Preparation for producing a plant substrate

Abstract

Disclosed is a preparation (1) for the production of a plant substrate (2), which comprises main ingredients (3, 4, 5, 6) pressed into pellets, wherein on the one hand fillers (3) and on the other hand basic materials (4) or fertilisers (5) are provided as main ingredients (3, 4, 5, 6). In order to prepare a preparation (1) for producing a plant substrate (2) which, despite good transport and storage properties, offers a full replacement for a soil-based plant substrate and can in addition be adapted to different plant species, it is proposed that the pellets have a residual moisture content of less than 15% and that different pellet fractions, each with different ingredients, are provided.

Description

Preparation for producing a plant substrate Field of the invention The invention relates to a preparation for producing a plant substrate, comprising main constituents compressed into pellets, wherein fillers on the one hand and base materials or fertilizers on the other hand are provided as main constituents. Description of the prior art Plant pellets are known from DE10030793B4, which consist of fibrous material, fertilizers, water binders and plant seeds. In this case, the main component of the cited pellets is dried sewage sludge, which serves as a fertilizer. In addition, natural fibers are used to improve rooting and diatomaceous earth is used as a water binder. Plant seeds are additionally compressed into the pellets, so that these can be used for greening and erosion protection. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that these pellets are suitable only for raising predefined plants, the seeds of which are compressed, and that the composition does not provide a full-value substitute for an earth-based plant substrate. Summary of the invention The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a preparation for producing a plant substrate of the type outlined at the outset, which, despite good transportability and storability, provides a full-value substitute for an earth-based plant substrate and can moreover be matched to various plant genera. The invention achieves the stated object in that the pellets have a residual moisture content of less than 15% and that different pellet fractions are provided, each having different constituents. Owing to the different pellet fractions, despite the low residual moisture content that is favorable for transport and storage, a nutrient composition matched to a predetermined plant genus can be achieved, which, by swelling, forms a light and loose plant substrate comparable to conventional earth. A residual moisture content of less than 15% thereby makes possible a low weight and storage volume as well as good free-flowing properties, while at the same time possible mold or weed formation is avoided. In addition, handling that is as clean as possible during the preparation of a plant substrate is made possible. If, in a preferred embodiment, the pellets have a residual moisture content of more than 8%, advantageous conditions for the absorption of liquids additionally result, which favors the swelling behavior in particular of the provided fillers. Within the meaning of the invention, fillers are understood to be those main constituents which make the structure of the plant substrate light and loose and thus favor root growth. For example, plant fibers, such as in particular coconut fibers, forest wood chips, straw, miscanthus or hemp fibers, can be provided as fillers. Owing to the residual moisture content according to the invention of less than 15%, the fillers can, after addition of liquid, swell to an increased volume, for example twice the volume, preferably three times the volume, more preferably five times the volume, whereby a particularly loose root medium can be created. Within the meaning of the invention, base materials are understood to be main constituents having a high organic content, in particular humus-forming substances such as bark compost or green waste compost. The high organic content of the base materials provides important nutrients and makes possible improved absorption of minerals. The compression into pellets of microorganisms present in the base materials leads, owing to the drying process associated therewith, to passivation, which favors improved storability. Upon contact with a liquid, at least a part of these microorganisms can be reactivated, which has an advantageous effect on the properties of the plant substrate. Within the meaning of the invention, fertilizers are preferably understood to be animal, plant and / or mineral fertilizers, which can in turn be divided into the categories of biological and conventional plant cultivation. Examples of such fertilizers are animal products such as manure, wool and animal remains or waste products such as sewage sludge or biogas substrate. In order to improve the storability of the starting pellets required for a preparation according to the invention and for favorable reproducibility of the respective preparation, it is recommended that the pellet fractions consist of pellets of the same kind. Owing to this measure, the individual pellet fractions need not be homogenized before mixing and no settling or other decomposition processes occur during storage. In addition, homogeneous pellet fractions, that is pellet fractions the pellets of which correspond in constituent composition and size apart from process-related fluctuations, facilitate dosing for various plant-specific formulations in an uncomplicated manner. In order to be able to better predetermine the structure of the plant substrate resulting from a preparation according to the invention, each pellet fraction can comprise exactly one main constituent. Accordingly, for each pellet fraction and thus for each main constituent, the residual moisture content and thus the swelling behavior can be predetermined separately, so that, for example, the fillers required for the structure of the plant substrate can have a preferred swelling behavior compared with the other main constituents. In addition, the mixing of preparations on the basis of a formulation oriented to main constituents is facilitated. Preferably, the individual pellet fractions each comprise at least 95% of one main constituent. In addition, auxiliary substances for pelletizing or for improving physical properties, such as for example the swelling behavior, can be secondary constituents of the pellet fractions. An auxiliary substance for better pelletizability can be, for example, starch or molasses. A light and loose basic structure of the plant substrate, which makes possible good root formation, can be ensured in that the fillers account for a proportion of at least 40 wt.%. Owing to the low density of the fillers, the majority of the total volume can thereby be occupied. For supplying plants with the most important basic nutrients, base materials can account for a proportion of at least 20 wt.%. For matching the substrate properties to the individual nutrient requirements of various plant genera, fertilizers, in a proportion of at least 10 wt.%, can form a main constituent. In this case, flexible adjustment by different pellet fractions with regard to their nutrient requirement is possible. In order to produce, depending on the remaining constituents as well as the genus-specific preferences, a plant substrate having advantageous physicochemical properties, it can be advantageous that additives, preferably in a proportion of at least 5 wt.%, form a main constituent. These can improve the properties of the substrate with regard to, for example, pH value, water retention and nutrient storage. For this purpose, inter alia swelling clay mineral, biochar or rock flour as well as diatomaceous earth, glycerin or synthetic polymers can be used as additives. In a particularly preferred embodiment, plant seeds can be provided in the preparation. This facilitates the choice of the formulation for the preparation matched to the plant seeds and furthermore makes possible rapid planting of larger areas in extremely few working steps. The plant seeds can either likewise be compressed into pellets of a pellet fraction or else be provided loosely in the preparation. The invention also relates to a method for producing a preparation according to the invention, wherein different pellet fractions are produced by compressing the main constituents and the individual pellet fractions are mixed in a predetermined proportion adapted for the raising of a plant genus. In the underlying pelletizing process, it is decisive that the residual moisture content of the main constituents before pelletizing is between 9 and 16%, preferably 12-14%, since deviations therefrom can result in charring or disintegration of the resulting pellets. During the compression of the pellets, temperatures of 70-120°C can be provided, whereby on the one hand a stable pellet shape and on the other hand a partial sterilization of bacteria and fungi is achieved. Owing thereto, microbiological spoilage caused by, for example, mold formation during storage is prevented. For mixing the individual pellet fractions, formulations can be provided which, depending on the plant genus, provide a different mixture of the main constituents. Before the cultivation of the corresponding plant, the pellet fractions can be mixed according to formulation, whereby a plant substrate with optimized growth conditions for the plant species used is made possible. The invention also relates to a method for producing a plant substrate from a preparation according to the invention, wherein, in order to swell the pellets of the individual pellet fractions, a liquid, preferably water, is added. In the course of the swelling process thereby initiated, the volume of the preparation can increase to, for example, more than 200%, preferably more than 300%, particularly preferably more than 500%, whereby a loose substrate is available for planting with seeds, seedlings and cuttings, for increasing the plant volume of potted plants by repotting, as well as for improving existing plant substrates in the home, garden and balcony. In the course of the swelling process, effective microorganisms can be added, which further improve the soil conditions. Brief description of the invention The subject matter of the invention is shown by way of example in the drawing, namely in a schematic flow diagram. Description of the preferred embodiments One possible embodiment of a preparation 1 for producing a plant substrate 2 comprises pellets with different main constituents 3, 4, 5, 6, wherein fillers 3, base materials 4, fertilizers 5 and additives 6 can be provided. According to the invention, these main constituents 3, 4, 5, 6 can be dried to a residual moisture content of 9 to 16%, preferably 12-14%, before they are each supplied to a pelletizing device 7 in order to obtain pellets from the main constituents 3, 4, 5, 6 in the course of pelletizing at preferably 70-120°C. These pellets have, overall, that is over all pellet fractions of a preparation 1 according to the invention, a residual moisture content of less than 15%. According to the invention, pellets of the same kind can be produced for each main constituent 3, 4, 5, 6, which preferably form a pellet fraction stored in a separate storage unit 8. In addition, plant seeds 9 can be added to the preparation 1 according to the invention. For producing a preparation 1 according to the invention, pellets of the individual pellet fractions are mixed in a mixer 10 from the storage units 8 in a ratio corresponding to the formulation according to a predetermined formulation. By adding a liquid 11, preferably water, to the resulting preparation 1, a plant substrate 2 can be produced which has a substantially increased volume compared with the preparation 1. Examples of formulations of a preparation according to the invention can have the following proportions with respect to the main constituents 3, 4, 5, 6: Formulation 1 for vegetable cultivation 50 wt.% fillers 40 wt.% base materials 5 wt.% fertilizers 5 wt.% additives. The fillers in this case comprise coconut fiber and forest wood chips in equal parts, the base materials biogas substrate and bark compost in equal parts. The fertilizer in this example is sheep wool and rock flour is used as an additive. Coconut fibers and forest wood chips can in this case, just like biogas substrate and bark compost, form separate pellet fractions, so that the resulting preparation consists of 25 wt.% of a pellet fraction of coconut fibers, 25 wt.% of a pellet fraction of forest wood chips, 20 wt.% of a pellet fraction of biogas substrate, 20 wt.% of a pellet fraction of bark compost, 5 wt.% of a pellet fraction of sheep wool and 5 wt.% of a pellet fraction of rock flour. Formulation 2 for herb cultivation 40 wt.% fillers 50 wt.% base materials 10 wt.% additives The fillers in this case comprise coconut fiber and forest wood chips, the base materials biogas substrate, bark compost and green waste compost. Rock flour is used as an additive. The resulting preparation consists of 30 wt.% of a pellet fraction of coconut fibers, 10 wt.% of a pellet fraction of forest wood chips, 10 wt.% of a pellet fraction of biogas substrate, 20 wt.% of a pellet fraction of bark compost, 20 wt.% of a pellet fraction of green waste compost and 10 wt.% of a pellet fraction of rock flour. Formulation 3 for filling raised beds 50 wt.% fillers 40 wt.% base materials 10 wt.% additives. The fillers in this case comprise forest wood chips, the base materials biogas substrate and bark compost in equal parts. The resulting preparation consists of 50 wt.% of a pellet fraction of forest wood chips, 20 wt.% of a pellet fraction of biogas substrate, 20 wt.% of a pellet fraction of bark compost and 10 wt.% of a pellet fraction of rock flour. Formulation 3 for greening roof areas 60 wt.% fillers 20 wt.% base materials 15 wt.% additives. The fillers in this case comprise forest wood chips, the base materials bark compost. Rock flour is used as an additive. The resulting preparation consists of 60 wt.% of a pellet fraction of forest wood chips, 20 wt.% of a pellet fraction of bark compost, 15 wt.% of a pellet fraction of rock flour and 5 wt.% of plant seeds.

Claims

1. Preparation (1) for producing a plant substrate (2), comprising main constituents (3, 4, 5, 6) compressed into pellets, wherein fillers (3) on the one hand and base materials (4) or fertilizers (5) on the other hand are provided as main constituents (3, 4, 5, 6), characterized in that the pellets have a residual moisture content of less than 15% and that different pellet fractions are provided, each having different constituents.

2. Preparation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each pellet fraction consists of pellets of the same kind.

3. Preparation (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each pellet fraction comprises exactly one main constituent (3, 4, 5, 6).

4. Preparation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fillers (3) account for a proportion of at least 40 wt.%.

5. Preparation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base materials (4) account for a proportion of at least 20 wt.%.

6. Preparation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that fertilizers (5), in a proportion of at least 10 wt.%, form a main constituent (3, 4, 5, 6).

7. Preparation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that additives (6), in a proportion of at least 5 wt.%, form a main constituent (3, 4, 5, 6).

8. Preparation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that plant seeds (9) are provided in the preparation (1).

9. Method for producing a preparation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different pellet fractions are first produced by compressing the main constituents (3, 4, 5, 6), and the individual pellet fractions are mixed in a predetermined proportion adapted for the cultivation of a plant species.

10. Method for producing a plant substrate (2) from a preparation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that water is added to the preparation (1) in order to swell the pellets of the individual pellet fractions.