WO2022175715A1

WO2022175715A1 - Transplanting system and method for gradual transplanting and growing of plants

Info

Publication number: WO2022175715A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/051359
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uliana DURBAK
Original assignee: Lucky Plants Bv
Priority date: 2021-02-18
Filing date: 2021-02-18
Publication date: 2022-08-25

Abstract

Transplanting system and method for gradual transplanting and growing of plants in substrate formed by pre- shaped compressed substrate blocks (2), which are able to expand upon rehydration. A plant that is being transplanted is placed inside a cavity or a hole formed by the dehydrated substrate. Upon rehydration, the substrate is filling the gaps between the clod of substrate with plant's roots and the sides of the container in which the plant is transplanted into. The invention allows the use of any compressible substrate and is suitable for plants that can be grown in containers. The invention significantly reduces time and physical labor needed to transplant plants.

Description

Transplanting system and method for gradual transplanting and growing of plants

This invention is a transplanting system which uses preliminary shaped, dehydrated, and compressed substrate for hydroponic/soilless growth of plants. In practice, there are two substrates that are used most often: coconut substrate and peat-based substrate. Coconut substrate usually consists of coconut pith, coconut chips and coconut fiber in different ratios, from 100% pith to 100% chips. Coconut substrate is a byproduct of the coconut industry and is renewable. Coconut substrate is often supplied in a form of dehydrated compressed blocks, making transportation easier and cheaper as 1 kilogram of pressed coconut substrate expands to 10L of rehydrated substrate.

Peat is a product of partially decayed vegetable and organic matter. It can be supplied in a form of a ready-to-use substrate or in compressed blocks for seedlings and small plants. Peat and coconut substrate are both widely used and often mixed together.

When compressed substrate blocks are created, other components (like perlite, charcoal, fertilizers etc.) can also be mixed in.

This invention concerns use of compressed dehydrated substrate blocks of different compositions that are preliminary shaped and arranged for using in industrial settings.

From JPH01240124A and JPH04103456U known method for cultivating plant and equipment therefor allowing to prevent roots from damaging in transplantation, by transplanting germinated seedlings on a small-sized cultivation block with the above-mentioned block and all into a large-sized cultivation block. This provided by forming cuts in a small-sized cultivation block and a seed or small seedling is planted in the cuts. When the seedling is grown up, the seed or seedling with the small-sized cultivation block and all are planted into a large-sized cultivation block. An inserting part (a) is formed in the large-sized cultivation block so as to facilitate plating. After inserting the small-sized cultivation block 1, the outer periphery of the large-sized cultivation block is suitably bound with a string.

From JP2000139233A known container for cultivating of plants providing the convenient container with functional properties and easy manufacturability and having the facility for operations to classify and recover the container body from soil and effectiveness in pollution control measures in waste disposal by forming specific perforated parts in a specified block unit.

From WO2015025407, JP2008206429A, JP2017029127A, and JP2004298166A are known filled soil blocks for cultivation, plant cultivation method, in which a work hole in opened in an upper surface of a block body formed by compressively molding soil for cultivation, and in which soil for cultivation is filled in work hole. The block body is compressively molded and solidified to a hardness in which deformation is unlikely to occur, the work hole is unlikely to be blocked, and the shape can be self-held. The work hole has a size and depth that facilitates seeding, transplanting, cutting, and planting, and other planting work. Filled cultivation soil and the block body have a soil quality and quantity that allow planting work in filled cultivation soil and that allow a cultivated plant to be grown to any stage of growth. Nutrients may be included as required. The soil-filled soil block for cultivation may be a monolithic shape, an integrated shape, or a divided integrated shape. Disadvantage of such systems is lack of versatility and adaptability to different cultures. System must be closely adapted for specific culture to achieve effectiveness.

Samples of suitable materials or sources to be used in embodiments of the invention include commercially available (e.g. http://www.jiffypot.com/en/products/jiffy7.html) Peat Pellets and Coco Pellets.

Another commercially available product is - Wood products in compressed bales can be very desirable in that there’s reduced storage space needed at grower operations, reduced transportation costs, ease of handling, etc. Compressed bales of wood fiber have been used for many years in the hydro-mulching and insulation industries and now the benefits are being expanded to growing media industries. (https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=24481)

However, both these solutions can be used in the system according to the invention as materials or sources.

Hydroponics is a type of horticulture and a subset of hydroculture, which is a method of growing plants, usually crops, without soil, by using mineral nutrient solutions in an aqueous solvent. Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the nutritious liquid, or, in addition, the roots may be physically supported by an inert medium such as perlite, gravel, or other substrates. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponics)

Disadvantages of above shown examples of means for transplanting solved by transplanting system provided by the current invention.

The invention concerns use of compressed pre-shaped dehydrated substrate blocks of different compositions that are preliminary shaped and arranged inside a permanent or temporary container for gradual transplanting and growing of plants in industrial settings. The compressed pre-shaped dehydrated blocks (2) being arranged inside a container so that the substrate, by expanding upon rehydration, is filling the gaps between а clod of substrate with the roots of the plant being transplanted and the sides of the container.

Traditional transplanting using dehydrated and compressed substrate has a few core issues that make it very labor and time intensive:

For proper plant growth during hydroponic and soilless growing of the perennial plants, plants have to be gradually transplanted into containers of bigger size once or several times a year to ensure enough space for root growth at each stage. For optimal root development and economical use of water and fertilizers, each new container dimension should be around 30% bigger than the previous one (can vary depending on the type of plant and growing methodology). To gradually increase the size of the container, one would need to stuff the substrate into small cavities and spaces to fill in the new container . This process is done manually, takes a lot of time and is not easily automated.

Traditional transplanting is time consuming also because one would need to transport plants to the special transplanting site where the substrate is located, transplant plants there, transport them back to the plantation, and place them onto their locations. As an alternative, already prepared substrate would be transferred to the location of the plant on the plantation. One would also need to uninstall the drip irrigation and then install it again once the plants are back. Exact time needed for this process depends on many factors, but a good estimation is around 5 minutes for one plant. Another problem is the weight of containers with plants, which increases with each transplanting stage. For example, for blueberry plants, a 27L container can weigh around 20 kilos while a 60L container can easily weigh 40 kilos. This way one can transport 20,000 kg to the transplanting site and 40,000 kilos back to the plantation just for 1000 blueberry plants. Taking into an account that one hectare of blueberry plantation can hold between 3,000 to 6,000 plants, the transplanting process requires a lot of manual labor and machinery for transportation. In case the substrate is transferred to the location of the plant on the plantation, one still needs to transport large quantities of already rehydrated heavy substrate around the plantation, which also requires a lot of physical labor and time. This procedure has to be repeated 3-4 times throughout plant development.

Above mentioned problems solved with insertion into containers of preliminary shaped dehydrated substrate blocks with further rehydration. This makes manual labor much easier compared to traditional approach where substrate rehydrated (1) before filling up containers.

System and method of the invention allows to reduce time required for transplanting, and additionally to reduce human labor and weight load on the workers during transplanting of plants.

Fig.1

Prior Art. Shown how the substrate is pushed into narrow gaps between container walls and transplanted plant. (1) – rehydrated substrate

Fig.2

Shown different stages of root development and corresponding stages of gradual transplanting using the transplanting system. (2) – pre-shaped pressed dehydrated substrate block.

Fig.3

Shown rehydration of pressed and dried blocks. Arrows show direction of (a.) compression of substrate under pre-forming during or after dehydration and (b.) expansion during rehydration.

Fig.4

Shown one single block with a cavity matching the clod of substrate with the roots of the plant being transplanted. (a.) – Configured substrate block. (b.) – Configured substrate block with plant inserted. (c.) – Expansion during rehydration. (4) – Cavity formed by substrate block.

Fig.5

Shown an example of transplanting using substrate blocks arranged into multiple layers with vertically variable composition. (a.) – Configuration of cavity by combination of 4 blocks of different types of substrate. (b.) – Configured 4 substrate blocks with plant inserted. (c.) – Expansion during rehydration. (2a, 2b, 2c) – blocks of different types or compositions of substrate.

Fig.6

Shown an example of the vertical arrangement of four blocks with variable composition inside a container.

Fig.7

Shown an example of transplanting using substrate blocks arranged into multiple layers and rows with both vertically and horizontally variable composition. (a.) – Configuration of cavity by combination of substrate blocks of different types or compositions of substrate. (b.) – Configured substrate blocks with plant inserted. (c.) – Expansion during rehydration.

Fig.8

Shown an example of the vertical and horizontal arrangement of seven blocks with variable composition inside a container.

Fig.9

Shown an example of the vertical and horizontal arrangement of blocks with variable composition inside a container, which can accommodate, in this case, three plants. (4) - Cavity formed by substrate blocks.

Fig.10

Shown an example of transplanting using substrate blocks arranged into multiple layers and rows with both vertically and horizontally variable composition, that can accommodate, in this case, three plants of different sizes in one container. (a.) – Configured blocks. (b.) – Configured substrate blocks with plants inserted. (c.) – Expansion of rehydrated blocks with plants inserted. (3a, 3b) – plants of different species or varieties cultivated simultaneously.

Fig.11

Shown an example of transplanting of two plants belonging to different species or varieties grown in two different containers into one container.

Fig.12

Shown an example of transplanting of two plants belonging to different species grown in one container into one bigger container.

Fig.13

Shown an example of transplanting plant into already rehydrated preliminary shaped substrate block. (a.) – Configured block. (b.) – Rehydrating of substrate block. (c.) – plant is inserting into rehydrated substrate block.

Here and after, a plant with the clod of substrate around its roots is referred to as “unit”.

Initial plant .a comes in a container (also biodegradable). When plant’s roots develop to the maximum capacity in the current container and are ready to transplant .b, plant is taken out of the container or, if the container is biodegradable, stays inside it. Plant with the substrate clod around its roots is placed inside the transplanting system ( .c) with a cavity matching the shape of the previous plant’s (unit), therefore perfectly fitting the plant's roots with a clod of substrate from the previous container. If a plant comes in a biodegradable container, the plant with the container is placed inside the new transplanting system with a cavity matching the previous container. Then the substrate is rehydrated by addition of water or aqueous solution (rehydration process shown on .c., .c., .c). Substrate is configured in a shape and dimensions to raise the plant to the desired level and fill the container completely .d.

Next transplanting stage takes place when roots develop to their maximum capacity in the current container, .e and .h. During the following transplanting stages, the plant with the substrate is taken out of its old container .e and .h and is placed inside the next stage (larger) .f. and .i transplanting system configured according to the previous (unit’s) dimensions. Similarly, plants growing in biodegradable containers remain inside the container. As substrate is rehydrated, the plant is raised to the desired level and the substrate fills the new container fully .g - .j.

The blocks on the stages 2.c, 2.f and 2.i can be configured according to shown on .a., .a., .a interchangeably.

Number of transplanting stages ( .a-k) depends on the number of steps necessary to reach full development of the plant and desired volume of the substrate (varies depending on the plant, desired volume of the substrate and substrate composition).

Ease of handling of this invention makes it easy to automate and completely eliminate physical labor needed for transplanting.

Method to reach the aforementioned objectives and solve aforementioned problems is based on the property of dehydrated compressed substrate blocks to rehydrate in the direction, in which these blocks were initially pressed .

Coefficient of expansion depends on the substrate composition and pressure that was applied during compression. For example, most of the coconut substrate blocks that are manufactured at the time of this invention have a coefficient of expansion in the direction of compression of 3-4. After rehydration, substrate blocks also expand in the direction perpendicular to the compression, but significantly less (around 5% from the compressed dimensions) .

Objects of this invention are reached by shaping the preliminary dehydrated and compressed blocks into the desired configurations and sizes. In each configuration, there is a cavity or cavities matching the dimensions of the incoming plant(s)’s and a clod of substrate around the roots. Plant is then taken out of the “old” container (or, if the container is biodegradable, it remains inside) and placed into the “new” larger container.

Examples of such configurations are:

One block with a cavity matching the (unit) being transplanted .

Several blocks of smaller thickness and, if applicable, variable composition that are placed onto one another and/or inside one another. Blocks are shaped or cut in a way that provides a cavity matching the (unit) being transplanted.

schematically shows an example of transplanting using substrate blocks arranged into multiple layers with vertically variable composition.

Detailed such embodiment shown on the where 2a, 2b, 2c are blocks that differ by their composition and properties selected in accordance with the requirements of a particular crop.

In this case, after rehydration of substrate blocks, they also filling gap between clod of old substrate from the previous stage and walls of new larger container and raising plant, levelling it to the desired level in the new larger container and providing variable substrate composition both vertically and horizontally throughout the container .

Another embodiment of the invention encompasses vertical and horizontal arrangement of blocks with variable composition inside a container, selected in accordance with the requirements of a particular crop .

Another embodiment of the invention is based on previous and encompasses arrangement of blocks which can accommodate, in this case, three plants . Such arrangement may be required technologically and esthetically, for decorative purposes.

Yet another embodiment of the invention shown on the . encompasses transplanting using substrate blocks arranged into multiple layers and rows with both vertically and horizontally variable composition, that can accommodate, in this case, three plants of different sizes in one container.

Further embodiment of transplanting encompasses transplanting of at least two plants belonging to same or different species grown in different containers into one container. On the shown example for two plants of two species. Similarly, at least two plants of same or different species can be planted together in one container and then can be transplanted into one bigger container .

Further it shall be noted that system according to the invention encompasses process where substrate fully or particularly can be rehydrated before insertion of transplanted plant with clod of the substrate .

Here shown how the embodiment of invention was tested with blueberry plants but it can potentially be used with any plants that can be grown in containers and that require transplanting that is clear to ordinary skilled average specialist understands how to select and combine commercially available materials for purpose of the invention such as to reach enough effectiveness and safety in cost effective manner. The process described below is similar when using other plants that can be grown within the system. The transplanting time, the time for root development, and the sizes of containers can vary depending on species, variety of plants and other requirements clear to ordinary skilled average specialist.

Example 1 blueberry

3,000 of individual blueberry plants were grown separately from each other in a 1L container for 70 days until their roots were completely developed and ready for transplanting into a larger container.

On the day 70, they were transplanted into 8L containers with larger substrate volume. Rehydration of the substrate was carried out according to the scheme in . Required nutrients and water were added for optimal growth of the plants.

Compared to the traditional scheme ( ), the individual transplanting step for one plant with this method took 7 times less time (15 seconds on average compared to 1 minute and 45 seconds when using the traditional way).

After 110 days from the previous transplanting and when their roots were completely developed in the 8L container, they were transplanted into a 27L container where they were further grown to the stage of fruiting at the maximum yield. Transfer was also performed according to the scheme in . Rehydration was carried out after each transplanting stage. Required nutrients and water were also added for optimal growth of the plants.

Compared to the traditional scheme , the individual transplanting with this method for one plant took 6 times less time when transplanted from 8L into 27L, namely, 20 seconds on average using proposed transplanting system compared to 2 minutes when using the traditional way. The whole process of individual transplanting for 3000 plants took about 17 working hours compared to 100 hours with traditional way. Additionally, transplanting was physically less demanding because substrate was rehydrated after the plant was placed inside, making it lighter and easier to move around.

JPH01240124A

JPH04103456U

JP2000139233A

WO2015025407

JP2008206429A

JP2017029127A

JP2004298166A

Non-Patent Literature

http://www.jiffypot.com/en/products/jiffy7.html

https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=24481

Claims

Transplanting system and method for gradual transplanting and growing of plants comprises compressed substrate blocks pre-shaped (2) and arranged inside a permanent or temporary container for plant growth and characterized in that the substrate is filling the gaps between а clod of substrate with the roots of the plant being transplanted and the sides of the container by expanding upon rehydration.
Transplanting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least one substrate block is having or forming a cavity or a hole, wherein the size and shape of the cavity or the hole in the rehydrated state is matching the size and shape of the clod of substrate with roots of at least one plant being transplanted.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, the compressed substrate blocks are composed of any compressible material or mixes of materials like but not limited to coconut pith, coconut chips, coconut fiber, peat, peat moss, wood chips, wood fibers.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the compressed substrate blocks are having specific coefficient of vertical and horizontal expansion during rehydration specifically selected for optimal filling of the gap(s) between roots with substrate clod and walls of container after the rehydration is completed.
Transplanting system according to the claim 4, characterized in that, it is able to raise the plant to the desired level inside the container.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the container comprises at least two cavities or holes.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, the cavity or a hole comprises at least two transplanted plants.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, the cavity or a hole comprises transplanted plants belonging to at least two species.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, the clod of substrate comprises at least two transplanted plants.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, the clod of substrate comprises transplanted plants belonging to at least two species.
Transplanting system according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the cavity or a hole comprises at least two types of substrate blocks.
Transplanting system according to any the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, the substrate blocks are having a variable composition.
The method for transplanting plants comprises pre-shaping and arrangement of the compressed substrate blocks inside the container, insertion of the plant with a clod of substrate around its roots into the container with shaped and arranged substrate, and rehydration of the compressed substrate blocks.
The method according to the claim 13, characterized in that, the transplanting is gradual, from smaller container sizes and substrate volumes into larger ones.
The method according to the claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, the compressed substrate blocks are rehydrated before the insertion of transplanted plant.
The method according to any of the claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, the process being repeated once or multiple times throughout the growth period of the plant.
Transplanting system and method according to any of the claims 1 to 16 characterized in that, the plants are transplanted for growth in containers, also for hydroponic growth.
Transplanting system and method according to any of the claims 1 to 17 characterized by the plants transplanted selected from the plants that can be grown in containers, like but not limited to the plants of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, black currants, gooseberries, currants, lingonberries, barberries, bearberries, bilberries, boysenberries, buffalo berries, goji berries, grapes, youngberry, sea berry, honeysuckle, bananas, lemons, passion fruits, cannabis, some varieties of apples, some varieties of cherry, some varieties of peaches, some varieties of nectarines, some varieties of plums, some varieties of tarragon, peppermint, green mint, oregano, basil, sage, stevia, lemon balm, rosemary, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, celery, radishes, figs, flowering dogwoods, cypress, maples, mespiluses, silk trees, magnolias, olives, devil's ivy, arrowhead vine, philodendron, peace lily, chinese money plant, female dragon, dumb cane/leopard lily, chinese evergreen, spider plant.