JP5978604B2 - Gel medium for plant cultivation and plant cultivation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gel medium and a cultivation method for cultivating plants without using soil.

  Several techniques for cultivating plants without using soil have been known so far. For example, hydroponics is a cultivation method in which nourishing water necessary for plant growth is given as liquid fertilizer without using a solid medium. In hydroponic cultivation, nutrients necessary for plant growth can be provided as liquid fertilizer through the nutrient circulation system, and stable production is possible throughout the year by enhancing the facility management. Many technologies have been developed and put to practical use for this hydroponics.

  Hydroponics is a method for cultivating plants in an aqueous solution. As another technique, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for cultivating spinach sowing seeds on a gel medium. This spinach cultivation method is characterized in that the number of strains in the bundle at the time of shipment is seeded on one gel medium, and is aimed at cultivation of spinach without waste of seeds.

  Patent Document 2 describes a plant cultivation matrix containing a crosslinked polyolefin porous body. In this technique, a crosslinked polyolefin porous material is mixed with various soils.

  Patent Document 3 describes a plant cultivation material comprising a porous hydrophilic polymer compound having an average pore diameter of 0.1 to 2 mm.

JP-A-10-191724 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-186815 JP 2002-045032 A

  Hydroponics requires a large amount of water. In addition, in order to supply fertilizer and oxygen in the solution, water must be circulated continuously and air must be sent. For this reason, the energy for driving a pump is needed, and there existed a problem that a running cost was high. In addition, in hydroponics, it has been expensive to use a large amount of antibiotics to keep the water from decaying and to keep it sterile.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, development of a method for cultivating a plant different from hydroponics is attempted without using soil. However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, since it must be transplanted to a field before harvesting, soil is eventually used.

  Further, in the method described in Patent Document 2, the crosslinked polyolefin porous material is used by mixing with various types of soil, and eventually the soil is used.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, the silkworm radish is only grown for 7 days, and the plant cannot be sufficiently grown.

  Usually, in gel cultivation, since oxygen cannot be supplied, it is difficult to have roots in the gel. In addition, when a material having high water retention such as a water retention agent is used, there is also a problem that the strong absorbency of the material prevents absorption by plants. Conventional gel cultivation techniques cannot cope with these problems, and it is difficult to cultivate plants well.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the above-described conventional technology, and the object thereof is a gel medium for plant cultivation that makes it possible to successfully grow plants at low cost without using soil, and It is to provide a plant cultivation method.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that if a gel medium containing iota-type carrageenan is used as a gel base, plant roots can be satisfactorily stretched. Was completed.

  That is, the present invention provides a gel medium for plant cultivation containing iota-type carrageenan.

  Moreover, the said gel culture medium for plant cultivation which further contains the mineral containing at least iron is provided.

  Moreover, the content of the iron in the gel medium for plant cultivation is 0.1 to 0.21 μg / L or more, and the gel medium for plant cultivation is provided.

  Further, the present invention provides the gel medium for plant cultivation, wherein the iota-type carrageenan is derived from Eucheuma Denticulatum.

  The gel culture medium for plant cultivation, wherein the content of the iota-type carrageenan is 0.8 to 2.0% by mass.

  Moreover, the said gel culture medium for plant cultivation which further contains a kappa type carrageenan is provided.

  The kappa-type carrageenan provides the gel medium for plant cultivation, which is derived from Kappaphycus Alvarezii.

  The gel culture medium for plant cultivation, wherein the iota-type carrageenan is 0.5 to 2.0% by mass and the kappa-type carrageenan is 0.1 to 0.5% by mass.

  Moreover, this invention provides the said gel culture medium for plant cultivation sterilized by weakly acidic hypochlorous acid.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a plant cultivation method including seeding a plant on the plant cultivation gel medium and applying a fertilizer component containing weakly acidic hypochlorous acid to the plant cultivation gel medium.

  The present invention makes it possible to cultivate plants well at low cost without using soil.

The figure of the plant cultivated using the gel culture medium for plant cultivation of the present invention. The figure of the plant cultivated using the gel culture medium for plant cultivation of the present invention. The figure of the plant cultivated using the gel culture medium for plant cultivation of the present invention. The figure of the plant cultivated using the gel culture medium for plant cultivation of the present invention.

[Gel medium for plant cultivation]
The plant culture gel medium according to the present invention (hereinafter also simply referred to as “gel medium”) contains iota-type carrageenan as a gel base.

  Carrageenan is a general term for mucilage contained in the red eye of Rhodophyta. Carrageenans are divided into three forms: kappa, iota and lambda. Kappa type carrageenan has a strong gelability and has a property of solidifying in a jelly shape. The iota-type carrageenan has a thixotropic viscosity and becomes a fluid gel. Lambda-type carrageenan is soluble in cold water and has the property that its aqueous solution is viscous.

  As the iota-type carrageenan, for example, carrageenan derived from the genus Eucheuma spinosum can be used. Especially, it is preferable that it is derived from Eukeuma Denticulatum. As the iota-type carrageenan, a commercially available carrageenan such as SP-100 (Marine Science Co., Ltd.) can be used. The carrageenan to be used may not be 100% iota type, and other types of carrageenan may be mixed as long as the main component is iota type carrageenan. Further, the carrageenan is not necessarily a purified carrageenan, and for example, red algae such as Yukema Denticramum can be used.

  The gel culture medium for plant cultivation according to the present invention enables the plant roots to be satisfactorily stretched in the gel by the above configuration, so that it is possible to cultivate plants without using soil. Moreover, since this invention does not require a lot of water like hydroponics, it enables it to grow a plant at low cost. Therefore, according to the present invention, plants can be cultivated even in an environment where cultivation using soil or water is difficult. In particular, the gel medium of the present invention does not require the supply of a constantly sterilized solution as in conventional hydroponics.

  Moreover, the gel culture medium for plant cultivation contains the component required for normal hydroponics. For example, the gel culture medium for plant cultivation contains hyponica fertilizers (such as hyponica A liquid and hyponica B liquid) (Kyowa Co., Ltd.). It is preferable to appropriately adjust the fertilizer according to the type of plant. The concentration of the fertilizer component may be, for example, about four times higher than the concentration used for hydroponics.

  Moreover, the gel culture medium for plant cultivation may further contain components other than the component mentioned above. For example, the gel medium for plant cultivation may further contain a base other than the carrageenan described above as a gel base.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the gel culture medium for plant cultivation further contains the mineral containing at least iron other than the fertilizer component normally used for hydroponics. Thereby, the root of a plant can be more satisfactorily stretched in the gel medium for plant cultivation. The mineral is not limited as long as it contains at least iron, and examples thereof include components other than iron, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc. As these element sources, organic or inorganic salts containing these elements can be usually used.

  As the mineral, mineral water containing iron, such as Cimarox (Shimanishi Kaken Co., Ltd.) can be preferably used. When Cimarox is used, the content of Cimarox in the plant culture gel medium is 20 ppm.

Iron is a concept that includes compounds such as metallic iron, iron ions, and salts containing iron. The iron content in the plant culture gel medium is, for example, 0.1 to 1 μg / ml as Fe ₂ (SO ₄ ) ₃ , and more preferably 0.21 μg / ml (containing 20 ppm of 10.5 g / L nutrient solution). preferable. The “iron content” refers to the content of iron elements.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the gel culture medium for plant cultivation further contains a kappa type carrageenan as a gel base. Thereby, since the intensity | strength of the gel culture medium for plant cultivation can be raised, handling becomes easy.

  As the kappa type carrageenan, for example, carrageenan derived from the genus Kappaphycus cottonii can be used. Especially, it is preferable that it is derived from Kappaphycus Alvarezii. As the kappa type carrageenan, a commercially available carrageenan such as TA-200 (Marine Science Co., Ltd.) can be preferably used. The carrageenan to be used may not be 100% kappa type, and other types of carrageenan may be mixed as long as the main component is a kappa type carrageenan.

  The content of iota-type carrageenan in the gel medium for plant cultivation is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.8 to 2.0% by mass, and more preferably 0.8 to 1.5% by mass. Thereby, since the root of a plant can be better stretched in the gel, the plant can be grown greatly.

  Moreover, when the gel medium for plant cultivation contains kappa type carrageenan, it is not particularly limited, but the content of iota type carrageenan is 0.5 to 2.0% by mass, and the content of kappa type carrageenan is 0.1 to 0.5% by mass. The content of iota-type carrageenan is preferably 0.8 to 1.0% by mass, and the content of kappa-type carrageenan is more preferably 0.1 to 0.2% by mass. Thereby, it can be set as the hard gel which does not collapse even if it inclines, and cultivation in unstable environments, such as in a car and a ship, can be made easy.

  The plant culture gel medium can be prepared by using a known method for preparing a solid medium. For example, add gel base carrageenan to water, dissolve by heating to 60 ° C or higher, add other components after dissolution, mix, transfer to containers, etc., and cool to solidify Can do.

  Moreover, the gel culture medium for plant cultivation can be provided as a sterilized gel culture medium for plant cultivation. For example, in the above production process, the gel base can be sterilized by adding weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water as a sterilizing agent in addition to water. Since weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water can be sterilized at a very low concentration, the gel base can be sterilized without affecting plants.

  Moreover, the gel culture medium for plant cultivation of this invention can be used by laminating | stacking a gel culture medium in multiple layers and laminating | stacking several layers. For example, several types of gel media having fans with different fertilizer components can be used in layers. Each layer can be a component tailored to plant growth and root growth. With such a layered gel medium, the plant can be grown without adjusting the fertilizer component according to the growth of the plant or adjusting the additional fertilizer.

[Plant cultivation method]
The plant cultivation method according to the present invention is a method for cultivating a plant using the above-described gel cultivation medium for plant cultivation, and includes sowing a plant on the gel medium. As a method of sowing, seeds may be placed on a gel medium. Moreover, you may use a well-known method as a method of sowing. The seeds to be sown may be germinated in advance or may not be germinated, and a suitable method can be selected according to the plant.

  Moreover, in order to fully conquer a plant, a necessary fertilizer component can be added after seeding a plant on the said gel culture medium for plant cultivation. The addition of the fertilizer component can be performed by applying a fertilizer component containing weakly acidic hypochlorous acid to the gel medium for physical cultivation. Moreover, in order to prevent miscellaneous bacteria from propagating on the gel medium for plant cultivation, weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water can be applied to the gel medium.

  The plant applied to the plant cultivation method of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be cultivated.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the following examples, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims.

(Seaweed powder)
The seaweed powder used in the following examples and comparative examples is SP-100, KK-9, CC-50, MK-100, MJ-6, GA-900 and TA-200 (Marine Science Co., Ltd.). . SP-100 is a 100% iota-type purified carrageenan derived from Yukema Denticramum. KK-9 is a 100% kappa-K type purified carrageenan derived from Kappaficus alvarez. CC-50 is a carrageenan cassia gum formulation derived from Kappaficus alvarage and Cassia Gum. MK-100 is a powdered agar derived from Chilean ogori (Gracilaria verrucosa). MJ-6 is a gelling agent formulation based on kappa-K type carrageenan and cassia gum derived from kappa ficus alvarez. GA-900 is a powder agar derived from Amakusa (Gelidium amansii). TA-200 is a 100% Kappa-K type 200 mesh pass processed Eukema algae derived from Kappaficus alvarez.

[Example 1]
(Preparation of gel medium)
A gel medium using SP-100 as a gel base was prepared.

  First, for sterilization, 200 ppm of weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (Evatech Co., Ltd.) was added as water to be used at about 20 ppm. Next, 1% by mass of SP-100 was added to water and dissolved by heating to 60 ° C. or higher. After dissolution, Hyponica (Kyowa Co., Ltd.) was added as a fertilizer component. As the hyponica, two types of solutions, hyponica A solution and hyponica B solution, were each diluted 500 times and added. The components of the hyponica A liquid and the hyponica B liquid are as follows.

  Next, Cimarox (Shimanishi Kaken Co., Ltd.) containing an iron component was added to 20 ppm. The obtained mixed solution was poured into a container and solidified by natural cooling to prepare a gel medium. The composition of Cimarox is as shown in Table 2.

(Plant cultivation)
As the plant, coriander, trefoil, red shiso, kokusai, komatsuna and leaf leek were used. In addition, seeds germinated in advance were used for the green pepper, komatsuna and leaf leek.

  The seeds of each plant were sown on a gel medium whose temperature had been sufficiently lowered and germinated in the dark. In order to prevent mold generation and decay, mist of 50 ppm slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water was sometimes sprayed on the gel medium. Two weeks later, the antibacterial effect of the gel medium, the presence or absence of germination, and whether the roots entered the gel were observed.

  The results are shown in Table 3. In Table 3, regarding the antibacterial effect of the gel medium, “◎” indicates that there was a strong antibacterial effect, “◯” indicates that there was a normal level of antibacterial effect, and “△” indicates that there was no antibacterial effect. What was done was represented by "x". Moreover, about each plant, what sprouted was represented by "(circle)", and what did not germinate was represented by "x", respectively. Regarding whether or not the roots entered the gel, those that entered the gel were represented by “◯”, and those that did not enter were represented by “x”.

  As shown in Table 3, the gel medium of Example 1 showed a strong antibacterial effect. We also observed that the roots of the germinated plants entered the gel. 1 and 2 are photographs showing plants cultivated in the gel medium of Example 1. FIG.

(Examples 2 to 4)
In the composition of the gel medium in Example 1, 0.1% by mass of sodium benzoate (Example 2), 0.1% by mass of vitamin B1 (Example 3) or 20% by mass of weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (as an antibacterial agent) A gel medium supplemented with Example 4) was prepared. Then, the plants were sown and cultivated and observed in the same manner as in Example 1.

  As shown in Table 3, the gel media of Examples 2 to 5 all showed a strong antibacterial effect. We also observed that the roots of the germinated plants entered the gel.

[Comparative Examples 1 to 4]
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that KK-9 was used as the gel base (Comparative Example 1). In addition, the gel medium was further added with sodium benzoate (Comparative Example 2), vitamin B1 (Comparative Example 3) or weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (Comparative Example 4) as an antibacterial agent. It produced similarly to Examples 2-4. Then, the plants were sown and cultivated and observed in the same manner as in Example 1.

  As shown in Table 3, all of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 had plant roots only in the upper part of the gel, and did not enter the gel.

(Comparative Examples 6-9)
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared by the same method as in Example 1 except that CC-50 was used as the gel base (Comparative Example 6). In addition, the gel medium was further added with sodium benzoate (Comparative Example 7), vitamin B1 (Comparative Example 8) or weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (Comparative Example 9) as an antibacterial agent. It produced similarly to Examples 2-4. Then, the plants were sown and cultivated and observed in the same manner as in Example 1.

  As shown in Table 3, all of Comparative Examples 6 to 9 had plant roots only in the upper part of the gel and did not enter the gel.

[Comparative Examples 11-14]
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that MK-100 was used as the gel base (Comparative Example 11). In addition, the gel medium was further added with sodium benzoate (Comparative Example 12), vitamin B1 (Comparative Example 13) or weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (Comparative Example 14) as an antibacterial agent. It produced similarly to Examples 2-4. Then, the plants were sown and cultivated and observed in the same manner as in Example 1.

  As shown in Table 3, all of Comparative Examples 11 to 14 had plant roots only in the upper part of the gel and did not enter the gel.

(Comparative Examples 16 to 19)
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared by the same method as in Example 1 except that MJ-6 was used as the gel base (Comparative Example 16). In addition, a gel medium in which sodium benzoate (Comparative Example 17), vitamin B1 (Comparative Example 18)) or weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (Comparative Example 19) is further added as an antibacterial agent to the composition of this gel medium, It produced similarly to Examples 2-4. Then, the plants were sown and cultivated and observed in the same manner as in Example 1.

  As shown in Table 3, all of Comparative Examples 16 to 19 had plant roots only in the upper part of the gel and did not enter the gel.

[Comparative Examples 21-24]
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that GA-900 was used as the gel base (Comparative Example 21). In addition, the gel medium was further added with sodium benzoate (Comparative Example 22), vitamin B1 (Comparative Example 23) or weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (Comparative Example 24) as an antibacterial agent. It produced similarly to Examples 2-4. Then, the plants were sown and cultivated and observed in the same manner as in Example 1.

  As shown in Table 3, in all of Comparative Examples 21 to 24, the roots of the plant were only in the upper part of the gel and did not enter the gel.

Example 6
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that SP-100 and TA-200 were used as the gel base. The content of SP-100 was 0.9% by mass, and the content of TA-200 was 0.1% by mass. The right figure of FIG. 3 is a photograph showing a plant grown on the gel medium of Example 6.

Example 7
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that SP-100 and TA-200 were used as the gel base. The content of SP-100 was 0.8% by mass, and the content of TA-200 was 0.2% by mass. The left figure of FIG. 3 is a photograph showing a plant grown on the gel medium of Example 6.

(Example 8)
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that SP-100 and TA-200 were used as the gel base. The content of SP-100 was 0.3% by mass, and the content of TA-200 was 0.4% by mass.

Example 9
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1.5% SP-100 was used as the gel base.

  Any of the gel culture media of Examples 6 to 9 was harder than the gel culture media of Examples 1 to 4, and no gel migration was observed even when the container was tilted. Moreover, although the growth rate was different, in all cases, the root of the plant entered the gel medium, and the plant grew.

Example 10
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 20 ppm Cimarox (Shimanishi Kaken Co., Ltd.) was not added to the gel base.
Example 11
A gel medium having the same composition as in Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that no hyponica was added to the gel base.

  None of the gel media of Examples 10 to 11 grew plants compared to the gel media of Examples 1 and 6 to 9. Moreover, the root did not stick in the gel. FIG. 4 is a photograph showing plants cultivated in the gel medium of Examples 10 and 11. The seeds of Examples 10 to 11 were seeded on the same day as Examples 6 to 9 (FIG. 3).

  As a result of the experiment, it was observed that when the gel base contains Cimarox containing a large amount of iron as a mineral, the roots of the plants entered the gel and the growth of the plants was excellent. By containing 0.21μg / ml of iron (containing 20ppm of 10.5g / L nutrient solution), it was observed that plants grew with roots in the gel even when oxygen was not supplied to the roots. . Moreover, it became clear that in order for a plant to grow on a gel culture medium, it is necessary to contain a fertilizer component in a gel base.

  Since the present invention makes it possible to cultivate plants well at low cost without using soil, it can be suitably used for the production and provision of plant cultivation media, cultivation of plants without using soil, and the like. it can.

Claims (8)

Iota carrageenan only free, the content of the iota carrageenan is 0.8 to 2.0 wt%, the gel medium for growing plants.   The gel medium for plant cultivation according to claim 1, further comprising a mineral containing at least iron. The gel medium for plant cultivation according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the iota-type carrageenan is derived from Eucheuma Denticulatum. The gel culture medium for plant cultivation according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising kappa-type carrageenan. 5. The gel medium for plant cultivation according to claim 4 , wherein the kappa-type carrageenan is derived from Kappaphycus Alvarezii. 6. The gel medium for plant cultivation according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the kappa type carrageenan is 0.05 to 0.2% by mass. The gel medium for plant cultivation according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , which has been sterilized by weakly acidic hypochlorous acid. Planting the plant culture gel medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , and
Applying a fertilizer component containing weakly acidic hypochlorous acid to the gel medium for plant cultivation,
A plant cultivation method.

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