Plant cultivation device and method

Abstract

The invention provides a plant cultivation device which can enable wind (airflow) to be fully blown to plants cultivated in a cultivation bed. And the carrying device (10) of the cultivation bed (4) is arranged into a plurality of layers up and down. The longitudinal direction of the cultivation bed (4) is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyance device (10). Blowing-out pipelines (23, 24) are arranged in a mode that air flow is blown from above to the plants on the cultivation beds (4) on the conveying devices (10) of all the layers. A space through which an air flow passes downward is provided between the cultivation beds (4) transported by the transport device (10).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the parent application filed by Mitsubishi Chemical Water Solutions Co., Ltd., entitled "Plant Cultivation Apparatus and Method" with application number "202180072950.3". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for cultivating plants. Background Technology

[0003] As a plant cultivation device for cultivating vegetables and other plants, Patent Document 1 describes a device configured to have a multi-layered transport section for the cultivation bed, which allows the cultivation bed to move sequentially.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a roughly rectangular lighting and air supply panel is arranged above multiple cultivation beds covering each transport section, and air is supplied to the plants from an air supply duct or fan installed on the lighting and air supply panel (paragraphs 0016 and 0020 of the patent document). Figure 2 ).

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes a plant cultivation device with seedling racks arranged in a multi-layered configuration. In Patent Document 2, a back panel is provided behind the seedling space between each seedling rack, and an air vent is provided on this back panel, with an air fan installed at each vent. By activating the air fan, airflow is supplied to the seedling space through the air vent.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-216685

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-55720

[0008] In Patent Document 2, the airflow flows from the rear to the front within the seedling space, making it difficult for adjacent cultivation beds on the same surface to enter each other.

[0009] In Patent Document 1, air is supplied to the plants from the air supply pipe or fan of the lighting air supply panel provided above each transport section (paragraph 0020, line 4 of Patent Document 1). However, since the lighting air supply panel is provided in each transport section, the air blown to the plants will flow to the side after it reaches the plants and will hardly enter between adjacent cultivation beds on the same surface.

[0010] In existing plant cultivation devices, most of the airflow flows above the plants, making it difficult for the wind to directly reach the growing points of vegetables and other plants. This also reduces the uniformity of airflow around the plants, raising concerns about the development of diseases such as tipburn. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The objective of this invention is to provide, in one embodiment, a plant cultivation apparatus and method that enables wind (airflow) to be sufficiently blown onto plants cultivated in a cultivation bed.

[0012] Furthermore, the objective of this invention is to provide, in one embodiment, a plant cultivation apparatus and method that minimizes the shading effect of the blowing duct for blowing airflow on lighting.

[0013] Furthermore, the objective of this invention is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus and method that increases the distance between the lighting and the cultivation surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the objective of this invention is to provide, in one embodiment, a plant cultivation apparatus and method capable of improving the temperature uniformity in a cultivation section with a wide face, having a long width and depth.

[0015] The main points of this invention are as follows.

[0016] A plant cultivation device includes a transport unit, which has transport devices for multiple cultivation beds.

[0017] The aforementioned plant cultivation device is equipped with an air supply unit, which blows airflow toward the plants on the cultivation bed on the conveying device.

[0018] The above-mentioned plant cultivation device is characterized in that,

[0019] The handling section has two or more floors.

[0020] The air supply device is installed on each floor of the transport section.

[0021] The conveying device is provided with a space for the airflow to pass between the cultivation beds and through the bottom surface of the conveying device.

[0022] [2] In the plant cultivation device of [1], the above cultivation beds are spaced 40 to 500 mm apart.

[0023] [3] In the plant cultivation device of [1] or [2], the above-mentioned air supply unit has:

[0024] An air conditioner that draws in air from a cultivation room equipped with the aforementioned plant cultivation device and regulates it to a temperature within a specified range; and

[0025] The blow-out duct supplies conditioned air that is a mixture of conditioned air from the air conditioner and air from the cultivation room, and blows this conditioned air toward the cultivation bed.

[0026] [4] In the plant cultivation device of [3], the blow-out pipe is arranged along the transport direction of the transport device.

[0027] [5] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [1] to [4], the above-mentioned transport section is arranged in multiple layers, both vertically and horizontally.

[0028] [6] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [1] to [5], the long side of the cultivation bed is a direction that intersects with the transport direction of the transport device.

[0029] [7] A plant cultivation device, comprising a transport section, wherein the transport section includes a transport device for the cultivation bed.

[0030] The aforementioned plant cultivation device is equipped with an air supply unit, which directs airflow from above onto the plants in the cultivation bed on the transport device.

[0031] The above-mentioned plant cultivation device is characterized in that,

[0032] It is equipped with lighting that directs light toward the plants in the aforementioned cultivation bed.

[0033] Blowout ducts are provided between at least a portion of the lighting.

[0034] [8] In the plant cultivation apparatus described in [7],

[0035] The aforementioned handling section has two or more floors.

[0036] The aforementioned air supply device is installed on each floor of this transport section.

[0037] The transport section and the aforementioned transport device are provided with a space for the airflow to pass between the cultivation beds and through the bottom surface of the transport section.

[0038] [9] A plant cultivation device, characterized in that,

[0039] Lighting is installed along the direction of the blow-out pipe.

[0040] The PPF output per 1m of this illumination is over 150 μmol / s.

[0041]

[10] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [7] to [9],

[0042] It has a cultivation bed and the aforementioned lighting disposed above the cultivation bed.

[0043] The PPFD value at the upper surface of the cultivation bed is 100~1000 μmol / m 2 / s.

[0044]

[11] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [7] to

[10] ,

[0045] The height from the top surface of the cultivation bed to the lighting is 300~1500mm.

[0046]

[12] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [7] to

[11] ,

[0047] The upper limit of the interval (y) between the above lightings is determined by the height (x) from the upper surface of the above cultivation bed to the lighting and the half value (θ) of the half value angle 2θ of the lighting. The upper limit of the interval (y) between the above lightings is determined by the following formula (1).

[0048] [Formula 1]

[0049]

[0050] In equation (1),

[0051] y: refers to the lighting interval [cm].

[0052] x: refers to the height [cm] from the top surface of the cultivation bed to the lighting.

[0053] θ: refers to the half-value of the illumination half-value angle 2θ [°].

[0054]

[13] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [7] to

[12] ,

[0055] The lighting described above is LED lighting.

[0056] The aforementioned blow-out duct is located outside the light distribution range of the LED lighting's half-value angle 2θ.

[0057]

[14] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [7] to

[13] ,

[0058] Based on the effective width (a) of the above-mentioned lighting upwards, the installation interval (y) of the lighting, and the half value (θ) of the half value angle of the lighting, the cross-sectional area (S) of the above-mentioned blowing pipe is calculated using the following formula (2), and the value of the cross-sectional area (S) of the above-mentioned blowing pipe is taken as the upper limit.

[0059] [Formula 2]

[0060]

[0061] In equation (2),

[0062] S: refers to the cross-sectional area of ​​the blow-out pipe [cm²] 2 ],

[0063] a: refers to the effective width [cm] extending upwards from the light source.

[0064] y: refers to the lighting interval [cm].

[0065] θ: refers to the half-value of the illumination half-value angle 2θ [°].

[0066]

[15] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [7] to

[14] ,

[0067] The cross-section of the aforementioned blow-out pipe is approximately circular.

[0068] The upper limit of the diameter (R) of the blow-out pipe is determined by the effective width (a) from the above lighting upwards and the installation interval (y) of the lighting, using the following formula (3).

[0069] [Formula 3]

[0070]

[0071] In equation (3),

[0072] R: refers to the diameter of the blow-out pipe [cm].

[0073] a: refers to the effective width [cm] extending upwards from the light source.

[0074] y: refers to the lighting interval [cm].

[0075] θ: refers to the half-value of the illumination half-value angle 2θ [°].

[0076]

[16] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [1] to

[15] ,

[0077] The aforementioned cultivation bed is covered with a cultivation board having planting holes.

[0078]

[17] In the plant cultivation apparatus of

[16] ,

[0079] The planting holes are arranged in one row along the long side of the cultivation bed.

[0080]

[18] A plant cultivation device, characterized in that,

[0081] The temperature difference between the different layers of the cultivation bed is within ±1℃.

[0082]

[19] In any of the plant cultivation devices in [1] to

[18] ,

[0083] The longitudinal and transverse dimensions of a single cultivation surface are both more than 2 meters.

[0084]

[20] A method for cultivating plants, characterized in that,

[0085] Plants are cultivated using any of the plant cultivation devices in [1] to

[19] .

[0086]

[21] In the plant cultivation method of

[20] ,

[0087] The aforementioned plants are leafy vegetables such as lettuce, romaine lettuce, and lettuce from the Asteraceae family, komatsuna, and bok choy from the Brassicaceae family, and spinach from the Amaranthaceae family, as well as fruit vegetables such as strawberry from the Rosaceae family and tomato from the Solanaceae family.

[0088] According to one aspect of the present invention, an airflow regulated by an air conditioner can be directly supplied to the vicinity of the growing point of plants cultivated in a cultivation bed. This suppresses growth diseases such as leaf scorch and increases harvest weight. Furthermore, the cultivation environment for each plant becomes more uniform, enabling the cultivation of plants of consistent quality.

[0089] In addition, in one aspect, the present invention can reduce the shading effect of the blow-out pipe used for blowing air on the lighting, thus enabling air to be delivered from above the plant, thereby expanding the cultivation area.

[0090] According to one aspect of the present invention, by increasing the distance between the plants and the lighting and air supply ducts, the temperature uniformity in the cultivation section can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0091] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment, showing... Figure 2 The I-I line section.

[0092] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0093] Figure 3 It is a schematic three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the transport device and the cultivation bed.

[0094] Figure 4 It is a schematic 3D diagram showing the relationship between the cultivation bed and the pipes.

[0095] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram representing a conveying device.

[0096] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the calculation formula. Detailed Implementation

[0097] Hereinafter, the plant cultivation apparatus of the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, as described above, Figure 3 It is a schematic three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the transport device and the cultivation bed, but... Figure 3 The diagram shows that the length of the cultivation bed is shorter than the actual length; the actual cultivation bed is longer than the actual length. Figure 3 The length shown.

[0098] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, within the cultivation room 3 enclosed by wall 1 and ceiling 2, a transport unit for moving multiple cultivation beds 4 is arranged in two layers, upper and lower. Each transport unit is equipped with a transport device 10 for moving multiple cultivation beds 4. In addition to the transport device 10, the transport unit may also include a drive unit for the transport device. In this embodiment, the drive unit includes a cylinder 13, described later. Each transport device 10 has an air supply unit on its upper side that blows airflow toward the plants. In this embodiment, each transport device 10 has airflow ducts 23 and 24, which serve as air supply units, and a lighting unit 28, respectively, on its upper side. Figure 2 As shown, conditioned air, adjusted to a specified temperature by the air conditioner 20, is supplied to the blow-out duct 23 via the main duct 21. In this embodiment, the air supply unit further includes the air conditioner 20. The air conditioner 20 conditioned the air in the cultivation room where the plant cultivation device is installed to a specified temperature range.

[0099] The transport device 10 is configured to move the cultivation bed 4 from the upper side... Figure 1 Move it from left to right, from the bottom side. Figure 1 The transport device 10 is disposed on the underside of one end and the other end of the long side of the cultivation bed 4. The transport device 10 can be disposed from one end of the long side of the cultivation bed 4 to the other end, or from the other end to one end.

[0100] A lifting platform 30 is provided, which is used to transport items from the upper-level conveying device 10 to the upper level. Figure 1 The cultivation bed 4 on the right side is moved and placed on the lower side conveying device 10. The lifting platform 30 can be raised and lowered between the upper side conveying device 10 and the lower side conveying device 10 by a drive motor (not shown).

[0101] As detailed later, the cultivation bed 4 is configured to allow seedlings to be inserted into planting holes 6 provided in the cultivation board 5, and to be hydroponically cultivated using liquid fertilizer.

[0102] Each conveying device 10, blowing pipes 23 and 24, and lighting 28 are respectively supported on frame 8 ( Figure 2 The frame 8 is further supported by a supply pipe 40 for supplying liquid fertilizer to one end of each cultivation bed 4. Figure 2 , 3 ), and a trough-shaped drainage tray 42 for receiving liquid fertilizer flowing out from the other end of each cultivation bed 4. Figure 2 , 3 ).

[0103] Liquid fertilizer can be supplied to one end of the liquid fertilizer supply pipe 40 via a pump into the liquid fertilizer tank (not shown).

[0104] In this embodiment, the cultivation bed 4 is a long, open-topped trough, with a cross-section perpendicular to its long side forming an upward-facing "コ" shape. In this embodiment, the cultivation bed 4 is positioned in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the transport device 10. Preferably, the cultivation bed 4 is positioned in an orthogonal direction. The cultivation bed 4 is not limited to a long strip; it can also be a shape where the width and depth are equal.

[0105] Liquid fertilizer is supplied from the supply pipe 40 to one end of the cultivation bed 4 via the nozzle 41. The bottom surface of the cultivation bed 4 has a water flow gradient from one end to the other in the long side direction, so that the liquid fertilizer flows from one end to the other in the cultivation bed 4 and flows out to the drain tray 42.

[0106] The drain tray 42 is configured with a flow gradient. Liquid fertilizer flowing out from the downstream end of the drain tray 42 is returned to the liquid fertilizer tank via a manifold (not shown).

[0107] A cover-shaped cultivation plate 5 is installed on the upper surface of the cultivation bed 4. Multiple planting holes 6 are spaced apart along the long side of the cultivation plate 5. In this embodiment, the planting holes 6 are arranged in one row along the long side of the cultivation plate 5, but they can also be arranged in two or more rows.

[0108] Planting hole 6 is inserted through cultivation plate 5. Seedlings (illustration omitted) are inserted into planting hole 6 from above.

[0109] The seedling is inserted into the planting hole 6 by making contact between the roots of the seedling and the liquid fertilizer flowing along the bottom of the cultivation bed 4.

[0110] The cultivation bed 4 is configured to slide on a guide rail 18 that extends along the transport direction. For example... Figure 3 , 5 As shown, the conveying device 10, which moves the cultivation bed 4 on the guide rail 18 along the conveying direction, includes a rod 11 with a U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the long side direction, claws 12 provided on the rod 11, and a cylinder (in this embodiment, a pneumatic cylinder) 13 that reciprocates the rod 11 along the long side direction. One end of the rod 11 is connected to the piston rod 13a of the cylinder 13. The claws 12 are spaced apart along the long side direction of the rod 11.

[0111] The claw 12 is tiltably mounted to the rod 11 via the pivot pin 14. The claw 12 is positioned to protrude from the upper surface of the rod 11 by the weight of the weight on the lower side of the pivot pin 14.

[0112] As the rod 11 moves in the transport direction (outbound direction) through the protrusion of the piston rod 13a, the claw 12 abuts against the lower side of the cultivation bed 4. Moreover, as the rod 11 moves outbound, the cultivation bed 4 is pushed by the claw 12 to perform the outbound action.

[0113] The claw 12 tilts downstream of the transport direction of the cultivation bed 4. When the piston rod 13a retracts and the rod 11 moves in the opposite direction of transport (return direction), the claw 12 rotates (tilts) around the pivot pin 14 in a way that it is submerged under the cultivation bed 4. Thus, the claw 12 does not protrude from the rod 11 and does not hook onto the cultivation bed 4, while the rod 11 retracts.

[0114] Thus, in this embodiment, an intermittent movement mechanism is employed, in which each cultivation bed 4 moves the piston rod 13a downstream in the transport direction by a certain stroke length during each protruding stroke of the piston rod 13a of the cylinder 13. The stopping position of the cultivation bed 4 is below each liquid supply nozzle 41.

[0115] Each of the above-mentioned liquid supply nozzles 41 is equipped with a valve, which is opened only when the cultivation bed 4 stops below each liquid supply nozzle 41, and liquid fertilizer is discharged from the nozzle 41. When the cultivation bed 4 moves, the valve is closed to stop the discharge.

[0116] In each transport section, the cultivation beds 4 being transported on the transport device 10 are spaced apart by a predetermined interval D. Figure 3 The cultivation bed is moved using the following method: 4. The spacing D is preferably 40~500mm.

[0117] Specifically, the appropriate interval varies depending on the type of plant and from the early to the late stages of cultivation. However, for leaf lettuce, the preferred interval is 45mm to 90mm in the early stages of cultivation, 90mm to 135mm in the middle stages of cultivation, and about 135mm to 180mm in the late stages of cultivation.

[0118] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the spacing D of the transport section on the lower layer is greater than the spacing D of the transport section on the upper layer. This is because the plants on the lower layer are more mature than the plants on the upper layer.

[0119] When cultivating leafy vegetables, especially leaf lettuce, in a two-layer system, the upper side transport section corresponds to the period from the early to the middle stage of cultivation. Therefore, the interval D is the same as the interval from the early to the middle stage of cultivation, preferably around 45mm to 135mm. The lower side transport section corresponds to the period from the middle to the late stage of cultivation, and the interval D is the same as the interval from the middle to the late stage of cultivation, preferably around 90mm to 180mm. Furthermore, although it also depends on the type of plant, for leafy vegetables such as leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce, the leaf spread is 45mm to 180mm, while for leafy vegetables such as onions or arugula, whose leaves face upwards and stand upright, the interval from the early to the late stage of cultivation does not need to be significantly changed; therefore, it is around 45mm from the early to the late stage of cultivation.

[0120] The aforementioned blowing pipe 23 is disposed on the upper side of the upper transport section, and the blowing pipe 24 is disposed on the upper side of the lower transport section and on the lower side of the upper transport section. The blowing pipe 23 extends along the transport direction of the cultivation bed 4. In this embodiment, three blowing pipes 23 and 24 are provided respectively, but it is preferable to select one or more according to the width of the cultivation bed 4.

[0121] Regulated air from the air conditioner 20 is blown downwards from the main duct 21 through the outlet 22. Most of this air is drawn into the outlet duct 23, flows through it, and is then blown downwards from each outlet 23a. At this time, the outlet 22 is separated from the outlet ducts 23 and 24, thus drawing in ambient air in addition to the regulated air from the air conditioner 20. As a result, the regulated air becomes regulated air with adjusted temperature and humidity. The outlet ducts 23 and 24 blow this mixture of regulated air and air from the cultivation chamber toward the cultivation bed.

[0122] Furthermore, the intake air volume of the blower 25 is preferably about three times the exhaust air volume of the air conditioner 20. The temperature of the air blown from the air conditioner and mixed with the surrounding air before being supplied into the duct is above the dew point temperature of the outside of the duct, thereby preventing condensation on the duct surface and thus preventing dew from dripping onto the cultivated plants. In addition, the temperature inside the air supply duct can be close to the temperature inside the cultivation room, thus minimizing the occurrence of condensation or its negative impact on the plants.

[0123] The regulating air blown from the outlet 23a mostly reaches the plants on the upper cultivation bed 4 and is then blown to the lower layer through the space between the cultivation beds 4. At this time, most of the regulating air passes through the space provided on the bottom surface of the conveying device 10. In this embodiment, the space provided on the bottom surface of the conveying device 10 is shared with the space of the conveying section, and most of the regulating air passes through the bottom surface of the conveying section. Therefore, water transcribed from the plants does not remain between the plant leaves, easily suppressing leaf scorch. Furthermore, the leaf boundary layer is peeled off to improve the plant's absorption of carbon dioxide.

[0124] Adjustment air that does not exit from outlet 23a but reaches the end of outlet pipe 23 stops at the end of outlet pipe 23, maintaining the pressure inside outlet pipe 23.

[0125] The conditioned air blown out from outlets 23a and 24a is mostly blown onto the plants in the lower cultivation beds 4 along with the airflow from the upper side. It passes through the space between the cultivation beds 4 and the ground FL, and returns to the air conditioner 20 along the ground FL. This space not only means that the cultivation beds 4 are arranged at intervals, but also that the conditioned air can pass through the space between the cultivation beds 4 and reach the space below the cultivation beds 4.

[0126] In this way, the adjusted air blown from each of the outlets 23a and 24a not only blows upwards onto the plants in the cultivation bed 4, but also further downwards through the spaces between the cultivation beds 4, thus ensuring that the air reaches the plant's growing points effectively. Furthermore, the temperature difference within the cultivation beds is reduced. This helps suppress growth diseases such as leaf scorch, enabling the efficient cultivation of high-quality plants. Additionally, by suppressing growth diseases, the growing period can be extended, resulting in a higher harvest weight.

[0127] The main duct 21 is arranged along the upper part of the wall 1 of the cultivation chamber 3, preferably extending orthogonally to the transport direction rather than in the direction intersecting the transport direction. Multiple air outlets 22 are provided on the main duct 21 to blow regulating air downwards or diagonally downwards. Figure 2 As shown, each air outlet 22 is positioned above or near the front of one end of the air outlet 23, spaced apart from the air outlet 23 inlet. Similarly, an air outlet for blowing out regulating air is also provided above or near the front of one end of the air outlet 24.

[0128] At one end of each blow-out pipe 23 ( Figure 1 A blower 25 is provided on the left end side of the blow-out pipe 23 for supplying regulated air into the pipe.

[0129] On the other end of the blow-out pipe 24 ( Figure 1 A blower 26 is provided on the right end side of the blow-out pipe 24 for supplying regulated air into the pipe.

[0130] The blow-out pipes 23 and 24 can also make the adjusting air flow in the same direction, but they can also make the adjusting air flow in opposite directions. This sends the air in the separate positions in the cultivation chamber into the blower, creating airflows in opposite directions in the cultivation chamber. As a result, the air in the cultivation chamber will not stagnate, thus improving the overall temperature uniformity of the system. Therefore, it is preferable for the adjusting air to flow in opposite directions.

[0131] The blowout pipes 23 and 24 have outlets 23a and 24a on their lower surfaces. Multiple outlets 23a and 24a are arranged below and diagonally below the blowout pipes 23 and 24, at half the height of the pipes, in a manner symmetrical about the axis along the long side of the blowout pipes 23 and 24 when the blowout pipes 23 and 24 are projected relative to the cultivation surface. The arrangement of the outlets 23a and 24a at a certain position along the long side of the blowout pipes 23 and 24 is called the arrangement pattern. Preferably, the outlets 23a and 24a of the blowout pipes 23 and 24 are arranged in a regular pattern along their long side. By forming a regular pattern of different arrangements, the uniformity of the airflow supplied to the plant can be improved.

[0132] The opening diameter of the blowouts 23a and 24a is preferably about 10mm to 30mm. Within this range, air is radially blown out from the blowouts, thus allowing airflow from above the plant. Furthermore, the wind speed is determined by the area and airflow of the blowouts 23a and 24a; therefore, the total opening area of ​​the blowouts is determined by the airflow of the blower, but the total opening area of ​​the blowouts 23a and 24a is preferably 1,500 to 40,000 m². 2 The preferred depth is 4,000~10,000m. 2 Left and right. This reduces the impact of pressure loss and allows for a more uniform supply of regulated air along the long side of the plant. Furthermore, the nozzles 23a and 24a are circular, but not limited to this. In the case of non-circular nozzles, the opening area is preferably the same as that of the circular nozzles 23a and 24a.

[0133] The distance between adjacent blow outlets 23a (center-to-center distance) is preferably 100mm to 200mm, and more preferably about 150mm to 170mm.

[0134] The velocity of the regulating air blown from the outlets 23a and 24a is preferably 0.2 to 1.0 m / s, more preferably 0.2 to 0.4 m / s. The wind speed of the regulating air passing between the cultivation beds 4 is preferably 0.1 to 0.5 m / s, more preferably 0.1 to 0.2 m / s. By using wind speeds within the above range, which do not impose a load on the growth of the plants, plant diseases are reduced. The wind speed is measured by installing an anemometer at a position 50 mm above the planting hole 6 in the direction in which the flow of air from above can be measured.

[0135] In this embodiment, the illumination 28 of the present invention is a linear light source. Furthermore, the light source of illumination 28 can be a linear light source composed of LED chips forming dozens to hundreds of point light sources, or it can be a linear light source composed of COB-type LEDs that are elongated and integrally formed. Multiple bulb-shaped illumination sources can be arranged in series to form a linear light source, or it can be formed by having multiple columns of multiple light sources arranged linearly. The shape of the light source is not particularly limited, but it is easier to place it in a position that does not interfere with the blow-out pipes 23 and 24, thereby minimizing the height and suppressing the overall height of the device; therefore, a rod-shaped shape is preferred. The illumination 28 is configured to extend from one end of the transport section to the other end. In addition, at least a portion of the illumination is arranged between the blow-out pipes 23 and each other, or between the blow-out pipes 24 and each other.

[0136] Part or all of the blow-out pipes 23 and / or 24 are preferably positioned below the height of the lower surface of the illumination 28 and outside the orientation range of the half-value angle 2θ of the illumination 28. With this positional arrangement, it is difficult to create unused space in the height direction inside the device, and space can be utilized effectively.

[0137] The lighting 28 is arranged parallel to each of the airflow pipes 23 and 24. On the upper side, the lighting 28 has a total of four airflow pipes 23, spaced apart from each other and located outside the airflow pipes 23. On the lower side, the lighting 28 also has a total of four airflow pipes 24, spaced apart from each other and located outside the airflow pipes 24. This lighting 28 and its positional relationship with the airflow pipes 23 or 24 can also be used in combination with the aforementioned plant cultivation device, which is provided with a space for airflow to pass through below the cultivation bed.

[0138] By using LED lighting as the aforementioned lighting 28, the spacing between the lighting fixtures can be increased, thus allowing the blowing ducts to be installed between the lighting fixtures. As a result, the effect of the blowing ducts on shading can be minimized.

[0139] As shown in the figure, by setting a few lighting strips and ensuring that the PPF output of each 1m of lighting is 150 μmol / s or more, the spacing between the lighting strips can be increased, thus enabling approximately even illumination of each plant. The PPF output value per 1m of lighting is more preferably 200 μmol / s or more, further preferably 250 μmol / s or more, particularly preferably 300 μmol / s or more, and most preferably 350 μmol / s or more. Furthermore, PPF refers to the photosynthetically active photon beam, and PPF output indicates the amount of photons emitted from a lighting fixture in one second. In general lighting fixtures, it corresponds to the total beam (lm: lumen) of the lighting fixture, which represents the performance of the fixture itself.

[0140] Such lighting is preferably applied to plant cultivation devices that have the aforementioned space for airflow to pass between adjacent cultivation beds in the transport direction and downwards from the cultivation beds, and to plant cultivation devices in which airflow ducts are arranged between at least a portion of the lighting. By applying this lighting to these plant cultivation devices, the distance between the lighting 28 and the cultivation bed 4 can be increased, ultimately improving temperature uniformity. Furthermore, it allows for plant cultivation devices with wider cultivation surfaces facing two different directions.

[0141] The PPFD on the upper surface of the above-mentioned cultivation bed 4 is 100~1000 μmol / m 2 / s. More preferably 120~500 μmol / m 2 / s, more preferably 150~300 μmol / m 2 / s. Alternatively, the average PPFD can be used as the mean. The average PPFD is the arithmetic mean of all measured points.

[0142] Furthermore, PPFD refers to the number of photons arriving per unit area per second on a light-receiving surface, which corresponds to illuminance (Lx: lux) in general illumination, representing the brightness of the light-receiving surface. PPFD is measured by placing a light-synthesized effective quantum beam density sensor at the measurement point and preventing light other than illumination 28 from entering, thus turning off the surrounding illumination.

[0143] When the lighting interval is set to y and the half-value angle of the lighting is set to 2θ, the height from the upper surface of the cultivation bed 4 to the lighting is preferably in the range of y / tanθ to 2y / tanθ. Specifically, the height is preferably 300-1500 mm, more preferably 400-1300 mm, even more preferably 500-1100 mm, and particularly preferably 600-900 mm. Within this range, lighting efficiency can be maintained, and the distribution of PPFD in the cultivation surface can be made uniform.

[0144] like Figure 6 As shown, based on the half-value (θ) of the half-value angle of the illumination being 2θ and the height (x) from the upper surface of the above-mentioned cultivation bed 4 to the above-mentioned illumination 28, the upper limit value of the interval y between the illuminations 28 is obtained by the following formula (1).

[0145] [Formula 4]

[0146]

[0147] In equation (1), y: refers to the lighting interval [cm], x: refers to the height from the upper surface of the cultivation bed to the lighting [cm], and θ: refers to the half value of the lighting half-value angle 2θ [°].

[0148] Furthermore, the spacing between the lighting fixtures refers to the distance between their centers. As the spacing between the rod-shaped lighting fixtures, the center of each fixture is defined as the center along both the long and wide sides. Additionally, the height (x) from the top surface of the cultivation bed to the lighting fixture is the height from the top surface of the cultivation bed 4 to the surface of the cover on the side of the illumination surface. When the lighting fixture is not covered, the height (x) from the top surface of the cultivation bed to the lighting fixture is the height from the top surface of the cultivation bed 4 to the light source.

[0149] By setting the upper limit of the interval y between the above illuminations 28 to the value obtained according to the above formula (1), the light illuminating the plant can be made uniform.

[0150] The half-value angle 2θ of the illumination is preferably in the range of 120°±30°.

[0151] The aforementioned blow-out pipes 23 and 24 are located outside the light distribution range of the half-value angle 2θ of the aforementioned illumination. The aforementioned illumination 28 is preferably LED illumination.

[0152] The term "outside the half-value angle 2θ of the aforementioned LED lighting" refers to the light distribution range of LEDs with a half-value angle of 2θ. Figure 6 The area enclosed by line segments AE, EF, FB, AD, and BC is represented by the following formula (2). Lines AD and BC represent the half-value angle 2θ of illumination 28. The half-value angle 2θ is the angle measured with reference to the central axis of the light irradiated by the light source, and is the opening angle of the brightness that is half the central axis of the light source.

[0153] By positioning the aforementioned blow-out pipes outside the light distribution range of the aforementioned illumination half-value angle 2θ, the irradiation light and regulating air can be uniformly supplied to the plant, thereby achieving uniform light, temperature, and humidity distribution throughout the entire system. Furthermore, the width or depth of the system can be set to be longer than before. The result of uniform temperature and humidity distribution is the production of homogeneous and high-quality plants.

[0154] The upper limit of the cross-sectional area (S) of the above-mentioned blow-out pipe is calculated using the following formula (2) based on the effective width (a) from the light source of the above-mentioned lighting, the installation interval (y) of the lighting, and the half value (θ) of the half value angle 2θ of the lighting.

[0155] Furthermore, the effective width (a) extending upwards from the light source of the lighting refers to the distance from the outer surface of the cover on the illumination surface side of the lighting to the installation position of the lighting. Additionally, when multiple blow-out pipes are provided at each location where blow-out pipes are installed, the aforementioned cross-sectional area (S) is the total area of ​​the cross-sectional areas of the multiple blow-out pipes at each location. When there is no cover on the illumination surface side, the effective width (a) is defined as the distance from the light source of the lighting to the installation position of the lighting.

[0156] [Formula 5]

[0157]

[0158] Furthermore, in equation (2), S: refers to the cross-sectional area of ​​the blow-out pipe [cm²]. 2 ], a: refers to the effective width upward from the light source of the lighting [cm], y: refers to the lighting installation interval [cm], θ: refers to the half value of the lighting half-value angle 2θ [°].

[0159] When the cross-section of the blow-out pipe is approximately circular, the upper limit of the diameter (R) of the blow-out pipe is determined by the effective width (a) from the light source of the lighting upwards and the lighting installation interval (y) using the following formula (3).

[0160] By using the diameter of the blow-out pipe as calculated by equation (3), the blow-out pipe can be positioned within the range of the half-value angle 2θ of the light emitted from the illumination without obstructing the light.

[0161] [Formula 6]

[0162]

[0163] Furthermore, in equation (3), R: refers to the diameter of the blow-out pipe [cm], a: refers to the effective width upward from the light source of the lighting [cm], y: refers to the lighting installation interval [cm], and θ: refers to the half value of the lighting half-value angle 2θ [°].

[0164] The diameter of the blow-out duct is preferably 10 cm or more. More preferably, it is 15 cm or more, and even more preferably, it is 20 cm or more. By using a value above the above lower limit, it is easy to adjust the airflow.

[0165] When the diameter of the blow-out pipe is set to R [cm] and the length is set to L [cm], the diameter of the blow-out pipe is preferably a diameter with a coefficient b of 0.433 or more, more preferably a diameter of 0.577 or more, and even more preferably a diameter of 0.7 or more, when expressed using the following formula (4). By forming a diameter of 0.433 or more relative to the length of the blow-out pipe provided on the cultivation surface, it is easy to maintain the efficiency of the blower provided on the blow-out pipe and provide uniform airflow to the plants.

[0166] [Formula 7]

[0167]

[0168] In this plant cultivation device, with the air conditioner 20 working and the lighting 28 on, the cultivation bed 4 containing seedlings is positioned at the entrance side of the upper side transport section by manual labor or a transport machine. Figure 1 (on the left side), and through the upper side conveying device 10 to Figure 1 The right side is moved intermittently. The cultivation bed 4 moves intermittently each time by one stroke of the piston rod 13a.

[0169] The cultivation bed 4, moved to the right side of the upper-side transport device 10, is transferred to the lower-side transport device 10 via the lifting platform 30, and then transported from the lower-side transport device 10... Figure 1 It moves intermittently from the right end to the left end.

[0170] During this period, liquid fertilizer is supplied to each cultivation bed 4 via the liquid fertilizer supply pipe 40 and the nozzle 41.

[0171] The temperature difference between the cultivation beds of each layer in the plant cultivation device of the present invention is within the range of ±1℃.

[0172] By reducing the temperature difference between the inlet and end sides of the air supply ducts 23 and 24, the temperature difference on the cultivation bed can be reduced to within ±1°C. In existing plant factories, there is no method other than expanding the shape of the cultivation surface in the long direction when doing so. However, the method of this application enables a cultivation device with a wider cultivation surface that can expand in either the long or short direction. Furthermore, by forming a cultivation surface that expands in both the long and short directions, the proportion of the edge portion is reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of light utilization.

[0173] Such plant cultivation devices are preferably used in plant cultivation devices that have the above-mentioned space for airflow to pass between adjacent cultivation beds in the transport direction and to pass below the cultivation beds, plant cultivation devices that have blow-out pipes arranged between at least a portion of the lighting, and plant cultivation devices with a PPF output of 150 μmol / s or more per 1m of lighting.

[0174] The air velocity within the air supply ducts 23 and 24 is also determined by their diameter, but is preferably 10 m / s to 60 m / s, and particularly preferably 30 m / s to 40 m / s. For example, when the diameter of the air supply ducts 23 and 24 is 0.16 m to 0.25 m, the air velocity within them is 31 m / s to 38 m / s; when the diameter is 0.14 m to 0.45 m, it is 5 m / s to 60 m / s, and particularly preferably 7 m / s to 40 m / s. For example, when the length of the air supply duct is 10 m, the arrival time from the blowers 25 and 26 to the end of the duct is very short, approximately 0.3 seconds, thus minimizing the temperature difference between the inlet and end of the duct.

[0175] The air volume of blowers 25 and 26 is 0.1 m³ / s. 3 / s~2.5m 3 / s, preferably 0.3m 3 / s~2.2m 3 / s, more preferably 0.5m 3 / s~2.0m 3 / s, more preferably 0.7m 3 / s~1.8m 3 / s, particularly preferably 0.8m 3 / s~1.6m 3 / s. In addition, depending on the variety of leafy vegetables, there are cases where leaf scorch and other growth diseases will not occur even if the air volume is outside the appropriate range. In such cases, there may be situations where a blower with an air volume outside the appropriate range is introduced.

[0176] Regarding the air volume of blowers 25 and 26, if there is no excess air volume, it is assumed that all the air is blown to the vegetables through air ducts 23 and 24, so it can be assumed that the air volume blown to the vegetables is approximately equal to the air volume blown to the vegetables.

[0177] Furthermore, if the blow-out ducts 23 and 24 are positioned outside the beam angle range of the illumination, the effect of the temperature rise of the air flowing within them due to the illumination received by the blow-out ducts 23 and 24 can be reduced. Therefore, the air undergoes almost no temperature change before entering from the blowers 25 and 26, passing through the blow-out ducts 23 and 24, and exiting from the outlets 23a and 24b to the outside. This reduces the temperature difference in the cultivation bed.

[0178] Furthermore, the aforementioned temperature difference can be obtained by placing temperature sensors on the cultivation bed at intervals of 5m to 10m along the long side and 2m to 5m along the short side, thereby measuring the temperature and calculating the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​in each layer.

[0179] The cultivation device of the present invention has a cultivation surface of 2m or more in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Existing plant cultivation devices are systems that supply air from the sides of the plant. Therefore, in order to provide the plant with the required airflow without causing damage, the airflow direction needs to be shortened, and to increase the area of ​​the cultivation surface, the cultivation surface must be designed to be long. In the plant cultivation device of this application, because airflow and light irradiation can be uniformly delivered, the uniformity of temperature distribution, light intensity, and wind intensity can be improved, thereby enabling a cultivation device with a long and wide cultivation surface in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Furthermore, by forming a wider cultivation surface, the proportion of the edge portion is reduced, thus improving the light utilization efficiency of the illumination.

[0180] In the above embodiment, a transport unit is provided in multiple layers, but the transport unit can be configured in one layer or in three or more layers, for example, three to ten layers. By dividing the early, middle and late stages of plant cultivation into two layers, the transport of the cultivation bed 4 can be started and stopped from the same side of the system. In addition, in order to design the overall system compactly, an even number of layers is preferred.

[0181] In the above embodiment, the transport device is configured with two layers, but the transport device is not limited to two layers; it can be configured with one layer or more layers, such as three to ten layers. By dividing the early, middle, and late stages of plant cultivation into two layers, the transport of the cultivation bed 4 can begin and end from the same side of the system. In addition, in order to design the overall system compactly, an even number of layers is preferred.

[0182] In the above embodiment, the cultivation bed is moved from the upper layer to the lower layer, but it can also be reversed.

[0183] In the above embodiment, the cultivation bed 4 is moved intermittently by the cylinder 13, but other power mechanisms besides the cylinder can also be used. Alternatively, the cultivation bed 4 can be moved by other moving mechanisms such as a chain moving mechanism. The cultivation bed 4 can also move continuously without intermittent movement.

[0184] This plant cultivation device is suitable for cultivating leafy vegetables such as frill lettuce, Batavia lettuce, Salad, etc. (Asteraceae), komatsuna, bok choy, etc. (Brassica), spinach, etc. (Amaranthaceae), as well as fruit vegetables such as strawberry, etc. (Rosaceae), tomato, etc. (Solanaceae), but is not limited to these.

[0185] In the above embodiment, lighting 28 is provided between each blow-out pipe 23, between each blow-out pipe 24 and on both sides thereof, and is (N+2) strips that are 2 more than the number of blow-out pipes N, but more lighting may be provided.

[0186] In the above embodiment, a line light source is exemplified as illumination 28, but illumination 28 can be a point light source or a surface light source. The width of illumination 28 is preferably half the value of y in the above formula (1), that is, y / 2 or less. From the viewpoint of preventing the blow-out pipe 23 from blocking the point light source of illumination 28, or preventing the light from being blocked by the blow-out pipe 23 and thus unable to be used efficiently, the width of illumination 28 is more preferably y / 4 or less.

[0187] The distance between the ends of the illumination 28 is preferably half the value of y in the above formula (1), i.e., y / 2 or less. The distance between the ends of the illumination 28 is the distance between the two closest illuminations 28 separated by the blow-out pipe 23 and the ends of the blow-out pipe 23 that are closest to each other. When the illumination 28 is discontinuous in the direction along the blow-out pipe 23, the distance between the ends of the two closest illuminations 28 that are also closest in the direction along the blow-out pipe 23 is also the distance between the ends of the illumination 28. From the viewpoint of preventing the blow-out pipe 23 from blocking the point light source of the illumination 28, or preventing the light from being blocked by the blow-out pipe 23 and thus unable to be used efficiently, the distance between the ends of the illumination 28 is more preferably y / 4 or less.

[0188] Example

[0189] [Basic conditions]

[0190] As a basic condition, romaine lettuce and Batavia lettuce were cultivated in a cultivation bed with a gradient configuration of 1 / 80 and a planting panel having six planting holes running through it. Nutrient solution (nutrient solution concentration: EC 2.0 dS / m, nutrient solution temperature: 20°C) was supplied to the bottom of the cultivation bed at a flow rate of 0.6 liters per minute. The cultivation area at this time was 1300 mm wide and 1800 mm deep.

[0191] [Evaluation Method]

[0192] (1) Incidence of leaf scorch

[0193] Peeling the plant by hand allows the growing point of the harvested plant to be visible, enabling visual observation of leaf scorch near the growing point. The presence or absence of leaf scorch is confirmed visually; if the outer leaves or outer leaves near the growing point turn brown or black, leaf scorch is considered to have occurred. Furthermore, the incidence rate of leaf scorch is evaluated as the proportion of plants with even one instance of leaf scorch on a single plant relative to the total number of cultivated plants.

[0194] (2) Harvest weight

[0195] At harvest time, cut off the top of the culture medium with scissors, remove any wilted or discolored leaves one by one, and place the remaining part on a scale to measure its weight.

[0196] <Example 1>

[0197] Cultivation troughs (75mm wide, 1300mm deep, 60mm high) were used as cultivation beds, with the height from the top surface of the trough to the lighting fixture 800mm. Two 1.25m long, 200W LEDs were used for lighting. The half-value angle 2θ of the LED lighting was 120°, the PPF output was 500μmol / s, and the average PPFD value was 200μmol / m. 2 / s. The LED lights are spaced 800mm apart. PPFD is the average value measured at 10cm intervals by placing a PPFD sensor (LI-COR LI-190R photoelectric quantum sensor) 35mm high on the upper surface of the cultivation tank.

[0198] By adjusting the airflow speed to be within the range of 0.2 m / s to 1.0 m / s, the airflow direction is made to flow from above the vegetables. In addition, a space is provided for the airflow to pass through between the cultivation troughs, ensuring the flow of air in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0199] The wind speed was measured using a hot-wire micro anemometer (Anemocheck MODEL6413 anemometer manufactured by KANOMAX Corporation, Japan).

[0200] The sowing / seedling raising period was 20 days, the cultivation period was 25 days, and the total cultivation period was 45 days before the harvest was carried out.

[0201] The incidence of leaf scorch and the harvest weight of plants cultivated in this way were determined. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0202] <Comparative Example 1>

[0203] Except for the changes in the following conditions, the plants were cultivated and harvested in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0204] As cultivation beds, cultivation boxes (300mm wide, 1300mm deep, and 50mm high) with a bottom plate under the rack were used for two-row cultivation, ensuring the height from the top surface of the cultivation trough to the lighting was 200mm. For lighting, ten 1250mm long, 20W LEDs were used. The half-value angle 2θ of the LED lighting was 120°, the PPF output was 50μmol / s, and the average PPFD was 200μmol / m². 2 / s. The LED lights are spaced 200mm apart.

[0205] The airflow speed should be above 0.1 m / s, and the airflow should flow from the side of the vegetables. No space should be provided between the cultivation troughs for airflow.

[0206] The sowing period was 8 days, the seedling raising period was 14 days, and the cultivation period was 13 days, for a total cultivation period of 35 days, before the harvest was carried out.

[0207] The results are shown in Table 1.

[0208] [Table 1]

[0209]

[0210] As shown in Table 1, it is confirmed that, compared with the existing methods, the harvest weight of each plant in the method of this application is 262g / plant (390g / plant - 128g / plant) more for romaine lettuce and 214g / plant (341g / plant - 127g / plant) more for Batavia lettuce.

[0211] This is because the incidence of leaf scorch disease in these vegetables is low, allowing for a longer cultivation period than existing methods.

[0212] Furthermore, the daily growth weight obtained by dividing the harvest weight by the number of cultivation days is 8.67 g / day / plant for romaine lettuce and 7.58 g / day / plant for Batavia lettuce in the method of the present invention, while it is 3.66 g / day / plant for romaine lettuce and 3.63 g / day / plant for Batavia lettuce in the existing method, thus confirming that the method of the present invention is superior.

[0213] <Example 2>

[0214] The cultivation surface was 5m wide and 12m long, with a height of 800mm from the highest point of cultivation bed 4 to the lower surface of the lighting. The cultivation surface consisted of two layers: an upper layer and a lower layer. For each layer, nine LEDs, each 1.25m long and with a PPF output of 500μmol / s, were connected in series. Within each layer, four rows of LEDs were arranged at 1.3m intervals, and three blow-out pipes, each 30cm in diameter and 12m long, were installed. Temperature measurements were taken for one day in this cultivation apparatus. Measurements were taken at nine points on the cultivation surface, C1 to C9. Measurements were taken at points C1 to C5 for the upper layer and C6 to C9 for the lower layer.

[0215] C1 was measured near the center of the cultivation surface, while C2-C5 were measured near the four corners of the cultivation surface. C6-C9 were also measured near the four corners of the cultivation surface. Specifically, C1 was measured at a position 0m in width, 7m in length, and 0.8m higher than the upper cultivation bed in height, at the end of the upper cultivation frame; C2 was measured at a position 0m in width, 2.5m in length, and 0m in height; C3 was measured at a position 0m in width, 13m in length, and 0m in height; C4 was measured at a position 5m in width, 2.5m in length, and 0m in height; and C5 was measured at a position 13m in length, 5m in width, and 0m in height. C6 was measured at a position 0m in width, 2.5m in length, and 0m higher than the lower cultivation bed at the end of the lower cultivation frame. C7 was measured at a position 0m in width, 13m in length, and 0m in height. C8 was measured at a position 5m in width, 2.5m in length, and 0m in height. C9 was measured at a position 5m in width, 13m in length, and 0m in height.

[0216] The highest temperature difference in the upper layer is 1.6℃, the lowest is 0.4℃, and the average temperature difference is 0.97℃. The highest temperature difference in the lower layer is 1.8℃, the lowest is 0.2℃, and the average temperature difference is 1.1℃. Therefore, the temperature difference between each layer is within ±0.90℃ and within ±1℃.

[0217] The invention has been described in detail using specific methods, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the intent and scope of the invention.

[0218] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-180146, filed on October 28, 2020, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-030534, filed on February 26, 2021, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0219] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0220] 1…wall; 2…ceiling; 3…cultivation room; 4…cultivation bed; 5…cultivation board; 6…planting hole; 8…frame; 10…transportation device; 11…rod; 12…claw; 13…cylinder; 18…guide rail; 20…air conditioner; 21…main pipe; 23, 24…blowing pipe; 30…lifting platform; 40…liquid supply pipe; 42…drainage tray.

Claims

1. A plant cultivation device, comprising a transport unit, said transport unit having transport devices for multiple cultivation beds, The plant cultivation device is equipped with an air supply unit, which blows airflow toward the plants on the cultivation bed of the conveying device. The plant cultivation device is characterized in that... The handling section has two or more floors. The air supply device is installed on each floor of the transport section. The conveying device is provided with a space for the airflow to pass between the cultivation beds and through the bottom surface of the conveying device.

2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cultivation beds are spaced 40-500 mm apart.

3. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The air supply unit has: An air conditioner that draws in air from a cultivation room equipped with the plant cultivation device and regulates it to a temperature within a specified range; and A blow-out duct supplies conditioned air, which is a mixture of conditioned air from the air conditioner and air from the cultivation chamber, and blows this conditioned air toward the cultivation bed.

4. The plant cultivation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The blow-out pipe is arranged along the transport direction of the transport device.

5. The plant cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The transport section is configured with multiple layers, both vertically and horizontally.

6. The plant cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The long side of the cultivation bed is oriented in a direction that intersects with the transport direction of the transport device.

7. A plant cultivation device, comprising a transport unit, said transport unit having a transport device for the cultivation bed. The plant cultivation device is equipped with an air supply unit, which blows air from above onto the plants in the cultivation bed on the transport device. The plant cultivation device is characterized in that... It is equipped with lighting that directs light toward the plants in the cultivation bed. Blowout ducts are provided between at least a portion of the lighting.

8. The plant cultivation device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transport section has two or more layers. The aforementioned air supply device is installed on each floor of the transport section. The transport section and the transport device are provided with a space for the airflow to pass between the cultivation beds and through the bottom surface of the transport section.

9. A plant cultivation device, characterized in that, Lighting is installed along the direction of the blow-out pipe. The PPF output per 1m of this illumination is over 150 μmol / s.

10. The plant cultivation device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, It has a cultivation bed and the aforementioned lighting disposed above the cultivation bed. The PPFD value at the upper surface of the cultivation bed is 100~1000 μmol / m 2 / s.

11. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, The height from the upper surface of the cultivation bed to the lighting is 300~1500mm.

12. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, The upper limit of the interval (y) between the lights is determined by the height (x) from the upper surface of the cultivation bed to the light source and the half-value (θ) of the half-value angle 2θ of the light source, using the following equation (1). [Formula 1] In equation (1), y: refers to the lighting interval [cm]. x: refers to the height [cm] from the top surface of the cultivation bed to the lighting. θ: refers to the half-value of the illumination half-value angle 2θ [°].

13. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that, The lighting is LED lighting. The blowing duct is located outside the light distribution range of the LED lighting's half-value angle 2θ.

14. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that, Based on the effective width (a) upward from the light source of the illumination, the installation interval (y) of the illumination, and the half-value (θ) of the half-value angle of the illumination, the cross-sectional area (S) of the blowing pipe is calculated using the following formula (2), and the value of the cross-sectional area (S) of the blowing pipe is taken as the upper limit. [Formula 2] In equation (2), S: refers to the cross-sectional area of ​​the blow-out pipe [cm²] 2 ], a: refers to the effective width [cm] extending upwards from the light source. y: refers to the lighting interval [cm]. θ: refers to the half-value of the illumination half-value angle 2θ [°].

15. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that, The cross-section of the blow-out pipe is approximately circular. Based on the effective width (a) upward from the light source of the illumination and the installation interval (y) of the illumination, the upper limit value of the diameter (R) of the blowing pipe is determined using the following formula (3). [Formula 3] In equation (3), R: refers to the diameter of the blow-out pipe [cm]. a: refers to the effective width [cm] extending upwards from the light source. y: refers to the lighting interval [cm]. θ: refers to the half-value of the illumination half-value angle 2θ [°].

16. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, The cultivation bed is covered with a cultivation board having planting holes.

17. The plant cultivation device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The planting holes are arranged in a single row along the long side of the cultivation bed.

18. A plant cultivation device, characterized in that, The temperature difference between the different layers of the cultivation bed is within ±1℃.

19. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that, The longitudinal and transverse dimensions of a single cultivation surface are both more than 2 meters.

20. A method for cultivating plants, characterized in that, Plants are cultivated using the plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The plant cultivation method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The plants mentioned are leafy vegetables such as lettuce, romaine lettuce, and lettuce from the Asteraceae family, komatsuna, and bok choy from the Brassicaceae family, and spinach from the Amaranthaceae family, as well as fruit vegetables such as strawberry from the Rosaceae family and tomato from the Solanaceae family.

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