JPH08191632A - Container for cultivating plant - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a lightweight container for cultivating a plant, molded from a composite material comprising a rock powder and a thermoplastic resin and excellent in flow properties of water or air, sustained releasability of a fertilizer or an agrochemical and designability. CONSTITUTION: This container for cultivating a plant is molded from a composite material comprising (A) preferably 32-77wt.%, more preferably 35-64wt.% rock powder consisting essentially of a porous rock such as zeolite and (B) a thermoplastic resin such as PP, PE or PS resin. Furthermore a heat stabilizer, an antioxidant or an ultraviolet light absorber is preferably blended in the composite material.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container for plant cultivation, which is made of a composite material having absorbability and release of water and sustained release of fertilizer, pesticide and the like.

[0002]

A container for plant cultivation has heretofore been used mainly as a clay pot, a so-called make-up pot in which a melting agent is placed in a clay pot, a so-called plastic pot made of polypropylene resin or polystyrene resin, or polyvinyl chloride resin. So-called vinyl pots and the like made of polyethylene resin for plant seedling cultivation are commercially available. The unglazed pot is said to have excellent water and air circulation properties that are favorable for plant growth, but it is easily damaged and heavy, has poor design, and is inconvenient to carry. A vanity containing a flux has excellent design and is not easily damaged, but has a small flowability of water and air necessary for plant growth. In addition, so-called plastic pots are often used because they are not easily damaged, are lightweight, are convenient to transport, and have excellent designability, but because they have almost no moisture or air permeability, cultivated plants are root-rotted. It has been pointed out that problems such as Furthermore, vinyl pots are inexpensive and therefore used for raising seedlings and seedlings, but have no air circulation.

The present invention solves these problems and provides a container for plant cultivation in which the distribution of water and air is equal to or more than that in a unglazed pot, and the weight of a plastic pot and the design are combined. The purpose is to

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container for plant cultivation which can adsorb fertilizers, agricultural chemicals and the like and gradually release them over time.

[0005]

[Structure and Action of the Invention] As a result of repeated studies on the composite material, the present inventors have made a resin composite material in which powder or fine particles of porous rock are mixed, and plant cultivation using this composite material. Completed the container for use. That is, the present invention provides a container for plant cultivation, which is formed from a composite material composed of rock powder containing porous rock as a main component and a thermoplastic resin.

As the porous rock used in the present invention,
Zeolites mainly produced in the northern part of the Tohoku region and Kanto region are preferred. Among the thermoplastic resins, polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, polystyrene resin and the like are preferably used, but other resins may be used, and vinyl chloride resin or copolymer resin ABS which is powdery at room temperature. It may be made of resin or the like.

A container for plant cultivation having a desired shape is formed from a kneaded product of porous rock powder and resin. As the molding method, injection molding, compression molding, vacuum molding and pressure molding after roll molding are preferably used, but other methods may of course be used.

The composite material as a material for the container for plant cultivation of the present invention is preferably 32 to 77% by weight, and particularly preferably 35.
It contains up to 64% by weight of porous rock and the rest is resin.
When the content of porous rock exceeds 77% by weight, the flowability of the composite material required for molding cannot be obtained, and a molded product having sufficient strength is difficult to obtain. 31 porous rocks
If it is less than weight%, the water absorption / release characteristics and the sustained release property deteriorate. It is considered that this is because the porous rock is embedded in the resin and the water absorption / release characteristics of the porous rock are lost. Porous rocks, preferably a container for plant cultivation constituted by a composite material having an appropriate content of zeolite is not only excellent in water absorption, releasability and sustained release, but also for air conduction. It is also excellent in light weight, has excellent transportability, and is not easily damaged.

The composite material may naturally contain a heat stabilizer, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, etc., which are generally added to the resin, and for the purpose of reinforcement, various organic / inorganic reinforcing fibers. It doesn't matter if it contains whiskers or the like.

[0010]

The present invention will be described in more detail by the following examples.

Example 1 About 4 k of mordenite type zeolite (Zeohto Chemical Co., Ltd. zeolite No. 1424 produced by Aiko, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Approximately g is put in a stainless steel butter and 160
It was dried at 48 ° C for 48 hours, naturally cooled to 80 ° C, and immediately stored in a polypropylene wide-mouth bottle. From now on 7
7.0 g was collected in a polypropylene beaker, and polypropylene resin (Showa Denko KK PP; MK-85) was used.
2) 23.0 g was added, and the mixture was lightly stirred, and then mixed at 210 ° C. (Nishimura Koki Co., Ltd. NS-200 type).
The mixture was put on the above and thoroughly mixed for 7 minutes while stirring with a stainless spatula. Take this out and paste inside 15 cm x 15
cm × Depth 0.2 cm Sandwiched in a stainless plate with holes, compressed at 120 kg / cm ² with a compressor (210 type manufactured by Yamaguchi Kikai Co., Ltd.) adjusted to 210 ° C. in advance, taken out, cooled and solidified Zeolite / The polypropylene resin composite material was taken out. The zeolite content at this time is 7
It is 7% by weight. Appearance state, ○ keeps sufficient strength,
The results are shown in Table 1 with a legend that Δ indicates that sufficient strength is maintained but flowability is low and molding is difficult, and × indicates that molding is not possible. Furthermore, if the zeolite is completely covered with the resin, the moisture absorption and desorption properties may be lost, so the results of observing the resin state show that A: the resin has no luster, B: the resin has luster. The state in which there is a gap between the zeolite particles and C: the state in which the zeolite particles are completely embedded in the resin was observed, and the results are also shown in Table 1. This composite material is called PP-A-77.

Example 2 The weight% of zeolite is from 76% to 32% by weight,
A composite material was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the content was changed every 2% by weight. The results are also shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1 A composite material containing 78 and 80% by weight of zeolite was prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, and the results are also shown in Table 1. When the zeolite content was 78% by weight or more, the zeolite powder could not be kneaded well with the resin, the obtained composite material was brittle, and the zeolite powder was also exfoliated from the surface.

Comparative Example 2 In exactly the same manner as in Example 1, a composite material containing 31 and 30% by weight of zeolite was prepared. The results are also shown in Table 1. When the zeolite content is low and the resin content is high, the zeolite is covered with the resin, which is not preferable.

[0015]

[Table 1]

Example 3 In the above-mentioned Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the mordenite-based zeolite was replaced by a clinoptilolite-based zeolite (Zelite Co., Ltd. Zeolite Z-12, Itaya, Yamagata Prefecture). A composite material was produced in exactly the same manner except that the above was changed. The results are also shown in Table 1. This composite material is
It is called P-1-77.

The results of Table 1 show that the zeolite content is 32 to 7
A range of 7% by weight is preferred and indicates that the origin of the zeolite does not affect the properties of the composite.

Example 4 77% by weight of the mordenite zeolite prepared in Example 1
The contained product and the product containing 77% by weight of the clinoptilolite-based zeolite prepared in Example 3 were dried at 60 ° C. for 48 hours, the weight was determined, and then the temperature and humidity were set to 23 ° C. and 90% RH. (CHF-S type manufactured by Betsucell Co., Ltd.), and the weight is measured with an electronic balance (METTLER BD 1201 manufactured by Japan Siber Hegner Co., Ltd.) at regular intervals to obtain a temperature of 23 ° C. and humidity of 90% RH. The water adsorption was measured. The increase was determined as a percentage based on the dried zeolite / polypropylene composite. In addition, the time is calculated in minutes, and the result is shown as a logarithm in FIG. FIG. 1 shows that the composite material according to the present invention becomes a container material for plant cultivation having sufficient hygroscopicity.

Comparative Example 3 A commercially available so-called unglazed pot (No. 4 bowl) was cut with a hammer into a size of about 5 cm × 7 cm. When this was changed to the zeolite composite material of Example 1 and the amount of water absorbed was measured, almost no water was absorbed. The results are also shown in FIG.

Commercially available so-called plastic bowls (polypropylene No. 4 bowls) were cut with a saw to a size of approximately 5 cm × 7 cm, and moisture absorption was measured in exactly the same manner as in Comparative Example 3. The results are also shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the polypropylene resin plastic bowl did not absorb moisture at all.

Example 5 77 wt% of the zeolite / polypropylene resin composite material (using clinoptilolite and mordenite type zeolite) prepared in Examples 1 and 3 was weighed to obtain 300 ml.
It was immersed in a glass beaker containing pure water. The water temperature at this time was 19 ° C. The test piece was taken out, the water was wiped off with a filter paper, and the sample was left at room temperature within 23 ° C. for 30 minutes. After the weight measurement, the sample was left in a thermo-hygrostat (CHF-S type manufactured by Beth Cell Co., Ltd.) adjusted to a temperature of 23 ° C. and a humidity of 50% RH, and the weight was measured every time. Further, the amount of released moisture based on the dried test piece was determined as a moisture release amount in% by weight. The results are shown in Figure 2. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the zeolite composite material has a function of absorbing 28 to 35% of water and further releasing the absorbed water little by little. It should be noted that in FIG. 2, as in FIG. 1, time is defined as minutes and common logarithmic values are set.

Comparative Examples 5 to 6 The unglazed pot pieces and the plastic pot test pieces used in Comparative Examples 3 and 4 were processed in exactly the same manner as in Example 5 to determine the water absorption and release amounts. The released amount was about 1/4 to 1/6 of the zeolite composite material, and the plastic pot had almost no water absorption or release property. The results are also shown in FIG.

Example 6 500 in 1 liter glass beaker at room temperature 23 ° C
After collecting ml of pure water, 100 g of salt (manufactured by Shin-Nippon Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. sold by Japan Tobacco Inc., sodium chloride 99% or more) was added, and the mixture was stirred with a glass rod for 10 minutes and left for 24 hours, Further, the salt remaining therein was dissolved by stirring. After 1 hour, the undissolved salt was further confirmed at the bottom of the beaker, and 400 ml of the supernatant was transferred to a new 1-liter glass beaker, which was used as a saturated saline solution. From each of the zeolite / polypropylene resin composite materials prepared in Examples 1 and 2, five kinds having zeolite contents of 77% by weight, 70% by weight, 60% by weight, 50% by weight, and 40% by weight were respectively selected and saturated. It was immersed in a saline solution, left standing for 24 hours, then pulled up, wiped the surface with a filter paper, and left for 30 minutes in a room. Collect 300 ml of pure water (Kyoei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. distilled water Japanese Pharmacopoeia purified water) in a clean beaker, immerse one piece of the composite material after soaking in saturated saline solution, and stir the pure water with a glass rod for 5 minutes. A test piece was taken out from pure water. 3 to 5 ml of this pure water was sampled in a clean 20 ml test tube, and several drops of 5% silver silver nitrate aqueous solution were added, and the mixture was clouded when silver chloride was formed by chlorine ions and silver ions. It was verified that the absorbed sodium chloride was released in pure water. The composite material further pulled from pure water was immersed in fresh pure water, and the same operation was repeated until the chloride ions in sodium chloride were not detected by silver nitrate. The results are shown in Table 2. The silver nitrate used was a reagent special grade manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc. The legend of Table 2 is that ⊚ is strongly cloudy, ○ is milk or less rice polishing liquid, Δ is rice polishing liquid or less, and × is nothing.

As can be seen from Table 2, sodium chloride is released even if the pure water is replaced up to 22 times.
Therefore, it was found to have excellent sustained release properties.

Comparative Examples 7 to 8 Commercial unglazed pot (No. 5 unglazed pot: Toriyano, Fukushima-shi "PRE
The procedure was exactly the same as that of Example 6 except that a sample purchased from "AU") was cut into a piece of about 5 to 7 cm and replaced with a sample.
(Comparative Example 7) Further, a polypropylene plant pot (No. 5 pot) called a plastic pot, which was obtained at the same store, was cut out in the same manner and carried out in exactly the same manner as in Example 2. Comparative Example 8 The results are also shown in Table 2. The unglazed pot showed a slight sustained release, but it was not sufficient, and the plastic pot did not show any sustained release.

Comparative Example 9 With respect to the two composite materials of 31% by weight and 30% by weight of the zeolite prepared in Comparative Example 2, the sustained release test was carried out in exactly the same manner as in Example 6. The results are also shown in Table 2. As can be seen from Table 2, when the resin content increases and the zeolite decreases,
Although the reason is not clear, the sustained release is almost lost.

[0027]

[Table 2]

Example 7 5 with the same zeolite content as used in Example 6
New specimens were prepared for some composites.

On the other hand, 450 in a clean 1-liter beaker
g of pure water was sampled, 50 g of ammonium sulfate (Kanto Kagaku Co., Ltd. reagent grade 1) was further added, and dissolved by stirring with a glass rod to obtain a 10% ammonium sulfate fertilizer solution. Furthermore, 20 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of barium chloride (special grade reagent manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) was prepared as an indicator for detecting ammonium sulfate. A controlled release experiment of ammonium sulfate was carried out in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate was used instead of the saturated saline solution, and the aqueous solution of barium chloride was used instead of the aqueous solution of silver nitrate. Incidentally, ammonium sulfate Detection _{(NH 4) 2 SO 4 →} 2NH + 4 + SO 2- 4 ... (1) Equation ^{_{BaCl 2 → Ba 2+ + 2Cl -}} ... (2) Equation ^{_{Ba 2+ + SO 4 2- → BaSO}} 4 ↓ ... (3) is used in the reaction formula of (3), and the fact that the production of barium sulfate does not dissolve in water in water and cloudy precipitation occurs. The results are shown in Table 3 for each test piece.

As can be seen from Table 3, the composite material exhibits extremely excellent fertilizer sustained release property.

Comparative Examples 10 to 11 Test pieces were similarly cut out from the unglazed pots and plastic bowls used in Comparative Examples 7 to 8 and tested in exactly the same manner as in Example 7.
The results are also shown in Table 3.

As can be seen from Table 3, the unglazed pot has no sustained release of fertilizer, and the plastic pot has no sustained release.

Comparative Example 12 A test piece was prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2, and the same operation as in Example 7 was performed. The results are also shown in Table 3. In this case, it was impossible to obtain a preferable sustained-release property because the resin content was large.

[0034]

[Table 3]

Example 8 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that the polypropylene resin was changed to polystyrene resin (GP polystyrene 2V-62F manufactured by Showa Denko KK). The specific gravity is slightly different between polypropylene resin and polystyrene resin, polypropylene resin has a specific gravity difference of 0.98 g / cm ³ and polystyrene resin has a specific gravity difference of 1.05 g / cm ³ , respectively. A predetermined amount of each resin was weighed and the zeolite content was 77% by weight and the polystyrene resin was 23% by weight.

This composite material had sufficient air permeability and strength, and could be sufficiently molded by compression molding.

[0037]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The plant cultivation container of the present invention has excellent water and air circulation properties, prevents root rot from occurring, and can provide a favorable environment for plant growth. Moreover, it is excellent in sustained-release property, and it can adsorb applied fertilizers and pesticides and then gradually release them little by little, so that the effects of fertilizers and pesticides can be maintained for a long period of time. Furthermore,
It is easy to mold, has good design, and is relatively lightweight, which is convenient for handling and transportation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the water adsorption properties of samples of Example 4 of the present invention and Comparative Examples 3-4.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the water adsorption properties of the samples of Example 5 of the present invention and Comparative Examples 5-6.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A container for plant cultivation, which is molded from a composite material composed of a rock powder containing porous rock as a main component and a thermoplastic resin. 2. The porous rock is a zeolite.
The container for cultivating a plant according to. 3. The container for plant cultivation according to claim 1, wherein the content of rock powder in the composite material is 32 to 77% by weight.