JPH02171124A - Multistage and continuous apparatus for multiculture and method for nutriculture using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the subject apparatus capable of cultivating plants in various growth stages and species by providing plural hollow cultivation trays having a groove-shaped slit in the longitudinal direction in the upper part and a nutrient solution pipe in the lower part. CONSTITUTION:Plural cultivation trays 1, respectively having a groove-shaped slit 2 in the longitudinal direction in the upper part and composing a nutrient solution pipe 3 from the lower part are arranged to form a nearly tortoiseshell pattern-like multistage type bed as a whole. A nursery bed is placed on each slit and a nutrient solution fed from a nutrient solution feed pipe is fed from the two central parts of the cultivation trays into the nutrient solution pipe, made to flow in mutual opposite directions, dropped from both ends, fed to the next stage and recollected in the center. After repeating the above-mentioned operation, the solution is discharged from the lowermost stage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a multi-stage continuous hydroponic cultivation apparatus and a hydroponic method using the apparatus.

[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention] Conventionally,
N F T (Netrient Film Tech)
The cultivation bed of the ``nique'' method is installed flatly,
It has the disadvantage that the cultivation area per unit area is small and the yield per unit area is low.

On the other hand, when cultivating leafy vegetables, they are cultivated under the same cultivation conditions (composition, concentration, temperature, pl, etc. of the culture solution) throughout the entire growth period of the plants in the same cultivation bed (tank). In addition, the same conditions are used when cultivating fruits and vegetables, particularly short plants such as strawberries, in a moving manner.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 12-278926 discloses a method in which a culture solution is placed in an aquarium and a movable cultivation tray placed above the aquarium is moved at certain intervals depending on the growth stage.

However, in this method, the aquarium is kept under constant conditions (culture solution composition, concentration, temperature, pH) throughout the entire plant growth period.
etc.), it is not possible to control the underground environment according to the growth stage.

However, the growth stages of plants (hereinafter referred to as growth stages)

) The composition and concentration of the culture solution required for each.

Temperature, pH, etc. are different. By controlling underground conditions to account for these differences, the growth of the plant will be enhanced, and its quality and yield will be improved.

Therefore, there has been a desire for an apparatus for cultivating cultivated products at different growth stages under cultivation conditions suitable for each growth stage.

Furthermore, conventionally, when attempting relay cultivation using the same cultivation device, the culture solution supplied to successive cultivation devices has a different composition.
They are selected to have the same IA degree, temperature, pH, etc., and are suitable for a certain type of plant. Therefore, there are only two ways to reach Itogi for relay cultivation. One is in the process of cultivating different plants under the same conditions, and the other is in the process of switching to the next different plant after the previous crop is completed.

Although the former does not cause any time loss, it creates underground environmental conditions that are unsuitable for the physiology and ecology of the plant.
There is a risk of inhibiting growth or reducing yield and quality. On the other hand, in the latter case, the cultivation equipment cannot be used until the previous crop is finished, which reduces equipment operating efficiency and may lead to a decline in annual profits.

The present invention eliminates all of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, has a large cultivation area per unit area, and has a multi-tier system that allows cultivating crops at different growth stages and different plants in the same cultivation device according to the required conditions. The object of the present invention is to provide a continuous hydroponic cultivation device and a hydroponic method using the device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] That is, the present invention has a plurality of hollow cultivation trays each having a groove-shaped slit in the upper part in the longitudinal direction and the lower part serving as a nutrient solution pipe, and the nutrient solution is supplied from the nutrient solution supply pipe. The nutrient solution is supplied to the nutrient solution pipes from two places in the center of the cultivation tray, flows in opposite directions, falls at both ends, is supplied to the next stage, and then collects in the center again. After repeating this process, the solution is drained from the bottom stage. A multi-stage continuous hydroponic cultivation device, characterized in that a plurality of multi-stage beds arranged in a vine-like manner are consecutively arranged in the left and right direction, and are equipped with a seedbed placed in the slit. and providing a nutrient solution culture method characterized by supplying a different culture solution to each multi-tiered bed of this device and moving the seedling bed to another multi-tiered bed depending on the growth condition of the seedlings. It is something to do.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention.

In the figure, numeral 1 is a cultivation tray. Figure 2(a)-(C
) are sectional views showing various aspects of the cultivation tray. 2(a) shows one with a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, FIG. 2(b) shows one with a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and FIG. 2(C) shows one with a substantially pentagonal cross-sectional shape. This cultivation tray 1 has a groove-shaped slit 2 extending in the longitudinal direction at the upper part. In addition, the cultivation tray 1 is hollow, and the lower part thereof is the nutrient solution pipe 3.
It consists of

In the present invention, this cultivation tray 1 is provided in plurality, for example, three.
The bed is arranged in ~10 tiers, making it a multi-tiered bed with an approximately tortoise-shell pattern as a whole. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution supply pipe (not shown) is divided into two parts from the nutrient solution supply ports 4 and 4' at two locations in the center of the cultivation tray 1, and then transferred to the nutrient solution pipe 3. The liquid flows in opposite directions, falls at both ends, is supplied to the next stage, and then gathers in the center again. After repeating this process, the liquid flows down the slope so that it drains from the drain port 5.5' in the center of the lowest stage. It is configured with FIG. 5 schematically shows the flow of the nutrient solution.

In the present invention, a plurality of multi-stage beds as described above are consecutively arranged in the left-right direction. FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 show an example in which three sets of multi-stage beds are arranged in succession. Although this multi-tiered bed is continuous with other multi-tiered beds as a cultivation tray itself, the flow of the nutrient solution is separated. That is, the respective liquid supply parts 6A and 6B and the respective liquid drainage parts 7A and 7B of the adjacent multistage bed A (stage 1) and multistage bed B (stage 2) are connected to the weir 8 of the liquid supply part, respectively. ．． The flow of the nutrient solution is clearly separated by the drain 9. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the weir 8 of the liquid supply section, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the weir 9 of the liquid drainage section. Cough in liquid supply section8. The height of the weir 9 in the drainage section is adjusted according to the required liquid level, and is different for each multi-tiered bed in order to match the growth stage of the plants. Usually, the weir of multi-tiered bed B is lower than that of multi-tiered bed A. This makes it possible to lower the liquid level as the plants grow.

Furthermore, in the present invention, a seedbed 1O as shown in FIG. 8 is provided. This nursery 10 is a cultivation cup 14 which will be described later.
There is no particular restriction as long as it has a hole into which the material can be inserted, but it is usually in the form of a perforated sheet. This nursery 1
0 is placed in the slit 2 of the cultivation tray. A cultivation cup 14 containing a culture medium 12 and seedlings 13 is inserted into the hole 11 of the seedbed 10 (see FIG. 9), where the culture medium 12 is made of urethane foam, polyester, or the like.

Note that each multi-tiered bed usually has a different
Nutrient solutions, such as nutrient solutions of different composition, concentration, temperature, and pH, are supplied.

In addition, a pump for sequentially circulating the nutrient solution drained from the drain port 5.5' at the lowermost stage and a tank (both not shown) for storing the nutrient solution are usually provided.

Furthermore, although the size of the cultivation tray varies depending on the type of plants being cultivated, examples are as follows.

That is, in the case of leafy vegetables such as spinach, the height of the cultivation tray 1 is approximately 80 mm, the depth is approximately 60 mm, and the interval between the upper and lower cultivation trays is approximately 130 to 140 mm. In addition, in the case of fruit vegetables such as strawberries, the height of cultivation tray 1 is 50 m.
It is around a+, the depth is around 100 mm, and the interval between the upper and lower cultivation trays is around 420 mm. Note that the length (width) of each multi-stage bed is usually about 3 to 6 m. Moreover, it is sufficient if the slope of the cultivation tray is about 17,500 to 171,000.

The multi-stage/continuous hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention uses supports 16 and the like shaped according to the shape of the cultivation tray on a cultivation stand 15 in which the cultivation tray is assembled in a substantially triangular shape. Although this is a multi-tiered bed with an approximately tortoiseshell pattern, it is of course not limited to this.For example, the cultivation platform 15 may be not only approximately triangular in shape but also approximately trapezoidal. . Note that usually one side is 120
It is sufficient to use an equilateral triangular cultivation frame with a width of around hm.

Further, the support 16 may be appropriately selected to have a shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the cultivation tray 1. Examples of the material for the cultivation stand 15 include steel (Hm), aluminum, and plastic. Further, the cultivation racks 15 may be installed at intervals of usually about 1 m to a length corresponding to the length of the multi-stage bed.

The method of the present invention involves supplying a different nutrient solution to each multi-stage bed of the multi-stage/continuous nutrient solution culture device as described above, and moving the seedbed to another multi-stage bed according to the growth condition of the seedlings. It is characterized by:

In the device of the present invention, the flow of the nutrient solution is separated for each multi-stage bed, so the composition, concentration,
Supply nutrient solutions with different temperatures and pH.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, a seedbed 1O having holes for inserting cultivation cups is used, and the cultivation tray 1 itself is continuous through the multi-stage bed.

Therefore, it is sufficient to pull the seedbed 1o on the cultivation tray 1 and move it to another multi-tiered bed.

Note that the intervals between the holes 11 in the seedbed 1o are usually widened depending on the growth state of the seedlings. For example, when cultivating spinach in three stages, the interval should be approximately 30 to 40+++ meters in the early stage of growth (stage 1), and the interval in the middle stage of growth (stage 1).
In stage 2), the length may be about 60 to 70 mm, and at the stage of completion of growth (stage 3), it may be about 100 to 110 mm. Further, as a result, the length (width) of the multi-tiered bed in each stage becomes gradually longer.

[Operation of the invention] In the device of the present invention, a plurality of multi-tiered beds are arranged in succession, and although the multi-tiered beds are continuous as cultivation trays, the flow of the nutrient solution is completely separated. ing.

That is, there is usually a great risk that the nutrient solution will mix in two locations: the fluid supply portions 6A, 6B, . . . and the fluid drainage portions 7A, 7B, . Therefore, in the present invention, a weir is provided in this portion. Therefore, the flow of the nutrient solution is completely separated in each multi-stage bed, and there is no risk of mixing of the nutrient solutions at each stage.

Furthermore, the weir is lowered each time the stage advances, and the liquid level is lowered. Therefore, there is no risk of interfering with the movement of plants.

Therefore, the culture solution can be changed for each stage while the plants move on the continuous cultivation tray.

[Example code] Next, examples of the present invention will be shown.

EXAMPLE Using a multi-stage continuous hydroponic cultivation apparatus shown in FIG. 1, hydroponic cultivation of spinach was carried out.

The nutrient solution was supplied at three points A, B, and C in two separate steps. The following nutrient solutions were used at each stage.

Stage 1 Stage 22.0 Stage 32.4 The flow of the nutrient solution is almost the same in each stage, so
The flow of the nutrient solution in stage 1 will be explained.

In the A tank, the nutrient solution adjusted to E C1, [ims/cm was supplied from the A point to the nutrient solution pipe in the cultivation tray. The weir at point 1 had a height of 30 mm and was adjusted to the liquid level of stage 1, 25 mm, and the nutrient solution was sent from both ends of the first cultivation tray to the second cultivation tray. The nutrient solution is then sequentially sent to the lower stages, and the nutrient solution discharged from the 10th stage, which is the lowest stage, is sent to tank A by pump A.
The nutrient solution was supplied again from point A. Here, the nutrient solution in tank A was adjusted to an EC of 1.6 mS/cm. In addition, the height of the weir at point 1 is 30 mm as shown above, and the height of the weir at point 2
The height of the weir was 20 mm. Also, the liquid level in stage 1 is 2! onm.

The liquid level in stage 2 is 15mm, and the liquid level in stage 3 is 7m.
It was set as m. Note that the slope of the cultivation tray was 17,800.

Next, as a seedbed, a seedbed with a hole for inserting a cultivation cup as shown in Figure 8 is placed on the cultivation tray as shown in Figure 9, and spinach seedlings are planted in the hole (30 mm in diameter) of this seedbed. Cultivation was carried out by inserting a culture cup.

The spacing between the holes in the seedbed at stage 1 was adjusted using clips to 3 cm, which was widened to 7 cm at stage 2 and 11 cm at stage 3.

First, 50 cultivation cups in which spinach seedlings were planted were inserted into holes in the seedbed, and Stage 1 culture was performed. After culturing at room temperature for 10 days in stage 1, move the seedbed to the cultivation tray position in stage 2 (with a distance of 7 holes between holes).
After lengthening it to cm) was moved. In stage 1, 50 new cultivation cups were inserted into the holes in the seedbed. In this state, the seedlings were cultured at room temperature for 10 days, and the stage 2 and stage 1 seedlings were cultured at stage 3 (after increasing the distance between holes to 11 cm) and stage 2 (after increasing the distance between holes to 7 cm), respectively. (after increasing the length of time), and in stage 1, 50 new cultivation cups were again inserted into the holes in the seedbed. After that, the spinach was cultured at room temperature for 10 days, and the stage 3 spinach was harvested.
The cultivation was continued in the same manner.

Table 1 shows the growth status of the harvested spinach (average value of 50 plants).

The length of the cultivation tray in stage 1 is 3 m.

The length of the cultivation tray in stage 2 was 5 m, and the length of the cultivation tray in stage 3 was 7 m. In addition, as a cultivation stand, one set in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a side of 1200 mm is used.
They were arranged at 0 mm intervals.

Comparative Example Spinach was cultivated using a multi-stage hydroponic system as shown in FIG. In this device, the nutrient solution flowed down alternately in the left and right directions. The slope of the cultivation tray is 17
200, and the length was 7 m.

E C1,6mS/cm in A' tank 11: Adjusted nutrient solution was supplied from point A', discharged from point A'', and returned to A' tank using a pump.Cultivation by planting spinach seedlings. Fifty cups were harvested after being cultured at room temperature for 30 days using a seedbed with holes for insertion of cultivation cups (distance between holes 11 cm) similar to those in Example.Growth status of harvested spinach ( The average value of 50 plants is shown in Table 1.The liquid level was 25 mm.

Table 's1 [Effects of the Invention] According to the apparatus of the present invention, the actual cultivation area per unit area of the facility can be increased to 1.5 to 2 times that of a flat surface.

Moreover, according to the device of the present invention, cultivation trays (cultivation beds) can theoretically be connected to an infinite number of connections and cultivated plants can be cultivated continuously.

Moreover, according to the method of the present invention, cultivated products at different growth stages can be cultivated according to the required conditions. Therefore, it is possible to accelerate growth and improve quality.

Furthermore, according to the method of the present invention, cultivated plants at different growth stages can be continuously cultivated.

Therefore, it is suitable for animal cultivation in plant factories.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention. FIGS. 2(a) to 2(C) are cross-sectional views showing various aspects of the cultivation tray in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one aspect of the liquid supply port in the device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one type of drain port in the device of the present invention. FIG. 5 schematically shows the flow of the nutrient solution in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the opening of the liquid supply port in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the drainage port in the device of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial explanatory diagram showing a seedbed in the apparatus of the present invention. 9th
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a cultivation cup is inserted into a cultivation tray in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an apparatus used in a comparative example of the present invention. 1...Cultivation tray. 3...Nutritional fluid pipe. 5.5'... Drain port. 7A, 7B... Drainage section. 9... Cough in the drainage area. 11...hole. 13... Seedlings. 15...Cultivation stand.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of hollow cultivation trays each having a groove-like slit in the longitudinal direction at the top and a nutrient tube at the bottom are arranged, and the nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution supply pipe is placed in the center of the cultivation tray. A multi-stage bed is formed in which the nutrient solution is supplied from two places to the nutrient pipes, flows in opposite directions, falls at both ends, is supplied to the next stage, and then gathers in the center again, and then drains from the bottom stage. , a multi-stage continuous hydroponic cultivation device characterized by comprising a plurality of seedbeds arranged in succession in the left-right direction and placed in the slits. (2) A nutrient solution culture method characterized by supplying a different culture solution to each multi-tiered bed of the apparatus according to claim 1, and moving the seedling bed to another multi-tiered bed depending on the growth state of the seedlings. .