【発明の詳細な説明】[Detailed description of the invention]
（産業上の利用分野）
本発明は固形状肥料に関し、特に園芸などにお
いて液肥として使用するための水溶性固形状肥料
に関する。
（従来の技術）
園芸などで使用される肥料は、施肥量の調整が
容易であつて潅水と同時に行なえることから液肥
が用いられることが多い。しかし、濃厚な液状肥
料は、薄めた液肥を調整するために計量や撹拌な
どの手間がかかるので、水中に投入するのみで容
易に液肥が調整できる錠剤型の発泡性固形状肥料
が好ましく用いられる。
このような従来の発泡性固形状肥料は、たとえ
ば硫安、硝安、燐安、塩化加里その他の酸性肥料
に重炭酸塩を添加混合し、圧縮成形したものなど
があり、更に必要に応じクエン酸や酒石酸塩のよ
うな酸性物質を配合して、水中に投入したときに
発泡して速やかに溶解するようにしている（特公
昭41−15485、特開昭55−60085など）。
（発明が解決しようとする問題点）
かかる従来の発泡性固形状肥料は、保存中に吸
湿して重炭酸塩が分解し、発泡性が不良となつた
りまた再固結して溶解速度が低下するなどの問題
があり、密閉容器中に保存しなければならない不
便があつた。これに対し、発泡性を維持するため
に重炭酸塩を多量に配合すると肥料全体としての
塩基性度が上昇し、培土を植物に対して好適な弱
酸性域に保つのに不都合であるという問題もあつ
た。
そしてまた、通常の液肥は速効性であつて流亡
し易いために少量ずつ施肥することが必要である
から、液肥の調整を頻繁に行なう必要があるな
ど、手数がかかる悩みがあつた。
そこで本発明は、湿度の影響が少くて長期の保
存に耐え、しかも培土を植物生育に好適な状態に
維持するに適した液肥を容易に調整することがで
きる、発泡性の固形状肥料を提供することを目的
とした。
（問題点を解決するための手段）
前述の目的を達成するために、本発明において
は水溶性粉末肥料、アルカリ金属炭酸塩、および
コハク酸を必須成分として発泡性固形状肥料を構
成し、その際該コハク酸の含量が該粉末肥料中窒
素成分に含まれる窒素原子に対してモル比で0.5
以上であり、かつ該アルカリ金属炭酸塩中のアル
カリ金属原子に対してモル比で0.5〜２の範囲内
にあるように配合したものである。
本発明において使用される水溶性粉末肥料は、
硫安、硝安、燐安、燐酸加里、硝酸加里、塩化加
里、尿素など、水に可溶性のものであれば何でも
使用できる。また、アルカリ金属炭酸塩として
は、ナトリウム、カリウム等のアルカリ金属の炭
酸塩等であつてこれに重炭酸を加えることがで
き、これらを複数種類組合わせて用いてもよく、
あるいは炭酸カリウムなど、肥料成分の一部を構
成するものであつてもよい。とくに重炭酸塩と炭
酸塩の組合せ、たとえば重炭酸ナトリウムと炭酸
ナトリウムとの混合物などが好ましく用いられ
る。
本発明で用いられるコハク酸は、従来発泡性錠
剤などで酸性物質として配合されていたクエン酸
や酒石酸などにくらべて水に溶けにくいにも拘わ
らず、上述のアルカリ金属炭酸塩に含まれるアル
カリ金属に対してモル比で0.5〜２の範囲内の配
合量で用いることによつて、冷水中でも速やかに
発泡溶解する固形状肥料が得られる。その上、肥
料粉末の打錠成形が極めて能率的に実施できるば
かりでなく、空気中の湿気に対して鈍感であつて
長期に渉つて優れた発泡性を維持できるという、
驚くべき効果を示す。そして更に、このような配
合量とすることにより、培土の酸性度を植物の生
育に好適な弱酸性とするのに効果的でもある。
更に、コハク酸の使用量が肥料中窒素成分に含
まれる窒素原子の量に対してモル比で0.5以上、
特に0.5〜1.0の範囲内であることによつて、本速
効性である肥料中の窒素成分が緩効性となり、土
中の窒素濃度が一時的に高くなることによる植物
への濃度障害を軽減するのみならず肥料の流亡も
防止できるものである。このようなコハク酸の効
果は、培土中の酸性度の適切さと炭素源の供給と
によつて微生物が繁殖し、一時的に窒素を取り込
むことにより無機態（植物が主に利用する形態）
の窒素を減少すること、および一旦微生物に取り
込まれた窒素が再び徐々に放出されることによる
ものと考えられる。
しかし、コハク酸の使用量が窒素原子含有量に
対してモル比で１・０を超えると、逆に植物の生
育が抑制されて好ましくない。これは、炭素源の
過剰な供給によつて過度に増殖した微生物が培土
中の無機態の窒素を極度に取り込み、再度の無機
態の窒素の放出が遅れることによるものと考えら
れる。
（発明の効果）
本発明の発泡性固形状肥料は、特定割合でコハ
ク酸を配合して発泡性成形物としたもので、打錠
成形効果が高いのみならず湿気に耐えて長期保存
ができ、また植物に対して濃度障害を起すことな
く長期に肥効を維持できるものであつて、水に溶
解して液肥とすることが容易であるのみならず施
肥の間隔が変動しても植物の生育に障害を起さな
い特長がある。
実施例 １
表−１に従つて４種の配合組成の発泡性固形状
肥料を作成した。いずれも、60メツシユの篩を通
した配合組成物をよく混合し、打錠圧２トンの打
錠機を用いて直径13mm、重量１ｇ錠剤とした。
打錠の際打錠機の臼、杵への付着は、No.１（本
発明）、No.２およびNo.４（対照）ではほとんどなく
連続打錠できたが、No.３（対照）では臼、杵に付
着して連続打錠ができなかつた。
次に、得られた固形状肥料各１錠を、それぞれ
500mlの水に投入したところ、No.１とNo.３とはそ
れぞれ２分５秒、２分後に完全に溶解して透明な
液肥が得られた。色素の分布から溶液は完全に混
合されているものと判断された。しかし、No.２お
よびNo.４は発泡が非常に少なく、10分経過した後
も完全には溶解しなかつた。
保存を検討するため、これらの固形状肥料を飽
和アンモニウム水溶液を用いた湿度63.5％、25℃
の調湿容器中に24時間放置したところ、No.１、No.
２およびNo.４には外観上変化は認められなかつた
が、No.３は水漏れ状態となつていた。これらを水
に投入したところ、No.１およびNo.２は乾燥状態で
保存したものと差が認められなかつたのに対し、
No.３は発泡性が著しく減少し、５分たつても完全
に溶解せず、またNo.４は殆んど発泡がなく水中で
形が崩れたものの溶解が進まなかつた。
さらに、No.１、No.２およびNo.３の固形状肥料の
水溶液ならびにリン酸１アンモニウム、硝酸カリ
ウム、硫酸アンモニウムを１：１：２の割合で溶
解した水溶液を、それぞれ肥料成分が同量となる
ように施用した鉢に、小松菜の種子を播き３週間
観察した。No.２および肥料成分のみを使用したも
のは発芽率が低く、当初の葉色が濃く、また葉部
の変形も見られたが、全般の生育が遅延したのに
対し、No.１およびNo.３は発芽率も高く、葉の状態
に異常は見られず、その後の生育は順調であつ
た。
(Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to solid fertilizers, and particularly to water-soluble solid fertilizers for use as liquid fertilizers in gardening and the like. (Prior Art) Liquid fertilizers are often used for gardening and the like because the amount of fertilizer applied can be easily adjusted and can be applied at the same time as watering. However, concentrated liquid fertilizer requires time and effort such as measuring and stirring to prepare diluted liquid fertilizer, so tablet-type effervescent solid fertilizer is preferably used because liquid fertilizer can be easily prepared by simply adding it to water. . Such conventional foaming solid fertilizers include, for example, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphorus, potassium chloride, and other acidic fertilizers, mixed with bicarbonate, and compression-molded. An acidic substance such as tartrate is added to foam and dissolve quickly when added to water (Japanese Patent Publication No. 41-15485, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 55-60085, etc.). (Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In such conventional foamable solid fertilizers, bicarbonate absorbs moisture during storage and decomposes, resulting in poor foamability and re-solidification, resulting in a decrease in dissolution rate. There were problems such as oxidation and the inconvenience of having to store it in an airtight container. On the other hand, if a large amount of bicarbonate is added to maintain foaming properties, the basicity of the fertilizer as a whole increases, which is inconvenient for maintaining the soil in a slightly acidic range suitable for plants. It was hot too. Furthermore, because ordinary liquid fertilizers are fast-acting and easily washed away, it is necessary to apply them in small amounts, which requires frequent adjustment of the liquid fertilizer, which is a time-consuming problem. Therefore, the present invention provides a foaming solid fertilizer that is less affected by humidity, can withstand long-term storage, and can be easily prepared into a liquid fertilizer suitable for maintaining soil in a state suitable for plant growth. The purpose was to. (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a foamable solid fertilizer containing a water-soluble powder fertilizer, an alkali metal carbonate, and succinic acid as essential components, and In this case, the content of the succinic acid is 0.5 in molar ratio to the nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen component in the powdered fertilizer.
and the molar ratio to the alkali metal atoms in the alkali metal carbonate is within the range of 0.5 to 2. The water-soluble powder fertilizer used in the present invention is
Anything soluble in water can be used, such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphorus, potassium phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, and urea. In addition, the alkali metal carbonates include carbonates of alkali metals such as sodium and potassium, to which bicarbonate can be added, and a combination of multiple types of these may be used.
Alternatively, it may be something that forms part of a fertilizer component, such as potassium carbonate. In particular, a combination of bicarbonate and carbonate, such as a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate, is preferably used. Although succinic acid used in the present invention is less soluble in water than citric acid or tartaric acid, which have been conventionally blended as acidic substances in effervescent tablets, etc., the alkali metal contained in the above-mentioned alkali metal carbonates By using the molar ratio within the range of 0.5 to 2, a solid fertilizer that quickly foams and dissolves even in cold water can be obtained. Furthermore, not only can the tableting of fertilizer powder be carried out extremely efficiently, but it is also insensitive to moisture in the air and can maintain excellent foamability over a long period of time.
Shows amazing effects. Moreover, such a blending amount is effective in making the acidity of the soil weakly acidic, which is suitable for plant growth. Furthermore, the amount of succinic acid used is 0.5 or more in molar ratio to the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen component in the fertilizer,
In particular, by being within the range of 0.5 to 1.0, the nitrogen component in the fertilizer, which is normally fast-acting, becomes slow-release, reducing concentration problems to plants caused by temporary high nitrogen concentrations in the soil. In addition to this, it also prevents fertilizer from flowing away. This effect of succinic acid is due to the appropriate acidity in the culture soil and the supply of carbon sources, which allows microorganisms to proliferate and temporarily take in nitrogen, which is then converted into inorganic form (the form mainly used by plants).
This is thought to be due to the reduction of nitrogen in the microorganisms, and the gradual release of nitrogen once taken into the microorganisms. However, if the molar ratio of succinic acid to the nitrogen atom content exceeds 1.0, plant growth will be inhibited, which is undesirable. This is thought to be because microorganisms that have proliferated excessively due to the excessive supply of carbon sources take in inorganic nitrogen in the soil to an extreme extent, which delays the release of inorganic nitrogen again. (Effects of the Invention) The foamable solid fertilizer of the present invention is made into a foamable molded product by blending succinic acid in a specific proportion, which not only has a high tableting effect but also can withstand moisture and can be stored for a long time. In addition, it is a fertilizer that can maintain its fertilizing effect over a long period of time without causing concentration problems for plants, and it is not only easy to dissolve in water to make a liquid fertilizer, but also to maintain the fertilization effect of plants even if the fertilization interval changes. It has the advantage of not causing any problems in growth. Example 1 Four types of foamable solid fertilizers were prepared according to Table 1. In each case, the blended compositions were passed through a 60-mesh sieve and mixed well, and were made into tablets with a diameter of 13 mm and a weight of 1 g using a tableting machine with a tableting pressure of 2 tons. No. 1 (invention), No. 2, and No. 4 (control) had almost no adhesion to the mortar or punch of the tablet press during tablet compression, and continuous tablet compression was possible, but No. 3 (control) However, it adhered to the mortar and punch, making it impossible to press tablets continuously. Next, one tablet of each of the obtained solid fertilizers was added to each
When added to 500 ml of water, No. 1 and No. 3 were completely dissolved after 2 minutes and 5 seconds and 2 minutes, respectively, and a transparent liquid fertilizer was obtained. The solution was judged to be completely mixed based on the distribution of the dye. However, No. 2 and No. 4 had very little foaming and did not completely dissolve even after 10 minutes. To study storage, these solid fertilizers were stored at 63.5% humidity and 25°C using a saturated ammonium aqueous solution.
When left in a humidity control container for 24 hours, No. 1, No.
No. 2 and No. 4 showed no change in appearance, but No. 3 was leaking water. When these were added to water, there was no difference between No. 1 and No. 2 compared to those stored in a dry state.
No. 3 had a markedly reduced foaming property and was not completely dissolved even after 5 minutes, and No. 4 had almost no foaming and although it lost its shape in water, it did not dissolve. Furthermore, aqueous solutions of No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 solid fertilizers and an aqueous solution containing monoammonium phosphate, potassium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate in a ratio of 1:1:2 were added, each containing the same amount of fertilizer components. Komatsuna seeds were sown in the pots treated as described above and observed for 3 weeks. No. 2 and those using only fertilizer ingredients had low germination rates, dark initial leaf color, and leaf deformation, but overall growth was delayed, whereas No. 1 and No. Plant No. 3 had a high germination rate, no abnormalities were observed in the condition of the leaves, and subsequent growth was good.
【表】
実施例 ２
表−２に従つて、２種１分合組成の発泡性固形
状肥料No.５およびNo.６を、実施例１と同様にして
作成した。No.１は実施例１におけるものと同一で
ある。
これらの打錠性は前記のNo.１と殆んど同様であ
り、また500mlの水への溶解速度も、No.１が２分
５秒であつたのに対してNo.５とNo.６がそれぞれ１
分５秒と１分40秒で完全に溶解し、透明かつ均一
な液肥が得られた。
また湿度63.5％の環境下の保存性もNo.１と殆ん
ど同様であつた。
小松菜の生育試験では、No.１、No.５およびNo.６
は発芽率、生育状態とも大差がなかつた。[Table] Example 2 According to Table 2, foamable solid fertilizers No. 5 and No. 6 having a two-part composition were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. No. 1 is the same as in Example 1. The tabletability of these tablets is almost the same as that of No. 1 above, and the dissolution rate in 500 ml of water was 2 minutes and 5 seconds for No. 1, whereas No. 5 and No. 5 had a dissolution rate of 2 minutes and 5 seconds. 6 is 1 each
It was completely dissolved in minutes 5 seconds and 1 minute 40 seconds, and a transparent and uniform liquid fertilizer was obtained. In addition, the storage stability in an environment with a humidity of 63.5% was almost the same as No. 1. In the Komatsuna growth test, No.1, No.5 and No.6
There was no significant difference in germination rate or growth condition.
【表】
実施例 ３
表−３に従つて、２種の配合組成の発泡性固形
状肥料No.７およびNo.８を、実施例１と同様にして
作成した。
これらの打錠性は前記のNo.１と殆んど同様であ
り、また500mlの水への溶解速度も、No.１が２分
５秒であつたのに対してNo.７とNo.８がそれぞれ２
分20秒と２分30秒で完全に溶解し、透明かつ均一
な液肥が得られた。
また湿度63.5％の環境下の保存性もNo.１と殆ん
ど同等であつた。
一方、包装後の保存性を検討するためにこれら
をそれぞれアルミ蒸着ポリエチレンフイルムの３
cm×３cmの袋に密封し、40℃の恒温条件下に保管
してガスの発生状況を観察したところ、No.１は28
日目に袋が膨らんでガス発生が認められた。そこ
で袋を開封したところ、内部は水漏れ状態となつ
ていた。また、これを500mlの水へ投入したとこ
ろ殆んど発泡は見られず、10分間放置しても不溶
解物が残つていた。
これに対してNo.７およびNo.８は、同様に100日
間保管した後も袋の膨らみは見られず、開封して
取り出した錠剤は製作時と同様な状態であつて、
500mlの水に投入したところ製作直後と殆んど同
じ時間で完全に溶解、透明かつ均一な溶液が得ら
れた。
なお、これらの保存試験後の錠剤中の水分を減
圧乾燥法で測定したところ、No.１は0.29％、No.７
とNo.８はいづれも0.30％で、差が認められなかつ
た。
小松菜の生育試験では、No.１、No.７およびNo.８
は発芽率、生育状態とも大差がなかつた。[Table] Example 3 According to Table 3, two types of foamable solid fertilizers No. 7 and No. 8 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The tabletability of these tablets was almost the same as that of No. 1 above, and the dissolution rate in 500 ml of water was 2 minutes and 5 seconds for No. 1, whereas No. 7 and No. 7 had a dissolution rate of 2 minutes and 5 seconds. 8 is 2 each
It was completely dissolved in minutes 20 seconds and 2 minutes 30 seconds, and a transparent and uniform liquid fertilizer was obtained. In addition, the storage stability in an environment with a humidity of 63.5% was almost the same as No. 1. On the other hand, in order to examine the storage stability after packaging, each of these was coated with aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene film.
No. 1 was 28
On the first day, the bag swelled and gas generation was observed. When I opened the bag, water was leaking inside. Furthermore, when this was poured into 500 ml of water, almost no foaming was observed, and insoluble matter remained even after being left for 10 minutes. On the other hand, No. 7 and No. 8 showed no bulge in the bag even after being stored for 100 days, and the tablets opened and taken out were in the same condition as when they were manufactured.
When poured into 500 ml of water, it completely dissolved in almost the same amount of time as immediately after production, and a transparent and homogeneous solution was obtained. In addition, when the moisture content in the tablets after these storage tests was measured using a vacuum drying method, No. 1 was 0.29%, No. 7 was 0.29%, and No. 7 was 0.29%.
and No. 8 were both 0.30%, with no discernible difference. In the Komatsuna growth test, No.1, No.7 and No.8
There was no significant difference in germination rate or growth condition.
【表】【table】
【表】【table】