JP2021126087A - Cultivation system and cultivation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cultivation system and a cultivation method capable of using highly nutrient water in plant cultivation.SOLUTION: A cultivation system 10 comprises: cultivation containers 1 housing plants P; a water channels 2 through which cultivation water can circulates; a water supply part 4 which supplies cultivation water to the water channels 2; and guide members 3 which are capable of supplying cultivation water in the water channels 2 to the cultivation containers 1 by capillary phenomenon, and guides roots of the plants P housed in the cultivation containers 1 into the water channels 2. Then, the guide members 3 are arranged in a state that is in contact with outside air between the cultivation containers 1 and the water channels 2 is suppressed, and reach cultivation water via an air layer AR in the water channels 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a cultivation system and a cultivation method for cultivating a plant.

A cultivation system capable of supplying water from a water tank to a cultivation container by a liquid feeding part such as a non-woven fabric provided between a cultivation container in which plants are housed and a water tank in which water having a high salinity is stored is known. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-187412

By the way, since the roots of a plant grow in search of water, when water is supplied by a liquid feeding part such as a non-woven fabric, the roots of the plant may grow along the liquid feeding part to the water tank. However, if the roots of the plant come into contact with the outside air on the way from the cultivation container to the aquarium, the roots of the plant may die due to drying and hinder the growth of the product of the plant.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cultivation system and a cultivation method capable of utilizing nutrient-rich water for cultivation of plants.

In the cultivation system according to the present invention, a cultivation container in which plants are housed, a water channel through which cultivation water can flow, a water supply unit for supplying cultivation water to the water channel, and a capillary tube of the cultivation water in the water channel. It is provided with a guiding member that can be supplied to the cultivation container by the phenomenon and guides the root of the plant housed in the cultivation container into the waterway. Then, the guiding member is arranged in a state where contact with the outside air between the cultivation container and the water passage is suppressed, and reaches the cultivation water through the air layer in the water passage.

In the cultivation method according to the present invention, a cultivation container in which plants are housed, a water channel through which cultivation water can flow, a water supply unit for supplying cultivation water to the water channel, and a capillary tube of the cultivation water in the water channel. It is a cultivation method using a cultivation system including a guide member that can be supplied to the cultivation container by a phenomenon and guides the root of the plant housed in the cultivation container into the waterway. Then, in the cultivation method, the guide member is arranged in a state where contact with the outside air between the cultivation container and the water passage is suppressed and reaches the cultivation water through the air layer in the water passage. In the cultivation process for cultivating the plant, the water level in the waterway is switched.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cultivation system and a cultivation method capable of utilizing highly nutritious water for cultivation of plants.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a side surface of a water passage in the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a side surface of a water passage in the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the upper surface of the water passage in the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of water level control in a water channel in the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of water level control in a water channel in the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of water level control in a water channel in the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a cultivation method using the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of another example of the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of another example of the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of another example of the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of another example of the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of another example of the cultivation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of understanding the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[Cultivation system configuration]
First, the configuration of the cultivation system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction A1, the horizontal direction A2, the front-rear direction A3, the water flow direction A4, and the like shown in each figure may be used for description.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cultivation system 10 includes a cultivation container 1, a water passage 2, a guide member 3, a water supply unit 4, a water level adjusting unit 5, and the like. The cultivation system 10 is used for cultivating a plant P such as potato, sweet potato, or root vegetable. In the cultivation system 10, as will be described later, the sewage from the sewage treatment facility 20 is supplied as cultivation water used for cultivating the plant P. The cultivation system 10 may be installed in a vinyl house or outdoors.

A plurality of cultivation containers 1 are arranged side by side on the water passage 2 along the water passage direction A4 in the water passage 2. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the cultivation container 1 may be fixed to the water passage 2 by using a fixture such as a wire, or may be supported by a support member such as a rack. Further, the cultivation container 1 may be simply placed on the water passage 2.

Each of the cultivation containers 1 is a container in which the plant P to be cultivated and the culture material 11 holding the plant P are housed. The culture material 11 is earth and sand, fine pumice stone, rock wool, sponge-like polymer, shredder paper scraps, non-woven fabric and the like.

Further, a first opening 12 is formed at the bottom of the cultivation container 1. The first opening 12 has a size in which the guiding member 3 can be inserted and the culture material 11 is prevented from falling while the guiding member 3 is inserted.

The water passage 2 is a cylindrical pipe through which the cultivation water used for cultivating the plant P can flow. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the water passage 2 is supported by a support member such as a rack. Further, the water passage 2 includes a sealing member 2A and a sealing member 2B such as a flange that seals the upstream end and the downstream end in the water flow direction A4. The water passage 2 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a pipe having a rectangular cross section.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view seen from the upstream side of the water passage direction A4, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view seen from the downstream side of the water passage 2 in the water passage direction A4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the blocking member 2A includes a water supply port 22 for supplying cultivation water into the water passage 2. The sealing member 2A is fixed to the water passage 2 in a state where the water supply port 22 is located below the center in the vertical direction A1 of the sealing member 2A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the blocking member 2B includes a first drainage port 23, a second drainage port 24, and a third drainage port 25 for draining the cultivation water in the water passage 2. The sealing member 2B is fixed to the water passage 2 in a state in which the positions of the first drainage port 23, the second drainage port 24, and the third drainage port 25 are different in the vertical direction A1 (height direction).

Specifically, in the first drainage port 23, the second drainage port 24, and the third drainage port 25, the position of the first drainage port 23 is the highest and the position of the third drainage port 25 is the lowest. It is fixed at 2. Further, the spacing between the positions of the first drainage port 23, the second drainage port 24, and the third drainage port 25 in the height direction of the sealing member 2B may be changed by the rotation of the sealing member 2B. .. The sealing member 2B may be provided with an opening that allows air to flow to the air layer AR in the water passage 2. Further, the opening may be provided in any one or more of the first drainage port 23, the second drainage port 24, and the third drainage port 25.

A water distribution pipe 23A for discharging the cultivation water discharged from the first drainage port 23 is connected to the first drainage port 23, and the second drainage port 24 is discharged from the second drainage port 24. A water pipe 24A for draining the cultivation water to be used is connected. Although the connection destinations of the drainage pipe 23A and the drainage pipe 24A are omitted for convenience of illustration, the drainage pipe 23A and the drainage pipe 24A are connected to a drainage destination (not shown) or connected to the sewage treatment facility 20. Be connected. Further, the drain pipe 23A and the drain pipe 24A of the upper water passage 2 are connected to the connecting pipe 25A of the lower water passage 2, and the drain pipe 23A and the drain pipe 24A of the lower water passage 2 are the drain pipes described later. It may be connected to the pipe 43.

Further, in the cultivation system 10, in the water flow direction A4, the third drainage port 25 of the waterway 2 on the upstream side is connected to the water absorption port 22 of the waterway 2 on the downstream side via the connection pipe 25A. As a result, the cultivation water supplied from the sewage treatment facility 20 to the cultivation system 10 flows in order to each of the water passages 2 connected in series. In the present embodiment, the case where two water passages 2 are connected in series is given as an example, but three or more water passages 2 may be connected in series.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the water passage 2 as viewed from above.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of second openings 21 are formed in the upper portion of the water passage 2 along the water flow direction (left-right direction A2) in the water passage 2. Each of the cultivation containers 1 is arranged side by side above the water passage 2 in a state where the first opening 12 of the cultivation container 1 and the second opening 21 of the water passage 2 communicate with each other in the vertical direction A1. The second opening 21 has a size larger than that of the first opening 12, and may be used as a ventilation port of the water passage 2 in a state where the guide member 3 is inserted. That is, the second opening 21 may have a structure that allows the flow of air to the air layer AR while suppressing the contact between the guiding member 3 and the outside air.

The guide member 3 is a non-woven fabric or the like that can supply the cultivation water in the water passage 2 to the cultivation container 1 by a capillary phenomenon. Then, the guide member 3 is provided in a state of hanging from the cultivation container 1 into the water passage 2 through the first opening 12 of the cultivation container 1 and the second opening 21 of the water passage 2 communicating in the vertical direction A1. There is. That is, the guide member 3 is arranged between the cultivation container 1 and the water passage 2 in a state where the exposure to the outside is restricted and the contact with the outside air is suppressed. Further, the guide member 3 reaches the cultivation water from the second opening 21 through the air layer AR in the water passage 2. The air layer AR contains oxygen taken in from the second opening 21 and water vapor evaporated from the cultivation water in the water passage 2. In the present embodiment, the cultivation container 1 is arranged so as not to be immersed in the cultivation water in the water passage 2. On the other hand, the guide member 3 may be a granular water supply filter medium filled in the lower part of the cultivation container 1, and in this case, the filter medium layer provided with the filter medium has the water level of the water passage 2 at the lower end together with the cultivation container 1. It is conceivable that the structure is such that it is immersed under the surface of the water when rising. Further, as another embodiment, the guiding member 3 may be a tube in which a water supply member such as a water supply filter medium is housed, and the tube may be provided between the cultivation container 1 and the water passage 2.

Further, since the roots of the plant P grow in search of water, the guiding member 3 guides the roots of the plant in the cultivation container 1 into the water channel 2. The root of the plant P extends to the water passage 2 along the inner surface having a large amount of water in the guiding member 3. A cover member may be provided to cover the guiding member 3 as long as the contact between the outside air and the guiding member 3 between the cultivation container 1 and the water passage 2 is suppressed.

The water supply unit 4 includes a supply pipe 41, a drive unit 42, a drainage pipe 43, a drive unit 44, and the like. The supply pipe 41 is a pipe that connects the cultivation system 10 and the sewage treatment facility 20, and is used to supply the sewage obtained from the sewage treatment facility 20 to the water passage 2 as cultivation water. The "sewage" in the present invention is subjected only to pretreatment such as removal of contaminants, sedimentation, and sedimentation of water before and during the treatment, which is obtained in a treatment facility by the activated sludge method or other methods for treating sewage. Sewage, process water generated in the sludge treatment process, or water pretreated to be suitable for cultivation through processes such as filtration.

The sewage treatment facility 20 is a sewage treatment facility such as a terminal treatment plant based on the Sewerage Law and a similar sewage treatment facility for domestic wastewater containing human waste. For example, the sewage treatment facility 20 is a facility that performs sewage treatment by the activated sludge method or the like. Although detailed description of the sewage treatment facility 20 is omitted, for example, in the sewage treatment facility 20, sewage is discharged through a treatment process such as a sand basin, a first sedimentation basin, a biological reaction tank, a final sedimentation basin, and a chlorine sterilization facility. Will be done. On the other hand, the sewage treatment facility 20 supplies the sewage to the cultivation system 10 via the supply pipe 41. For example, water called "first settling overflow water" before flowing into the biological reaction tank through the first settling basin is supplied to the cultivation system 10 as cultivation water. The temperature of the sewage exceeds 20 ° C on an annual average, and in many cases, it is maintained at 15 ° C or higher even in winter. Further, the sewage contains a large amount of nutrients such as phosphorus and a nitrogen source. For example, as an example, "first sedimentation running water" contains about 2.5 mg / L of phosphate phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen. There is a measurement result that about 26.3 mg / L is contained.

As described above, the cultivation system 10 effectively uses water that is not suitable for plant cultivation because it has nutrients but is highly perishable and the roots of plants are usually in an anaerobic state, such as sewage supplied from the sewage treatment facility 20. It is a system that can be used to cultivate plant P. As another embodiment, the water after the activated sludge treatment in the activated sludge method may be supplied to the cultivation system 10 via the supply pipe 41. Further, in the cultivation system 10 according to the present embodiment, a case where the plant P is cultivated using the sewage supplied from the sewage treatment facility 20 will be described as an example. May be supplied to the cultivation system 10 as cultivation water. For example, water obtained from a facility for treating industrial wastewater containing nutrient salts may be supplied to the cultivation system 10 as cultivation water.

The drive unit 42 can adjust whether or not the cultivation water supplied from the supply pipe 41 is supplied to the water passage 2. When the supply pipe 41 receives water pressure from the sewage treatment facility 20 side, the drive unit 42 is a valve for switching the opening and closing of the water passage 2. Further, the drive unit 42 may be a pump or the like that switches the presence or absence of supply of cultivation water from the sewage treatment facility 20 side to the water passage 2. The drive unit 42 may be able to adjust the supply amount of the cultivation water to the water passage 2.

The drainage pipe 43 is used to return the cultivation water after being used in the cultivation system 10 to the sewage treatment facility 20. Further, the cultivation water after being used in the cultivation system 10 may be drained without being returned to the sewage treatment facility 20.

The drive unit 44 can adjust the presence or absence of drainage of cultivation water from the drainage pipe 43 to the sewage treatment facility 20. For example, the drive unit 44 is a pump or the like that switches the presence or absence of drainage of cultivation water from the drainage pipe 43 to the sewage treatment facility 20.

The water level adjusting unit 5 includes a drive unit 51 such as a valve that can open and close the second drain port 24 of the water passage 2, a drive unit 52 such as a valve that can open and close the third drain port 25 of the water passage 2, and a drive unit. It includes a control unit 53 that controls the drive unit 51 and the drive unit 52. The water level adjusting unit 5 can switch the water level in the water passage 2 in three stages by opening and closing the second drainage port 24 and the third drainage port 25 by the drive unit 51 and the drive unit 52. The number of drainage ports is not limited to three, and as another embodiment, four or more drainage ports may be provided and the water level may be switched in four or more stages.

5 and 7 are schematic views of a main part for explaining the water level control in the water passage 2 by the water level adjusting unit 5.

First, in a state where both the second drainage port 24 and the third drainage port 25 are closed by the drive unit 51 and the drive unit 52, the cultivation water in the water passage 2 is drained from the first drainage port 23. As shown in FIG. 5, the water level of the cultivation water WA in the water passage 2 is the highest first water level L1. The first water level L1 is a water level used when, for example, the root of the plant P has not reached the position of the first water level L1 in the water passage 2, and the cultivation water WA in the water channel 2 uses the guide member 3. It is supplied to the cultivation container 1 through. When the water level in the water passage 2 is the first water level L1, the air layer AR in the water passage 2 is the smallest.

Further, when the third drainage port 25 is closed and the second drainage port 24 is opened by the drive unit 51, the cultivation water in the water passage 2 is drained from the second drainage port 24. As shown in FIG. 6, the water level of the cultivation water WA in the water passage 2 is the second water level L2, which is lower than the first water level L1. The second water level L2 is, for example, a water level used when the root of the plant P reaches the position of the first water level in the water passage 2, and the cultivation water WA in the water channel 2 is directly absorbed from the root of the plant P. Will be done. Further, at the second water level L2, the air layer AR in the water passage 2 is larger than the first water level L1. As a result, the roots of the plant P can directly absorb the cultivation water WA in the water passage 2 and can also absorb oxygen from the air in the water passage 2. The second water level L2 and the third water level L3 are preset as water levels at which the roots of the plant P can grow in the air layer AR on the water surface of the cultivation water WA in the water passage 2.

Further, when the third drainage port 25 is opened by the drive unit 52, the cultivation water in the waterway 2 is drained from the third drainage port 25, and as shown in FIG. 7, the waterway The water level of the cultivation water WA in 2 is the lowest third water level L3. The third water level L3 is a water level used when, for example, the root of the plant P reaches the position of the second water level L2 in the water passage 2, the contact between the root of the plant P and the cultivation water WA is suppressed, and the plant is planted. It is a state in which the anaerobicization of the roots of P is suppressed. Further, at the third water level L3, the air layer AR in the water passage 2 is larger than the first water level L1 and the second water level L2. As a result, the roots of the plant P can sufficiently absorb oxygen from the air in the water passage 2. The root of the plant P can also absorb the moisture in the air in the water passage 2.

The control unit 53 includes a CPU, RAM, EEPROM (registered trademark), and the like, and the CPU executes various processes according to the cultivation program stored in the EEPROM. For example, when the drive unit 42, the drive unit 44, the drive unit 51, and the drive unit 52 are electrical components that can be controlled by the control unit 53, such as an electromagnetic valve, the control unit 53 includes the drive unit 42, the drive unit 44, and so on. It is possible to adjust the water level in the water passage 2 by controlling the drive unit 51 and the drive unit 52. Further, the control unit 53 may be a timer device capable of driving the drive unit 42, the drive unit 44, the drive unit 51, and the drive unit 52 at a preset time.

Then, by using the cultivation system 10, it is possible to supply appropriate water, nutrients and oxygen to the roots of the plant P by adjusting the water level in the water passage 2 according to the growth process of the roots of the plant P. For example, the roots of the plant P can be grown compactly on the water surface of the cultivation water WA in the water passage 2, and the product (harvest target) of the plant P can be efficiently grown. Further, in the cultivation system 10, nutrients can be supplied to the plant P by using the sewage supplied from the sewage treatment facility 20, so that the fertilizer required for the cultivation of the plant P can be reduced.

[Cultivation method using cultivation system 10]
Hereinafter, an example of a cultivation method using the cultivation system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The cultivation method may be executed by the control unit 53 or may be executed by a cultivation worker. The cultivation method using the cultivation system 10 is started in a state where the cultivation container 1 containing the seedlings of the plant P is arranged on the water passage 2. The seedlings of the plant P may be cultivated in the cultivation container 1, or may be cultivated in another place and then transferred to the cultivation container 1.

<Step S1>
In step S1, it is determined whether or not the cultivation time of the plant P is the first cultivation time set in advance from the start of cultivation. The first cultivation period is the period until the roots of the plant P reach the inside of the water passage 2 through the first opening 12 and the second opening 21. More specifically, the first cultivation period is the period until the roots of the plant P reach the position of the first water level L1 in the water channel 2. In step S1, for example, it is determined that the first cultivation period is from the start of the first cultivation period to the elapse of a preset period. Further, it may be determined that the first cultivation period is until the roots of the plant P actually reach the cultivation water in the waterway 2.

Here, when it is determined that the cultivation time is the first cultivation time (S1: Yes), the treatment shifts to step S2, and when it is determined that the cultivation time is not the first cultivation time (S1: No). ), The process proceeds to step S5.

<Step S2>
In step S2, the water level in the water passage 2 is set to the first water level L1. Specifically, in a state where the second drainage port 24 and the third drainage port 25 are closed by the drive unit 51 and the drive unit 52, the drive unit 42 is driven to supply the cultivation water into the water channel 2. The water level in the water passage 2 is set to the first water level L1.

<Step S3>
In step S3, the water supply unit 4 supplies the cultivation water to the water passage 2 at a predetermined specific interval, and executes a replacement operation of replacing the cultivation water in the water passage 2. As a result, the state in which the cultivation water in the water passage 2 is sufficiently contained with nutrients is maintained, and the nutrient-rich cultivation water in the water passage 2 is supplied to the cultivation container 1 via the guide member 3.

By the way, at the first cultivation period, the roots of the plant P extend from the cultivation container 1 toward the water passage 2 along the water-containing induction member 3, so that the roots may be exposed to the outside air and dried on the way. There is. However, in the cultivation system 10, the first opening 12 of the cultivation container 1 and the second opening 21 of the water passage 2 communicate with each other in the vertical direction, and the first opening 12 and the second opening 21 are connected to each other. An induction member 3 containing water sucked from the cultivation water in the water passage 2 is inserted.

Therefore, the root of the plant P extends from the cultivation container 1 to the water passage 2 in a state where contact with the outside air is suppressed and water can be absorbed from the induction member 3. The outside air in the present embodiment means the air outside the cultivation container 1 and the water passage 2. Therefore, the root of the plant P can absorb high nutrients from the inducing member 3 and can grow in a state where drying is suppressed. Further, when sewage or its treated water is supplied to the water passage 2 as cultivation water, the temperature of the sewage or the treated water is 15 ° C. or higher throughout the year. It is also possible to maintain a suitable temperature.

In addition, step S3 may be omitted, and the supply of the cultivation water into the water passage 2 by the drive unit 42 and the drainage of the cultivation water by the drive unit 44 may be always executed. That is, the method of supplying the cultivation water from the sewage treatment facility 20 to the cultivation system 10 may be a direct flow.

<Step S4>
In step S4, it is determined whether or not the cultivation time of the plant P is the second cultivation time after the end of the first cultivation time. The second cultivation period is the period after the roots of the plant P reach the inside of the water passage 2 through the first opening 12 and the second opening 21. More specifically, the second cultivation period is the period after the roots of the plant P reach the position of the second water level L2 in the water channel 2. At the second cultivation period, the roots of the plant P flourish in the waterway 2, and the deliverables of the plant P grow. In step S4, for example, when a preset period elapses from the start of the first cultivation period, it is determined that the second cultivation period is reached. Further, when the root of the plant P actually reaches the cultivation water in the waterway 2, it may be determined that it is the second cultivation period.

Here, when it is determined that the cultivation time is the second cultivation time (S4: Yes), the treatment shifts to step S5, and when it is determined that the cultivation time is not the second cultivation time (S4: No). ), The process is returned to step S3.

<Step S5>
In step S5, the water level in the water passage 2 is set to the second water level L2, which is lower than the first water level L1. Specifically, the drive unit 52 closes the third drain port 25, and the drive unit 52 opens the second drain port 24. As a result, the water level of the cultivation water level in the water passage 2 is lowered, and the size of the air layer AR in the water passage 2 is expanded. Therefore, it is suppressed that the roots of the plant P are immersed in the cultivation water and lack oxygen.

<Step S6>
In step S6, a water level switching operation for switching the water level in the water passage 2 in a range lower than the first water level L1 is executed at preset water level control intervals. Specifically, the drive unit 52 switches the opening and closing of the third drainage port 25 at the water level control interval to switch the water level in the water passage 2 between the second water level L2 and the third water level L3. That is, a second water level L2 in which the roots of the plant P can sufficiently take in nutrients from the cultivation water and an air layer in which the roots of the plant P can sufficiently take in oxygen and water from the air layer AR are formed in the water passage 2. The third water level L3 to be generated is used alternately. Therefore, in the cultivation system 10, highly putrefactive water can be used as cultivation water.

Then, since the roots of the plant P are suppressed from further growth when sufficient nutrients are obtained, the roots of the plant P are overgrown on the water surface in the water channel 2 in the cultivation system 10. The root growth of the plant P will be compactly carried out in the limited space on the water surface in the water passage 2. Further, when sewage of about 20 ° C. is supplied to the waterway 2 as cultivation water, it is possible to suitably maintain the environmental temperature of the plant P by controlling the water level in the waterway 2. Therefore, in the cultivation system 10, the deliverables of the plant P grow efficiently in the cultivation container 1, and a large number of deliverables can be obtained.

When the cultivation system 10 is arranged outdoors, rainwater is supplied into the cultivation container 1 from above the cultivation container 1. On the other hand, when the cultivation system 10 is arranged in the vinyl house, the cultivation container 1 is placed at the first cultivation period, the second cultivation period, or the like in order to prevent the culture material 11 in the cultivation container 1 from running out of water. Tap water or the like may be appropriately supplied into the cultivation container 1 from above.

Further, in step S6, the case where the water level is switched in two stages of the second water level L2 and the third water level L3 has been described as an example, but the switching may be performed in three or more stages. For example, it is conceivable that the water level is gradually lowered as the roots of the plant P grow so that the water level at which the tip of the root of the plant P comes into contact with the cultivation water in the water passage 2 is always maintained. The switching of the water level in multiple stages can be realized, for example, by controlling the opening time of the third drain port 25 by the drive unit 52. That is, by opening the third drainage port 25 for a predetermined time by the drive unit 52, it is possible to drain a predetermined amount of cultivation water and lower the water level during the predetermined time, and then the third drainage port 25 can be lowered. It is possible to raise the water level again by closing the.

[Modification 1]
By the way, as described above, in the cultivation method using the cultivation system 10, tap water or the like can be supplied to the cultivation container 1 from above the cultivation container 1 in order to prevent the water shortage of the culture material 11 in the cultivation container 1. be. Hereinafter, the cultivation system 100 capable of supplying the cultivation water supplied from the sewage treatment facility 20 to the water passage 2 from above the cultivation container 1 to the cultivation container 1 will be described. The description of the cultivation system 100 having the same configuration as that of the cultivation system 10 described above will be omitted.

9 and 10 are diagrams showing an example of the cultivation system 100. Note that FIG. 10 is a side view of the cultivation container 1 and the water passage 2 of the cultivation system 100. As shown in FIG. 10, in the cultivation system 100, each of the water flow pipes 2 has a different position in the front-rear direction A3. Specifically, in the cultivation system 100, the lower water passage pipe 2 is arranged at a position shifted in front of the upper water passage pipe 2.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cultivation system 100 includes a water supply pipe 101 and a drive unit 101A. The water supply pipe 101 is a pipe used to supply the cultivation water supplied from the sewage treatment facility 20 through the supply pipe 41 from above the cultivation container 1 arranged in the upper part of the uppermost water passage 2 to the cultivation container 1. Is.

In the cultivation system 100, the supply pipe 41 branches toward each of the water supply pipe 101 and the water passage 2. The water supply pipe 101 is a drainage port 102 corresponding to each position of the cultivation container 1 on the uppermost water passage 2, a drainage pipe 102A connected to the drainage port 102, and a valve for opening and closing each of the drainage pipe 102A. It is provided with an opening / closing unit 102B such as. The opening / closing portion 102B may be a cap member or the like that can be attached to and detached from the tip of the drain pipe 102A.

Then, when the drain pipe 102A is opened by the opening / closing portion 102B, the cultivation water supplied from the supply pipe 41 to the water supply pipe 101 is supplied from the drain pipe 102A to the cultivation container 1. The opening / closing operation of the opening / closing unit 102B may be performed by an operator, but when the opening / closing unit 102B is an electromagnetic valve or the like, the opening / closing of the opening / closing unit 102B may be controlled by the control unit 53.

Further, in the cultivation system 100, in order to supply cultivation water to the cultivation container 1 on the waterway 2 arranged below the waterway 2 to the side of the waterway 2 provided above the bottom stage. No. 4 drainage port 26 is provided. For example, the fourth drainage port 26 is provided in the water passage 2 at a position lower than that of the first drainage port 23 in the vertical direction A1. Further, a drain pipe 26A is connected to each of the fourth drain pipes 26, and each of the drain pipes 102A is provided with an opening / closing portion 26B such as a valve for opening / closing the drain pipe 102A. The opening / closing portion 26B may be a cap member or the like that can be attached to and detached from the tip of the drain pipe 26A. Further, as another embodiment, in order to supply the cultivation water from the supply pipe 41 from the water supply pipe 101 to the water passage 2 below the uppermost water passage 2 instead of the drain pipe 26A and the opening / closing portion 26B. The water supply transfer pipe 101, the drive unit 101A, the drain pipe 102A, the opening / closing unit 102B, and the like may be provided. As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, instead of the drain pipe 102A, the opening / closing section 102B, the drain pipe 26A, and the opening / closing section 26B, the water supply pipe 101 is passed through a plurality of stages from the water supply pipe 101. A sprinkling section 101C capable of sprinkling the cultivation water may be provided for each of the cultivation containers 1 on the water channel 2. The watering method by the watering unit 101C may be any of a shower type, a spraying type, a dropping type, and a water discharge type.

Then, when the drain pipe 26A is opened by the opening / closing portion 26B, the cultivation water in the water passage 2 is supplied from the fourth drain port 26 to the lower cultivation container 1 via the drain pipe 26A. The opening / closing operation of the opening / closing unit 26B may be performed by an operator, but when the opening / closing unit 26B is an electromagnetic valve or the like, the opening / closing of the opening / closing unit 26B may be controlled by the control unit 53.

In the cultivation system 100 configured in this way, the cultivation water supplied to the cultivation system 100 is cultivated even when the cultivation container 1 is not supplied with rainwater, for example, when the cultivation system 100 is installed in a vinyl house. It is possible to supply into the cultivation container 1 from above the container 1. Even when the cultivation system 100 is installed outdoors, even when the supply of rainwater is small, the cultivation water supplied to the cultivation system 100 can be supplied into the cultivation container 1 from above the cultivation container 1. It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 12, the water supply pipe 101 is not a supply pipe 41 to which the cultivation water from the sewage treatment facility 20 is supplied, but a water supply facility such as a water supply facility or a water purification plant capable of supplying clean water. It may be connected to 30 or the like. Thereby, the clean water supplied from the clean water supply facility 30 can be supplied to each of the cultivation containers 1. As described above, instead of the drain pipe 26A and the opening / closing portion 26B, the clean water from the clean water supply facility 30 is supplied from the water supply pipe 101 to the water passage 2 below the uppermost water passage 2. A water supply transfer pipe 101, a drive unit 101A, a drainage pipe 102A, an opening / closing unit 102B, and the like may be provided. Further, also in this case, as in FIG. 11, instead of the drain pipe 102A, the opening / closing section 102B, the drain pipe 26A, and the opening / closing section 26B, the water supply pipe 101 is connected to the water supply pipe 101 in a plurality of stages from the water supply pipe 101. A sprinkling section 101C capable of sprinkling clean water may be provided for each of the cultivation containers 1 of the above. The water supply source to the water supply pipe 101 is not limited to the clean water supply facility 30, and for example, agricultural water, rainwater storage water, disinfected / sterilized sewage treated water, or the like may be supplied to the water supply pipe 101.

[Modification 2]
The cultivation system 100 is configured to include three water flow pipes 2, but the water flow pipes 2 may be three or more. Here, an example of a cultivation system 200 including five water flow pipes 2 will be described. The description of the cultivation system 200 having the same configuration as that of the cultivation system 10 and the cultivation system 100 described above will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the cultivation system 200. In particular, FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the cultivation container 1 and the water passage 2 of the cultivation system 200 as viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 12, in the cultivation system 200, each of the water flow pipes 2 has a different position in the front-rear direction A3. Specifically, in the cultivation system 200, the lower water passage pipe 2 is arranged at a position shifted in front of or behind the upper water passage pipe 2 of the water passage pipe 2.

Then, in the cultivation system 200, a plurality of water passages 2 are cascade-connected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, in the cultivation system 200, the third drainage port 25 of one waterway 2 at the top is the water supply port of one of the waterways 2 at the second stage via the drainage pipe 25A. It is connected to 22. Further, the third drainage port 25 of one of the second-stage water passages 2 is connected to the water supply port 22 of the other water passage 2 of the same second stage via the drainage pipe 25A. Similarly, the third drainage port 25 of the second-stage water passage is connected to the water supply port 22 of one of the third-stage water passages 2 via the drain pipe 25A, and the third drainage of the water passage 2 is carried out. The port 25 is connected to the water supply port 22 of the other water passage 2 of the same third stage. In the cultivation system 200 configured in this way, the cultivation water supplied to the uppermost waterway 2 is sequentially distributed to the five waterways 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the cultivation system 200, similarly to the cultivation system 100, a water supply pipe 101, a drain pipe 102A, and an opening / closing portion 102B are provided above the cultivation container 1 on the uppermost water passage 2. ing. Further, in the cultivation system 200, similarly to the cultivation system 100, the water for cultivation is supplied to the uppermost waterway 2 to the cultivation container 1 on the two middle waterways 2 arranged below the waterway 2. Two sets of a fourth drainage port 26, a drainage pipe 26A, and an opening / closing portion 26B are provided for this purpose. In addition, each of the middle waterways 2 has a fourth drainage port 26, a drainage pipe 26A, and an opening / closing part 26B for supplying cultivation water to the cultivation container 1 on the lowermost waterway 2 arranged below the waterway 2. It is provided. The fourth drainage port 26, the drainage pipe 26A, and the opening / closing portion 26B are not required for the lowermost water passage 2. Further, a water passage 2 may be further provided between the lowermost water passages 2.

In the cultivation system 200 configured in this way, even when there is no rainwater supply to the cultivation container 1, such as when the cultivation system 200 is installed in a vinyl house, the cultivation water supplied to the cultivation system 200 can be used. It can be sequentially distributed to a plurality of water passages 2 and can be supplied into the cultivation container 1 from above the cultivation container 1. Further, in the installation area of the cultivation system 200, since a plurality of stages of water passages 2 are provided in the vertical direction A1, it is possible to increase the yield of the product of the plant P per unit area. The number of installation stages of the water passage 2 in the vertical direction A1 in the cultivation system 200 may be four or more.

1 Cultivation container 11 Culture material 12 1st opening 2 Water passage 21 2nd opening 22 Water supply port 23 1st drainage port 24 2nd drainage port 25 3rd drainage port 3 Induction member 4 Water supply section 41 Supply pipe 42 Drive section 43 Drainage pipe 5 Water level adjustment unit 51 Drive unit 52 Drive unit 53 Control unit 10 Cultivation system 20 Sewage treatment equipment 100 Cultivation system 200 Cultivation system

Claims (14)

A cultivation container that houses plants and
Aqueducts where cultivation water can be distributed and
A water supply unit that supplies cultivation water to the aqueduct,
A guide member capable of supplying the cultivation water in the water channel to the cultivation container by capillarity and guiding the roots of the plant contained in the cultivation container into the water channel.
With
The guide member is arranged in a state where contact with the outside air between the cultivation container and the water passage is suppressed, and reaches the cultivation water through the air layer in the water passage.
Cultivation system. The water supply unit supplies sewage to the waterway as the cultivation water.
The cultivation system according to claim 1. A first opening is formed at the bottom of the cultivation container.
A second opening is formed in the upper part of the water passage.
The cultivation container is arranged above the water passage in a state where the first opening and the second opening communicate with each other in the vertical direction.
The cultivation system according to claim 1 or 2. A water level adjusting unit capable of switching the water level in the water passage in a plurality of stages is provided.
The cultivation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The water level adjusting unit includes a drive unit capable of opening and closing at least one of a plurality of drainage ports having different positions in the height direction in the water passage.
The cultivation system according to claim 4. The water level adjusting unit sets the water level in the water channel to the first water level at the first cultivation period until the roots of the plant reach the water channel, and the roots of the plant reach the water channel. In the second cultivation period after the cultivation, the water level in the water passage is set to the second water level lower than the first water level.
The cultivation system according to claim 4 or 5. The water level adjusting unit can switch the water level in the waterway at the second cultivation period after the roots of the plant reach the waterway.
The cultivation system according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The plant is a potato, sweet potato, or root vegetable.
The cultivation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A plurality of the cultivation containers are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the water passage.
The cultivation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The guiding member is a non-woven fabric.
The cultivation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A cultivation container in which plants are housed, a water channel through which cultivation water can flow, a water supply unit for supplying cultivation water to the water channel, and the cultivation water in the water channel can be supplied to the cultivation container by a capillary phenomenon. It is a cultivation method using a cultivation system including an induction member for guiding the roots of the plant housed in the cultivation container into the waterway.
The guide member is arranged in a state where contact with the outside air between the cultivation container and the water passage is suppressed and reaches the cultivation water through the air layer in the water passage.
In the cultivation process of cultivating the plant, the water level in the water channel is switched.
Cultivation method. The sewage is used as the cultivation water and is supplied to the waterway.
The cultivation method according to claim 11. In the cultivation step, the water level in the canal was set to the first water level at the first cultivation period until the roots of the plant reached the canal, and the roots of the plant reached the canal. In the later second cultivation period, the water level in the channel is set to a second water level lower than the first water level.
The cultivation method according to claim 11 or 12. The water level in the canal is switched at the second cultivation period after the roots of the plant reach the canal.
The cultivation method according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

Images