Method of accelerating plant growth

Abstract

To provide a method of accelerating plant growth, enabled to reduce the production cost, to convert soil dispersed with an accelerant to fertile one, and to make the effect of iron citrate last long.SOLUTION: Sake lees generated in a process of producing a distilled liquor using Aspergillus is mixed with iron, and iron is removed from the mixed mixture. The mixture is separated into a solid component and a liquid component, and the solid component is dried and the liquid component is diluted. The solid component is sprayed as a land farm field fertilizer, while the diluted liquid is sprayed over a land farm field, or river / marine farm field to accelerate rooting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for promoting the growth of plants, which promotes the growth of terrestrial and marine plants and also improves soil on land, and more specifically, to a method for promoting the growth of plants by utilizing shochu lees discharged during the process of producing shochu and other beverages. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, divalent iron such as ferric citrate is used as a plant stimulant to promote plant growth (see Patent Document 1). This type of divalent iron is known to have the effect of activating plant hormones that enhance the photosynthetic function of plants, unlike the effects of fertilizers and pesticides, and is absorbed by the root hairs in an ionized state to help the roots grow, and also binds with substances that seep out from damaged parts of the plant to form a membrane, which protects the wound and helps the plant absorb water and nutrients. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7348610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when such iron citrate is used to produce a plant growth promoter, the following problems arise.

[0005] That is, when producing iron citrate as a growth promoter, the iron citrate, which is divalent iron, is produced using industrially produced citric acid and iron, which results in a problem of high costs.

[0006] Furthermore, unlike fertilizers or soil conditioners, this type of iron citrate activates plant hormones, and therefore cannot make the soil itself in farm fields fertile.

[0007] Furthermore, when applying iron citrate to terrestrial plants, it is applied in the form of an aqueous solution. However, a large amount of iron citrate solution is heavy and expensive to transport. Furthermore, when the solution is sprayed on a field, the effect does not last long.

[0008] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a method for promoting plant growth which reduces production costs, makes the soil into which it is sprayed fertile, and prolongs the effect of iron citrate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In other words, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a step of mixing iron with sake lees generated during the production of distilled liquor using koji mold, a step of removing iron from the mixed body, a step of separating the mixture from which the iron has been removed into a solid component and a liquid component, a step of drying the separated solid component to extract the solid component, and a step of diluting the separated liquid, wherein the extracted solid component is spread as fertilizer in land-based fields, and the diluted liquid is spread in land-based fields, rivers, or sea-based fields.

[0010] In this way, by utilizing the citric acid contained in the large amount of sake lees generated in the process of producing distilled liquor using koji mold, a solid material containing iron citrate can be produced, and a solid material containing microorganisms and organic matter used in the production process of the distilled liquor can be produced. As a result, when this solid material is sprayed on a farm, it is possible to slowly promote plant growth, and soil improvement can be achieved by the action of microorganisms and organic matter. Furthermore, by diluting and spraying the diluted liquid on a land field, or on a marine field for seaweed, it is possible to promote the root growth of plants in the land field, prevent the seaweed from burning in the marine field, and promote the growth of seaweed and kelp. In addition, since a large amount of sake lees generated in the process of producing distilled liquor can be reused, disposal costs can be reduced.

[0011] In addition, in such an invention, the distilled alcoholic beverage used is one produced using koji mold, such as shochu, awamori, or white sake.

[0012] Furthermore, when diluting the liquid separated from the solids, calcium sulfate powder is added to the separated liquid to produce a precipitate, the precipitate is removed, and the remaining liquid is diluted.

[0013] In this way, the liquid can be finally sprayed in a transparent state, which prevents water pollution when sprayed at the site, and the resulting sediment can be used as a solid fertilizer containing ferrous iron and calcium sulfate.

[0014] Moreover, as such calcium sulfate, hemihydrate gypsum obtained by calcining gypsum board is used.

[0015] In this way, by kneading with water, a hydration reaction occurs, and needle-shaped crystals of gypsum dihydrate are precipitated and coagulated, so that foreign matter can be adsorbed during the coagulation. In addition, by reacting the fluorine contained in the gypsum board with the iron ions of the iron citrate to solidify as iron fluoride, it is possible to insolubilize the fluorine when this solid is spread on soil. This makes it possible to prevent soil contamination by fluorine. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to this invention, by utilizing the citric acid contained in the large amount of sake lees generated in the process of producing distilled liquor using koji mold, it is possible to produce a solid material containing iron citrate, and also to produce a solid material containing microorganisms and organic matter used in the process of producing the distilled liquor. As a result, when this solid material is sprayed on a farm, it is possible to slowly promote plant growth, and soil improvement can be achieved by the action of the microorganisms and organic matter. Furthermore, by diluting and spraying the diluted liquid on a land field, or on a marine field for seaweed, it is possible to promote the root growth of plants in the land field, prevent the seaweed burn in the marine field, and promote the growth of seaweed and kelp. In addition, since the large amount of sake lees generated in the process of producing distilled liquor can be reused, disposal costs can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process for producing a plant growth promoter according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The plant growth promoter in this embodiment is used as a liquid and a solid, and the solid is mainly used as a growth promoter for terrestrial plants, while the liquid is used as a growth promoter for plants grown in a land field and marine plants such as laver and kelp. When producing such a growth promoter, sake lees generated during the production process of distilled liquor produced using koji mold are used, and the citric acid contained therein is reacted with iron to produce iron citrate, which is supported on the solid, and the solid also contains koji mold and other organic matter. The solid is dried and spread on a field, so that the effect of the iron citrate lasts for a long time, and soil improvement can be performed by the action of the koji mold and organic matter. On the other hand, the liquid from which the solid has been removed is diluted and used for terrestrial plants, or diluted with river or ocean water and spread on the ocean to promote the growth of terrestrial plants and marine plants such as laver and kelp. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail. In this embodiment, shochu will be described as a specific example of the distilled alcoholic beverage produced using koji mold.

[0020] The shochu lees used in this embodiment are residues generated in the process of producing shochu, and are left over after distilling the alcohol-fermented "moromi". It is known that such shochu lees are generated in the process of producing shochu in twice the amount of shochu as shochu, and since more than 90% of it is liquid, it is heavy and has a unique odor, making it difficult to process. In addition, dumping it directly into the ocean is prohibited from the perspective of environmental protection based on the London Convention, so there is an urgent need to find a way to process the large amount of liquid shochu lees that is generated.

[0021] Incidentally, such shochu lees contain koji mold, organic matter such as rice, wheat, and potatoes that have been decomposed into alcohol, and more than 90% liquid, and the liquid contains a large amount of citric acid and amino acids derived from the raw materials. Therefore, in this embodiment, attention is focused on the citric acid, koji mold, and organic matter contained in the shochu lees to produce a growth promoter necessary for promoting plant growth.

[0022] 1. Iron citrate production process (Step S1)

[0023] First, iron is added to the shochu lees, which are 90% or more liquid. In this case, the iron is more likely to react with the citric acid contained in the shochu lees if it is in powder form, but since it becomes difficult to remove the iron afterwards, it is preferable for the iron to be in a solid form of a certain size. Examples of such solids include hand warmers containing carbon, and in particular, when using used hand warmers, which are solidified, they are crushed, placed in a net, and added to the shochu lees. In addition, iron waste such as nails, steel wool, and steel cans can also be used as such iron.

[0024] When such iron is added to shochu lees, it reacts with the citric acid contained in the shochu lees to produce a coordination complex of iron citrate, which is composed of citrate ions and divalent iron ions. Note that this aqueous solution is cloudy because it is contaminated with iron and organic matter contained in the shochu lees.

[0025] 2. First Separation Step (Step S2)

[0026] Next, the liquid and solid components are separated from the cloudy aqueous solution of iron citrate.

[0027] As such a separation method, various methods such as filtration and centrifugation can be used, but since filtration using a filter causes clogging of the filter, it is preferable to use a continuous centrifuge, but the separation method is not limited to these methods.

[0028] Then, the solids and liquids are separated using a centrifuge or the like. At this time, the solids contain the koji mold and organic matter such as mash contained in the shochu lees, alcohol components, iron citrate, etc., while the liquid is a yellow, translucent liquid that contains non-organic components such as iron citrate and alcohol components.

[0029] 3. Drying process of solid matter (step S3)

[0030] Next, the solids separated from the liquid in the separation process are taken out and dried. This causes the alcohol to evaporate, leaving a solid that contains koji mold, organic matter, and iron citrate. The solids thus obtained are then crushed so that they can be sprayed on farms as a growth promoter for terrestrial plants.

[0031] 4. Removal of foreign matter (Step S4)

[0032] In addition, the liquid fraction from which the solids have been removed in the separation process contains a large amount of iron citrate and is transparent, but depending on the degree of separation, some organic matter may remain.

[0033] Therefore, in order to remove the foreign matter that could not be completely separated by the filter or centrifuge, an adsorbent is added to adsorb the foreign matter and cause it to settle.

[0034] Various materials can be used as such an adsorbent, but here we use crushed waste gypsum board. When using such gypsum board, the gypsum board is re-fired to turn it into hemihydrate gypsum so as to enhance its adsorption performance. Then, by crushing this hemihydrate gypsum and putting it into a liquid, it undergoes a hydration reaction with the hemihydrate gypsum to turn it into dihydrate gypsum, and the foreign matter is adsorbed by the precipitated needle-like crystals and precipitated.

[0035] Furthermore, gypsum boards contain fluorine, which can potentially cause water and soil pollution. However, the fluorine contained in the gypsum boards reacts with the iron ions contained in the aqueous solution of iron citrate, turning them into insoluble iron fluoride. This makes it possible to prevent soil and water pollution caused by fluorine, even if the gypsum boards are solidified and spread on soil.

[0036] 5. Second Separation Process (Step S5)

[0037] Next, the precipitate is removed from the liquid in which the foreign matter has been precipitated. This can be done using a filter, a centrifuge, or the like.

[0038] The solid matter filtered using such a filter or centrifuge is taken out and dried.

[0039] The solids thus dried contain calcium sulfate, which can be used as fertilizer, and when zeolite is used, soil improvement can be achieved by propagating microorganisms in the porous material.

[0040] 6. Wastewater treatment (Step S6)

[0041] On the other hand, the liquid from which the solids have been removed by the second separation process in step S5 becomes a clean liquid from which foreign matter has been removed, and can be sprayed on land fields, rivers, and ocean fields. Therefore, the liquid containing iron citrate is discharged into rivers and oceans, and in a diluted state, the growth of seaweeds such as laver, wakame, and kombu in coastal areas is promoted. Note that such liquids may be diluted and used to grow land plants, but they must be diluted about 100 to 1000 times, and the large amount of iron citrate liquid produced cannot be used up. In addition, its storage and transportation are also difficult. For this reason, the liquid is discharged into rivers and oceans, where it is diluted to a concentration necessary for the growth of seaweeds, and the growth of seaweeds is promoted.

[0042] Furthermore, when spraying on land, it must be diluted in large quantities, so the remaining iron citrate is coagulated by adding digestive fluid from food waste generated at a biogas plant. The coagulate is then separated and the solid content of the digestive fluid is made to contain iron citrate, allowing it to be sprayed on land as a solid content containing fertilizer and growth promoter. In this way, it is possible to include fertilizer elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contained in the digestive fluid as well as iron citrate, making it possible to use it as a fertilizer containing a root growth promoter.

[0043] Thus, according to the above embodiment, the method includes a step of mixing iron with sake lees generated during the production of distilled liquor using koji mold, a step of removing iron from the mixed mixture, a step of separating the mixture from which the iron has been removed into a solid and a liquid, a step of drying the separated solid to extract the solid, and a step of diluting the separated liquid. The extracted solid is spread as fertilizer on a land field, and the diluted liquid is spread on a land field, a river, or a sea field. Therefore, by utilizing the citric acid contained in the large amount of sake lees generated during the production of distilled liquor using koji mold, a solid containing iron citrate can be produced, and a solid containing microorganisms and organic matter used in the production of the distilled liquor can be produced. As a result, when this solid is spread on a farm, it is possible to slowly promote the growth of plants, and to improve the soil by the action of microorganisms and organic matter. Furthermore, by spraying the diluted liquid on land fields or marine fields for seaweed, it is possible to promote the root growth of plants in land fields and prevent the erosion of the coastal areas in marine fields, thereby promoting the growth of seaweed and kelp. In addition, it is possible to reuse the large amount of sake lees generated during the production of distilled alcohol, thereby reducing disposal costs.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in various forms.

[0045] For example, in the above embodiment, shochu was used as an example, but awamori, Chinese white spirits, etc. can be used as alcoholic beverages produced using koji mold. In this case, when black koji mold is used as in awamori, it is effective in producing more iron citrate because it produces a large amount of citric acid.

[0046] In the above embodiment, iron is added to the liquid shochu lees to produce iron citrate, but digestive liquid generated from a biogas plant may be added to the liquid. In this way, the nutrients contained in the digestive liquid can be included in the solid and liquid components, making it possible to include effective ingredients.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the iron citrate, which is divalent iron, is added, but if the divalent iron changes to trivalent iron, it will not be absorbed by plants. Therefore, in order to stabilize the state of the divalent iron ion, a chelating agent such as fulvic acid, humic acid, humic acid, or magnesium lignosulfonate may be added to chelate it.

[0048] In addition, in the above embodiment, gypsum board is inserted in step 4 to remove foreign matter, but if sufficient foreign matter has been removed by step 3, the processes in steps 4 and 5 may be omitted.

[0049] In the above embodiment, gypsum hemihydrate is used as the adsorbent, but a porous material such as zeolite may be used.

Claims

1. A step of mixing iron with sake lees generated during the production of distilled liquor produced using koji mold; removing iron from the blended mixture; separating the iron-removed mixture into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction; A step of drying the separated solids to extract the solids; diluting the separated liquid; Equipped with A method for promoting plant growth, comprising the steps of spreading the extracted solid matter as fertilizer in a land-based field and spreading the diluted liquid in a land-based field, a river, or an ocean-based field.

2. 2. The method for refining a plant growth promoter according to claim 1, wherein the distilled liquor is shochu, awamori, or white liquor.

3. The diluting step comprises: Adding calcium sulfate powder to the separated liquid to generate a precipitate; The precipitate is removed and the remaining liquid is allowed to dilute. The method for promoting plant growth according to claim 1.

4. 4. The method for promoting plant growth according to claim 3, wherein the calcium sulfate is hemihydrate gypsum obtained by calcining a gypsum board.

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