WO2008006181A2 - Improved grow bag for the cultivation of crops - Google Patents

Improved grow bag for the cultivation of crops Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008006181A2
WO2008006181A2 PCT/BE2007/000080 BE2007000080W WO2008006181A2 WO 2008006181 A2 WO2008006181 A2 WO 2008006181A2 BE 2007000080 W BE2007000080 W BE 2007000080W WO 2008006181 A2 WO2008006181 A2 WO 2008006181A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bag
improved
grow bag
crops
organic substrate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/BE2007/000080
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008006181A3 (en
Inventor
Oliver Grunert
Original Assignee
Peatinvest, Naamloze Vennootschap
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Peatinvest, Naamloze Vennootschap filed Critical Peatinvest, Naamloze Vennootschap
Publication of WO2008006181A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008006181A2/en
Publication of WO2008006181A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008006181A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/20—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material
    • A01G24/28—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material containing peat, moss or sphagnum
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/20—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material
    • A01G24/22—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material containing plant material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/30—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing synthetic organic compounds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/50—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor contained within a flexible envelope

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns an improved grow bag for cultivating crops, in particular for cultivating conservatory vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers or for cultivating small fruits such as strawberries.
  • the known grow bags consist of a plastic bag in which is provided a substrate.
  • the grow bags are usually provided with holes at the bottom to drain or carry off a surplus of water and/or nutriments, and with plant holes at the top via which the plants are sowed or planted in the substrate and through which said crops grow.
  • Substrate cultivation on grow bags allows for a standardized cultivation and requires no decontamination of the soil.
  • substrate cultivation restricts the consumption of water and of nutriments thanks to a more efficient absorption and the possibility to make the drainage water and the nutriments recirculate.
  • the plant is controlled better and the substrate cultivation results in an earlier and larger harvest of products of a higher quality.
  • Substrate cultivation is widely applied at present and is advantageous in that it is very appropriate for mechanization.
  • Inorganic substrates such as rock wool or pearlite are used much more frequently at present than organic substrates. After use, the commercial inorganic substrates are processed into for example new base materials for the brick industry.
  • the organic substrates that are used at present are mixtures of peat and/or coconut fibre in different fractions and of different geographical and plant origin.
  • the present invention aims an improved grow bag for cultivating crops which does not have these and other disadvantages and with which crops can be cultivated in an ecologically sound and economical manner, while maintaining all the above-mentioned advantages that are related to the use of grow bags and substrates.
  • an improved grow bag for cultivating crops mainly consists of a compostable bag in which is provided a predominantly organic substrate.
  • Compostable implies that the material is biodegradable and can be disintegrated, in other words that the material can be met abolically transformed in carbon dioxide and that the material degrades and disappears respectively in the final compost without leaving any traces of contamination.
  • Compostable also implies that the material has no detrimental effect on the composting process and that the heavy metal concentrations are low and in any case below the required levels.
  • the compostable bag is made of a material that mainly comprises starch and further also biodegradable polyester and vegetable oils.
  • the material has favourable mechanical characteristics and it is leakage-proof.
  • the use of such compostable material as a container for an organic substrate is very suitable since its composting can be controlled well, such that the mechanical qualities are maintained well for, for example, one or two years .
  • the material can be composted in 10 to 45 days.
  • the filling that forms the substrate is preferably made of a mixture of a sieve fraction of Irish peat and a sieve fraction of Baltic turf.
  • figure 1 schematically represents a grow bag according to the invention for cultivating crops, seen in perspective;
  • figure 2 represents a section according to line II-II in figure 1;
  • figure 3 represents a view according to arrow F3 in figure 1.
  • Figure 1 represents a grow bag 1 for cultivating crops 2, whereby the actual bag 3 or the container of the substrate according to the invention is made of compostable material which in this case mainly consists of starch, biodegradable polyester and vegetable oils, and whereby the substrate 4 that is provided in the bag 3 is mainly formed of organic material .
  • the bag 3 when filled with the substrate 4, is not necessarily beam-shaped but rather has rounded edges, the bag 3 in this case typically is 80 cm long, 23.5 cm wide and 8.5 cm high when filled.
  • Such dimensions are easy to stack on standardised transport pallets and make the grow bag 1 easy to handle and suitable for cultivating crops 2.
  • the bag 3 is made of a folded-up film provided with a weld 9 at the connections.
  • a weld 9 is provided on the back side 5 and each time one weld 9 on a crosscut side 8.
  • the bag 3 is provided with drain holes 10 arranged in rows 11 in this case.
  • drain holes 10 are provided in the back side 5 of the bag 3, more specifically each time one row 11 near a longitudinal side 7 of the bag 3, and each time one row 11 parallel to the latter in the longitudinal side 7 and near the back side 5.
  • the drain holes 10 have a diameter of 6 ram in this case.
  • the belly side 10, designed to be directed up when in use, is provided with plant holes 12 via which the crops 2 are sowed or planted in the substrate 4, and through which the crops 2 grow.
  • the substrate 4 preferably but not necessarily consists of a mixture of a sieved fraction of Irish peat and a sieved fraction of Baltic turf.
  • the substrate may have several compositions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.
  • it may additionally contain an amount of coconut fibre or an amount of another organic decomposable matter.
  • the substrate may also mainly consist of coconut fibre to which may possibly be added an amount of Irish peat and/or an amount of Baltic turf.
  • the peat and/or the turf may also have another geographical origin, but the fractions and geographical origins as mentioned may be considered as preferable.
  • the grow bag 1 according to the invention can also be made in other shapes and that the drain holes 10 and/or the plant holes 12 can be provided according to different patterns or may possibly be omitted, such that the grower of the crops can form them as required when the bag is taken in use .

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
  • Fertilizers (AREA)
  • Pit Excavations, Shoring, Fill Or Stabilisation Of Slopes (AREA)
  • Biological Depolymerization Polymers (AREA)

Abstract

Improved grow bag (1) for cultivating crops (2), characterised in that it mainly consists of a compostable bag (3) in which has been provided a predominantly organic substrate (4).

Description

Improved grow bag for the cul t iyatio.rr of crops
The present invention concerns an improved grow bag for cultivating crops, in particular for cultivating conservatory vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers or for cultivating small fruits such as strawberries.
The known grow bags consist of a plastic bag in which is provided a substrate. The grow bags are usually provided with holes at the bottom to drain or carry off a surplus of water and/or nutriments, and with plant holes at the top via which the plants are sowed or planted in the substrate and through which said crops grow.
The use of grow bags strongly prevents weeds from growing between the cultivated plants.
Substrate cultivation on grow bags allows for a standardized cultivation and requires no decontamination of the soil.
Moreover, substrate cultivation restricts the consumption of water and of nutriments thanks to a more efficient absorption and the possibility to make the drainage water and the nutriments recirculate.
Moreover, the plant is controlled better and the substrate cultivation results in an earlier and larger harvest of products of a higher quality. Substrate cultivation is widely applied at present and is advantageous in that it is very appropriate for mechanization.
For the cultivation of conservatory vegetables, the use of organic as well as inorganic substrates is well known.
Inorganic substrates such as rock wool or pearlite are used much more frequently at present than organic substrates. After use, the commercial inorganic substrates are processed into for example new base materials for the brick industry.
The organic substrates that are used at present are mixtures of peat and/or coconut fibre in different fractions and of different geographical and plant origin.
The problem is that the growers of crops have to dump the known grow bags after use and that this implies discharge and processing costs.
In the context of the growing environmental concern and the accompanying rules, taxes and costs, it is clear that the use of such grow bags weighs down.
The present invention aims an improved grow bag for cultivating crops which does not have these and other disadvantages and with which crops can be cultivated in an ecologically sound and economical manner, while maintaining all the above-mentioned advantages that are related to the use of grow bags and substrates.
To this end, an improved grow bag for cultivating crops according to the invention mainly consists of a compostable bag in which is provided a predominantly organic substrate.
Compostable implies that the material is biodegradable and can be disintegrated, in other words that the material can be met abolically transformed in carbon dioxide and that the material degrades and disappears respectively in the final compost without leaving any traces of contamination.
Compostable also implies that the material has no detrimental effect on the composting process and that the heavy metal concentrations are low and in any case below the required levels.
Thanks to the combined use of a biologically degradable bag and a filling that serves as a substrate and that mainly consists of organic components, such a grow bag can be easily discharged and composted after use.
According to a preferred embodiment, the compostable bag is made of a material that mainly comprises starch and further also biodegradable polyester and vegetable oils.
The advantages of the use of such a compostable material are numerous. For instance, the production of such a material requires little energy and the material has a low global warming impact.
The material has favourable mechanical characteristics and it is leakage-proof. The use of such compostable material as a container for an organic substrate is very suitable since its composting can be controlled well, such that the mechanical qualities are maintained well for, for example, one or two years .
Under controlled composting conditions, however, the material can be composted in 10 to 45 days.
The filling that forms the substrate is preferably made of a mixture of a sieve fraction of Irish peat and a sieve fraction of Baltic turf.
In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiment of an improved grow bag for cultivating crops that mainly consists of a compostable bag according to the invention in which is provided a mainly organic substrate is given as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
figure 1 schematically represents a grow bag according to the invention for cultivating crops, seen in perspective; figure 2 represents a section according to line II-II in figure 1; figure 3 represents a view according to arrow F3 in figure 1.
Figure 1 represents a grow bag 1 for cultivating crops 2, whereby the actual bag 3 or the container of the substrate according to the invention is made of compostable material which in this case mainly consists of starch, biodegradable polyester and vegetable oils, and whereby the substrate 4 that is provided in the bag 3 is mainly formed of organic material .
Although the bag 3, when filled with the substrate 4, is not necessarily beam-shaped but rather has rounded edges, the bag 3 in this case typically is 80 cm long, 23.5 cm wide and 8.5 cm high when filled.
Such dimensions are easy to stack on standardised transport pallets and make the grow bag 1 easy to handle and suitable for cultivating crops 2.
We distinguish the back side 5 and the opposite belly side 6, being the largest faces of the bag 3, two longitudinal sides 7 and two crosscut sides 8.
In this embodiment, the bag 3 is made of a folded-up film provided with a weld 9 at the connections. In this embodiment, a weld 9 is provided on the back side 5 and each time one weld 9 on a crosscut side 8.
Further, the bag 3 is provided with drain holes 10 arranged in rows 11 in this case. In this embodiment are provided two rows 11 of drain holes 10 in the back side 5 of the bag 3, more specifically each time one row 11 near a longitudinal side 7 of the bag 3, and each time one row 11 parallel to the latter in the longitudinal side 7 and near the back side 5. The drain holes 10 have a diameter of 6 ram in this case.
The belly side 10, designed to be directed up when in use, is provided with plant holes 12 via which the crops 2 are sowed or planted in the substrate 4, and through which the crops 2 grow.
The substrate 4 preferably but not necessarily consists of a mixture of a sieved fraction of Irish peat and a sieved fraction of Baltic turf.
It is clear that the filling or the substrate is described above by way of example without being limitative in any way.
Indeed, the substrate may have several compositions while still remaining within the scope of the invention. Thus, it may additionally contain an amount of coconut fibre or an amount of another organic decomposable matter.
The substrate may also mainly consist of coconut fibre to which may possibly be added an amount of Irish peat and/or an amount of Baltic turf. The peat and/or the turf may also have another geographical origin, but the fractions and geographical origins as mentioned may be considered as preferable.
It is also clear that the grow bag 1 according to the invention can also be made in other shapes and that the drain holes 10 and/or the plant holes 12 can be provided according to different patterns or may possibly be omitted, such that the grower of the crops can form them as required when the bag is taken in use .
The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such an improved grow bag for cultivating crops can be made in all sorts of variant s whi le st i ll remaining within the scope o f the invention .

Claims

Claims .
1. Improved grow bag (1) for cultivating crops (2), characterised in that it mainly consists of a compostable bag (3) in which has been provided a predominantly organic substrate (4).
2. Improved grow bag according to claim 1, characterised in that the compostable bag (3) is made of a material which mainly contains starch.
3. Improved grow bag according to claim 2, characterised in that the material out of which the compostable bag (3) is made contains biodegradable polyester and/or vegetable oils.
4. Improved grow bag according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterised in that the organic substrate (4) mainly consists of a mixture of a sieved fraction of Irish peat and of a sieved fraction of Baltic turf.
5. Improved grow bag according to claim 4, characterised in that the organic substrate (4) contains an amount of coconut fibre.
6. Improved grow bag according to one or several of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the organic substrate (4) mainly consists of coconut fibre.
7. Improved grow bag according to claim 6, characterised in that the organic substrate (4) contains an amount of Irish peat.
8. Improved grow bag according to claim 6 or I1 characterised in that the organic substrate (4) contains an amount of Baltic turf.
PCT/BE2007/000080 2006-07-13 2007-07-10 Improved grow bag for the cultivation of crops WO2008006181A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE2006/0386A BE1017224A3 (en) 2006-07-13 2006-07-13 IMPROVED GROWTH BAG FOR CROPS.
BE2006/0386 2006-07-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008006181A2 true WO2008006181A2 (en) 2008-01-17
WO2008006181A3 WO2008006181A3 (en) 2008-06-12

Family

ID=37440859

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/BE2007/000080 WO2008006181A2 (en) 2006-07-13 2007-07-10 Improved grow bag for the cultivation of crops

Country Status (2)

Country Link
BE (1) BE1017224A3 (en)
WO (1) WO2008006181A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2996406A1 (en) * 2012-10-08 2014-04-11 Arielle Bony Removable and reusable draining bag for draining e.g. flower pots receiving plants, has two handles, and filter housing that is made of geotextile of polypropylene non-woven material and ensures separation of drainage layer and ground

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU3012371A (en) * 1970-06-18 1972-12-21 W. R. Grace & Co An artificial soil composition
JPH09235732A (en) * 1995-12-28 1997-09-09 Koichi Naito Plant-raising base material
JPH09294482A (en) * 1996-05-07 1997-11-18 Nippon Shokuhin Kako Co Ltd Biodegradable pot for raising seedling
GB2347836A (en) * 1999-02-18 2000-09-20 Huntly Hay Ann Lavina Seed propagator device
JP2000333529A (en) * 1999-05-31 2000-12-05 Koji Tamura Net bag unit for vegetation
JP2006115784A (en) * 2004-10-22 2006-05-11 Mikado Seed Growers Co Ltd Method for growing crop plant

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU3012371A (en) * 1970-06-18 1972-12-21 W. R. Grace & Co An artificial soil composition
JPH09235732A (en) * 1995-12-28 1997-09-09 Koichi Naito Plant-raising base material
JPH09294482A (en) * 1996-05-07 1997-11-18 Nippon Shokuhin Kako Co Ltd Biodegradable pot for raising seedling
GB2347836A (en) * 1999-02-18 2000-09-20 Huntly Hay Ann Lavina Seed propagator device
JP2000333529A (en) * 1999-05-31 2000-12-05 Koji Tamura Net bag unit for vegetation
JP2006115784A (en) * 2004-10-22 2006-05-11 Mikado Seed Growers Co Ltd Method for growing crop plant

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2996406A1 (en) * 2012-10-08 2014-04-11 Arielle Bony Removable and reusable draining bag for draining e.g. flower pots receiving plants, has two handles, and filter housing that is made of geotextile of polypropylene non-woven material and ensures separation of drainage layer and ground

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008006181A3 (en) 2008-06-12
BE1017224A3 (en) 2008-05-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
Kumazawa Nitrogen fertilization and nitrate pollution in groundwater in Japan: Present status and measures for sustainable agriculture
US7165358B2 (en) Chipped wood as a substrate for plant growth
Maynard Cumulative effect of annual additions of MSW compost on the yield of field-grown tomatoes
Ameri et al. Effect of substrate and cultivar on growth characteristic of strawberry in soilless culture system
Arancon et al. 10 CHAPTER the Use of Vermicomposts as Soil Amendments for Production of Field Crops
Cantliffe et al. Media and containers for greenhouse soilless grown cucumbers, melons, peppers, and strawberries
Kumar Sphagnum moss as a growing media constituent: some effects of harvesting, processing and storage.
Giménez et al. Evaluation of casing materials made from spent mushroom substrate and coconut fibre pith for use in production of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach
Demo et al. Enhancing crop yield and conserving soil moisture through mulching practices in dryland agriculture
PL231010B1 (en) Base for hydroponic plant growing
Maynard et al. Cumulative effect of leaf compost on yield and size distribution in onions
Abo-Sedera The utilize of vermicomposting outputs in substrate culture for producing snap bean
WO2008006181A2 (en) Improved grow bag for the cultivation of crops
Bohlin et al. Peat: Dominating growing medium in Swedish horticulture
Dass et al. Influence of integrated nutrient management on production, economics and soil properties in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) under on-farm conditions in eastern ghats of Orissa
Piñero et al. Insect-based compost and vermicompost production, quality and performance
Natarajan et al. Standardization of Growbag Media with Nutriseed Pack Fertilization for Tomato Crop under Matric Suction Irrigation.
Rahman et al. Physical and chemical properties of different substrate mixtures and their effects on growth and yield of lettuce
Farag et al. Utilization of rice straw and vermicompost in vegetable production via soilless culture
Abul-Soud et al. HOW TO SUSTAINE ECOLOGICAL FOOD PRODUCTION UNDER URBAN CONDITIONS
Maynard Seventy years of research on waste composting and utilization at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Kumar et al. Physical parameters of casing materials on yield parameter of white button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (longe. Imboch)]
Sahoo et al. Artificial Media for Soilless Cultivation
Lee et al. Effect of several kinds of composts on growth status of aerial parts in ginseng seedlings
Bhat et al. Comparision of Growing Substrates for Organic Tomato, Cauliflower and Iceberg Lettuce Production under Greenhouse Conditions

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: RU

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 07784897

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 07784897

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2