JP5171677B2 - Watermelon cultivation method and cultivation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for cultivating watermelon, a method for cultivating watermelon that has the same sweetness as that of the center of the watermelon, and a cultivation apparatus used for the method, and a method for cultivating watermelon that is particularly suitable for house cultivation and It relates to cultivation equipment.

  When eating watermelon, it is often experienced that the center of the flesh of the watermelon is sweet, but the flesh near the skin is colored red and not sweet. This tendency is said to be particularly high when shipping such as house cultivation is made faster than in the case of outdoor cultivation (field cultivation). In addition, in the cultivation of watermelon, there are so-called tunnel cultivation in which vinyls are arranged in a tunnel shape, and hot cap cultivation in which each watermelon seedling is covered with a heat insulation bag. It will be described as being included in house cultivation.

Conventionally, for grapes, pears, mandarin oranges, etc., a method of cultivating these fruits with a highly heat-resistant bag to accelerate the growth of these fruits, prevent insects from getting in, or protect them from strong winds is known. (Patent Document 1). Further, Patent Documents 2 and 3 are examples of containers for making a watermelon into a specific shape.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-78061 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-28635 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-62 HortScience41 (6): 1431-1434.2006

  By the way, the inventor of the present application has announced a method for sweetening the whole fruit by storing and heating only the melon fruit in the early developmental stage in the cultivation period when the temperature decreases from night to early morning (non- Patent Document 1). However, the container for storing and warming the melon disclosed here is similar to the bag disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which the vine is taken out of the container and suspended by the vine.

  Although watermelon and melon are the same cucurbitaceae, watermelon is different from melon, and its consumption time is concentrated in July and August (Fig. 1), and its amount drops extremely after September. In order to match the harvest season with July and August, the peak season of consumption, the cultivation season (seeding and seedling planting season) must be advanced. However, the earlier the cultivation season, the sweeter the center of the watermelon. If the harvest time is delayed in order to sweeten the flesh near the skin, the flesh in the center is over mature and cannot be shipped. And even if it is preferable to heat the temperature from night to early morning, the specific amount of heating differs between melon and watermelon, and also varies depending on the cultivation period, various conditions such as outdoor cultivation or house cultivation.

  In addition, watermelon is greatly different in size and weight from melon, and when trying to adopt the method for melon as described above, that is, the method of hanging a container with a vine, the vine becomes the weight of watermelon (more than 10Kg) And the weight of the container must be supported, which causes problems such as damage to the vines and inadequate nutrients for the watermelon. Also, considering the final size of the watermelon, there is a problem that a large container is required. Furthermore, in house cultivation for the purpose of early shipment, it is not efficient to heat and keep the entire house from the evening to the early morning of the next day.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is the same as that of the center of the watermelon skin while avoiding problems such as damage to the vines and the inability to sufficiently give nutrients to the watermelon even in early cultivation. It is in providing the cultivation method and cultivation apparatus of watermelon which can be made sweet.

The inventor of the present application takes time to make the flesh near the watermelon skin sweeter than the flesh in the center, because the night temperature from the evening to the early morning of the next day is low in the early stage of fruit growth, the pulp cell It was speculated that this was caused by inhibition of hypertrophy. Usually, watermelon planting in early cultivation is performed in April for house cultivation and in May for outdoor cultivation (FIG. 1). However, even in May and June, when the later-described pulp enlargement period begins, the nighttime temperature from the evening to the early morning of the following day is considerably lower than the daytime temperature (may be 15 ° C. or lower).
The growth period of watermelon fruit is 1. 1. Cell division period during which cells in the ovary divide. 2. The pulp enlargement period during which the pulp cells are enlarged; There are three main types of maturity, increasing sweetness. The method for cultivating watermelon of the present invention includes at least a part of the pulp enlargement period (preferably the whole period of the pulp enlargement period), surrounds the watermelon fruit in a heat insulation container, and keeps the temperature at night from the evening to the early morning of the next day. Is maintained at 5 ° C. or more higher than the outside air temperature or the house internal temperature.
Here, the heat insulation temperature is the temperature in the heat insulation container, and the nighttime from the evening to the early morning of the next day includes at least a part of the time zone from 5 o'clock to 7:30 in the next morning (preferably the above 5 o'clock). ~ Includes the entire time period until 7:30 the following morning).

According to the present invention, since the heat insulation temperature is kept at 5 ° C. or more higher than the outside air temperature or the house interior temperature at least during a period including at least a part of the pulp thickening period, from the evening to the early morning of the next day, it is cold. Even at night, the enlargement of pulp cells near the skin boundary is promoted, and as a result, sucrose (sucrose) is accumulated near the skin boundary so that sweet watermelon can be cultivated near the skin boundary. become. On the other hand, if it is too high, the result will be too ripe, or the nutrients from the vines and stems will not be absorbed well, so keep it 5-10 ° C higher than the house temperature at this time. It is preferable to cultivate.
In addition, the period of watermelon pulp enlargement is generally from the 6th to the 16th day after the watermelon flower blooms, and after that, the entire heat insulating container or its cover is removed and the original It is preferable to return to the state of open field cultivation or house cultivation. This is because, even if the temperature is further heated, the effect of sweetening to the vicinity of the pericarp does not increase, and it is preferable to remove the cover or the like and sufficiently irradiate the fruit with sunlight to perform photosynthesis. In addition, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to prepare a large container.

  On the other hand, the watermelon cultivation apparatus of the present invention includes a base on which watermelon is placed and a cover that covers the base, and a storage portion that stores or attaches the heating means is formed inside the base or the cover. In addition, a pair of slits for inserting a watermelon vine from one of the edges of the mounting portion between the base and the cover, or a slit formed in the cover on the base edge An insertion part for inserting a watermelon vine is formed at a corresponding position. The inside of the base or cover refers to a space formed by the base and the cover, and includes a side wall portion, a bottom portion, and the like of the base or cover. This device is premised on installation on the field (whether it is open field cultivation or house cultivation), and is not used in a suspended state. Moreover, in this cultivation apparatus, even if it is the fruit thickening period in which the heating means is functioned, the cover is removed or the upper lid attached to the cover described later is opened to the fruit during the daytime day. Sunlight is preferred. In particular, this is essential to add energy to the heat storage material when the heat retaining container is an opaque material that blocks sunlight and the heating means is a heat storage material.

  According to the present invention, a pair of slits for inserting a watermelon vine is formed from either edge of the mounting portion between the base and the cover, or formed in the cover on the base edge. Since the insertion part for inserting the vine of watermelon is formed at the position corresponding to the slit, when placing the fruit on the base and covering the cover with the base, the vine connected to the fruit is inserted into the slit in advance can do. Therefore, the vine inserted into the slit can move freely upward in the slit even when the fruit grows, and can also prevent damage when the cover is attached. In particular, when an insertion part for inserting a watermelon vine is formed at a position corresponding to the slit formed in the cover on the base edge, a vine connected to the fruit is inserted in advance when the cover is put on. Since it can be inserted and positioned in the part, it does not take time to cover the cover, and the vines connected to the fruit are not damaged.

  The watermelon cultivation apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the height of the base is lower than the height of the cover. Due to this feature, when the base of the cultivation device is inserted and installed between the field and the vine of watermelon, the height of lifting the vine can be lowered, so that the work is easy to do and the vine is not easily damaged.

Moreover, the watermelon cultivation apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a seal member that prevents air from entering and exiting the insertion portion or the slit and allows movement of the watermelon vine is disposed. Due to this feature, even if the vine moves in the slit, the entry and exit of air to the cultivation apparatus is prevented, so that the heat retaining property of the heat retaining container is enhanced.

  Further, the watermelon cultivation apparatus of the present invention has a cover main body in which the cover is made of a heat insulating material, and an upper lid having a transparent window portion arranged to cover an upper part of the cover main body, and inside the cover main body. A partition plate in which a plurality of holes are formed is attached, and a heat storage material as the heating means is attached to a storage unit formed above the watermelon and between the upper lid and the partition plate, and the heat storage The material is put in a transparent container and stored in the storage unit.

According to the above apparatus, the sunlight that has passed through the transparent window portion of the upper lid heats and heats the heat storage material, which is a heating means, and is also applied to the watermelon, so the lid is opened and the watermelon is exposed to sunlight. There is no need. In addition, unlike the case where a heating means is arranged under the watermelon, it is possible to prevent a situation where the heat storage material heated by sunlight is hidden behind the watermelon, which is advantageous for heating the heat storage material.

  Moreover, the cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of this invention is comprised from the water in which the said thermal storage material contains water or charcoal powder, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. These waters have the advantages of low procurement costs and relatively large heat storage capacity. The water as the heat storage material may be stored directly in the storage unit or in a predetermined container.

  In addition, the watermelon cultivation apparatus of the present invention is provided with a water-sealed mulch filled with water, arranged in the house, and arranged so as to straddle the water-sealed mulch so as to surround a predetermined range of the water-sealed mulch. And a cover placed on the support base so as to surround the watermelon, and a mounting portion having a plurality of holes on which the watermelon is mounted is provided on an upper portion of the support base, the support base and the cover, A pair of slits for inserting the watermelon vines from either edge of the attachment part of the base or the watermelon vines are inserted in positions corresponding to the slits formed in the cover on the base edge. The insertion part for performing is formed, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. It is preferable to use a water seal mulch that has been installed in advance before watermelon is planted.

  According to the said apparatus, a support stand is arrange | positioned so as to straddle the water seal mulch normally arrange | positioned in the longitudinal direction in a house. This support base is arranged at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the water seal mulch and surrounds a predetermined range of the water swell mulch. As a result, heat stored during the daytime (radiant heat from the water seal mulch having a large capacity) is It passes through the plurality of holes in the mounting portion and reaches the watermelon. That is, when a predetermined range is surrounded by pressing the water seal mulch across the water seal mulch, the heat of the water seal mulch is collected at that portion, and the watermelon is heated. In addition, the watermelon vine is pulled out from the slit or the insertion portion.

  According to the watermelon cultivation method of the present invention, even if the planting time is advanced in time for shipping in July or August, the period including at least a part of the pulp enlargement period (preferably the whole period of the pulp enlargement period) is Enclose watermelon fruit in a heat-insulated container, and raise the night temperature from the evening to the early morning of the next day by 5 ° C higher than the outside air temperature or the temperature in the house. Enlargement of pulp cells near the boundary is promoted, and as a result, sucrose (sucrose) is accumulated near the boundary of the skin, and sweet watermelon can be cultivated to the vicinity of the boundary of the skin. Furthermore, since the whole heat retaining container or its cover can be removed after the pulp thickening period has passed, the heat retaining device can be made smaller. And in the case of house cultivation, it is not necessary to warm the whole house by using the said heat retention container, and cost can also be made low.

According to the watermelon cultivation apparatus of the present invention, a pair of slits for inserting a watermelon vine is formed from either edge of the attachment part of the base and the cover, or the above-mentioned of the base edge Since the insertion part for inserting the watermelon vine is formed at the position corresponding to the slit formed in the cover, the vine connected to the fruit is inserted into the slit, and the upward direction of the vine as the fruit grows Movement is guaranteed and the vine is no longer damaged. In particular, when an insertion part for inserting a watermelon vine is formed at a position corresponding to the slit formed in the cover on the base edge, a vine connected to the fruit is inserted in advance when the cover is put on. Since it can be inserted and positioned in the part, it does not take time to cover the cover, and the vines connected to the fruit are not damaged.
Further, if the height of the base is made lower than the height of the cover, it is possible to prevent damage to the watermelon vines that are likely to occur during the installation of the cultivation apparatus, and to prevent air from entering and exiting the insertion part or the slit and the watermelon vines. If the seal member that allows the movement of the plant is arranged, the cultivation apparatus is prevented from entering and exiting the cultivation apparatus through the slit, and the upward movement of the vines connected to the fruit that occurs as the fruit grows And the damage of the vine can be prevented.

  Further, the heat storage material as a heating means is attached to a storage part formed between the upper lid having a transparent window part above the watermelon and the partition plate attached to the inside of the cover body made of a heat insulating material. So, when sunlight passes through the window of the top lid, it heats the heat storage material, warms the watermelon inside, and irradiates the watermelon with sunlight. Since such a work can be eliminated and heating of the heat storage material is facilitated, a decrease in the temperature in the container at night can be further prevented.

  In addition, when the support base is arranged so as to straddle the water seal multi, and the heat accumulated in the water seal multi during the day passes through the mounting portion in which a plurality of holes are formed and reaches the watermelon, the water seal multi Since the water capacity of the watermelon is large, the watermelon can be sufficiently heated and the workability can be improved because the water seal mulch already arranged in the house is used.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which watermelon fruits are stored in the watermelon cultivation apparatus A1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where the solid line indicates the fruit K in the early development stage, and the virtual line indicates the grown fruit. K is shown. FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 2, and is a diagram illustrating the slit 12b and the seal member 12c. The watermelon cultivating apparatus A1 is a heat-retaining container including a base 11 on which watermelon fruit K is placed and a cover 12 that covers the base 11. The cover 12 has an upper lid 12f. This heat insulating container is made of styrene foam having high heat insulation properties, but may be made of transparent plastic or wooden (wooden box). FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the base 11 of the watermelon cultivation apparatus A1 and the cover main body 12e constituting the cover 12 are separated.

  The base 11 has a disk shape, is provided with a cylindrical convex portion 11c, and an insertion portion 11b is formed on an upper edge portion (attachment edge portion) of the cylindrical convex portion 11c. The insertion portion 11b is for inserting the watermelon vine T, and in the present embodiment, a pair is formed so as to face each other, but more than that may be formed. By forming a pair so as to face each other, the fruit K can be easily placed on the base 11 in a state where the vine T is stretched together with the vine T. Further, when the cover 12 is mounted on the base 11, the vine T connected to the fruit K has already been inserted and positioned through the insertion portion 11b, so that the vine T is damaged by the cover 12 when the cover 12 is mounted. Can be prevented. One watermelon fruit K is placed inside the cylindrical convex portion 11c. A storage portion 11a for storing a heat storage material as the heating means 5 and a heat radiating member 5 is formed therein. Examples of the heat storage material 5 include water, earth, sand, and the like, and combinations thereof. These may be put in a container such as a plastic bag and stored in the storage unit 11a. Also good. And the fruit K of watermelon is mounted on it. When the heat storage material 5 as described above is used, heat energy stored due to daylight irradiation or temperature rise is released from the heat storage material 5 at night, so that the cost for heating can be suppressed. . Since thermal energy is released from the heat storage material 5 at night, the cost for heating can be suppressed.

  The cover 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a cover main body 12e, an upper lid 12f, and a hinge 12h. The upper lid 12f is disposed on the upper portion of the cover main body 12e, and the base 11 is disposed below the upper lid 12f. The cover 12 has an inner diameter that fits into the convex portion 11 c of the base 11. The upper lid 12f is attached to an opening 12a provided on the upper side of the cover body 12, and the opening 12a can be closed. The mounting location has a concave and convex structure so as to suppress the entry and exit of air as much as possible. A flexible adhesive tape is used for the hinge 12h, and the hinge 12h is bonded to the side surface of the cover body 12 and the upper lid 12f. Even if the upper lid 12f which is a part of the cover 12 is opened by the hinge 12h, the upper lid 12f is attached to the cover main body 12e, and the opening / closing operation is facilitated.

  A slit 12b is formed in the cover body 12e at a position corresponding to the insertion portion 11b. The slit 12b is for inserting the watermelon vine T and is formed upward from the lower edge of the cover body 12e. The slit 12b only needs to be equal to or greater than the thickness of the vine T, but in this embodiment, the upward length of the slit 12b is increased to prevent the upward movement of the vine T during the fruit K growth process. I am doing so. A width b4 of the slit 12b is formed larger than a width b3 of the insertion portion 11b, and a seal member 12c for preventing air from entering and exiting is attached to the slit 12b in order to improve heat retention. As shown in FIG. 3, the sealing member 12c is attached to both opposing side surfaces of the slit 12b. For example, the sealing member 12c is made of styrol and has a soft surface and is formed on both side surfaces of the slit 12b. The semi-circular groove 12m is folded and pushed into a U-shape, and the folded seal member 12c maintains a loosely pressed state. Therefore, the movement of the watermelon vine T is allowed in a state where the entry and exit of air is blocked. That is, when the vine T grows, the gap 12k between the opposing seal member (wire material) 12c and the seal member (wire material) 12c can be moved upward. The sealing member 12c may be provided in the insertion portion 11b.

  The height (height) h1 of the base 11 is lower than the height (height) h2 of the cover 12, which makes it easy to place the watermelon fruit K and does not damage the vine T (see FIG. 2). It should be noted that the mounting portion between the base 11 and the cover 12 can be provided with a gentle taper so that the fitting is difficult to come off. It is also possible to mark each so that the mounting position of the cover 12 with respect to the base 11 can be understood.

  As the slit member 12c, as shown in FIG. 5, a U-shaped plastic frame 12g with a brush 12gg planted inside may be employed.

Next, the cultivation method using cultivation apparatus A1 is demonstrated.
Although this Embodiment demonstrates by the example by house cultivation, it is applicable also to open field cultivation (field cultivation).

The growth period of watermelon fruit is 1. 1. Cell division period during which cells in the ovary divide. 2. The pulp enlargement period during which the pulp cells are enlarged; There are three main types of maturity, increasing sweetness. 1. The cell division period during which the ovary cells divide is about 5 days after flowering, and 2. 2. The pulp enlargement period during which the pulp cells are enlarged is about 6 to 16 days after flowering; The maturity period of increasing sweetness is from about 17 days to the subsequent period.
In the present embodiment, the period when the pulp enlargement period starts, which corresponds to the sixth day after flowering, is connected to the fruit K between the fruited fruit K and the field before and after (preferably a little before). While lifting the vine T so as not to damage it, the storage portion 11a of the base 11 is inserted into the storage portion 11a of the base 11 in which the field soil 5 (acting as a heat storage material) in the house is previously stuffed, and the fruit K is added to the base 11 The base 11 is placed near the fruit K, and the fruit K is placed on the base 11. At that time, it is preferable to place the base 11 on the field after positioning so that the insertion portions 11b of the base 11 are directly below the vine T. Thus, since the fruit K should just be mounted on the disk-shaped base 11 with a short height, the work of vine rolling is also easy and damage to the vine T can be prevented.
When the fruit K is placed on the base 11, the vine T connected to the fruit K is inserted into each of the insertion portions 11b, and the slit 12b provided in the cover main body 12e is aligned with the vine T in that state. The cover body 12e with the upper lid 12f closed is fitted into the base 11. The fruit K is now surrounded by the heat insulating container A1.

  In this embodiment, loose field soil is used as the heat storage material 5, but soil, sand, or water in a plastic bag may be used. Of course, as the heat dissipating member of the heating means 5, a wound electric heater can be provided. In addition, you may spread a straw on this heating means 5 so that the fruit K may not be warmed directly.

  From the evening until the early morning of the next day, the warming means 5 is operated until the time when the pulp enlargement period ends (preferably after the pulp enlargement period ends) after the heat insulation container A1 is installed in the field. Cultivation is carried out with the temperature maintained at 5 ° C. higher than the temperature in the house. Here, the nighttime from the evening to the early morning of the next day includes at least a part of the time zone from 5 o'clock to 7:30 in the next morning (preferably including the entire time zone). Of course, this heating may be performed in the middle of the cell division period.

In the case where the heating means 5 is a heat radiating member such as an electric heater, the above-mentioned heating control may be turned ON / OFF all at once with a timer. In this embodiment, when the heating means 5 is a heat storage material, It becomes work like this. When the temperature starts to rise in the house (from 7 o'clock to 10 o'clock), the upper lid 12f is opened. As sunlight enters from the opening 12a, the air heated in the house mixes with the air in the heat insulation container A1, and the temperature in the heat insulation container A1 rises. Thermal energy is stored in the heat storage material 5 of the field soil by this rising temperature. And when the temperature inside a house begins to fall, the upper cover 12f is closed. As a result, the heat retaining container A1 exhibits a heat retaining function, and the heat stored in the field soil is released, so that the night temperature from the evening in the heat retaining container A1 to the early morning of the next day is higher than the temperature in the house.
In this embodiment, the heat storage material 5 is stored in the storage portion 11a of the base 11. However, if the heat storage material 5 is attached to the back side of the upper lid 12f, the heat storage material 5 is heated or warmed by sunlight when the upper lid 12f is opened. Because it is also warmed by the air that is generated, it can absorb a lot of heat energy. Further, as the heating means 5, a heat storage material and an electric heater may be used in combination.

  In this way, even if the house temperature is 15 ° C. or less from the end of May to the beginning of June (see FIG. 9), the watermelon cultivation apparatus A1 is used, and at least a part of the pulp enlargement period is used. Including the period (preferably the whole period of pulp enlargement) The night temperature from the evening to the early morning of the following day may be 5 ° C higher than the outside temperature or the temperature in the house (the minimum temperature of both does not change much) it can.

  And the cover 12 which is a part of said apparatus A1 is removed from the base 11 at the time when the said heating is stopped (it is desirable when the end of the pulp thickening period is desirable). This is the state in which the whole pulp has already grown and enlarged evenly at that time, and in addition to heating, the effect of sweetening to the vicinity of the pericarp does not increase. This is because it is preferable to sufficiently irradiate sunlight and to perform photosynthesis. Moreover, it is because it is not necessary to prepare a big thing with the heat retention container A1. Here, it is preferable to avoid removing the entire heat insulating container A1, and it is preferable to remove only the cover 12 from the base 11. This is because if the watermelon fruit K is returned onto the sand in the field, heat may be taken away by the sand at night.

  In the fruit K, the flesh cells are normally enlarged and matured from the center to the outer side of the fruit, and sucrose (sucrose) accumulates accordingly. However, if the temperature at night is low in the early stage of the development of the fruit K, it takes time for the cells to hypertrophied and matured to the outside using the sugar accumulated in the daytime fruit at night. According to the method for cultivating watermelon of the present embodiment, during the period from when the fruit of the watermelon blooms until the fruit cell grows, the night temperature from the evening to the early morning of the next day is higher than the outside air temperature or the temperature in the house. Further, by raising the temperature by 5 ° C. or more, the growth of fruit cells is promoted even at night from the evening to the early morning of the next day, and sweet watermelon can be cultivated up to the boundary of the skin.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6: is a perspective view of the state which isolate | separated each component of watermelon cultivation apparatus A2 of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention from each other. The watermelon cultivation apparatus A2 is a heat retaining container including a base 21 on which fruits are placed and a cover 22 that is detachably placed on the base. The cover 22 is made of transparent plastic, but may be made of polystyrene foam or wood. The base 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The cover 22 has a dome shape and does not include an upper lid as in the first embodiment. A substantially semicircular slit 22b corresponding to the insertion portion 21b of the convex portion 21c of the base 21 is formed, and a seal member 22c for preventing air from entering and exiting is disposed in the slit 22b. A longitudinal cut 22k is formed at the approximate center of 22c. This vertical cut 22k is for allowing movement of the watermelon vine T. The seal member 22c cover 22 is attached to both the inner and outer peripheral sides. Therefore, the movement of the watermelon vine T is allowed while preventing the entry and exit of air.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7: is sectional drawing which shows the state which accommodated the fruit of the watermelon in the watermelon cultivation apparatus A3 of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The watermelon cultivation apparatus A3 is a heat retaining container including a base 31 on which the fruit K is placed and a cover 32 that is detachably covered on the base 31. The cover 32 has a top plate portion 32t. The base 31 and the cover 32 have a cylindrical shape, and sand 31s is placed at the bottom of the base 31, and an electric hotbed 33 is disposed in the sand 31s. Therefore, the watermelon fruit K placed on the sand 31s can be heated from the bottom. Here, by arranging the electric hotbed 33 on the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical cover 32 and the top plate portion 32t, it is possible to heat from the entire outer periphery of the watermelon fruit K placed on the base 31. it can. The heat storage material 5 described above may be disposed on the bottom of the base 31, the inner peripheral wall of the cover 32, or the top plate 32t. By using the cultivation apparatus A3 that heats the entire fruit K, sweet watermelon can be cultivated to the vicinity of the skin boundary. Note that the vine T and the electric hotbed 33 are drawn out from the passage hole 33 formed at the joining position of the base 31 and the cover 32.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 15: is sectional drawing which shows the state which accommodated the fruit of watermelon in the watermelon cultivation apparatus A4 of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, a continuous line shows the fruit K of the early stage of growth, and a virtual line shows the grown fruit K is shown. The watermelon cultivation apparatus A4 is a heat retaining container including a base 41 on which the watermelon fruit K is placed and a cover 42 having a transparent window 42g that covers the base 41. The fourth embodiment is different from the watermelon in that the storage portion 41a to which the heating means (heat storage material) 45 is attached is disposed above the watermelon and the upper lid 42f of the cover 42 has a transparent window portion 42g. This is different from the first embodiment in which the heating means 5 is arranged below the upper cover and the upper lid does not have a transparent window portion.

  As in the first embodiment, the base 41 has a disk shape, is provided with a cylindrical convex portion 41c, and an insertion portion 41b is formed at the upper edge portion of the cylindrical convex portion 41c. One watermelon fruit K is placed inside the cylindrical convex portion 41c. In addition, it is preferable that the base 41 is made of a synthetic resin having a high heat insulating property.

  The cover 42 includes a cylindrical cover main body 42e made of a heat insulating material such as polystyrene foam and an upper lid 42f. The upper lid 42f is disposed on the upper portion of the cover main body 42e, and the base 41 is disposed below the upper lid 42f. The The cover 42 has an inner diameter that fits into the convex portion 41 c of the base 41. The upper lid 42f is attached to an opening 42a provided on the upper side of the cover main body 42 so that the opening 42a can be closed. The mounting location has a concave-convex fitting structure so as to suppress the entry and exit of air as much as possible. In the present embodiment, the outer diameters of the cover main body 42e and the upper lid 42f are formed to be substantially the same, and the cover main body 42e and the upper lid 42f can be easily bonded with an adhesive tape or the like. In the cover body 42e, a slit 42b is formed at a position corresponding to the insertion part 41b, as in the first embodiment. The slit 42b is for inserting the watermelon vine T, and is formed upward from the lower edge of the cover body 42e.

  A partition plate 46 having a plurality of holes 46a is attached to the inside of the cover main body 42e, and a storage portion 41a for storing a heat storage material 45 as a heating means 45 between the partition plate 46 and the upper lid 42f. Is formed. The partition plate 46 is attached so that a step is provided on the inner side surface of the cover main body 42e and hooked on this portion. As the partition plate 46, a resin plate in which a large number of holes are formed, a wire mesh, or the like can be used.

  The heat storage material 45 is put in a transparent container such as vinyl, and heat is stored by the irradiation of sunlight in the daytime or the temperature rise. The heat storage material 45 is composed of water or the like, and an appropriate amount of powder having a heat absorption function such as charcoal powder is mixed therein, and the heat absorption powder absorbs the heat of sunlight when sunlight passes through the heat storage material. As a result, water is heated. The heating of the heat storage material 45 can be adjusted by adjusting the mixing amount of the powder. Moreover, since the width | variety of the thermal storage material 45 is formed substantially the same as the upper cover 46f, much sunlight which passes the upper cover 42f is irradiated and heated. In addition, when the width | variety of the heating means 45 is smaller than the upper cover 42f, many clearance gaps for sunlight to enter in a heat insulation container will be formed.

  The upper lid 42f has a transparent window part 42g on the upper surface, and the window part 42g is composed of two transparent resin plates 42g1 and 42g2. The transparent resin plates 42g1 and 42g2 are arranged in the vertical direction, and a spacer S is arranged on the outer peripheral side between the transparent resin plates 42g1 and 42g2. The transparent resin plates 42g1 and 42g2 are fitted into stepped openings 42i formed in the cylindrical side portions 42h, respectively, and an air layer Sa is formed between the two transparent resin plates 42g1 and 42g2. ing. For the spacer S, for example, a cushioning elastic material such as urethane can be used. Accordingly, the upper lid 42f is configured by laminating two transparent resin plates 42g1 and 42g2 and interposing the air layer Sa, thereby preventing heat from escaping from the inside of the heat insulating container A4 to the outside. Inside heat retention can be enhanced. In addition, the storage part 41a to which the heating means (heat storage material) 45 is attached is not limited to the upper part of the watermelon, but the bottom part of the heat retaining container A4 (below the watermelon) or the cover 42 as in the first embodiment. It may be arranged on the side surface.

  Then, the heat storage material 45 is made to function until the end of the pulp enlargement period (preferably after the end of the pulp enlargement period) until the end of the pulp enlargement period until it is installed in the field. It is cultivated in a state where the temperature of 5 ° C. is kept at 5 ° C. higher than the temperature in the house. Thereby, the effect which sweetens the flesh of watermelon to the outside can be acquired. When the pulp enlargement period is over, the maturity period starts. By removing the cover 42 during this period, the watermelon fruit can be sufficiently irradiated with sunlight, and the base 41 or the cover 42 that is larger as the watermelon grows. Can save you the trouble of preparing.

Here, the growth of watermelon does not have to be controlled only by temperature, and light is naturally necessary. Especially in Hokuriku where there is little sunshine, unlike the Pacific side climate, irradiation is often insufficient. On the other hand, when the watermelon cultivation apparatus is composed of a wooden box, styrofoam or the like, the temperature in the apparatus (container) can be increased, but sunlight may not reach the watermelon fruit sufficiently. For this reason, it is good to open the lid of the container during the daytime, but it is possible that the work cannot be performed every day.
According to the watermelon cultivation apparatus A4 of the present embodiment, the heat storage material 45 is heated by the sunlight passing through the transparent window 42g of the upper lid 42f without releasing the lid to obtain sunlight irradiation. At the same time, sunlight is sufficiently applied to the watermelon.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 16: is an external appearance perspective view explaining the watermelon cultivation apparatus A5 of the 5th Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 17 is sectional drawing of a side surface, FIG. 18 is sectional drawing of a front side. is there.
The watermelon cultivation apparatus A5 of the present embodiment is arranged in the house H, and the house H in which the water seal multi M is already arranged is used. The watermelon cultivating apparatus A5 includes a support base 51 arranged so as to straddle the water seal multi M, a cover 52 that covers the water support 51 and surrounds the watermelon, and a watermelon is placed on the support base 51. Part 53.

  The water seal multi-M is also called “water pillow” and is a heat storage material in which water is put in a plastic bag. It is laid in a greenhouse or a plastic house to store solar heat during the day in water. is there. In the present embodiment, such a water-sealed multi-M that warms the inside of the house is used as a heating means, and it is also used for the above-mentioned nighttime warming of watermelon. That is, the watermelon cultivation apparatus A5 is arranged so as to straddle the water-seal multi M. In the watermelon cultivation apparatus A5, water is heated with solar heat to increase the temperature in the cover 52 using a water-sealed mulch M having a folding diameter of about 30 centimeters enclosing water.

  The support base 51 is arranged so as to straddle the water seal multi M, and a side plate 55 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the water seal multi M and a side plate 54 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the water seal multi M. It consists of and. These side plates 54 and 55 are both made of transparent plastic. The side plate 54 is formed in a semi-elliptical shape so that the lower side thereof matches the outer edge shape of the water seal multi M. That is, when the support base 51 is installed on the water seal multi M, it is preferable that the support base 51 can surround the predetermined range of the water seal multi M without any gap, and the lower side of the side plate 54 is the water seal multi It is good also as a product made from urethane with the elastic force which presses M. On the upper portion of the support base 51, a placement portion 53 for placing a watermelon is provided. The mounting portion 53 is formed with a plurality of holes 53a, so that heat from the water seal multi M disposed below the mounting portion 53 passes through the plurality of holes 53a. Yes.

  Similar to the support base 51, the cover 52 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and the transparent synthetic resin has a double structure. An air layer Sa is formed on the cover 52, whereby heat escapes from the cover 52 to the outside. This makes it difficult to irradiate the fruit K of watermelon. The cover 52 is placed on the support base 51 so as to surround the fruit K of the watermelon. A pair of slits 52a is formed at the edge of the cover 52 of the attachment portion between the support base 51 and the cover 52, through which a watermelon vine is inserted. The slit 52a may be formed with an insertion portion for inserting a watermelon vine at a position corresponding to the slit formed in the cover of the base edge. That is, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Therefore, the watermelon cultivation apparatus A5 of the present embodiment arranges the support base 51 so as to straddle the water seal multi M already arranged in the house H. On the other hand, the watermelon is preferably planted along the water seal mulch M in the house H where the water seal mulch M is installed. And when it grows to the fruit K of a predetermined | prescribed magnitude | size, it is preferable on work efficiency that the support stand 51 is installed on the water seal multi M so that the fruit K can be put on immediately. That is, one watermelon fruit K that has been planted is placed on the placement portion 53 of the support base 51 that is arranged at a predetermined interval. In addition to the watermelon placement direction in FIG. 16, it is possible to place the watermelon along the longitudinal direction of the water seal multi M.
When the fruit K is placed on the placement portion 53 and the support base 51 is covered with the cover 52, the heat from the water seal multi M spreads throughout the inside of the cover 52 through the plurality of holes 53 a of the placement portion 53. The whole watermelon is evenly heated. Therefore, if the watermelon is placed directly on the water-sealed multi M, the bottom side of the watermelon grows faster and may have an irregular shape, but this problem can also be prevented. However, as in the present embodiment, the fruit K of the watermelon placed on the placement portion 53 in which the plurality of holes 53a are formed is sufficiently heated by the water seal multi M and the transparent cover 52. You will be exposed to sunlight. Note that, as in the fourth embodiment, the heat storage material 45 may be further disposed between the cover 52 and the watermelon. Further, by disposing a cover between the support base 51 and the support base 51 arranged on the water seal multi M, the heat of the water seal multi M only on the placement unit 53 from each support base 51. It may be guided.

Example 1
The fruit which bloomed on May 17, 2007 of the watermelon cultivar “Tsukuba no incense” that was cultivated in a large vinyl house at the Ishikawa Sand Dunes Agricultural Experiment Station was used. From the 6th day after the fruit blooms, 3 cm of sand is placed in a wooden box with a side of 30 cm and a height of 10 cm, a hotbed is arranged in a circle with a diameter of about 20 cm, and 2 cm of sand is covered on it (1 box Equivalent to 7.7 Watts). The upper lid of a container (a wooden box) having a side of 30 cm and a height of 20 cm was covered and heated from 5 pm to about 7 pm the next morning. From 7 am to 5 pm the next morning, the upper lid 12 f was removed and heating was stopped. In addition, the wooden box is arranged in house cultivation and has a hole (slit) through which the vine T can be inserted and pulled out.

  And the night heating process was performed for 10 days from the 6th day (May 23) to the 16th day (June 2). Three fruits were collected from the 16th and 42nd day (June 28) of flowering, and two stick-shaped fruit pieces passing through the center of the fruit 1 cm wide and 2 cm high on the equator were collected. It cut | judged to about 1.6 cm from the left end to the right end, these were squeezed, fruit juice was obtained, and the sugar content contained by HPLC was measured. The outermost two tissue pieces corresponding to about 3 cm of skin were not measured.

The minimum temperature during the warming treatment period was about 5 ° C higher in the warming zone (Heated: black in the graph) than in the untreated zone (Control: white in the graph), but the maximum temperature remained almost unchanged. (FIG. 9). As is clear from FIG. 9, during the period from May 23 to June 2, the heated area maintained a state of about 5 ° C. higher than the untreated area. On the 16th day of flowering, the fruit weight was 5.2 kg which was 1.3 kg higher in the warming group than in the untreated group, and a tendency to increase in the warming group even on the 42nd day of flowering was observed (FIG. 10). The thickness of the white skin was 13.5 mm in the heated group compared with 13.5 mm in the untreated group, and the thickness was 10.9 mm (left graph in FIG. 14). The cell size at the end of heating was clearly larger in the heated group than in the untreated group at both the fruit center (L6, L7, L5, L9) and the outer part (L3, L4, R4, R3) ( FIG. 11). The sugar content of each tissue piece did not differ between the two groups at the end of heating, but the sucrose content on day 42 was larger in the fruit center in the untreated group and smaller in the outer part. In the warming zone, the outer part also became larger (FIG. 13). Although the temperature Ward pressurizing the content of sucrose having an average became 47Gl ^-1 32% increase in 35Gl ^-1 of untreated group) glucose and fructose are heated seedlings (Heated: Example) In the non-treated area ( Control: slightly smaller than the comparative example (FIG. 12). From these, when the night temperature of the fruit is kept high at the early stage of fruit development, the enlargement of the pulp cell in the outer part of the fruit is promoted, and as a result, the accumulation of sucrose (sucrose) is promoted in the outer part of the fruit. It is thought that the sucrose content increases. The measurement position is shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a period including at least a part of the pulp enlargement period (preferably, from a short time before the start of the pulp enlargement period to a short time after the end of the period) Although the night temperature during the early morning of the following day was kept at 5 ° C. or more higher than the outside air temperature or the house temperature, the temperature may be warmed immediately after the fruit has ripened. That is, “a period including at least a part of the pulp enlargement period” refers to 2. Includes not only all of the “pulp hypertrophy period during which the pulp cells are enlarged”, but also a part thereof. 2. “Cell division period during which ovary cells divide” and 3. above. This includes the maturity period that increases the sweetness of the food. However, the above 1. To 3. If all of these are included, there is a risk that it will be a difficult task in terms of securing the corresponding container and in terms of cultivation management. For this reason, the period of 1 and 2 is preferable, and the above 2 is more preferable. Is the period. Note that the meaning of “before or slightly after the beginning of the pulp enlargement period” or “a little after the end of the period” takes into account differences due to changes in the cultivation area or climate.

It is a figure explaining the cultivation time of watermelon. It is sectional drawing which shows the cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of an arrow C in FIG. 2, illustrating a slit and a seal member. It is a perspective view which shows the base and cover main body of the cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of the said 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the other example of the said sealing member. It is a perspective view which shows the cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the location which extract | collects the flesh of a watermelon. It is a figure explaining the temperature state of Example 1 and a comparative example. It is a figure which graphs and compares the fruit weight (fruit weight) of Example 1 and a comparative example. It is a figure which graphs and compares the magnitude | size of the flesh cell in the location which extracts the flesh of the watermelon of Example 1 and a comparative example. It is a figure which graphs and compares the amount of the sucrose, glucose, and full course of Example 1 and a comparative example by a part average. It is a figure which graphs and compares the quantity of sucrose, glucose, and a full course in the location which extract | collects the flesh of the watermelon of Example 1 and a comparative example. It is a figure which compares the thickness of the white pulp of the watermelon of Example 1 and a comparative example. It is sectional drawing which shows the cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of the said FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of the said FIG.

A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 Watermelon cultivation equipment (insulation container)
5, 45 Heating means (heat storage material, electric heater)
11, 21, 31, 41, 51 Base 11a, 41a Storage part 11b, 41b Insertion part 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 Cover 12b, 22b, 42b Slit 12c, 22c Seal member 12f, 42f Upper cover (part of cover) )
22k Notch 42e of sealing member 42e Cover body 42g Window part (a part of upper lid)
46 partition plate 46a hole (partition plate)
52a Slit 53 Placement part 53a Hole (placement part)
h1 Height of base h2 Height of cover b3 Width of insertion part b4 Width of slit H House K Watermelon fruit M Water-sealed multi T Watermelon vine

Claims (9)

  The growth period of watermelon fruit is roughly divided into three periods: a cell division period during which ovary cells divide, a pulp enlargement period in which pulp cells are enlarged, and a maturation period in which sweetness is increased. During the period including part of the period, the watermelon fruit is surrounded by the heat insulation container, and the heat insulation temperature at night from the evening to the early morning of the next day is kept at 5 ° C or more higher than the outside air temperature or the temperature inside the house. A method for cultivating watermelon characterized by removing the whole or its cover. During the night from the evening to the early morning of the following day, warming is performed by the heating means by closing the entire cover of the heat insulating container or a part thereof, and the day of the day is arranged. cultivation method watermelon claim 1, wherein the time zone, characterized in that the stop warming by heating means to remove the cover all or a portion of the insulated container that is exposed to.   A base for mounting watermelon and a cover for covering the base are provided, and a storage portion for storing or attaching the heating means is formed inside the base or the cover, and the base and the cover are attached. A pair of slits for inserting a watermelon vine from either edge of the section is formed, or a watermelon vine is inserted into a position corresponding to the slit formed in the cover on the base edge. The watermelon cultivation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The apparatus for cultivating watermelon according to claim 3 , wherein the heating means is water, sand, earth, or a heat storage material that is a combination thereof, which is heated during the day. The apparatus for cultivating watermelon according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the height of the base is lower than the height of the cover. The watermelon cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein a sealing member that prevents air from entering and exiting and allows movement of a watermelon vine is disposed in the insertion portion or the slit. . The cover has a cover body made of a heat insulating material, and an upper lid having a transparent window disposed to cover an upper portion of the cover body, and a partition plate in which a plurality of holes are formed is attached to the cover body The heat storage material as the heating means is attached to a storage portion formed above the watermelon and between the upper lid and the partition plate, and the heat storage material is placed in a transparent container and stored in the storage container. The watermelon cultivation device according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the watermelon cultivation device is housed in a portion. The said heat storage material is comprised from the water containing water or charcoal powder, The cultivation apparatus of the watermelon of Claim 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. A water-sealed mulch filled with water is placed in the house, and is placed so as to straddle the water-seal mulch and surround a predetermined range of the water-seal mulch, and the water melon is covered with the support pedestal and surrounds the watermelon. A mounting portion having a plurality of holes on which the watermelon is mounted on the upper portion of the support base, and the watermelon from any edge of the mounting portion between the support base and the cover. A pair of slits for inserting the vines of the watermelon are formed, or an insertion part for inserting the vine of the watermelon is formed at a position corresponding to the slit formed on the cover at the base edge. Watermelon cultivation device characterized by.

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