JPWO2020100193A1 - Cultivation equipment and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a cultivation facility and method for cultivating a plant using bubbles, which can easily simplify the structure and efficiently utilize the effect of the bubbles. do. The present invention comprises a storage unit that stores a liquid that is water or a nutrient solution mixed with a surfactant, and a bubble generator that supplies air to the liquid stored in the storage unit to generate bubbles. The bubble generator is configured to bulge an aggregate of bubbles from the liquid by sequentially generating bubbles in the liquid, and supports the plant to be cultivated. The part supports the plant such that the root of the plant or at least a portion of the plant's medium touches the aggregate, either directly or through a water-permeable semi-coating.

Description

The present invention relates to cultivation equipment and methods for cultivating plants using bubbles.

It is known that it is useful to use air bubbles in hydroponic cultivation of plants. For example, the cultivation facility shown in Patent Document 1 has a storage unit (“liquid storage tank 1” in the same document) for storing a liquid (“nutrient solution 3” in the same document) and a tubular shape directed in the vertical direction. The support cylinder having the same axis or substantially the same axis as the support portion (“hollow tube 2” in the same document) whose body and lower portion are immersed in the liquid. A non-woven fabric (same as above) filled between an inner cylinder that is positioned and inserted inside and both ends are open (“liquid transfer pipe 9” in the same document), an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, and an inner peripheral surface of a support portion. In the literature, a “medium 8”) and a bubble generator (“air pump 10” and “air supply tube 11” in the same document) for generating bubbles are provided on the peripheral wall of the tubular body of the support portion. A support hole (“implantation hole 5” in the same document) that penetrates inside and outside is bored, and a funnel-shaped introduction portion whose diameter increases downward is integrally formed on the lower end side of the inner cylinder. ..

When cultivating a plant using this cultivation facility, the plant is supported by inserting it into a support hole so that its roots come into contact with the non-woven fabric, and the bubbles generated by the bubble generator are transferred from the introduction portion to the inside of the inner cylinder. Introduce to. The bubbles introduced into the inner cylinder rise with the liquid and are ejected from the upper end of the inner cylinder. The ejected liquid flows down while being absorbed by the non-woven fabric. The liquid contained in the non-woven fabric is absorbed by the plant.

According to such a cultivation facility and method, it becomes possible for the roots of the plant to absorb a liquid containing a large amount of oxygen by touching the bubbles, so that the growth of the plant is promoted.

However, in this cultivation facility and method, the structure is complicated and the cost is high, and since the bubbles are supplied to the plant side only through the elongated inner cylinder, the effect of the bubbles cannot be efficiently utilized.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-46606

The present invention provides a cultivation facility and method for cultivating a plant using bubbles, which can easily simplify the structure and efficiently utilize the effect of the bubbles. That is the issue.

In order to solve the above problems, the cultivation facility of the present invention is a cultivation facility for cultivating plants using air bubbles, and includes a storage unit for storing water or a nutrient solution mixed with a surfactant. A bubble generator that supplies air to the liquid stored in the storage section to generate bubbles and a support section that supports the plant to be cultivated are provided, and the bubble generator includes bubbles in the liquid. The aggregate of bubbles is configured to swell out of the liquid by sequentially generating the roots of the plant or at least a part of the medium of the plant through which the support is directly or water-permeable. It is characterized by having a structure that supports the plant so as to touch the aggregate through the semi-coating film.

The storage portion is a container whose upper portion is open, and the bubble generator generates the bubbles in the liquid in the container to raise the bubble layer, which is an aggregate, on the liquid surface of the liquid. The support portion may have a structure that supports the plant above the liquid surface in a posture in which the root faces the liquid surface.

The support portion may have a holding panel, and the holding panel may be formed with one or more holding portions for holding the plant.

A space for forming the bubble layer may be formed between the lower surface of the holding panel and the liquid surface of the liquid in a state where the bubble layer is not generated.

The support portion is a support container capable of restricting the flow of the liquid or the bubbles by separating the inside and the outside, and the support container is provided with a support hole through which the plant is inserted and held. It may be provided and the aggregate may be positioned on the inner surface side or the outer surface side of the support container.

The semipermeable membrane may be configured to allow water to pass through and a surfactant to pass through.

Further, the cultivation method to which the present invention is applied is a cultivation method in which plants are cultivated using air bubbles, and air bubbles are sequentially supplied by supplying air into water or a liquid which is a nutrient solution mixed with a surfactant. By generating, the aggregate of bubbles is swelled from the liquid, and during at least a part of the growing season, the root of the plant to be cultivated or at least a part of the medium of the plant is directly or half-passed through water. It is characterized in that the plant is supported so as to touch the aggregate through the coating film.

The root of the plant may be immersed in the bubble layer.

The surfactant may be saponin.

Since the aggregate of bubbles generated by using the surfactant contains a large amount of bubbles and can be used instead of the medium, the structure can be easily simplified and the effect of the bubbles can be efficiently applied. It can be used. In addition, since it is possible to generate an aggregate of bubbles with a small amount of liquid, it becomes easy to reduce the amount of liquid required for plant cultivation.

It is a regular cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the cultivation equipment to which this invention is applied. It is a top view of the holding panel. It is a composition table of the nutrient solution. It is a flow chart which shows the processing process of the cultivation method to which this invention was applied. It is a front sectional view which shows the structure of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which this invention was applied. It is a front sectional view which shows the structure of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which this invention was applied. It is a front sectional view which shows the structure of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which this invention was applied. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which this invention was applied. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which this invention was applied. It is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A to D as of June 12, 2018. (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A and B as of June 17, 2018, and (B) shows the growth state of the treatment areas C and D as of June 17, 2018. It is a photograph. (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A and B as of June 19, 2018, and (B) shows the growth state of the treatment areas C and D as of June 19, 2018. It is a photograph. (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A and B as of June 20, 2018, and (B) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment area C as of June 20, 2018. be. (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A and B as of June 25, 2018, and (B) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment area C as of June 25, 2018. be. It is a photograph which shows the growth state of the radish sprouts collected by cultivating until July 1, 2018 in treatments A and B. It is a photograph which shows the growth state of the cucumber which was cultivated and collected by the process C until July 1, 2018. (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the vine, and (B) is a photograph showing the state of the bubble layer of the cultivation facility of (A). It is a photograph showing the growth state of ginseng.

FIG. 1 is a regular cross-sectional view showing the structure of a cultivation facility to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a holding panel. The cultivation facility for cultivating the plant P is positioned and placed on the container (reservoir) 1 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and the annular opening edge of the container case 1 so as to close the upper opening portion of the container 1. It is provided with a holding panel (support portion) 2 and a bubble generator 3 that supplies air to a liquid L that is water or a nutrient solution stored in a container 1 and mixed with a surfactant to generate bubbles B. ing.

The container 1 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and is open at the top. The container is made of a transparent material such as glass or resin so that the inside of the container 1 can be visually recognized. The liquid L is stored inside the container 1.

The nutrient solution is, for example, a standard nutrient solution prescribed by Otsuka A or a standard nutrient solution prescribed by Otsuka B, but is not particularly limited thereto. Incidentally, the components of these standard nutrient solutions are as shown in FIG.

The surfactant is mixed in the liquid L for the purpose of promoting foaming. As this surfactant, a natural material that does not hinder the growth of plant P is used. More specifically, plant-derived saponins are used as surfactants.

The holding panel 2 is formed with one or a plurality of recesses (holding portions) 4 recessed downward. An insertion hole 4a is formed in the center side of the bottom of each recess 4. The inside of the recess 4 is filled with a fixed body 6 that can be flexibly changed and can contain a liquid L. The fixation body 6 functions as a medium. The solid body 6 may be composed of a material containing cellulose. Further, the sponge may be cut to a predetermined size and used as the fixed body 6, or the cut non-woven fabric or the like may be agglomerated and used as the fixed body 6.

The fixed body 6 holds the stem P1 and the root P2 of the plant P. Specifically, the plant P is held by the fixed body 6 by inserting the stem P1 through the solid body 6 or by stretching the root P2 in the fixed body 6 during the growth process. The upper part of the stem P1 and the leaf P3 of the plant P extend upward from the fixed body 6, and the lower part of the stem P1 and the root P2 extend downward from the fixed body 6. The root P2 projects downward to the outside of the holding panel 2 through the insertion hole 4a and faces the liquid level L1 side of the liquid L.

That is, the holding panel 2 is configured to support the plant P above the liquid level L1 with its roots P2 facing the liquid level L1 of the liquid L stored in the container 1.

The bubble generator 3 comprises an air stone 8 immersed in the liquid L stored in the container 1, an air pump (not shown) installed outside the container 1, and an air tube 9 connecting the air pump and the air stone 8. I have.

In order to irradiate the leaves P3 of the plant P supported by the holding panel 2 with light to promote photosynthesis, this cultivation facility may be installed in the sun and cultivated by natural light, but the plant is cultivated by artificial light. P may be cultivated. In this case, a light source 11 made of an LED or the like is installed directly above the leaf P3 of the plant P. The irradiation direction of the light source 11 is directed downward.

Next, a cultivation method using this cultivation facility will be described.

First, the liquid L is injected into the container 1. The amount of the liquid L injected into the container 1 is adjusted so that the liquid level L1 does not reach the lower end of the holding panel 2. In other words, a space S is formed between the liquid level L1 of the liquid L in a non-foaming state and the holding panel 2.

Subsequently, the air stone 8 is immersed in the liquid L in the container 1. After that, the holding panel 2 on which one or more plants P are supported is positioned and placed on the annular opening edge of the container 1. In normal hydroponic cultivation, at least a part of the root P2 of the plant P supported by the holding panel 2 needs to be immersed in the liquid L in the container 1, but in this example, this condition is not essential. No. That is, the root P2 of the plant P supported by the holding panel 2 does not have to reach the liquid level L1 of the liquid L in the state of being injected into the container 1 and not foaming.

Subsequently, the air pump pumps the air through the air tube 9. The pumped air that has reached the air stone 8 is ejected from the air stone 8 into the liquid L to generate innumerable bubbles B. The bubbles B generated at any time rise in the liquid L and swell upward from the liquid surface L1 to form a bubble layer which is an aggregate G of the bubbles B on the liquid surface L1.

The bubble layer G is formed in the space S from the above configuration. In other words, this space S is used as a space for forming the bubble layer G. Then, at least a part of the root P2 of the plant P is brought into contact with the bubble layer G. The plant P can grow as long as at least a part of the root P2 is in contact with the bubble layer G, and does not need to be immersed in the liquid L.

In the illustrated example, the bubble layer G bulges to a position above the lower surface of the holding panel 2, and the plant P supported by the support portion is the entire portion extending downward from the fixed body 6 of the root P2. Is immersed in the bubble layer G. In other words, the holding panel 2 is configured to support the plant P so that the portion of the root P2 is in contact with the aggregate G. The plant P efficiently absorbs the nutrients in the liquid L and grows through the bubble layer G.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing process of a cultivation method to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, according to the above-mentioned contents, the cultivation method of this plant P stores water or the nutrient solution in the container 1 which is a storage part, and at the same time, the interface in the water or the nutrient solution. A preparatory step for mixing the activator, an assembly step for assembling the cultivation equipment after the preparatory step, a generation step for generating bubbles B in the liquid L stored inside the container 1 after the assembly step, and a liquid L. A generation step of sequentially generating a bubble layer which is an aggregate G of the bubbles B on the liquid surface L1 by the bubbles B generated in the above, and a contact step of bringing the bubbles B into contact with the root P2 of the plant P in the state of the aggregate G. And the extinction step in which the bubbles B constituting the aggregate G burst and disappear.

The preparatory step is carried out every time a new plant P is cultivated or the liquid L stored in the container 1 is replaced. Either the injection operation into the inside of the container 1 or the mixing operation of the surfactant in this preparation step may be performed first.

The generation step, the generation step, the contact step, and the extinction step are repeated in this order at any time until the liquid L stored in the container 1 is replaced.

If the cultivation equipment is assembled in advance in a state where water, nutrient solution or liquid L can be injected into the container 1, the assembly step can be omitted.

According to the cultivation equipment and method configured as described above, since the bubble layer G swells upward from the liquid level L, the liquid L is increased to an amount at which the liquid level L becomes the height at which the root P2 of the plant P is immersed. It is not necessary to inject into the container 1, and the plant 1 can be cultivated with a small amount of liquid L. For example, the aggregate G can be expanded several times to several tens of times the volume of the liquid L.

In addition, if the liquid L used for cultivation is discarded as it is in the sea or river, it will cause pollution, but if the amount of liquid L used is small, the amount will be small, which is an aspect of environmental protection. The merit is also great.

Further, since the bubble layer G is composed of innumerable bubbles B, it is possible to cultivate the plant P by fully utilizing the effective action of the bubbles B. For example, many surfactants have a bactericidal action when bubbles B are generated, and the bactericidal action can prevent the liquid L from spoiling. In addition to this, the bubbles B are often negatively charged on the surface, so that the plant P can easily absorb the cations that serve as nutrients, and the absorption efficiency is also improved.

In addition, this cultivation facility and method is superior in terms of sustainability of nutrient supply as compared with the case of cultivating by spraying water or nutrient solution.

Moreover, since this cultivation facility can swell the aggregate G of bubbles B from the liquid L by using a surfactant, no special device is required and the structure of the cultivation facility is simple. It is also easy to do.

When water mixed with a surfactant is used as the liquid L, it is necessary to separately supply the nutrients necessary for growth to the plant P. For example, the nutrient solution may be supplied to the plant P by supplying the nutrient solution to the fixed body 6 from above the fixed body 6 and including the nutrient solution in the fixed body 6.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a part different from the above-described embodiment will be described with respect to another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a regular cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied. In the above-mentioned form, since the surfactant is also absorbed by the plant P, it is necessary to mix the surfactant with water or the nutrient solution that does not hinder the growth of the plant P. Can also be used as a surfactant.

In this case, it is necessary to prevent the root P from coming into contact with any of the liquid L, the bubbles B or the aggregate G. Therefore, the semipermeable membrane 10 is provided on the surface (lower surface in the illustrated example) of the fixed body 6 in contact with the liquid L, the bubbles B, or the aggregate G. The semipermeable membrane 10 has a structure that allows water in the liquid L to pass through and does not allow components other than water in the liquid L to pass through. Therefore, only the water in the liquid L is absorbed by the fixed body 6 or the plant P and used for the growth of the plant P, and the components other than the water in the liquid L are absorbed by the fixed body 6 and the plant P. It remains inside the container 1.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, nutrients are supplied to the plant P by the same means as in the case where water mixed with a surfactant is used as the liquid L.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a part different from the above-described embodiment will be described with respect to another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a regular cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the holding panel 2 has a predetermined thickness, and the holding panel 2 is provided with a holding hole (holding portion) 2a into which the fixed body 6 is inserted. The inner circumference of the holding hole 2a is formed in a tapered shape that gradually decreases downward.

Then, by inserting the fixed body 6 to which the plant P is fixed into the holding hole 2a, the plant P and the fixed body 6 thereof are held and supported by the holding panel 2. The tapered shape of the holding hole 2a prevents the fixed body 6 fitted and fixed in the holding hole 2a from falling out of the holding hole 2a.

Incidentally, also in this embodiment, the bubble layer G is swelled by the bubble generator 3 to a position where it reaches the lower surface of the holding panel 2.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a part different from the above-described embodiment will be described with respect to another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a regular cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the fixed body 6 functions as a support portion. Specifically, the fixed body 6 is floated on the bubble layer G by using buoyancy. The fixed body 6 holds the root P2 and the stem P1 of the plant P.

According to the cultivation equipment of this embodiment, since the holding panel is not required, the structure is further simplified and the manufacturing cost is further reduced.

The fixed body 6 may be composed of one or a plurality of floating objects such as dead trees and fallen leaves laid in a state of floating on the entire upper surface side of the bubble layer G.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a part different from the above-described embodiment will be described with respect to another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied. The cultivation equipment of this embodiment is provided with a support container 12 as a support portion that regulates the flow of the liquid separately from the inside and the outside. Specifically, the support container 12 is formed into a spherical shape having a hollow inside. A plurality of support holes 12a for communicating the inside and the outside are formed in the spherical surface of the support container 12.

By inserting the plant P into the support hole 12a so that the root P2 side thereof is located inside the support container 12 and the leaf P3 side is located outside the support container 12, the plant P is inserted into the support container 12 Supports. Incidentally, at the time of the insertion, the fixed body 6 holding the root P2 and the stem P1 portion, or the stem P1 of the plant P itself is fitted to the inner peripheral edge side of the support hole 12a.

The storage unit 13 for storing the liquid may be formed inside the support container 12, but a storage unit (not shown) may be provided outside the support container 12. The light source is located outside the support container 12. Incidentally, the light source may be the sun or artificial lighting including an LED or the like.

When the storage portion 13 is provided inside the support container 12, it is provided by immersing it in the air stone 8 in the liquid L stored in the storage portion 13 formed inside the support container 12, and the inside of the support container 12 is provided. Bubbles B are ejected from the air stone 8 so that the bubbles B are filled with the aggregate G of the bubbles B.

When a storage portion is provided outside the support container 12, the air stone 8 is immersed in the liquid stored in the storage portion, and the aggregate G of bubbles B swells from the liquid L stored in the storage portion. Bubbles B are ejected from the air stone 8 so that the aggregate G is supplied to the inside of the support container 12 to be filled.

The light source may be sunlight, but an artificial light source 11 installed outside the support container 12 and composed of LEDs or the like may be used as a light source for cultivation.

According to the cultivation equipment configured in this way, it is possible to efficiently cultivate plants even in a weightless environment such as outer space. Further, since the support holes 12a can be evenly provided on the entire spherical surface of the support container 12, more plants P can be cultivated in one support container 12.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a part different from the above-described embodiment will be described with respect to another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the cultivation equipment to which the present invention is applied. In the cultivation equipment of this embodiment, the plant P is inserted into the support hole 12a so that the root P2 side thereof is located outside the support container 12 and the leaf P3 side is located outside the support container 12. , The plant P is supported in the support container 12. Incidentally, at the time of the insertion, the fixed body 6 holding the root P2 and the stem P1 portion, or the stem P1 of the plant P itself is fitted to the inner peripheral edge side of the support hole 12a.

An artificial light source 11 composed of an LED or the like is provided on the central side inside the support container 12. A storage portion (not shown) is arranged outside the support container 12, and the air stone 8 is immersed in the liquid L stored in the storage portion, and the air stone is formed so that an aggregate G of bubbles B swells from the liquid L. Erupt air from 8. The aggregate G swelling from the liquid L is supplied to the spherical outer surface side of the support container 12.

If the watertightness between the inside and the outside of the support container 12 can be ensured, the support container 12 itself holding the plurality of plants P may be immersed in the aggregate G of the bubbles B.

Next, the experimental results of the cultivation equipment and method to which the present invention is applied will be described.

Cultivation of radish sprouts and cucumbers, which are plants P, from June 9, 2018 to July 1, 2018, using the cultivation equipment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the standard nutrient solution prescribed by Otsuka A as a nutrient solution. went. Here, a cultivation facility for cultivating radish sprouts using the bubble layer G by applying the present invention is designated as a treatment zone A. Further, a cultivation facility for cultivating radish sprouts without using the bubble layer G for the purpose of comparison with the treatment group A is referred to as a treatment group B. On the other hand, a cultivation facility for cultivating cucumber using the bubble layer G to which the present invention is applied is designated as a treatment section C. Further, a cultivation facility for cultivating cucumber without using the bubble layer G for the purpose of comparison with the treatment zone C is referred to as a treatment plot D. Incidentally, in the treatment groups B and D, the nutrient solution not mixed with the surfactant is used as a liquid, and the root P2 is immersed in this liquid to generate bubbles in the liquid to the extent that the bubble layer G is not formed.

On June 9, the same year, seeds were sown in medium 6 of treatment groups A to D.

FIG. 10 is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A to D as of June 12, 2018. The cultivation equipment in the lower left of the figure is the treatment area A, the cultivation equipment in the lower right is the treatment area B, the cultivation equipment in the upper left is the treatment area C, and the cultivation equipment in the upper right is the treatment area D. As shown in the figure, germination was confirmed in the treatment groups A to C, but no germination was confirmed in the treatment group D.

FIG. 11 (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A and B as of June 17, 2018, and FIG. 11 (B) is the growth state of the treatment areas C and D as of June 17, 2018. It is a photograph showing. The cultivation equipment on the left side of the figure (A) is the treatment area A, and the cultivation equipment on the right side is the treatment area B. Good growth was observed in each of the two treatment groups A and B. The cultivation equipment on the left side of the figure (B) is the treatment area C, and the cultivation equipment on the right side is the treatment area D. Good growth was observed in the treatment group C, but no germination was confirmed in the treatment group D.

FIG. 12 (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment areas A and B as of June 19, 2018, and FIG. 12 (B) is the growth state of the treatment areas C and D as of June 19, 2018. It is a photograph showing. The cultivation equipment on the left side of the figure (A) is the treatment area A, and the cultivation equipment on the right side is the treatment area B. Good growth was observed in each of the two treatment groups A and B. The cultivation equipment on the left side of the figure (B) is the treatment area C, and the cultivation equipment on the right side is the treatment area D. Good growth was observed in the treatment group C, but no germination was confirmed in the treatment group D.

FIG. 13 (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment plots A and B as of June 20, 2018, and FIG. 13 (B) shows the growth status of the treatment plot C as of June 20, 2018. It is a photograph. The cultivation equipment on the left side of the figure (A) is the treatment area A, and the cultivation equipment on the right side is the treatment area B. Good growth was observed in each of the two treatment groups A and B. The cultivation facility in FIG. 3B was the treatment plot C, and while the treatment plot C was observed to grow steadily, germination was not continuously confirmed in the treatment plot D.

FIG. 14 (A) is a photograph showing the growth state of the treatment plots A and B as of June 25, 2018, and FIG. 14 (B) shows the growth status of the treatment plot C as of June 25, 2018. It is a photograph. The cultivation equipment on the left side of the figure (A) is the treatment area A, and the cultivation equipment on the right side is the treatment area B. Good growth was observed in each of the two treatment groups A and B. The cultivation facility in FIG. 3B was the treatment plot C, and while the treatment plot C was observed to grow steadily, germination was not continuously confirmed in the treatment plot D.

FIG. 15 is a photograph showing the growth state of radish sprouts cultivated and collected by treatments A and B until July 1, 2018. The left side of the figure is the radish sprouts collected from the treatment plot A, and the right side is the radish sprouts collected from the treatment plot B. Good growth was confirmed in both treatment areas A and B.

FIG. 16 is a photograph showing the growth state of cucumber cultivated and collected by Treatment C until July 1, 2018. Good growth was confirmed in the treatment area C. On the other hand, in the treatment group D, germination was not confirmed until the end, but the cause is unknown.

Next, another experimental result of the cultivation equipment and method to which the present invention is applied will be described.

A vine, which is a plant P, was cultivated using the cultivation equipment of the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the standard nutrient solution prescribed by Otsuka A as a nutrient solution. FIG. 17A is a photograph showing the growth state of the vine, and FIG. 17B is a photograph showing the state of the bubble layer of the cultivation facility of (A). As shown in the figure, good growth was also observed in vines.

Next, another experimental result of the cultivation equipment and method to which the present invention is applied will be described.

Using the cultivation equipment of the form shown in FIG. 7 and the standard nutrient solution prescribed by Otsuka A as a nutrient solution, ginseng, which is a plant P, was cultivated. FIG. 18 is a photograph showing the growth state of ginseng. As shown in the figure, good growth was also observed in ginseng.

1 Container (storage unit)
2 Holding panel (support part)
2a Holding hole (holding part)
3 Bubble generator 4 Recess (holding part)
11 Support container (support part)
11a Support hole 12 Support container (support part)
13 Reservoir B Bubble G Bubble layer (aggregate)
L Liquid L1 Liquid Level P Plant P2 Root S Space

Claims (9)

It is a cultivation facility that grows plants using air bubbles.
A storage unit that stores water or a liquid that is a nutrient solution mixed with a surfactant,
A bubble generator that supplies air to the liquid stored in the storage unit to generate bubbles, and
Equipped with a support part to support the plant to be cultivated,
The bubble generator is configured to swell an aggregate of bubbles from the liquid by sequentially generating bubbles in the liquid.
The support portion has a structure that supports the plant so that at least a part of the root of the plant or the medium of the plant touches the aggregate directly or through a semi-coating film through which water is passed. Characteristic cultivation equipment. The storage unit is a container with an open upper part.
The bubble generator is configured to form a bubble layer, which is an aggregate, on the liquid surface of the liquid by generating the bubbles in the liquid in the container.
The cultivation facility according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a structure for supporting the plant above the liquid surface in a posture in which the roots face the liquid surface. The support has a holding panel
The cultivation facility according to claim 2, wherein one or a plurality of holding portions for holding the plant are formed on the holding panel. The cultivation facility according to claim 3, wherein a space for forming the bubble layer is formed between the lower surface of the holding panel and the liquid surface of the liquid in a state where the bubble layer is not generated. The support portion is a support container capable of restricting the movement of the liquid or the bubbles by separating the inside and the outside.
The support container is provided with a support hole through which the plant is inserted and held.
The cultivation facility according to claim 1, wherein the aggregate is introduced on the inner surface or the outer surface side of the support container. The cultivation facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the semipermeable membrane is configured to allow water to pass through and not allow a surfactant to pass through. It is a cultivation method in which plants are cultivated using air bubbles.
By supplying air to a liquid such as water or a nutrient solution mixed with a surfactant to sequentially generate bubbles, an aggregate of the bubbles is swelled from the liquid.
Supporting the plant so that at least a part of the roots of the plant to be cultivated or at least a part of the medium of the plant touch the aggregate during the growing season, either directly or through a water-permeable semi-coating. A cultivation method characterized by that. The cultivation method according to claim 7, wherein the root of the plant is immersed in the bubble layer. The cultivation method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the surfactant is saponin.

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