JPS62171620A - Air feeder for culture of plant - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a device for supplying a fixed amount of oxygen gas to the rhizosphere of cultivated plants.

(Prior art) In the conventional cultivation of cultivated plants such as Satsuma 2 crops, fruit trees, flower petals, flowering plants, and trees, the plants are directly planted in natural soil, and fertilizer and rainwater or irrigation are applied as appropriate. Cultivate plants. So-called soil cultivation methods have been widely practiced. On the other hand, recently hydroponic cultivation is a completely artificial method of cultivating plants by circulating liquid fertilizer (nutrient solution) containing dissolved air into the root zone of the plant in order to infiltrate oxygen from the air without using a top. Cultivation methods have emerged and are rapidly becoming popular. In contrast to conventional soil cultivation methods, this method (1) allows for more effective fertilization management; (2) It can be used even on land that cannot be cultivated. (3)
Continuous crop failure can be avoided. (4) Use water and fertilizer efficiently. (5) Culture media can be easily and inexpensively sterilized. (
6) The cultivation density can be increased (and the growing conditions can be idealized, so the yield per unit area can be increased and the quality of the two crops can be obtained).

However, on the other hand, (1) the equipment investment is high; and (2) the nutrient solution is circulated, so if a disease occurs, it will spread throughout the system in a short period of time. (3) There are complex unresolved nutritional issues. (4) It is difficult to implement in areas without water, electricity, etc. sources. (5) It is difficult to maintain a balance between the demand and supply of oxygen in the nutrient solution, which is essential for roots and rhizosphere microorganisms. These drawbacks are a major constraint on the widespread use of this method.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present inventor has conducted extensive research to see if a new cultivation method that has the above-mentioned advantages of the hydroponic cultivation method and does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks, and has developed a method that is completely new in principle. As a result of looking at the relationship between plants and soil from this perspective, we found that the symbiotic relationship with microorganisms in the roots of plants plays an important role in plant growth, and that the oxygen concentration in the rhizosphere is related to this symbiotic relationship. It became clear that there was a strong correlation between the two. Thus, by studying these correlations in detail and artificially adjusting the oxygen concentration in the plant rhizosphere to a concentration range different from that in the atmospheric system.

It has been discovered that a completely unexpected and wonderful growth promoting effect can be obtained. By the way, in order to implement this cultivation method as a complete agricultural technology, a device is required to subtly adjust the soil atmosphere under the atmosphere to an artificial system different from the atmosphere.

There are currently no products that can be used economically and stably over a long period of time.
As a result of repeated efforts, we have arrived at the invention of the present application.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is characterized in that a gas diffusion release device mainly composed of a hollow tubular body permeable to oxygen gas is connected to a pressure vessel containing high-pressure oxygen, and the gas diffusion The present invention relates to a gas supply device for plant cultivation, characterized in that oxygen is released in a controlled flow rate from a release device and is supplied to the rhizosphere of cultivated plants.

Here, the oxygen gas permeable hollow tubular body refers to an object in the shape of a circular pipe (tube), long bag, hollow fiber membrane, etc. that allows at least a small amount of oxygen gas to permeate, and is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. , vinyl chloride resin, polyethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, nylon 6, nylon 6
6. Polymer materials such as synthetic rubber and silicone rubber, ceramics such as Vycor glass, and hard porcelain can be used.

However, when considering oxygen gas permeability, durability, transportability, installation workability, economic efficiency, etc., (a) low-density polyethylene (including linear low-density polyethylene), (b) ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (acetic acid Vinyl component 5-30moJ%) (c
) Soft vinyl chloride resin (dl natural rubber (e) synthetic rubber (
silicone rubber, polyisoprene rubber.

(SBR, NBR, polybutadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, etc.) (f) Thermoplastic elastomer (Tuffprene Q consisting of h: polystyrene, S: polybutadiene,
Polystyrene type such as Tsurprene ■.

h: Polypropylene, S: Polyolefin type such as TPR ■ made of ethylene propylene rubber, h: Polyurethane, S: Polyurethane type such as Elastlan ■ made of polyester or polyether.

h: polybutylene terephthalate s: polyester type such as Hytrel made of polytetramethylene glycol, h: polyamide type such as PAE grade, diamide made of nylon 12.3: polyether, h: Syndi-1-2-polybutadiene, s: Low crystalline 1,2-polybutadiene system such as JSR-RB■ consisting of amorphous 1-2 polybutadiene (where h: hard segment F+S:
representing a soft segment)), a mixture thereof, or a component of any of them at least 70%
% or more, and a substantially non-porous polymeric material comprising a mixture of this and other polymeric materials is most preferred.

The size of the tubular body needs to be varied depending on the target cultivated plants, soil conditions, etc., but a practically preferred one is l≦d≦2 in terms of inner diameter dmm and wall thickness smm.
It is desirable to set it within a range that follows the formula: 0.0.1≦S≦3.0.05≦S/d≦0.5. If a material outside this range is used, it will have poor oxygen gas permeability, ease of burial/removal work, and resistance to injury/damage.

This is because either transportability or economical efficiency becomes unsatisfactory.

An example of using circular low-density polyethylene for cultivating cane such as tomatoes and cucumbers is an inner diameter of 5 to 15 m.
m, and a wall thickness of about 0.5 to 2 mm is appropriate. Regarding the structure of the material, materials with many voids such as porous materials are not preferred because of poor control performance. Pore size is 1000
Å or less, preferably a material that allows the target gas to pass through the gaps between molecules in a diffusion-limited manner.

Although the gas diffusion/discharge device has the oxygen-permeable hollow tubular body as its main component, a tube or the like that is impermeable to oxygen gas may be connected to a part of the hollow tubular body. In addition, when one end of the hollow tubular body is used by connecting it to an air conduit, the other end is sealed by a method such as joining with a stopper, inserting a sealing body, filling with a sealant, or ligating or pressing. As the pressure vessel, any of high pressure cylinders commonly used in industry, safety cylinders used in sports, leisure, medicine, etc. can be used.

The gas contained in the pressure vessel is substantially pure oxygen, but may be a mixture with up to 10% nitrogen gas.

The appropriate amount of oxygen concentration in the rhizosphere differs depending on the cultivated plant and soil environment, but the factors involved are (11) oxygen consumption by microorganisms living in the roots of cultivated plants and in the surrounding soil, (2)
) diffusion between the atmosphere and the aerosphere, replacement by convection, (3) exchange between rainwater and groundwater and the aerosphere, and (4) oxygen supply by this device, among which factors (1) to (3) Compared to , if factor (4) is necessary and set to a sufficiently large amount, the oxygen concentration in the aerosphere can be roughly controlled.

Long-term research results.

This value is converted to 100 to 1000 per 1m of root zone.
0m7! /day was found to be an appropriate amount. On the other hand, regarding the gas diffusion release device, if we comprehensively evaluate the cultivated plants, soil environment, ease of installation, economic efficiency, etc., the appropriate range for the number (spacing) of hollow tubular bodies to be laid will be roughly determined, and the pipe material, shape, etc. Taking into consideration the above limitations comprehensively, a flow rate range of 50 to 5000 H1/day per meter of the length of the hollow tubular body is appropriate.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overview of the apparatus of the present invention and its usage.

Cultivated plant 1 is planted in soil 2 and roots 1a of the cultivated plant 2 to 2 are planted in soil 2.
A gas diffusion release device 3 made of a hollow tubular body is buried 50 cm below (the upper limit of Ia is the branching point of the main root) (the position of the pipe does not necessarily have to be directly under the root, but several tens of meters are placed in the vicinity).
(as long as it is within aa). One end of the gas diffusion release device (
The right end) is sealed, but the other end (left end) is connected to the air guide pipe 5. The other end of the air guide pipe is a pressure gauge 6. A connector is connected to the pressure vessel 4 through a conduit connected to the pulp 8. When using, open the valve 8 and set the pressure to the specified pressure while watching the pressure gauge 6 (in the above example, the set pressure is 6
~10 atm is appropriate). FIG. 2 shows an example of the application of a device system in which a plurality of gas diffusion/discharge devices and one pressure vessel are connected, which is suitable for ridge planting such as cultivation of field crops.

This is an example of a plurality of four ridges connected in which two gas diffusion and discharge devices (3, 3') are buried in a dish row in one row of ridges 10.

Here, a distribution pipe 9 is arranged between each gas diffusion/discharge device and the air guide pipe 5.

In the above example, a pressure vessel filled with oxygen is transported to a cultivation site in a separate system and used on the spot, and each time a predetermined amount of oxygen is consumed, it is replaced with another pressure vessel. It is also possible to produce the oxygen required at the cultivation site while supplying oxygen to the gaseous diffusion release device and thus to the cultivated plants.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the equipment system up to the air guide pipe of this system. Here, FIG. 3-(a) shows a system in which oxygen is alternately charged and released from one valve of the pressure vessel, and oxygen produced in the oxygen production device 11 is passed through the air guide pipe (2113) to the one-shaped valve 12. and fills the pressure vessel 4 via valve (1) 8.

Next, the figure 1 valve 12 is switched to send oxygen into the air guide pipe (l) 5. Figure 3-(b) shows a system in which two valves are attached to the pressure vessel and oxygen is filled and released alternately or simultaneously. Then, the pressure vessel 4 is filled with oxygen produced by the oxygen production device 11 through the air guide pipe (2) 13 and the valve (2) 14, and the pressure vessel 4 is filled with the oxygen produced by the oxygen production device 11.
Oxygen is simultaneously or alternately sent to the gas diffusion/discharging device through the air guide pipe (1) 5 by appropriately operating the . The cryogenic method is conventionally known as an oxygen production device.

Any method such as molecular sheep adsorption method may be used.

(Function) When a cultivated plant is cultivated using the device of the present invention, in the rhizosphere of the plant (Fig. 1, 2a), the air existing in the rhizosphere under the atmospheric system is released from the gas diffusion and release device. A considerable amount of oxygen is replaced by the released and supplied oxygen, forming an oxygen-enriched atmosphere, the aerosphere. The oxygen-enriching effect then promotes the growth and activation of aerobic mycorrhizal fungi such as Zygomycete endogone, which live symbiotically in the roots.

In addition, the dormant isophonous spores germinate and become attached to the host roots, and as a result, the mutual relationship between the roots and the symbiotic microorganisms becomes extremely good. Thus, due to the action of plant hormones such as auxin and cytokinin produced by mycorrhizas and the characteristics of mycorrhizas themselves, (1) the ability of plants to absorb nutrients and water increases, improving their growth conditions and promoting growth; do(
Savings on fertilizers) (2) Resistance to pests and diseases (almost no need for pesticides) (3) Eliminating problems with continuous cropping (4) As a combined effect of the above, both the yield and quality of the crops improve. Very favorable effects such as these are exhibited.

In addition, in the interaction with symbiotic rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi in leguminous plants, the symbiotic relationship between them is activated, and nitrogen fixation due to oxygen enrichment is significantly promoted, increasing the yield of crops.

Carbon dioxide in the rhizosphere is replaced by oxygen, so its concentration decreases considerably. In this way, the alkali metals generated by the bicarbonate ion trapping effect and alkaline earth metal ions, which was a problem in the conventional system,
Alkaline earth metal deficiency malnutrition is resolved.

Cultivated plants under favorable soil environment and cultivation conditions have a large amount of voids in the rhizosphere soil, and these voids consume oxygen that is naturally supplied from the atmosphere, leading to respiration of seed cells, new root growth, and nutrients. In addition to carrying out important physiological activities such as absorption of ions and water and transfer to above-ground parts, microorganisms living in the rhizosphere and its vicinity also consume oxygen to live their lives, creating a soil environment suitable for root growth. is creating.

However, moisture damage due to soil viscosity, lack of organic matter1, destruction of aggregate structure due to long-term heavy use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and abnormal proliferation of microorganisms and other coexisting organisms.

If there is a lack of oxygen due to coexistence of residual roots, etc., the above-mentioned conditions cannot be maintained, and plant growth is inhibited. The method of the present invention is also effective in such cases.

On the other hand, compared to conventional hydroponic systems and plant cultivation devices such as plant factories, this device has the following features.

(1) The device is extremely simple, and since the basic components (pressure vessel and gas diffusion/discharge device) do not include moving parts, it is easy to operate and maintenance is extremely easy. (The pressure vessel can be easily replaced) (2) The extremely small amount of oxygen flow rate can be adjusted with high precision with a single valve operation.

(3) The equipment price, installation/removal work cost, and running cost are all extremely low.

(4) When used as a basic structure, it can be implemented even in places without utility equipment such as a power source or water source (water supply).

(5) Since it is basically almost the same as the conventional soil cultivation method, it is easy to introduce and does not require advanced technology or experience to operate.

Example 1 A market 140rrf (1,75m
X80m) B market 140rrr (1,75m X80
Build 2 pottery fields in parallel, put sandy soil in market A and heavy clay in market B, each with 560 kg of park compost and chemical fertilizer (N: P: K, 1:1:1) 4 .2
kg on the entire surface and ridge, and the horizontal half of each section (1.75m x 40m) has an inner diameter of 5mm and a wall thickness of 0.5mm.
Linear low-density polyethylene tubes (gas diffusion and release devices) with a length of 4011 mm were buried in a parallel arrangement symmetrical to the longitudinal center line of the third daughter compartment at a depth of 15 to 20 mm, with an interval of 50 cm. 7 Nm' of oxygen was filled through a distribution pipe made of gas-impermeable synthetic rubber (vinylidene chloride resin/NBR composite) and an air guide pipe. Oxygen cylinder (110
kg/cJ). The output pressure of this cylinder was set to 7 kg/d by valve operation, and oxygen was diffused and released into the soil almost constantly.

Virus-free seedlings were raised from runners of the strawberry "Jobun Wase" variety in these markets. 5 to 6 leaves weighing 2.
954 seedlings weighing ~30g were planted in a staggered array of 6 vertical rows at intervals of 25CI11 (2 rows of seedlings were placed on top of one buried tube so as to sandwich the seedlings).
Normal semi-forced cultivation was carried out during the period of cultivation.

This kind of cultivation was continued for three years in the same market, and the cultivation status was observed. The mother plants of runners for seedling collection from the second year onwards were not limited to virus-free plants, but were randomly collected from plants with good growth. No pesticides were used throughout the cultivation. The results are shown in Table 1.Results of ordinary semi-forced cultivation of the Strawberry 'Jobun-early' variety.Strawberries in the areas treated with this method are stronger in both markets than those in the untreated areas, and their leaves are darker and glossier.

Runners were abundant and raising seedlings was easy.

As for the harvest status, as shown in Table 1, the yield in the plots treated with No. 1 increased by 30 to 50% in the first year, and the fruits were large, had high sugar content, and had excellent taste and aroma.

As the number of cases progresses to 2nd and 3rd year groups, the yield in untreated plots decreases for a while due to normal pests and damage from continuous cropping.
The size of the fruit is small, and the number of irregularly shaped fruits increases, whereas in the plots treated with the 1st method, the yield increased, albeit slightly, and it became possible to reliably obtain fruits with two uniform grains every year.

Example 2 204 rd (12 m
Low-density polyethylene tubes with an inner diameter of 10 mm, a wall thickness of 1 mm, and a length of 17 m were placed in one of the three main islands at intervals of approximately 150 cm in half of a rice field (with oxygen-deficient soil with many remaining roots) of
Buried at a depth of 0 to 15 cm, connected to a 110 kg/cut oxygen cylinder with a 7 m" oxygen capacity, and a load pressure of 3 kg.
/ crA, 150 per tube
m 7! Oxygen was constantly released at a flow rate of /m 2 /day.

In this paddy field, 4080 plants (20 plants/m') of unpublished (Nipponbare) which had been carba-treated (calcium peroxide coating) were directly sown in 3 rows in each side compartment, with a few grains each. (The sowing position in the original treatment area was set to be directly above the buried tube.) Thus, cultivation was carried out in one cultivation year according to the conventional method.
Fruiting panicles were harvested randomly from both plots, and the harvest status was evaluated.

The results are shown in Table 2. For reference, 3 rows of 4 identical unpublished books without curvature treatment are placed in adjacent sections of 1 car section.
080 plants were sown and the cultivation conditions were compared without using the single-plant method, but the growth was extremely poor and no acceptable harvest was obtained.

Table 2 Test results for paddy rice (Nipponbare) As is clear from the above results, a remarkable increase in yield was observed, and the taste of the powder-treated rice was much better than that of conventional rice.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the growth of cultivated plants is further enhanced, and the yield and quality of agricultural products are improved. In flowering trees, tree vitality improves, growth is promoted, and the colors of leaves and flowers become clearer. In addition, there are no adverse effects such as continuous cropping or malnutrition, and almost no pesticides are used, so it is safe for consumption as food and materials. Fertilizer consumption can also be significantly reduced.

On the other hand, since it is basically soil cultivation, there is no possibility of simultaneous infection of all cultivated plants by pathogenic bacteria, which is the case with hydroponic cultivation. Equipment costs, installation/removal costs, and running costs are also extremely low compared to conventional hydroponic systems and plant factories.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of essential parts of an example of a plant cultivation gas supply device for carrying out the device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a device of the present invention in which a plurality of gas diffusion and discharge devices are connected to one pressure vessel. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the main part of the apparatus of the present invention, which is used by installing an oxygen production apparatus at a cultivation site and connecting it to a gas supply apparatus. 1--Cultivated plant 1a-root 2 as above...Soil 3-Gas diffusion release device 4--Pressure vessel 5-Air guide pipe (1) 6-Pressure gauge 7-Connector 8-Valve (1) 9- Distribution pipe 10... - reference 11 - Oxygen production equipment 12 - Figure 1 valve 13 - Air guide pipe (2) 14 - Valve (2)

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A gas diffusion and discharge device whose main component is a hollow tubular body that is permeable to oxygen gas diffusion and a pressure vessel containing high-pressure oxygen are connected via an air guide pipe, and the gas diffusion and discharge device A gas supply device for plant cultivation, characterized in that oxygen is released at a controlled flow rate and supplied to the rhizosphere of cultivated plants. (2) The flow rate of oxygen gas released into the rhizosphere of cultivated plants from the gas diffusion release device is controlled to a constant flow rate in the range of 50 to 5000 ml/day per meter of the hollow tubular body length of the gas diffusion release device. Characteristic claims (1)
). (3) The hollow tubular body permeable to oxygen gas diffusion includes (a) low-density polyethylene (including linear low-density polyethylene), (
b) Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (vinyl acetate component 5
~30 mol%), (c) soft vinyl chloride resin, (d) natural rubber, (e) synthetic rubber (silicone rubber, polyisoprene rubber, SBR, NBR, polybutadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, etc.), (f) heat Contains at least 70% of any of plastic elastomers (polystyrene, polyolefin, 1.2 polybutadiene, polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, etc.), mixtures thereof, or any of these components, and other It is a substantially non-porous tube made of a mixture with a polymeric substance, and the inner diameter dmm and thickness smm in the cross section of the tube are as follows: 1≦d≦20 0.1≦S≦3 0.05≦S/d≦0
．． 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it lies in the range indicated by 5. (4) Claims characterized in that a plurality of gas diffusion and discharge devices are connected to an air guide pipe via a distribution pipe (
1). (5) An oxygen production device that produces oxygen contained in a pressure vessel is connected to the pressure vessel via an air guide pipe that is different from the air guide pipe set forth in claim (1). The device according to claim (1).