JPH05308864A - Capillary water culture plant - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the subject plant capable of carrying out the capillary water culture for a long period without spraying a culture solution by hanging one end of a medium capable of exhibiting capillary phenomena into a vessel for holding the culture solution and the other end in the second vessel equipped with a draining means. CONSTITUTION:A hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 15 is supported by an intermediate plate 16 and one end thereof is dipped in a culture solution in a culture solution feed vessel of a molded bed 17. A draining fitting 18 is provided in the culture solution draining vessel and the other end of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is hung without being dipped in the solution. Thereby, the culture solution moves in the nonwoven fabric.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a capillary hydroponic plant having the characteristics that sufficient oxygen can be supplied to the roots of growing plants and that water content can be adjusted by irrigation.

In hydroponics, the growth environment of crops in soil culture is artificially reproduced by clarifying various characteristics of soil. The characteristics of soil can be broadly divided into physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, and biological characteristics, but when building a hydroponic plant, the most important ones are soil quality, water absorption, drainage, and temperature. Is a physical characteristic.

Hydroponics plant is a submerged circulation type, NF
Things such as T type and rock wool cultivation have long been known. Among them, the submerged circulation type hydroponic plant is classified into a tank system having an underground tank and a tankless system in which the nutrient solution is circulated between the cultivation beds. However, in recent years, a new hydroponic plant utilizing the capillary phenomenon has been in the spotlight in place of these hydroponic plants.

[0004]

2. Description of the Prior Art Capillary hydroponic plants are superior in that they can supply more oxygen to the roots. Roots grown in soil in the natural environment absorb oxygen between soil particles, but roots grown in previous hydroponic plants are located in the nutrient solution, so Could not absorb oxygen. FIG. 8 (a) shows a capillary hydroponic plant that uses the principle of floating root hydroponics advocated by Kosai Yamazaki.

In FIG. 8 (a), the nutrient solution 1 in the water tank 104.
05 is sucked up into the hydrophilic non-woven fabric 102 by the capillary phenomenon. The seedling 100 is lifted from the water surface by the floating body 103, and its root 101 has a hydrophilic non-woven fabric 10
Through the step 2, the nutrient solution 105 is absorbed. Also, root 10
1 is outside the nutrient solution 105 and directly absorbs oxygen from the air.

In soil cultivation, soil has been cultivated and compost has been added to improve the physical structure of soil so as to improve the state of oxygen supply. Also, previous hydroponic plants have addressed the problem of oxygen supply by means such as forcibly dissolving oxygen in the nutrient solution or lowering the water level of the nutrient solution to expose the upper part of the root to the air. On the other hand, in a capillary hydroponic plant, since the roots are exposed to the air, there is no fear of oxygen shortage, and it can be said that the problem of oxygen supply is reasonably solved.

Another excellent feature of a capillary hydroponic plant is the ease of water regulation. The watering technique in soil cultivation was very important as a technique for improving the quality of vegetables and the like. However, in the previous hydroponic plants, it was impossible to apply the irrigation technique of soil cultivation because the roots were in the nutrient solution. FIG. 9 (a) shows a capillary hydroponic plant equipped with irrigation equipment.

In FIG. 9A, the seedling 120 is a floating body 1.
It is supported by 23 above the water surface. Aquarium 12
The nutrient solution 125 of No. 4 is the hydrophilic non-woven fabric 1 due to the capillary phenomenon.
It is sucked up to 22. Further, the pump 127 pumps the nutrient solution from the tank 128 to the irrigation tube 126.

Although the root 121 absorbs the nutrient solution 125 through the hydrophilic non-woven fabric 122, it has a watering tube 126.
When spraying the nutrient solution, it also absorbs this nutrient solution. In this way, in capillary hydroponics, it is possible to perform delicate water adjustment by utilizing the irrigation technology that has been cultivated in soil culture, and in this respect as well, it is a very excellent hydroponics plant. You can say that.

FIG. 10 (a) shows a conventional capillary hydroponic plant having irrigation tubes 144, 145 as in FIG. 9 (a). It is necessary to constantly adjust and control the nutrient solution of a hydroponic plant so that the concentration and temperature of each of its components have ideal values. Underground tank 151 is seedling 140,1
We have created a nutrient solution suitable for the condition that 41 grows,
This nutrient solution is delivered to the hydroponic plant by the pump 150.

The nutrient solution 149 in the water tank 148 is sucked up by the hydrophilic non-woven fabrics 146 and 147 on both sides, and is also sent to the underground tank 151. The nutrient solution sent to the underground tank 151 is adjusted in its components and the like and then pumped again.
Pumped out by. On the other hand, the roots 142 and 143 absorb the nutrient solution sucked up by the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics 146 and 147 or the nutrient solution sprayed by the watering tubes 146 and 147.

[0012]

In FIG. 10A, the water content of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics 146 and 147 can be changed by controlling the water level of the nutrient solution 149 in the water tank 148. By this method, it is considered possible to achieve some degree of grass control. However, for that purpose, the nutrient solution in the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics 146 and 147 must be smoothly moved.

FIG. 10 (b) shows a nutrient solution 15 in a water tank 152 in a capillary hydroponic plant of the type shown in FIG. 10 (a).
It is a figure explaining the principle that 3 moves in hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 154. As shown in the figure, the sucked nutrient solution does not exert the force for moving the horizontal portion. Here, since the movement of the nutrient solution becomes stagnant, it can be understood that it is difficult to control the grass force only by controlling the water level of the nutrient solution.

Similarly in other conventional capillary hydroponic plants, stagnation of the nutrient solution occurs. FIG. 8B is the same as FIG.
Figure 9 for a capillary hydroponic plant of the type shown in
FIG. 9B shows the movement principle of the nutrient solution for the capillary hydroponic plant of the type shown in FIG. 9A. Figure 8
In the case of (b), the nutrient solutions 108, 10 in the water tanks 106, 107
Sample No. 9 is sucked up by the hydrophilic non-woven fabric 110 due to the capillary phenomenon, but the nutrient solution does not move in its horizontal portion.

On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 9B, the nutrient solution 131 in the water tank 130 is sucked up by the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 132 by the capillary phenomenon. Then, this nutrient solution further moves gently due to the gradient of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 132. However, it is known that the migration rate of the nutrient solution along the gradient is very low, and the nutrient solution becomes stagnant as in the above-described capillary hydroponic plant.

As described above, the conventional capillary hydroponic plant is not provided with sufficient means for further moving the nutrient solution that has been sucked up by the capillary phenomenon. Therefore, the fertilizer component often accumulates on the horizontal surface of the non-woven fabric, which causes a problem of causing physiological disorders in plants.

By the way, spraying the nutrient solution from the irrigation tube is an effective means for removing salts accumulated on the nonwoven fabric. However, in a capillary hydroponic plant that requires the installation of such irrigation tubes, in fact, it is not necessary to use the capillary phenomenon to suck up the nutrient solution at all, and it is simply necessary to perform spray hydroponics using irrigation tubes. Only.

In addition to the above-mentioned problem of salt accumulation, in the conventional capillary hydroponic plant, the deficiency and excess of specific nutrients occur due to the difference in composition between the nutrient solution in the aquarium and the nutrient solution in the nonwoven fabric. There was a problem that it was not possible to supply the necessary and sufficient water to the roots.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and a new mechanism for quickly moving the nutrient solution sucked from the water tank by the capillary phenomenon without newly adding a power engine or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a capillary hydroponic plant that is equipped with, and has a small number of parts and is easy to construct and maintain.

[0020]

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by means as set forth in the claims.

That is, the invention of claim 1 is provided with a tank for holding a nutrient solution containing components necessary for plant growth, from which the nutrient solution sucked up by the capillary phenomenon is supplied to the roots. A hydroponic plant, which holds a nutrient solution, and is provided with a first tank in which one end of a medium exhibiting a capillary phenomenon when a certain amount of water is held is immersed, and a drainage means for keeping the amount of water below a certain level Capillary hydroponics comprising a second tank and a member for supporting the medium so that one end of a medium exhibiting a capillary phenomenon is hung on the first tank and the other end is hung on the second tank. It is a plant.

The invention of claim 2 is a capillary hydroponic plant, wherein the first tank, the second tank, and the supporting member are made of expanded polystyrene products. The invention is a capillary hydroponic plant in which an upper part of the medium is provided with a planting panel having a hole into which a rockwool pot holding a seedling is inserted.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is a capillary hydroponic plant which is provided with means for directly supplying liquid to the root group of plants, and is provided with a hole in a member for supporting the medium. Is a capillary hydroponic plant in which one or more grooves are provided on one or both of the planting panel and the supporting member provided with holes.

The invention of claim 6 is a capillary hydroponic plant comprising means for dropping the nutrient solution overflowing from the first tank to the second tank, and the invention of claim 7 is underground or A capillary hydroponic plant comprising means for delivering a nutrient solution from a nutrient solution storage tank provided on the ground to the first tank, and means for delivering a nutrient solution discharged by the second tank to the storage tank. is there.

[0025]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, one end of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 3 is immersed in the nutrient solution 2 in the water tank 1, and the other end is suspended in the air. Aquarium 1
The nutrient solution 2 is sucked up by the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 3 by the capillary phenomenon. The sucked nutrient solution is the hydrophilic non-woven fabric 3
Diffusing inside, at the other end of the hydrophilic non-woven fabric 3,
When it comes to the side that hangs in the air, it is sucked down by the siphon principle. Thus, in the present invention,
Since a large force is applied by sucking it down, it is possible to quickly move the nutrient solution on the horizontal part.

[0026]

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. This capillary hydroponic plant was designed for fruit vegetables. In FIG. 2, the rock wool seedling raising pot 11 holding the seedling 10 is fixed to the hole of the planting panel 12, and the root-shielding sheet 14 is laid under the hole. The hydrophilic non-woven fabric 15 is supported by the middle plate 16, and one end thereof is immersed in the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank of the molding bed 17.

Since the nutrient solution drainage tank, which is the other tank provided on the molding bed 17, is provided with the drainage fitting 18, the other end of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 15 is not submerged in the solution. The irrigation tube 13 is for spraying the nutrient solution delivered by a tank (not shown) onto the seedling 10 through a hole provided on its side surface, and the outlet of this irrigation tube 13 is connected to the nutrient solution supply tank.

When the nutrient solution is successively sent from the tank through the irrigation tube 13, the water level in the nutrient solution supply tank of the molding bed 17 is always the highest and becomes constant. The nutrient solution overflowing from the nutrient solution supply tank falls into the adjacent nutrient solution drain tank, is returned to the tank again through the drainage fitting 18, and is circulated.
The level adjuster 19 is inexpensive and can easily adjust the level so that the molding bed 17 is horizontal to the ground.

Planting panel 12, middle plate 16, molding bed 1
A perspective view of 7 is shown in FIG. As these materials, foamed styrene, which has excellent heat retention and is lightweight, can be considered as an example. By the way, the middle plate 16 on which the hydrophilic non-woven fabric 15 is placed
Is for forming a root group of plants, and it is effective to provide a hole in the following points.

When the root group is directly supplied with water by the irrigation tube 13, the culture solution temporarily accumulates on the intermediate plate 16, which causes various obstacles in plant growth.
However, if the middle plate 16 is provided with a hole, the culture solution for direct liquid supply from the irrigation tube is promptly discharged to the lower nutrient solution supply tank and the nutrient solution drain tank, so that the nutrient solution is in a submerged state. Can be prevented.

The holes in the intermediate plate 16 are also effective in the following points. At the time of cultivation that requires heating of the culture solution, the culture solution adjusted to a suitable temperature in the culture solution tank,
The water supply pump passes the watering tube 13 in the cultivation bed at a low pressure to maintain a desired rhizosphere temperature. The culture solution which has passed through the irrigation tube 13 and has heated the root group finally drops into the nutrient solution supply tank and the nutrient solution drain tank of the molding bed 17. It can be said that the culture solution accumulated in both tanks has almost the same liquid temperature as that of the culture solution adjusted to a suitable temperature in the culture solution tank as long as the solution is continuously supplied. That is, immediately below the intermediate plate 16, there is a culture solution kept at an approximately suitable temperature, and the holes in the intermediate plate 16 serve as an effective means for transmitting the heat of the heat source of the culture solution in both tanks to the root group. Can be used.

Here, as an example of the size of the molding bed 17, a height of about 20 cm, a width of about 50 cm,
A depth of about 1 meter is possible. By arranging a plurality of molded beds of this size in the ridge direction and pulling a thin polyethylene sheet, a bed with no water leakage can be constructed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. This capillary hydroponic plant was designed for leafy vegetables. The molding beds 38 and 39 are placed on the elevated platform, but the other configurations are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, and the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 and the intermediate plate 3 are the same.
4, 35, and the drainage fittings 36, 37, please refer to the description of the first embodiment. However, the planting panels 30 and 31 have some differences, and will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the second embodiment. The middle plate 42 and the molding bed 43 are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the planting panel 41 is provided with holes matching the size of the rockwool mini pot 40. This hole is, for example, about 25 mm square. In addition, the planting panel 41 for leafy vegetables is configured so that its edge can be accommodated in the molding bed 43.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a system in which holes are provided in the intermediate plate shown in the second embodiment. The dual-purpose panels 45 and 46 shown in FIG. 6A have a structure that can be used both as a planting panel and as an intermediate plate. The hole of the dual-purpose panel 45 used as a planting panel is the rock wool mini pot 4
4 is effective for fixing No. 4, and the hole of the combined panel 46 used as the middle plate is effective for discharging the nutrient solution sprayed from the irrigation tube 48 and maintaining the rhizosphere temperature. Both the dual-purpose panels 45 and 46 can be used by placing a hydrophilic non-woven fabric 47 and a root-blocking sheet between them and accommodating their edges in a molding bed.

FIG. 6 (b) is a perspective view of the dual-purpose panel shown in FIG. 6 (a). As shown in the drawing, the dual-purpose panel 49 is provided with a groove for passing the watering tube. By this groove, it is possible to prevent the swollen irrigation tube from lifting the planting panel and damaging the adhesion between the medium and the nonwoven fabric when the nutrient solution is supplied. Needless to say, the number of parts can be reduced by using such a dual-purpose panel.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the nutrient solution circulates, but its route is shown: underground tank 53-pump 54-nutrient solution supply tank 50.
~ Hydrophilic non-woven fabric 52 ~ Nutrient solution drainage tank 51 ~ Underground tank 53
Becomes Compared with the circulation of the nutrient solution in the first embodiment,
Since the circulation of the nutrient solution in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is through the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 52, it can be said that the circulation speed is very slow. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the nutrient solution supply tank 50
It would not be suitable for commercial products as it would require other components to control the water level and would complicate the plant configuration.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the nutrient solution moves quickly through the nonwoven fabric, it is possible to carry out capillary hydroponics for a long period of time without relying on spraying of the nutrient solution using a watering tube. Further, since the present invention is a capillary hydroponic plant in which the water content can be freely adjusted, it is a plant having a simple structure that can be installed extremely easily, and can easily perform "squeeze making", "melon draining operation" and the like. There is an advantage that.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an intermediate plate.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 104, 106, 107, 124, 130, 14
8,152 Water tanks 2,105,108,109,125,131,14
9,153 nutrient solution 3,15,32,33,47,52,102,110,
122, 132, 146, 147, 154 Hydrophilic non-woven fabric 10, 100, 120, 140, 141 Seedling 11, 40, 44 Pot 12, 30, 31, 41 Planting panel 13, 48, 126, 144, 145 Irrigation tube 14 Blocking Root sheet 16,34,35,42 Middle plate 17,38,39,43 Molded bed 18,36,37 Drainage fitting 19 Level adjuster 45,46,49 Combined panel 50 Nutrient supply tank 51 Nutrient solution drainage tank 53,128,151 Tank 54,127,150 Pump 101,121,142,143 Root 103,123 Floating body

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A hydroponic plant comprising a tank for holding a nutrient solution containing components necessary for plant growth, and adapted to supply the root with the nutrient solution sucked up by capillarity from this tank. , A first tank in which one end of the medium that retains the nutrient solution and which exhibits capillary action when a certain amount of water is retained is immersed, and a second tank equipped with a drainage device that keeps the amount of water below a certain level, and a capillary tube A member for supporting the medium so that one end of a medium exhibiting a phenomenon is hung down to the first tank and the other end is hung down to the second tank. 2. The capillary hydroponic plant according to claim 1, wherein the first tank, the second tank, and the supporting member are made of expanded polystyrene. 3. A planting panel having a hole for receiving a rockwool pot holding seedlings is provided on the upper portion of the medium.
The described capillary hydroponic plant. 4. The capillary hydroponic plant according to claim 1, wherein a means for directly supplying the roots of the plants is provided, and a hole is provided in a member for supporting the medium. 5. The capillary hydroponic plant according to claim 3, wherein one or a plurality of grooves are provided on one or both of the planting panel and the support member provided with holes. 6. The capillary hydroponic plant according to claim 1, further comprising means for dropping the nutrient solution overflowing from the first tank to the second tank. 7. A means for delivering the nutrient solution from a nutrient solution storage tank provided underground or above the ground to the first tank, and a means for delivering the nutrient solution discharged from the second tank to the storage tank. The capillary hydroponic plant according to claim 6, which is provided.