles 52 can be controlled.

  The coating layer 20 is formed on the outer surface portion of the fiber mass 11 by the following method, for example. First, the granulated fiber lump 11 is transferred to a suitable container, and about half the volume (occupied volume) of the fiber lump 11 is added to immerse the water in the gap 2 between the fibers 1 of the fiber lump 11. Let me. Next, a resin emulsion of 1/3 to 1/2 of the volume of the fiber lump 11 is added to the fiber lump 11 soaked with water. Then, the resin emulsion is impregnated from the outer surface of the fiber lump 11 while rolling so that the resin emulsion uniformly adheres to the outer surface of the fiber lump 11. At this time, since the water has soaked into the center of the fiber lump 11, the resin emulsion remains near the outer surface of the fiber lump 11. Thereafter, the resin is melted while drying the fiber lump 11 to which the resin emulsion is adhered with a dryer, and the resin is fused to the fibers 1 near the outer surface of the fiber lump 11 to form a resin film as the coating layer 20. To do. As a result, the outer surface of the fiber lump 11 is covered with the coating layer 20. A porous structure is formed in the coating layer 20 by evaporating the solvent contained in the resin emulsion when the resin melts. The covering layer 20 has a thickness that is slightly infiltrated inward from the outer surface portion of the fiber lump 11 so as to reinforce the entangled portions of the fibers 1 constituting the fiber lump 11 (portions where the fibers 1 are in contact with each other). It may be formed. Thereby, the strength and durability of the artificial soil particles 52 can be improved. The film thickness of the coating layer 20 is set to 1 to 200 μm, preferably set to 10 to 100 μm, and more preferably set to 20 to 60 μm. The obtained artificial soil particles 52 are dried and classified as necessary to adjust the particle size.

  The material of the covering layer 20 is preferably insoluble in water and hardly oxidized, and examples thereof include a resin material. Examples of such a resin material include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, vinyl chloride resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, and styrene resins such as polystyrene. Of these, polyethylene is preferred. In place of the resin material, a synthetic polymer gelling agent such as polyethylene glycol or a natural gelling agent such as sodium alginate can be used.

  Artificial soil particles 53 in FIG. 1 (c) are obtained by adding filler 3 having ion exchange capacity to fiber block 11 configured as base 10. The filler 3 can be the same as the filler 3 used for producing the artificial soil particles 54 described later. Since the artificial soil particles 53 can carry a fertilizer component necessary for plant growth on the filler 3 in the fiber lump 11, the artificial soil particles 53 have excellent fertilizer retention as well as water retention.

  The filler 3 is preferably a material provided with at least a cation exchange capacity so that a quaternary ammonium salt described later can be retained by ion exchange or intercalation. Examples of the material imparted with the cation exchange ability include cation exchange minerals, humus, and cation exchange resins. Examples of the cation exchange minerals include smectite minerals such as montmorillonite, bentonite, beidellite, hectorite, saponite, and stevensite, mica minerals, vermiculite, and zeolite. Examples of the cation exchange resin include a weak acid cation exchange resin and a strong acid cation exchange resin. Of these, zeolite or bentonite is preferable. The cation exchange mineral and the cation exchange resin can be used in combination of two or more.

  The artificial soil particles 54 in FIG. 1 (d) are provided with the filler aggregate 12 as the base 10. The filler aggregate 12 is a porous body configured by collecting a plurality of fillers 3 into a granular shape. In the filler aggregate 12, it is not essential that the plurality of fillers 3 are in contact with each other, and if the relative positional relationship within a certain range is maintained through a binder or the like in one particle, It can be considered that a plurality of fillers 3 are aggregated to become granular.

  As the filler 3 constituting the filler aggregate 12, a porous filler having a large number of pores (not shown in FIG. 1) is used. The pore includes various forms. For example, when the filler 3 is zeolite, voids present in the crystal structure of the zeolite are pores. Moreover, when the filler 3 is a hydrotalcite, the interlayer which exists in the layer structure of the said hydrotalcite is a pore. That is, in the present invention, the “pore” means a void portion, an interlayer portion, a space portion and the like existing in the structure of the filler 3, and these are not limited to the “pore shape”.

  The pore size of the filler 3 is on the order of sub-nm to sub-μm. For example, when the filler 3 is zeolite, the size (diameter) of the voids present in the crystal structure of the zeolite is about 0.3 to 1.3 nm. When the filler 3 is hydrotalcite, the size (distance) between layers existing in the layer structure of the hydrotalcite is about 0.3 to 3.0 nm. In addition, an organic porous material can also be used as the filler 3, and the pore diameter in that case is about 0.1 to 0.8 μm. The size of the pores of the filler 3 is optimal using a gas adsorption method, a mercury intrusion method, a small-angle X-ray scattering method, an image processing method, or a combination of these methods depending on the state of the measurement object. Measured by the method.

  Between the plurality of fillers 3, communication holes 5 of sub μm order to sub mm order capable of holding moisture are formed. The pores are dispersedly arranged around the communication hole 5. Since moisture is mainly retained in the communication hole 5, the artificial soil particles 54 can have a certain water retention capacity. The size of the communication hole 5 (the average value of the distance between the fillers 3) can vary depending on the type, composition, and granulation conditions of the filler 3 and the binder, but is on the order of sub μm to sub mm. For example, when the filler 3 is zeolite, the size of the communication hole 5 is 0.1 to 20 μm. Depending on the state of the object to be measured, the size of the communication hole 5 is determined by an optimum method using a gas adsorption method, a mercury intrusion method, a small angle X-ray scattering method, an image processing method, or a combination of these methods. Can be measured.

  The filler 3 is preferably a material in which ion exchange capacity is imparted to the pores so that the artificial soil particles 54 have sufficient fertilizer. In this case, similarly to the artificial soil particles 53 described above, it is preferable to use a material to which at least a cation exchange ability is imparted. That is, the filler 3 can be a material provided with a cation exchange ability or a mixture of a material provided with a cation exchange ability and a material provided with an anion exchange ability. Separately, prepare a porous material that does not have ion exchange capacity (for example, polymer foam, glass foam, etc.), and press-fit the material with the above ion exchange capacity into the pores of the porous material. It is also possible to introduce it by impregnation or the like and use it as the filler 3. Examples of the material imparted with the cation exchange ability include cation exchange minerals, humus, and cation exchange resins. Examples of the material imparted with the anion exchange ability include anion exchange minerals and anion exchange resins.

  Examples of the cation exchange minerals include smectite minerals such as montmorillonite, bentonite, beidellite, hectorite, saponite, and stevensite, mica minerals, vermiculite, and zeolite. Examples of the cation exchange resin include a weak acid cation exchange resin and a strong acid cation exchange resin. Of these, zeolite or bentonite is preferable. The cation exchange mineral and the cation exchange resin can be used in combination of two or more. The cation exchange capacity of the cation exchange mineral and the cation exchange resin is set to 10 to 700 meq / 100 g, preferably 20 to 700 meq / 100 g, and more preferably 30 to 700 meq / 100 g. When the cation exchange capacity is less than 10 meq / 100 g, the nutrients cannot be taken in sufficiently, and the taken-up nutrients may be lost early due to irrigation or the like. In addition, the amount of quaternary ammonium salt retained is insufficient. On the other hand, even if the fertilizer is excessively increased so that the cation exchange capacity exceeds 700 meq / 100 g, the effect is not greatly improved and it is not economical.

  Anion-exchange minerals include, for example, natural layered double hydroxides that have double hydroxide as the main skeleton such as hydrotalcite, manaceite, pyroaulite, sjoglenite, patina, synthetic hydrotalcite and hydrotalcite-like Materials, clay minerals such as allophane, imogolite, kaolin and the like. Examples of the anion exchange resin include weakly basic anion exchange resins and strong basic anion exchange resins. Of these, hydrotalcite is preferred. An anion exchange mineral and an anion exchange resin can be used in combination of two or more. The anion exchange capacity of the anion exchange mineral and the anion exchange resin is set to 5 to 500 meq / 100 g, preferably 20 to 500 meq / 100 g, and more preferably 30 to 500 meq / 100 g. When the anion exchange capacity is less than 5 meq / 100 g, the nutrients cannot be taken in sufficiently, and the taken-up nutrients may be lost early due to irrigation or the like. On the other hand, even if the fertilizer is excessively increased so that the anion exchange capacity exceeds 500 meq / 100 g, the effect is not greatly improved and it is not economical.

  When the filler 3 is an inorganic mineral such as zeolite or hydrotalcite, a plurality of fillers 3 are aggregated to form the filler aggregate 12, so that the gelation reaction of the polymer gelling agent can be used. Examples of the gelation reaction of the polymer gelling agent include a gelation reaction between an alginate and a polyvalent metal ion, a gelation reaction of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and a gel formed by a double helical structure reaction of a polysaccharide such as carrageenan. Reaction. Among these, the gelation reaction between an alginate and a polyvalent metal ion will be described. For example, sodium alginate, which is one of alginates, is a neutral salt in which the carboxyl group of alginic acid is bonded to Na ions. Alginic acid is not required in water, but sodium alginate is water soluble. First, sodium alginate is dissolved in water to prepare a sodium alginate aqueous solution, and the filler 3 is added thereto and stirred sufficiently to form a mixed solution in which the filler 3 is dispersed in the sodium alginate aqueous solution. Next, the mixed solution is dropped into a polyvalent metal ion (for example, Ca ion) aqueous solution. Then, ionic cross-linking occurs between the molecules of sodium alginate and gelation occurs. Then, the gelled particles are collected, washed with water, and sufficiently dried. Thereby, the artificial soil particle 54 as a granular material in which the filler 3 is dispersed in the alginic acid gel is obtained.

  Examples of alginates that can be used for the gelation reaction include potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, and the like in addition to the above-mentioned sodium alginate. These alginate can be used in combination of two or more. The concentration of the alginate aqueous solution is 0.1 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight, and more preferably 0.2 to 3% by weight. When the concentration of the alginate aqueous solution is less than 0.1% by weight, the gelation reaction hardly occurs. On the other hand, when the concentration of the alginate aqueous solution exceeds 5% by weight, the viscosity of the solution becomes too large, and therefore it is difficult to stir the mixed solution to which the filler 3 is added or to drop the mixed solution into the polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution. become.

  The polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution to which the alginate aqueous solution is dropped may be a divalent or higher metal ion aqueous solution that reacts with the alginate and causes gelation. Examples of such polyvalent metal ion aqueous solutions include aqueous chloride solutions of polyvalent metals such as calcium chloride, barium chloride, strontium chloride, nickel chloride, aluminum chloride, iron chloride, cobalt chloride, calcium nitrate, barium nitrate, aluminum nitrate. Nitrate aqueous solutions of polyvalent metals such as iron nitrate, copper nitrate and cobalt nitrate, lactate aqueous solutions of polyvalent metals such as calcium lactate, barium lactate, aluminum lactate and zinc lactate, aluminum sulfate, zinc sulfate, cobalt sulfate etc. An aqueous solution of a valent metal sulfate is mentioned. These polyvalent metal ion aqueous solutions can be used in combination of two or more. The concentration of the polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution is 1 to 20% by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, and more preferably 3 to 10% by weight. When the concentration of the polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution is less than 1% by weight, the gelation reaction hardly occurs. On the other hand, if the concentration of the polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution exceeds 20% by weight, it takes time to dissolve the metal salt and an excessive amount of material is used, which is not economical.

  The granulation of the filler 3 for forming the artificial soil particles 54 can be performed by a granulation method using a binder in addition to the gelation reaction described above. For example, filler 3 and a solvent are added to the filler 3 and mixed, the mixture is introduced into a granulator, rolling granulation, fluidized bed granulation, stirring granulation, compression granulation, extrusion granulation, crush granulation, It is carried out by a known granulation method such as melt granulation or spray granulation. The obtained granulated body is dried and classified as necessary. In addition, a binder is added to the filler 3 and, if necessary, a solvent and the like are added and kneaded, and then dried to form a block, which is appropriately pulverized by a pulverizing means such as a mortar and pestle, a hammer mill, a roll crusher or the like. It is also possible to obtain a granular material.

  As the binder, either an organic binder or an inorganic binder can be used. Organic binders are, for example, polyolefin binders, polyvinyl alcohol binders, polyurethane binders, polyvinyl acetate binders and other synthetic resin binders, polysaccharides such as starch, carrageenan, xanthan gum, gellan gum, alginic acid, agar, glue, etc. Examples thereof include natural product-based binders such as animal proteins. Examples of the inorganic binder include silicate binders such as water glass, phosphate binders such as aluminum phosphate, borate binders such as aluminum borate, and hydraulic binders such as cement. An organic binder and an inorganic binder can be used in combination of two or more.

  In the case where the filler 3 is an organic porous material, the artificial soil particles 54 may be formed by the same method as the above-described filler granulation method using a binder. It is also possible to heat the organic porous material (polymer material or the like) to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point and to thermally fuse the surfaces of the plurality of fillers 3 to granulate. In this case, the filler aggregate 12 in which a plurality of fillers 3 are aggregated can be obtained without using a binder. As such an organic porous material, for example, an organic polymer foam obtained by foaming an organic polymer material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, and cellulose, and the powder of the organic polymer material is heated and melted. An organic polymer porous body having an open cell structure is exemplified.

  Although not shown, it is also possible to provide the coating layer 20 similar to the artificial soil particles 52 described above on the outer surface of the base 10 (filler aggregate 12) of the artificial soil particles 54. In this case, the moisture absorption / release characteristics of the artificial soil particles 54 can be controlled more precisely.

  The artificial soil particles 51 to 54 produced as described above are adjusted to a desired particle size by classification with a sieve or the like. The particle size of the artificial soil particles suitable for the artificial soil medium for growing plants is 0.2 to 10 mm, preferably 0.5 to 5 mm, more preferably 1 to 5 mm. When the particle size of the artificial soil particles is less than 0.2 mm, the gap between the particles becomes small and the drainage property is lowered, so that the plant to be cultivated may not easily absorb oxygen from the roots. On the other hand, if the particle size of the artificial soil particles exceeds 10 mm, the gap between the particles becomes large and the drainage property becomes excessive, so that it becomes difficult for the plant to absorb moisture or the artificial soil particles become sparse. Plants may fall over. The particle size of the artificial soil particles can be measured using, for example, optical microscope observation and an image processing method.

[Retention of fungicide on artificial soil particles]
Various fungicides (antifungal agents) are known as fungicides for preventing the growth of molds. For example, mold DNA synthesis inhibitors that inhibit the synthesis of mold DNA, mold chitin synthesis inhibitors that inhibit the synthesis of chitin, one of the cell wall components of molds, and the composition and order of amino acids Examples include mold protein synthesis inhibitors that inhibit protein biosynthesis by preventing the transmission of information. The present inventors examined application to artificial soil as a new use of the above various fungicides. In particular, artificial soil particles (artificial soil medium) for florets or foliage plants require not only the ability to grow plants as soil, but also high hygiene and aesthetics. Therefore, it was considered extremely useful to use an appropriate fungal inhibitor as an antifungal agent for artificial soil.

  FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the mold-proof artificial soil particle 50 of the present invention in which the mold inhibitor 6 is retained. Fig.2 (a)-(d) is an enlarged view of area | region A1-A4 each surrounded by the broken-line circle in artificial soil particles 51-54 of Fig.1 (a)-(d), and the inhibitor for molds 6 schematically shows a state where 6 is held. In the present invention, the fungal inhibitor 6 is an active ingredient (that is, an antifungal ingredient) in the antifungal artificial soil particle 50. Preferred fungal inhibitors 6 include fungal DNA synthesis inhibitors and fungal chitin synthesis inhibitors. These mold inhibitors may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

  Artificial soil particles 51 in FIG. 2 (a) are provided with a base 10 (fiber block 11) formed by collecting fibers 1 in a block. The mold inhibitor 6 is mainly held in the gap 2 between the fibers 1 constituting the fiber lump 11. At this time, the fungal inhibitor 6 is preferably retained throughout the artificial soil particles 51, but if it is retained at least near the surface, the surface of the artificial soil particles 51 is discolored by mold growth. Can be prevented. The artificial soil particle 52 in FIG. 2B includes a base portion 10 (fiber block body 11) formed by collecting fibers 1 in a lump shape and a coating layer 20 that covers the base portion 10. The fungal inhibitor 6 is preferably retained over the entire artificial soil particle 52, but it is sufficient that the fungal inhibitor 6 is retained at least in the coating layer 20. In this case, the surface of the artificial soil particle 52 due to mold propagation is reduced. Discoloration can be prevented. Since the boundary surface between the coating layer 20 and the base portion 10 is uneven due to the fibers 1, the coating layer 20 containing the mold inhibitor 6 is firmly bonded to the base portion 10 and peeled off. There is no fear. Artificial soil particles 53 in FIG. 2 (c) are obtained by adding filler 3 having ion exchange capacity to base 10 (fiber block 11) formed by collecting fibers 1 in block. The mold inhibitor 6 is mainly held in the gap 2 between the fibers 1 constituting the fiber lump 11. The mold inhibitor 6 retained in the void 2 escapes from the void 2 and is released over a certain period of time when it becomes wet, so that the artificial soil particles 53 can exert a fungicidal action continuously. . The artificial soil particle 54 in FIG. 2 (d) includes a base 10 (filler aggregate 12) in which a plurality of fillers 3 having pores 4 are aggregated, and in the filler aggregate 12, between the fillers 3. A communication hole 5 is formed. The mold inhibitor 6 is mainly held in the communication holes 5 between the fillers 3. Here, if the filler aggregate 12 is a substantially uniform aggregate of the fillers 3, the mold inhibitor 6 is substantially uniformly dispersed in the filler aggregate 12. The mold inhibitor 6 is gradually released into the communication holes 5 between the fillers 3 in a wet state, and further released to the outside of the artificial soil particles 54, and exhibits a fungicidal action continuously.

  A method for causing the artificial soil particles 51 to 54 to retain the fungal inhibitor 6 will be described. In the case of artificial soil particles 51 to 53 containing the fiber 1, the fiber aggregate 11 is impregnated with an aqueous solution or dispersion of the fungal inhibitor 6. Thereby, the fungal inhibitor 6 is taken into the space 2 between the fibers 1 constituting the fiber lump 11, and artificial soil particles 51 to 53 in which the fungal inhibitor 6 is held are obtained. Or in the granulation process of the fiber lump 11, the mold inhibitor 6 is added to the binder or the water absorption promoting material. Thereby, the fibers 1 constituting the fiber lump 11 are bonded to each other by the binder containing the mold inhibitor 6, or held together with the water absorption promoting material in the gap 2 between the fibers 1, and contains the mold inhibitor 6. Artificial soil particles 51 to 53 are obtained. In addition, regarding the artificial soil particle 52 provided with the coating layer 20, the mold inhibitor 6 may be added to the resin emulsion for forming the coating layer 20. In this case, since the fungal inhibitor 6 is present at a high concentration on the particle surface, the fungicidal effect can be efficiently exhibited.

  In the case of artificial soil particles 54 including the filler 3, the filler aggregate 12 is impregnated with an aqueous solution or dispersion of the mold inhibitor 6. Thereby, the fungal inhibitor 6 is taken into the communication holes 5 between the fillers 3 constituting the filler aggregate 12, and the artificial soil particles 54 including the fungal inhibitor 6 are obtained. Alternatively, the mold inhibitor 6 is mixed with the filler 3 in the step of granulating the filler 3. For example, when the filler 3 is granulated by utilizing the gelation reaction between the alginate and the polyvalent metal ion described above, the filler 3 and the mold inhibitor 6 are dispersed in the alginate aqueous solution, and the dispersion liquid is increased. It is dripped in a valent metal ion aqueous solution. As a result, the alginate is gelled in a state where the filler 3 and the mold inhibitor 6 are mixed, and artificial soil particles 54 including the mold inhibitor 6 are generated. Moreover, in the granulation method of the filler 3 using a binder, the mold inhibitor 6 is mixed with the binder. In this case, the filler 3 and the mold inhibitor 6 are granulated through the binder, and the artificial soil particles 54 containing the mold inhibitor 6 are obtained.

  The amount (content) of the mold inhibitor 6 in the mold-proof artificial soil particles 50 (artificial soil particles 51 to 54) is filled with the mold-proof artificial soil particles 50 in a plant cultivation container or the like. When the soil medium is constituted, it is preferable to adjust the weight of the fungal inhibitor contained in 1 liter of the medium to 0.05 to 2.0 g / L. In this case, if it is a normal artificial soil culture medium, it is possible to exert a necessary and sufficient fungicidal action against molds that may be generated. Moreover, if it is said range, since the growth of a plant will not be inhibited by the inhibitor for molds, it can continue growing a plant in a healthy state over a long period of time.

  By the way, although the mold-proof artificial soil particle 50 of the present invention contains the mold inhibitor 6 as a mold-control ingredient, it contains a component different from the mold inhibitor in addition to the mold inhibitor. It is also possible to make it. For example, when an appropriate antibacterial component is further contained in the antifungal artificial soil particle 50, discoloration and bad odor caused by bacteria can be prevented. Examples of the antibacterial component effective for the mold-proof artificial soil particle 50 of the present invention include quaternary ammonium salts such as didecyldimethylammonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride. These antibacterial components may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more. When the quaternary ammonium salt is used as an antibacterial component, a synergistic effect with the fungal inhibitor can be expected.

[Production of artificial soil particles]
Artificial soil particles serving as the base of mold-proof artificial soil particles were produced by the following procedure. As base materials for artificial soil particles, cellulose fiber (ARBOCEL BWW40, manufactured by Rettenmeier, Germany) 50 parts by weight, vinylon fiber (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) 75 parts by weight, and zeolite (Ryukyu Light, manufactured by Ecowell Co., Ltd.) 25 parts by weight Is added to a stirring and mixing granulator (MGS12 type, manufactured by G-Labo Co., Ltd.), and a polyolefin resin emulsion (Separjon (registered trademark), Sumitomo Seiki) as a binder as a granulating liquid while stirring and rolling the mixture. (Chemical Co., Ltd., 20 wt% solid aqueous dispersion) 150 parts by weight was added and granulated to form a fiber mass impregnated with the granulated liquid. An appropriate amount of fertilizer components was added to the granulation liquid. The obtained fiber mass was dried at 80 ° C. for 6 hours by a dryer, then heated to 100 ° C. and heat-treated for 2 hours, and the polyolefin resin contained in the fiber mass was melted to fix the fibers together. . The obtained fiber aggregate was used as artificial soil particles used in Examples and Comparative Examples.

[Anti-fungal evaluation test]
An artificial soil medium was prepared using 80 cc of the artificial soil particles described above, and this artificial soil medium was impregnated with 40 cc of a chemical solution obtained by diluting various fungal inhibitors with water as a mold inhibitor. As mold inhibitors, mold DNA synthesis inhibitors (Benrate (registered trademark) wettable powder manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) and mold chitin synthesis inhibitors (Example 2: manufactured by Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) Polyoxin (registered trademark) AL wettable powder), and respiratory inhibitors for fungi (Comparative Example 1: Strob (registered trademark) flowable manufactured by Nippon Soda Co., Ltd.), and glucose uptake inhibitors for fungi (Comparative Example 2: Justmeet (registered trademark) manufactured by Bayer CropScience Co., Ltd. and an ion balance inhibitor for fungi (Comparative Example 3: Caligreen (registered trademark) manufactured by OAT Agrio Co., Ltd.) were used. The dilution factor of the mold inhibitor was 500 times and 1000 times. The mold-proof artificial soil culture media of Examples 1-2 and Comparative Examples 1-3 were left in a room temperature room, and the occurrence of mold after 14 days was observed. In addition, in order to promote the generation and reproduction of mold, this mold prevention evaluation test was conducted as an accelerated test by placing 1-2 artificial soil particles on which mold had already been generated on each artificial soil medium. . The results of the mold prevention evaluation test showing the occurrence and reproduction of mold are shown in the photograph of FIG.

  In both the 500-fold dilution and the 1000-fold dilution, the artificial soil medium of Examples 1 and 2 clearly showed the occurrence and growth of molds (the black color in the photograph) as compared with the artificial soil medium of Comparative Examples 1 to 3. Place) was suppressed. From these results, the artificial soil particles (artificial soil medium) of the present invention have a significant antifungal effect against molds and can be used as antifungal artificial soil particles (antifungal artificial soil medium). It was shown that.

  The antifungal artificial soil particles and the antifungal artificial soil medium of the present invention are preferably used as a growing medium for flower buds or foliage plants, but naturally used as cultivation soil for vegetables and fruits. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fiber 2 Cavity 3 Filler 4 Pore 5 Communication hole 6 Inhibitor for mold 10 Base 11 Fiber mass 12 Filler aggregate 50 (51, 52, 53, 54) Antifungal artificial soil particle

Claims (8)

A mold-proof artificial soil particle having a fiber mass formed by aggregating a plurality of fibers,
An antifungal artificial soil particle containing, as an active ingredient, at least one fungal inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a fungal DNA synthesis inhibitor and a fungal chitin synthesis inhibitor.   The mold-proof artificial soil particle according to claim 1, further comprising a coating layer that covers the fiber mass, wherein at least the mold inhibitor is held in the coating layer. Mold-proof artificial soil particles having a filler aggregate formed by aggregating a plurality of fillers having pores,
An antifungal artificial soil particle containing, as an active ingredient, at least one fungal inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a fungal DNA synthesis inhibitor and a fungal chitin synthesis inhibitor.   The fungicidal artificial soil particle according to claim 3, wherein a communicating hole is formed between the fillers, and the fungal inhibitor is held at least in a region extending from the opening of the communicating hole to the particle surface.   The antifungal artificial soil particle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a quaternary ammonium salt as an antibacterial component.   An antifungal artificial soil medium using the antifungal artificial soil particles according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The mold-proof artificial soil medium according to claim 6, wherein a content of the mold inhibitor is adjusted to 0.05 to 2.0 g / L.   The mold-proof artificial soil medium according to claim 6 or 7, which is a growth medium for florets or foliage plants.

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