RU2819371C1 - Stone wool block for plant root system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: invention is used in greenhouses for growing plants using a low-volume hydroponic method, a seedling method and periodic drip irrigation of each plant. Stone wool block for the root system of plants contains cubes for growing seedlings and the main substrate, having a light-and-moisture-proof protective shell. Under each cube in the main substrate for each plant there is a through passage forming an air chamber intended for unobstructed growth of roots. Passage is made in the form of a cone with its wide base facing upwards, with the possibility of its blind overlapping with a cube.

EFFECT: increased availability of nutrient solution for root system of plants inside substrate and intensification of air exchange in it.

1 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The invention relates to agriculture and is used in greenhouses for growing plants using the low-volume hydroponic method, seedling method and periodic drip watering of each plant.

It is known to use mineral wool for growing plants in low-volume hydroponics. The root container contains cubes for growing seedlings and a plate for growing adult plants. [Greenhouse vegetable growing using low-volume hydroponics. Moscow. Agropromizdat, 1985, p. 8, 21-24, 97, 115, 116].

Sterility and energy conservation are the advantages of using mineral agrowool.

Among the disadvantages, we note the deterioration of the physical properties of the substrate after a year of operation. Therefore, it is replaced with a new one, which leads to a decrease in production efficiency.

The closest analogue to the proposed invention is a stone block for growing greenhouse plants, containing cubes and a mat. [Daniil Fedorov et al., Comparing substrates / D. Fedorov et al. / Text, fig. 4. Gavrish - 2022 - No. 4 - p. 56-59] The block has a stable shape that does not sag during the growing season of plants.

The physical obstacle in the form of horizontally oriented fibers of the main substrate and the lack of a sufficient number of aeration pores in the block substrate soaked in a nutrient solution are its main disadvantages. This prevents the roots from penetrating deep into the main substrate after they emerge from the seedling cube. They grow mainly in a thin surface layer, entwining the main substrate on all sides. The bulk of the substrate is not involved in metabolism. A stagnant zone is formed in it, which is ballast. For this reason, the effectiveness of using a stone wool block is underestimated.

It is proposed to eliminate these disadvantages by forming an air chamber in the main substrate under each cube. The figure clearly illustrates the essence of the invention. It shows a cross section of a stone block intended for growing plants in seedlings with periodic drip watering of each plant. The block contains a removable cube for growing seedlings 1 and the main substrate for growing adult plants 2. They are protected from environmental influences by a light-moisture-proof shell 3. The main substrate has an air chamber 4. One or more plants can be grown on it. Chambers are formed, one under each of them. They are designed for unhindered root growth and nutrient penetration deep into the block. To simplify manufacturing, the chambers are made in the form of a passage with a blind overlap 5. To enhance the contact of the roots with the substrate inside the chamber, the passage is made in the form of a cone, with its wide base facing upward.

Technical result: increased availability of the nutrient solution inside the substrate for the roots and increased air exchange in it.

An example of the manufacture of a stone wool block and its application

Option I

In a factory-made stone agrowool slab measuring 1000×150×100 mm, a step drill with a diameter of 4×40 mm is used to make through holes on a wide surface in the center at the same distance from each other, for example, 5 pcs. The slab is then packaged in a light-proof film sleeve. Opposite each hole, on the side of the large base of the cone-shaped hole (passage), windows are cut out to accommodate cubes with seedlings. The plate is placed in a greenhouse on a horizontal surface for growing adult plants. Separately, seedlings are grown in agrowool cubes measuring 100×100×65 mm. After the specified period, the cubes with seedlings are placed on the slab in the manufactured windows, while ensuring that each cube tightly blocks the entrance to the passage. A dropper is connected to each cube with seedlings to supply a nutrient solution. Subsequently, plants are grown using the technology described in the above literary source.

Option II

It differs from the first in that the main substrate is used as a three-fold smaller slab per plant, measuring 150×100×65 mm. One hole is made in the center, then it is placed in a hard plastic container. Its sides serve as protection from environmental influences. Thus, the root system of each plant is isolated from each other and creates the possibility of replacing individual plants during the growing season.

The technical and economic advantage of the claimed invention: increasing the availability of the nutrient solution located inside the substrate for the roots allows them to freely develop into a thermally insulated space. After watering, the nutrient solution, when leaving the seedling cube, spontaneously divides into two parts. One moistens the main substrate, and the other is directed along the path of least resistance into the air chamber. In the chamber, in the absence of obstacles, roots grow quickly, which, upon reaching the bottom, spread in the sub-substrate space from the center to the periphery. They lift the substrate above themselves and form a well-aerated and moistened layer of growing roots. This increases the growth potential of plants. In addition, labor productivity increases when recycling the substrate. Perforated substrate dries faster.

Claims (1)

A stone block for the root system of plants, containing cubes for growing seedlings and the main substrate, having a light-moisture-proof protective shell, characterized in that under each cube in the main substrate for each plant there is a through passage, forming an air chamber intended for unhindered root growth, Moreover, the passage is made in the form of a cone, with its wide base facing upward, with the possibility of its being completely blocked by a cube.

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