Moisture content estimation method, moisture content estimation program, and moisture content estimation system

Abstract

To accurately estimate the moisture content of a bulb part of bulb vegetable.SOLUTION: A moisture content estimation method of the present invention, in which a moisture content of a bulb part of a first vegetable being a bulb vegetable is estimated, includes the steps of: measuring a value regarding a moisture condition of an above-ground part of the first vegetable to be estimated to acquire a measured value; and estimating the moisture content of bulb part of the first vegetable to be estimated, by inputting the measured value to a model showing a relationship between a value regarding the moisture condition of the above-ground part of the first vegetable and the moisture content of the bulb part of the first vegetable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a moisture content estimation method, a moisture content estimation program, and a moisture content estimation system for estimating the moisture content of a bulb in a bulb crop. [Background technology]

[0002] In bulb crops (e.g. onions), the moisture content of the bulb is closely related to the rate of bulb spoilage, tendency to grow large bulbs, and suitability for processing. For example, in onions for commercial processing, a difference in moisture content of only about 1% can significantly affect the yield. There is also the problem that onions with a high moisture content (soft onions) cannot withstand the washing process. For this reason, onions with a low moisture content are required for commercial processing, and it is preferable to be able to estimate the moisture content of the onion bulb before shipping.

[0003] Traditionally, soil moisture (pF or volumetric water content) has been used as an indicator of the water status of plants, but there is a time lag between changes in soil moisture and changes in the water status of plants, and the relationship between soil moisture and the water status of plants is not linear, making it difficult to determine the water status of plants from the soil moisture.

[0004] Recently, a method for measuring the moisture content within citrus branches has been known in which a TDR meter, a type of soil moisture meter, is inserted into the main branch or trunk (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0005] Conventionally, a method has been known in which a measuring electrode is attached to a plant to be measured, and a change in moisture in the plant is detected as a change in capacitance or impedance, and then recorded (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 50-110832 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Mitsunori Iwasaki et al., "Understanding water status in Satsuma mandarins using relative values ​​in branch water measurements with TDR", Journal of the Horticultural Society. 9(4), pp. 433-439, 2010 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the TDR meter in Non-Patent Document 1 requires the probe to be inserted about 15 mm into the main branch or trunk, and therefore cannot be used to measure the water status of the above-ground parts of bulb crops such as onions.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the technology of Patent Document 1, a change in moisture in a plant to be measured is detected using a measuring electrode, but it is not envisaged that the technology will be used to estimate the moisture content of the bulb of a bulb crop.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a moisture content estimation method, a moisture content estimation program, and a moisture content estimation system that are capable of accurately estimating the moisture content of the bulb of a bulb crop. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The first moisture content estimation method of the present invention is a moisture content estimation method for estimating the moisture content of a bulb portion of a first crop, which is a bulb crop, and includes the steps of measuring a value related to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop to be estimated and obtaining a measured value, and estimating the moisture content of the bulb portion of the first crop to be estimated by inputting the measured value into a model showing the relationship between the value related to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb portion of the first crop.

[0012] The second moisture content estimation method of the present invention is a moisture content estimation method for estimating the moisture content of a bulb portion of a first crop, which is a bulb crop, in which a computer performs a process of obtaining measured values ​​relating to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop to be estimated, and inputting the measured values ​​into a model showing the relationship between the value relating to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb portion of the first crop, thereby estimating the moisture content of the bulb portion of the first crop to be estimated.

[0013] The moisture content estimation program of the present invention is a moisture content estimation program for estimating the moisture content of the bulb portion of a first crop, which is a bulb crop, and causes a computer to execute a process of obtaining measured values ​​relating to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop to be estimated, and estimating the moisture content of the bulb portion of the first crop to be estimated by inputting the measured values ​​into a model showing the relationship between the value relating to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb portion of the first crop.

[0014] The moisture content estimation system of the present invention is a moisture content estimation system that estimates the moisture content of the bulb part of a first crop, which is a bulb crop, and includes a measuring device that measures values ​​related to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop to be estimated and obtains measurement values, and an information processing device that receives the measurement values ​​from the measuring device and estimates the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop to be estimated by inputting the measurement values ​​into a model that shows the relationship between the value related to the moisture status of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The moisture content estimating method, the moisture content estimating program, and the moisture content estimating system of the present invention have the effect of being able to accurately estimate the moisture content of the bulb of a bulb crop. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a bulb moisture content estimation system according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the test plots. [Diagram 5] Figure 5(a) is a graph showing the change in volumetric water content of soil in the rain-fed area in a field, Figure 5(b) is a graph showing the change in volumetric water content of soil in the field irrigated area, and Figure 5(c) is a graph showing the change in volumetric water content of soil in the rain-fed area in a greenhouse. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a graph showing the change in volumetric moisture content of the soil in the greenhouse irrigated area, Figure 6(b) is a graph showing the change in volumetric moisture content of the soil in the greenhouse dry area, and Figure 6(c) is a table showing the average, maximum, minimum and integrated values ​​of the volumetric moisture content of the soil in each test area. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing an onion divided into three parts. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a graph showing the changes in moisture content of leaves at three parts and the whole plant of an onion grown in the rain-fed field, FIG. 8(b) is a graph showing the changes in moisture content of leaves at three parts and the whole plant of an onion grown in the field irrigation field, and FIG. 8(c) is a graph showing the changes in moisture content of leaves at three parts and the whole plant of an onion grown in the rain-fed greenhouse. [Figure 9] FIG. 9(a) is a graph showing changes in moisture content in three parts and the whole leaf of an onion grown in the irrigated greenhouse, and FIG. 9(b) is a graph showing changes in moisture content in three parts and the whole leaf of an onion grown in the dry greenhouse. [Figure 10] FIG. 10(a) is a graph showing the changes in moisture content of leaves and bulb parts of three parts of onions grown in the rain-fed field, FIG. 10(b) is a graph showing the changes in moisture content of leaves and bulb parts of three parts of onions grown in the field irrigation field, and FIG. 10(c) is a graph showing the changes in moisture content of leaves and bulb parts of three parts of onions grown in the rain-fed greenhouse. [Figure 11] FIG. 11(a) is a graph showing changes in moisture content in leaves and in the bulb of three parts of onions grown in the greenhouse irrigation group, and FIG. 11(b) is a graph showing changes in moisture content in leaves and in the bulb of three parts of onions grown in the greenhouse dry group. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a graph plotting the relationship between the measured values ​​at the measurement sites and the moisture content of the bulb portions. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a graph plotting the relationship between the measured values ​​at the measurement sites and the moisture content of the leaves. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 14. Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a bulb moisture content estimating system 100 according to an embodiment. The bulb moisture content estimating system 100 of this embodiment is a system that estimates the moisture content of a bulb of a bulb crop (onion in this embodiment) being cultivated in a farm field.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the bulb moisture content estimation system 100 includes a measuring device 70 that can be used by producers, and a terminal 10 as an information processing device. The measuring device 70 and the terminal 10 can be connected via a communication cable (USB cable, etc.) 15, and the measurement values ​​measured by the measuring device 70 are input to the terminal 10. The measurement values ​​of the measuring device 70 may be manually input to the terminal 10 by the producer. The measuring device 70 and the terminal 10 may also be connected via a wireless communication path such as WiFi (wireless LAN) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0019] The measuring device 70 is a leaf sensor, and outputs a voltage value corresponding to the moisture level (turbidity) of the onion leaf. The voltage value output from the measuring device 70 can be said to be a value related to the moisture state of the leaf. For example, a leaf sensor manufactured by AgriHouse can be used as the leaf sensor. The measuring device 70 has a sensor unit 72 attached to the surface of the leaf, and a processing device 74 that measures the moisture level based on the output from the sensor unit 72 and transmits the measured value to the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 1, an onion has a bulb part and an above-ground part. In reality, both the bulb part and the above-ground part are "leaves", but in this embodiment, each green part present in the above-ground part is called a "leaf".

[0020] The terminal 10 acquires a value (measurement value) measured by the measuring device 70, estimates the moisture content of the onion bulb based on the acquired measurement value, and outputs the estimation result. FIG. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 190, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 192, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 194, storage (HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive)) 196, an input / output interface 197, a display unit 193, an input unit 195, and a portable storage medium drive 199. These components of the terminal 10 are connected to a bus 198. The display unit 193 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and the input unit 195 is a touch panel, or the like. In the terminal 10, the CPU 190 executes a program (including a moisture content estimation program) stored in the ROM 192 or storage 196, or a program read by the portable storage medium drive 199 from the portable storage medium 191, thereby realizing the functions of the various units shown in Fig. 3. The functions of the various units shown in Fig. 3 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the terminal 10. In the terminal 10, the CPU 190 executes a program to realize the functions of a measurement acquisition unit 20, a bulb moisture content estimation unit 22, and an output unit 24, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0022] The measurement value acquiring unit 20 acquires the value (measurement value) measured by the measuring device 70 and passes it to the bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 .

[0023] The bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 estimates the moisture content of the bulb using the measurement values ​​acquired by the measurement acquisition unit 20. Here, when estimating the moisture content of the bulb, the bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 uses the estimation model stored in the estimation model DB 40. The bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 transfers the estimated value of the moisture content of the bulb (estimation result) to the output unit 24.

[0024] The output unit 24 provides the estimation result by the bulb portion moisture content estimating unit 22 to the producer by, for example, displaying (outputting) the estimation result on the display unit 193.

[0025] (Measurement points using the measuring device 70) In operating the bulb moisture content estimation system 100 shown in Fig. 1, the inventors have considered (1) which leaf of the above-ground part should have its moisture content measured using the measuring device 70, and (2) which position of the leaf should have its moisture content measured. Below, the above (1) and (2) will be specifically described.

[0026] (1) Leaf to be measured Below, we will explain in detail the test that considers which leaves of the above-ground parts should have their moisture content measured.

[0027] (About the test area) In this experiment, as experimental plots, various soil moisture experimental plots as shown in Fig. 4 were set up by combining the presence or absence of irrigation for open-field cultivation and cultivation in a rain-sheltered house, respectively. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, a field rain-fed plot CW (open field + no irrigation), a field irrigated plot W (open field + irrigation), a house rain-fed plot C (without vinyl), a house irrigated plot H (rain-sheltered house + automatic irrigation for 10 minutes every morning), and a house dry plot D (rain-sheltered house + no irrigation) were set up. The volumetric water content of the soil during the cultivation period of onions in each experimental plot was as shown in Figs. 5(a) to 6(b). The volumetric water content of the soil was measured using a small soil moisture meter (UIZ-SM150T-LR: Uizin Co., Ltd.). The average value, maximum value, minimum value, and integrated value (integrated value of instantaneous values at 10-minute intervals) of the volumetric water content of the soil in each experimental plot were as shown in Fig. 6(c).

[0028] (Regarding the test days) In this experiment, as test days, multiple days (e.g., May 9, May 19, May 29, June 8, June 18) with a predetermined number of days (e.g., 10 days) interval were set.

[0029] (Regarding the test procedure) In this experiment, on each test day, a predetermined number (e.g., 4) of onions cultivated in each experimental plot were sampled. Then, using the four onions sampled in each experimental plot on each test day, the following measurements were carried out.

[0030] (A) The bulbous stem part and the above-ground part of each sampled onion were divided into three parts (outer, middle, inner).

[0031] Here, the part "outer" means the leaves whose growth has ended, the part "middle" means the vigorously growing leaves, and the part "inner" means the leaves that have just emerged from the bulbous stem. Actually, the leaves whose tips have started to wither were regarded as the part "outer", the leaves that have not grown beyond a predetermined standard (a predetermined number of leaves from the smallest) were regarded as the part "inner", and the rest were regarded as the part "middle". Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) show the state of onions on the nth day and the mth day (n < m) after cultivation divided into three parts.

[0032] (B) The fresh weight and dry weight of the three above-ground parts of each onion (outer, middle, inner) were measured, and the moisture content of each part (outer, middle, inner) of each onion was calculated using the following formula (1). Moisture content = {(fresh weight - dry weight) / fresh weight}×100 …(1)

[0033] (C) The average moisture content of the "outside" part of onions in the same test plot on each test day was calculated, and this was regarded as the moisture content of the "outside" part of onions in that test plot on that test day. Similarly, the average moisture content of the "inside" and "middle" parts of onions in the same test plot on each test day was calculated, and this was regarded as the moisture content of the "inside" and "middle" parts of onions in that test plot on that test day.

[0034] (D) The "whole" fresh weight was calculated by adding up the average fresh weight of the "outside" part, the average fresh weight of the "middle" part, and the average fresh weight of the "inside" part of onions in the same test plot on the same test day. The "whole" dry weight was calculated by adding up the average dry weight of the "outside" part, the average dry weight of the "middle" part, and the average dry weight of the "inside" part of onions in the same test plot on the same test day. The moisture content of the "whole" aboveground part of the onion was then calculated by substituting the "whole" fresh weight and the "whole" dry weight into the above formula (1).

[0035] (E) The moisture content of each part (outside), (middle), (inside), and (whole) for each test plot and test date obtained by carrying out (A) to (D) above was compiled in a graph. Figures 8(a) to 9(b) show the changes in moisture content of each part in each test plot. Figures 8(a) to 9(b) show the test results for the onion variety Momiji No. 3.

[0036] Figures 8(a) to 9(b) show that of the three above-ground parts, "outside," "middle," and "inside," the trend in moisture content change in the "middle" part is most similar to the trend in moisture content change in the "whole" part.

[0037] Furthermore, (F) The fresh weight and dry weight of the onion bulbs in the same test group on the same test day were measured, and the moisture content of each onion bulb was calculated using the above formula (1). Then, the average moisture content of the onion bulbs in the same test group on the same test day was calculated and regarded as the moisture content of the onion bulbs in that test group on that test day.

[0038] The results of (A) to (C) and (F) above were compiled in the same manner as in Figures 8(a) to 9(b), and the graphs shown in Figures 10(a) to 11(b) were obtained. Figures 10(a) to 11(b) show the test results for the onion variety Momiji No. 3. In all of Figures 10(a) to 11(b), it was found that of the three above-ground parts, "outer," "middle," and "inner," the tendency of change in moisture content in the "middle" part was most similar to the tendency of change in moisture content in the bulb part.

[0039] From the above test results, it was concluded that of the three above-ground parts, "outside," "middle," and "inside," the trend in moisture content change in the "middle" part is most similar to the trend in moisture content change in the above-ground part "whole" and the bulb part, and therefore the moisture content of the bulb part can be accurately predicted by using the value (measurement value) measured for the "middle" part by the measuring device 70 (leaf sensor).

[0040] (2) Measurement location The present inventors have considered at which position on the leaf the measurement should be performed using the measuring device 70. Basically, if there is no withering, there is almost no difference in the measured value regardless of the position at which the measurement is performed. Therefore, the inventors have come to the conclusion that it is best to perform the measurement at a portion close to the base of the leaf (for example, a position about 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 of the total length away from the base) where there is a low possibility of withering.

[0041] In consideration of the above (1) and (2), in this embodiment, a portion close to the base of the above-ground part "middle" (part where growth is vigorous) (for example, a position about 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 of the total length away from the base) is measured using the measuring device 70. Hereinafter, this measured portion will be referred to as the "measurement implementation portion."

[0042] (About the estimation model) The estimation model is obtained from the relationship between the measured value of the measurement site measured in advance using the measuring device 70 and the moisture content of the bulb part of the onion where the measurement site was measured. The moisture content of the bulb part can be obtained from the above formula (1) using the fresh weight and dry weight of the bulb part.

[0043] Figure 12 is a graph plotting the relationship between the measured values ​​at the measurement sites and the moisture content of the bulbs. The plotted points on this graph were approximated using the least squares method or the like to obtain an approximation line shown in the following formula (2). (Moisture content of bulb) = 0.95 × (measurement value at measurement site) - 0.5548 …(2)

[0044] The measured values ​​plotted in the graph of Fig. 12 are the measured values ​​of onions grown in areas other than the dry area (D). When the measured values ​​of onions grown in the dry area (D) are plotted, the correlation coefficient of the approximation line decreases, and therefore the measured values ​​of onions grown in the dry area (D) are not used. In Japan, onions are rarely grown under conditions like the dry area (D), so there is probably no problem in not using the measured values ​​of onions grown in the dry area (D) in Fig. 12.

[0045] In this embodiment, the bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 in Fig. 3 uses the above formula (2) as an estimation model. The coefficients and constants in the above formula (2) differ depending on the type and variety. Therefore, the estimation model DB 40 stores an estimation model for each type and variety, and the producer can use different estimation models depending on which crop the producer wants to estimate the moisture content of the bulb.

[0046] As mentioned above, the value (moisture level) measured using the measuring device 70 (leaf sensor) was correlated with the moisture content of the bulb, but there was little linear correlation with the moisture content of the leaves (the moisture content calculated from the fresh and dry weights of the leaves using the above formula (1)) (see Figure 13). This is thought to be because the measurement value of the leaf sensor is related not only to the moisture content, but also to the thickness and hardness (element concentration) of the leaf. For this reason, it is thought that the measurement value of the leaf sensor is more appropriately used to estimate the moisture content of the bulb than the moisture content of the leaves.

[0047] (About processing) FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the terminal 10.

[0048] As a premise for the processing in Fig. 14, it is assumed that the producer has access to the terminal 10 and the measuring device 70, and that the terminal 10 and the measuring device 70 are connected via a communication cable 15 or the like. The producer measures onions (for estimating the moisture content of the bulb) before the leaves fall and immediately before harvesting. The reason for estimating the moisture content of the bulb is before the leaves fall because there is a possibility that there is no correlation between the moisture level of the leaves and the moisture content of the bulb after the leaves fall.

[0049] 14 is started, first, in step S10, the bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 waits until the crop for which the bulb moisture content is to be estimated is set. When the producer inputs the type and variety of the crop via the input unit 195 of the terminal 10, the determination in step S10 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S12.

[0050] When the process proceeds to step S12, the bulb moisture content estimator 22 acquires an estimation model corresponding to the set crop from the estimation model DB 40. For example, when the producer inputs the onion variety "Momiji 3gou", the estimation model for the variety "Momiji 3gou" (the formula in FIG. 12, the above formula (2)) is acquired from the estimation model DB 40.

[0051] Next, in step S14, the measurement value acquiring unit 20 waits until the measurement value of the measurement implementation portion is transmitted from the measuring device 70. The producer attaches the sensor unit 72 of the measuring device 70 to the surface of the measurement implementation portion of the onion leaf to be measured (the portion close to the base of the leaf at the "middle" portion) and measures the moisture level. The measuring device 70 (processing device 74) transmits the measurement value to the terminal 10 (measurement value acquiring unit 20). When the measurement value is transmitted, the measurement value acquiring unit 20 proceeds to step S16.

[0052] In step S16, the measurement value acquiring unit 20 receives the measurement value transmitted from the measuring device 70. The measurement value acquiring unit 20 also passes the received measurement value to the bulb moisture content estimating unit 22.

[0053] Next, in step S18, the bulb moisture content estimation unit 22 inputs the measured values ​​into an estimation model to estimate the moisture content of the bulb. Specifically, the bulb moisture content estimation unit 22 calculates (estimates) the moisture content of the bulb by substituting the measured values ​​into the above formula (2). The bulb moisture content estimation unit 22 transfers the calculated (estimated) moisture content of the bulb to the output unit 24.

[0054] Next, in step S20, the output unit 24 outputs (displays) the estimation result on the display unit 193 of the terminal 10. In this way, by outputting the estimation result of the moisture content of the bulb part, the producer can easily check the moisture content of the bulb part. For example, in the past, in order to obtain the moisture content of the bulb part, it was necessary to obtain the fresh weight and the dry weight, but in order to obtain the dry weight, it was necessary to dry the bulb part for a long time. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to dry the bulb part, it is possible to save the effort and time required to check the moisture content of the bulb part. In addition, it is possible to check the moisture content of the bulb part without wasting the onions. In addition, by checking the moisture content of the bulb part of onions grown in a certain field, the producer can check whether the onions in that field are firm enough to be processed, what is the rate of spoiled bulbs, whether they tend to be large, etc.

[0055] Next, in step S22, the bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 judges whether or not to end the measurement. For example, if the producer inputs "end measurement" via the input unit 195 of the terminal 10, the judgment in step S22 is affirmative, and the entire process in Fig. 14 is terminated. On the other hand, if the judgment in step S22 is negative, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0056] When the process proceeds to step S24, the bulb moisture content estimating unit 22 judges whether or not to change the estimation target. For example, if the producer inputs "change of estimation target" via the input unit 195 of the terminal 10, the judgment in step S24 is affirmative, and the process returns to step S10. When the process returns to step S10, the above-mentioned processes from step S10 onwards are executed again. On the other hand, when the judgment in step S24 is negative, that is, when the estimation target is not changed, the process proceeds to step S14, and the processes from step S14 onwards are executed again.

[0057] The measured values ​​of the measuring device 70 differ greatly between night and day. However, there is not much change in the measured values ​​during the day. Therefore, measurements using the measuring device 70 may be performed at any time during the day. In this case, the estimation model used is one created using data obtained during the day. Measurements using the measuring device 70 may be performed at night, in which case the estimation model used is one created using data obtained at night.

[0058] In addition, the water content of the bulbs does not change suddenly due to rain or irrigation because plants have a homeostasis. Therefore, when measuring using the measuring device 70, there is no need to worry about rain or irrigation.

[0059] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the terminal 10 acquires a voltage value (measured value) indicating the moisture level of the leaves of the onion to be measured (S16), and estimates the moisture content of the bulb part of the onion to be measured (S18) by inputting the measured value into an estimation model showing the relationship between the voltage value indicating the moisture level of the leaves and the moisture content of the bulb part (FIG. 12, above formula (2)). As a result, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to measure the dry weight in order to find the moisture content of the bulb part. This makes it possible to save the effort and time required to find the moisture content of the bulb part. Furthermore, no onions are wasted in order to find the moisture content of the bulb part.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the producer measures the moisture level of the leaves using the measuring device 70, he measures the moisture level of the leaves ("internal" part) other than the leaves of the above-ground part whose tips are beginning to wither ("external" part) and the leaves ("internal" part) whose growth is slower than a predetermined standard (these are taken as the measurement implementation site). In this way, by taking as the measurement implementation site a part that shows the same moisture level change trend as the entire above-ground part and whose moisture level is correlated with the moisture content of the bulb, the moisture content of the bulb can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the producer may estimate the moisture content of the bulb during the onion cultivation period (half a month or one month or more before the planned harvest time). If the moisture content of the bulb is high, the rate of rotten bulbs increases. For this reason, irrigation may be controlled based on the moisture content of the bulb estimated during the cultivation period so as to reduce the rate of rotten bulbs. Furthermore, when it is desired to ship onions suitable for commercial processing, irrigation may be controlled based on the moisture content of the bulb estimated during the cultivation period so as to achieve a moisture content in the bulb suitable for commercial processing.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the measurement device 70 is a leaf sensor, but the measurement device 70 may be a contact sensor, a strain gauge sensor, a relative dielectric constant sensor, etc. The estimation model used by the bulb moisture content estimator 22 varies depending on the type of the measurement device 70.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the case where the information processing device is the terminal 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the terminal 10, a server connected to the Internet may perform the same processing as that of the terminal 10. In this case, the measurement value of the measurement device 70 may be transmitted directly to the server, or may be transmitted to the server via the terminal 10.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the terminal 10 (information processing device) inputs the measured values ​​into the estimation model to estimate the moisture content of the bulb portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a producer may estimate the moisture content of the bulb portion by substituting the measured values ​​into the estimation model.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the bulb crop for which the moisture content of the bulb is to be estimated is onion. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may also be applied to garlic, shallots, scallions, tulips, lilies, etc.

[0066] The above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program is provided that describes the processing contents of the functions that the processing device should have. The above processing functions are realized on the computer by executing the program on the computer. The program that describes the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium (excluding carrier waves).

[0067] When a program is distributed, it is sold in the form of a portable storage medium on which the program is recorded, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), etc. The program can also be stored in a storage device of a server computer and transferred from the server computer to other computers via a network.

[0068] A computer that executes a program stores, for example, a program recorded on a portable storage medium or a program transferred from a server computer in its own storage device. The computer then reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing in accordance with the program. The computer can also read the program directly from a portable storage medium and execute processing in accordance with that program. The computer can also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from the server computer.

[0069] The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10 Terminal (information processing device) 15 Communication Cable 20 Measurement value acquisition section 22 Bulb moisture content estimation section 24 Output section 40 Estimation Model DB 70 Measuring Equipment 100 Bulb Moisture Content Estimation System

Claims

1. A moisture content estimation method for estimating a moisture content of a bulb portion of a first crop that is a bulb crop, comprising: measuring a value relating to the moisture status of an above-ground part of a first crop to be estimated to obtain a measured value; estimating the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop by inputting the measured values ​​into a model showing the relationship between a value related to the moisture state of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop; A moisture content estimation method comprising:

2. The moisture content estimation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the step of acquiring the measurement values, values ​​relating to the moisture status of leaves included in the above-ground part that are not withered are measured.

3. The moisture content estimation method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the step of acquiring the measurement values, values ​​relating to the moisture status of leaves included in the above-ground part that are growing higher than a predetermined standard are measured.

4. The moisture content estimation method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the process of acquiring the measurement values, values ​​related to the moisture state of the above-ground part are measured using one of a leaf sensor, a contact sensor, a strain gauge sensor, and a dielectric constant sensor.

5. 2. The method for estimating moisture content according to claim 1, wherein in the step of acquiring the measured value, a value relating to the moisture state of the leaves before they fall over is measured.

6. A moisture content estimation method for estimating a moisture content of a bulb portion of a first crop that is a bulb crop, comprising: obtaining a measurement value relating to the moisture status of an above-ground part of a first crop to be estimated; estimating the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop by inputting the measured value into a model showing a relationship between a value related to the moisture state of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop; A moisture content estimating method characterized in that the processing is executed by a computer.

7. A moisture content estimation program for estimating a moisture content of a bulb portion of a first crop that is a bulb crop, comprising: obtaining a measurement value relating to the moisture status of an above-ground part of a first crop to be estimated; estimating the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop by inputting the measured value into a model showing a relationship between a value related to the moisture state of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop; A moisture content estimation program for causing a computer to execute a process.

8. A moisture content estimation system for estimating a moisture content of a bulb portion of a first crop, the first crop being a bulb crop, comprising: a measuring device for measuring a value related to the water status of an above-ground part of a first crop to be estimated; an information processing device that receives an input of a measurement value measured by the measuring device, and estimates the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop by inputting the measurement value into a model that indicates a relationship between a value related to a moisture state of the above-ground part of the first crop and the moisture content of the bulb part of the first crop; A moisture content estimation system comprising:

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