Method for cultivating fruit vegetable plant, cultivation apparatus for fruit vegetable plant, and tomato plant

Abstract

To provide a method for cultivating fruit vegetable plants, a cultivation apparatus for fruit vegetable plants, and a tomato plant, characterized by improved fruit-setting rate.SOLUTION: A method for cultivating fruit vegetable plants, a cultivation apparatus for fruit vegetable plants, and a tomato plant, wherein the fruit vegetable plants are irradiated with artificial light under a light irradiation condition with a fruit-setting rate of 80% or higher.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, a cultivation device for fruit and vegetable plants, and a tomato plant. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART In recent years, artificial light plant factories that cultivate plants such as vegetables in a closed space using artificial light sources such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have been attracting attention. Cultivation of plants in artificial light plant factories is not affected by climate or weather, and also alleviates the problem of labor shortages, making it possible to cultivate plants under consistent conditions throughout the year.

[0003] Fruit and vegetable plants such as tomatoes and melons are tall, and from the perspective of space utilization efficiency in plant factories, the distance from the top to the plant body becomes long, which tends to reduce light utilization efficiency. For this reason, light irradiation from the side instead of from the top has been considered (see JP 2011-50288 A). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the present inventors have now discovered that there is room for improvement in the fruit-setting rate of fruit and vegetable plants cultivated with light irradiated from the side. An object of one embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, an apparatus for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, and a tomato plant, which have an excellent fruit-bearing rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The specific means for achieving the objectives are as follows: <1> A method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, in which artificial light is irradiated onto the fruit and vegetable plants under light irradiation conditions that result in a fruit-setting rate of 80% or more. <2> The fruit vegetable plant is a tomato. <1> A method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants according to claim 1. <3> The artificial light is irradiated onto the fruit and vegetable plants from directions of 0°±30° and 90°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stems of the fruit and vegetable plants. <1> or <2> A method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants according to claim 1. <4> After the first flower bud differentiation of the fruit vegetable plant is confirmed, the fruit vegetable plant is irradiated with the artificial light from directions of 0°±30° and 90°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stem of the fruit vegetable plant until the final fruit set is confirmed. <1> ~ <3> 1. A method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants according to any one of the preceding claims. <5> The artificial light irradiation generates a light intensity distribution in the fruit and vegetable plants. <1> ~ <4> 1. A method for cultivating a fruit vegetable plant according to any one of the above. <6> The light intensity I of the artificial light irradiated on the growing point of the above fruit and vegetable plants t and the light intensity I of the artificial light irradiated to the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit and vegetable plant. b and are in the following relationship, <5> A method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants according to claim 1. I b / I t ≦0.8 <7> After the first flower bud differentiation of the fruit vegetable plant is confirmed, the light intensity distribution is generated until the final fruit set is confirmed. <1> ~ <6> 1. A method for cultivating a fruit vegetable plant according to any one of the above. <8> a light source that irradiates artificial light from the side and top of the fruit and vegetable plants; a control mechanism that controls the light irradiation conditions to generate a light intensity distribution when irradiating the artificial light to the fruit and vegetable plants; A fruit and vegetable plant cultivation device comprising: <9> The control mechanism controls the light intensity I of the artificial light irradiated onto the growing point of the fruit and vegetable plant. t and the light intensity I of the artificial light irradiated to the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit and vegetable plant. b and the light irradiation conditions are controlled so that the following relationship is satisfied. <8> The cultivation device for fruit and vegetable plants described in I b / I t ≦0.8 <10> the above <1> ~ <7> A tomato plant cultivated by the method for cultivating fruit vegetables described in any one of the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, an apparatus for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, and a tomato plant having an excellent fruit-bearing rate can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing an example of a cultivation system in which lighting fixtures are arranged between cultivated plants. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cultivation system equipped with a lighting fixture having a T-shaped cross section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In the following embodiments, components (including element steps, etc.) are not essential unless otherwise specified. The same applies to numerical values ​​and their ranges, and do not limit the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, numerical ranges indicated using "to" include the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively. In the numerical ranges described in stages in this disclosure, the upper or lower limit value described in one numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit value of another numerical range described in stages. Also, in the numerical ranges described in this disclosure, the upper or lower limit value of that numerical range may be replaced with the value shown in the cultivation examples. In the present disclosure, "fruit vegetable plant" means a plant that produces fruit as its harvest. In this disclosure, the "fruit setting rate" is calculated by the formula [number of fruits / number of buds] x 100. In this disclosure, the "number of fruits" refers to the number of fruits that have set in a fruit vegetable plant, and the "number of buds" refers to the number of buds that have formed in a fruit vegetable plant. In this disclosure, fruit setting is determined based on the total length L of the shortest calyx in the fruit.h The maximum horizontal diameter of the fruit, L f The ratio (L f / L h ) is 0.2 or more, and if it is 0.2 or more, it is considered that fruit has set. In this disclosure, the term "growing point" refers to the tip of a main or lateral branch (not shown) of a fruit or vegetable plant, also known as the shoot apex, which is located at the end of the stem and produces an extension of the stem and new leaves. This term includes an area within 5 cm of the growing point. If a fruit or vegetable plant is trained to have multiple stems, there will be multiple growing points. In the present disclosure, the term "lowest leaf of a fruit vegetable plant" refers to the leaf of the fruit vegetable plant whose stem is closest to the root, and the term "central part of the leaf" refers to the part of the leaf that is 1 / 2X from the base of the leaf when the total length of the leaf is X. In the present disclosure, the "growth direction of the stem of a fruit vegetable plant" means the direction in which the growing point of the stem of a fruit vegetable plant extends. In this disclosure, "mass" and "weight" are synonymous.

[0009] [How to grow fruit and vegetable plants] The method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants of the present disclosure irradiates the fruit and vegetable plants with artificial light under light irradiation conditions that result in a fruit-setting rate of 80% or more. Optimizing the light irradiation conditions allows the fruit and vegetable plants to grow effectively, improving the fruit-setting rate of the method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants. The method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants of the present disclosure is particularly advantageous in that it can improve the fruit-setting rate while maintaining high light utilization efficiency and space utilization efficiency.

[0010] From the viewpoint of improving the fruit set rate and the space utilization efficiency, it is preferable that the artificial light irradiation generates a light intensity distribution in the fruit vegetable plants. The light intensity distribution can be generated by adjusting the angle of the artificial light irradiation, the number of irradiation directions of the artificial light irradiation, the light intensity of the artificial light, etc. From the viewpoint of improving the fruit set rate and improving light utilization efficiency, which directly leads to reduced cultivation costs, it is preferable to irradiate the fruit vegetable plants with artificial light under the above conditions for a period from when the differentiation of the first flower bud is confirmed until the final fruit set is confirmed. During periods other than the above-mentioned periods, artificial light may be irradiated so that no light intensity distribution occurs, or so that a light intensity distribution occurs. However, from the viewpoint of reducing cultivation costs, it is preferable to irradiate with artificial light so that no light intensity distribution occurs.

[0011] From the viewpoint of improving fruit set rate and space utilization efficiency, the light intensity I of artificial light irradiated to the growing point of fruit vegetable plants t and the light intensity I of the artificial light irradiated to the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit and vegetable plant. b It is preferable that the following relationship exists: b / I t " is also called "light intensity ratio." I b / I t ≦0.8 From the viewpoint of increasing the weight of the harvested fruit, the light intensity ratio is preferably 0.7 or less, more preferably 0.5 or less. From the viewpoint of increasing the weight of the harvested fruit, the lower limit of the light intensity ratio is preferably 0.3 or more, more preferably 0.4 or more. In addition, in the case of a plant body without a growing point after pinching, etc., the light intensity I t is the light intensity of the artificial light irradiated to the center of the top leaf of the fruit vegetable plant. In addition, when the fruit vegetable plant is trained to have multiple stems and there are multiple growing points, the light intensity I t is the light intensity of the artificial light irradiated onto the growing point furthest from the center of the lowest leaf of the fruit vegetable plant. The light intensity ratio is preferably 0.4 to 0.8 from the viewpoints of improving the fruit-setting rate, the space utilization efficiency of the plant factory, and the weight of the harvested fruits.

[0012] When a fruit vegetable plant is trained to have multiple stems, it is preferable that each of the multiple growing points satisfies the above-mentioned light intensity ratio conditions.

[0013] The light intensity ratio can be adjusted by changing the type of light source used, the number of light sources used, the irradiation angle of the artificial light irradiated onto the fruit and vegetable plants, etc.

[0014] The light intensity is measured by placing the light receiving surface of the measuring device facing the light source. For example, a photon sensor (LI-190R, manufactured by LI-COR) can be used as the measuring device. When light sources are placed on two or more sides of the fruit or vegetable plant, the sum of the light intensities measured by placing the measuring device facing each light source is taken as the light intensity.

[0015] From the viewpoint of improving the fruit set rate, improving light utilization efficiency, and reducing cultivation costs, it is preferable to irradiate the fruit vegetable plants with artificial light under the above conditions for a period from the confirmation of the differentiation of the first flower bud until the confirmation of the final fruit set. During periods other than the above, artificial light may be irradiated so that the light intensity ratio exceeds 0.8, or may be irradiated so that the light intensity ratio is 0.8 or less. However, from the viewpoint of reducing cultivation costs, it is preferable to irradiate with artificial light so that the light intensity ratio exceeds 0.8.

[0016] It is preferable to irradiate the fruit vegetable plants with artificial light from directions of 0°±30° and 90°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stems of the fruit vegetable plants, and it is more preferable to irradiate the fruit vegetable plants with artificial light from directions of 0°±20° and 90°±20° relative to the growth direction of the stems of the fruit vegetable plants. By irradiating fruit and vegetable plants with artificial light as described above, a suitable light intensity distribution is generated in the irradiated fruit and vegetable plants, which can improve the fruit-setting rate.Furthermore, the height of the fruit and vegetable plants can be adjusted, which can improve the space utilization efficiency of the plant factory. From the viewpoint of improving the fruit set rate, improving light utilization efficiency, and reducing cultivation costs, it is preferable to irradiate the fruit vegetable plants with artificial light under the above conditions for a period from the confirmation of the differentiation of the first flower bud until the confirmation of the final fruit set. When a fruit vegetable plant is trained to have multiple stems, it is preferable to irradiate the plant with the above-mentioned artificial light in each of the multiple growth directions. During periods other than the above, artificial light may be irradiated from one of the directions of 0°±30° and 90°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stems of the fruit and vegetable plants, or from both the directions of 0°±30° and 90°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stems of the fruit and vegetable plants. However, from the viewpoint of reducing cultivation costs, it is preferable to irradiate artificial light from one of the directions of 0°±30° and 90°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stems of the fruit and vegetable plants, and it is preferable to irradiate artificial light from a direction of 0°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stems of the fruit and vegetable plants.

[0017] When artificial light is irradiated from the side and top of the fruit and vegetable plants, the light intensity of the artificial light is adjusted so as to produce a light intensity distribution. In cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, any type of cultivation system may be used for growing the fruit and vegetable plants, and the positional relationship between the light source and the fruit and vegetable plants when irradiating them with artificial light may also be selected appropriately. The cultivation system may be, for example, one of the types shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing an example of a cultivation system in which LED light sources are arranged between plants. In the cultivation system 10 shown in FIG. 1, two equal-area partitioned areas are provided on both sides of a lighting fixture 7a equipped with an LED light source 3, and cultivated fruit and vegetable plants 1 are placed in every other partition. The multiple cultivated plants 1 are kept at a fixed distance so that the leaves of neighboring plants do not overlap each other. The top and sides of each partition are covered with a reflective sheet 5a. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. As shown in Figure 2, cultivated plants 1 are placed on both sides of a lighting fixture 7a, and the top and sides of the cultivated plants 1 are covered with reflective sheets 5a. Light emitted from the lighting fixture 7a is directly irradiated from one side of the fruit and vegetable plants, and is then reflected by the reflective sheet 5a and irradiated from the other side of the fruit and vegetable plants. Furthermore, light irradiated from the lighting fixture 7a toward the top side is reflected by the reflective sheet 5a on the top surface, then reflected again by the reflective sheets on the side surfaces, and is further irradiated from the side of the fruit and vegetable plants. In this way, light utilization efficiency can be improved by covering the surroundings of the cultivated plants with reflective sheets or the like. Furthermore, arranging the lighting fixtures as shown in Figure 1 also improves workability from the aisles. The lighting fixture 7a has a plurality of LED light sources 3 attached thereto.

[0019] The cultivation system shown in Figure 2 may be a form using a support table (preferably a cultivation shelf) provided with a support (such as a urethane sponge) for supporting the roots of the cultivated plants, or a form using a support table (preferably a cultivation shelf) equipped with a cultivation panel with a plurality of holes for fixing the support, and cultivating the plants by fixing a support for supporting the roots of the cultivated plants in each hole of the cultivation panel. The use of a support table is preferable from the viewpoint of cultivation management and workability, such as side shoot pruning, leaf removal, and harvesting, during the cultivation period of fruit vegetable plants such as tomatoes.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a modified example of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cultivation system in which a lighting fixture 7b having a T-shaped cross section is attached instead of the reflective sheet on the top surface and the lighting fixture 7a in Fig. 2. In the cultivation system 20 shown in Figure 3, LED light sources 3 are also arranged on the top surface, so that light is irradiated directly from both the sides and the top surface of the fruit and vegetable plants. The sides are covered with a reflective sheet 5b, which ensures sufficient light intensity at the growing point.

[0021] The cycle of light and dark periods (hereinafter also referred to as "light-dark cycle") of the artificial light irradiated on the fruit and vegetable plants may be controlled. In the present disclosure, the term "light period" refers to a period during which fruit and vegetable plants are irradiated with a light source, and the term "dark period" refers to a period during which fruit and vegetable plants are not irradiated with a light source. The light-dark cycle can be controlled by changing the duration of use of the light source.

[0022] The light source of the artificial light to be irradiated is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include semiconductor light sources such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and discharge lamps such as fluorescent lamps. In the method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants according to the present disclosure, it is preferable to use LEDs. The type of LED used may be one type, or two or more types may be used. The LED may emit visible light such as red, blue, or green, or may emit invisible light such as ultraviolet light (wavelength 380 nm or less) or infrared light (wavelength 780 nm or more). Among these, LEDs emitting light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm are preferred from the viewpoint of promoting photosynthesis in fruit and vegetable plants. Furthermore, increasing the fruit yield per plant is important in terms of improving energy efficiency and space utilization efficiency, and from this viewpoint, the combined use of red and blue LEDs is more preferred. In particular, the selection of light source wavelength during the seedling raising period of tomato cultivation contributes to the increase or decrease of fruit yield, so it is preferable to use red and blue LEDs during the seedling raising period. This can be expected to result in an increased yield compared to, for example, the seedling raising period using white LEDs.

[0023] The cultivation temperature for fruit and vegetable plants is not particularly limited, but during the light period, it is preferably 23° C. to 33° C., and more preferably 25° C. to 32° C. By keeping the cultivation temperature during the light period within the above range, the quality, weight, etc. of the harvested fruit can be improved. Furthermore, the cultivation temperature for fruit and vegetable plants during the dark period is preferably 15° C. to 22° C., and more preferably 16° C. to 20° C. By keeping the cultivation temperature during the dark period within the above range, the quality, weight, etc. of the harvested fruit can be improved. In the present disclosure, the cultivation temperature is measured by placing a thermometer 1 cm away from the fruit and vegetable plants. As the thermometer, for example, the TR-74Ui manufactured by T&D Corporation and its attached sensors can be used.

[0024] The method for controlling the light and dark temperature is not particularly limited and can be performed by a conventionally known method. For example, the light and dark temperature can be controlled by monitoring the light and dark temperature of the environment using the thermometer and blowing hot or cold air as needed.

[0025] The relative humidity in the cultivation environment for fruit and vegetable plants is preferably 40% to 80%, and more preferably 50% to 75%. By keeping the relative humidity in the cultivation environment for fruit and vegetable plants within the above range, the quality, weight, etc. of the harvested fruits can be improved. In the present disclosure, the relative humidity is measured by placing a hygrometer 1 cm away from the fruit and vegetable plants. For example, the TR-74Ui manufactured by T&D Corporation and its attached sensors can be used as the hygrometer.

[0026] The method for controlling humidity is not particularly limited, and can be carried out by a conventionally known method. For example, humidity conditions can be controlled by monitoring the humidity of the environment with the above-mentioned hygrometer and, if necessary, using an air conditioner with a humidifying function and a dehumidifying function.

[0027] The carbon dioxide concentration in the cultivation environment for fruit and vegetable plants is preferably 300 ppm or more, more preferably 400 ppm or more, even more preferably 800 ppm or more, and particularly preferably 1,000 ppm or more. By maintaining the carbon dioxide concentration in the cultivation environment for fruit and vegetable plants within the above numerical range, the quality and weight of the harvested fruit can be further improved. The upper limit of the carbon dioxide concentration is not particularly limited, and can be 4,000 ppm or less. In the present disclosure, the carbon dioxide concentration is measured by placing a carbon dioxide concentration meter 1 cm away from the fruit and vegetable plants. As the carbon dioxide concentration meter, for example, an Air Checker 7722 manufactured by SB Environment Co., Ltd. can be used.

[0028] The method for controlling the carbon dioxide concentration is not particularly limited and can be carried out by a conventionally known method, for example, by monitoring the carbon dioxide concentration in the environment using the carbon dioxide concentration meter and, if necessary, by using an air conditioner or the like.

[0029] Fruit and vegetable plants may be cultivated by soil cultivation or hydroponics, but hydroponics is preferred from the viewpoint of improving the hygiene of the cultivation environment.

[0030] When cultivating fruit and vegetable plants by hydroponics, a support provided with, for example, urethane sponge, rock wool, or a water-retaining sheet can be used as a support for supporting the roots.

[0031] When cultivating fruit and vegetable plants by hydroponics, the method of supplying liquid fertilizer is not particularly limited, and examples include flooded hydroponics, in which a support is immersed in liquid fertilizer, spray hydroponics, in which liquid fertilizer is sprayed onto a support, and drip hydroponics, in which liquid fertilizer is dripped onto the roots or support.

[0032] There are no particular restrictions on the liquid fertilizer used, as long as it is suitable for growing fruit and vegetable plants. For example, commercially available mixed liquid fertilizers (such as OAT House No. 1 manufactured by OAT Agrio Co., Ltd. and Hyponica Liquid Fertilizer manufactured by Kyowa Co., Ltd.) may be dissolved and diluted to the desired concentration and used, or a combination of single fertilizers based on known fertilizer compositions such as the Enshitsu Formula and the Yamazaki Formula may be used.

[0033] Pollination after flowering can be carried out by selecting a suitable method from among the common methods for the crop. For example, hormone treatment using Sumitomo Chemical's Tomato Tone Spray can be used. Vibration pollination can also be carried out using a blower or vibrator. Insects such as bumblebees can also be used for pollination.

[0034] The concentration of the liquid fertilizer can be determined using the EC (Electrical Conductivity) value as an index. From the viewpoint of the quality, weight, etc. of the harvested fruit, the concentration of the liquid fertilizer is preferably 0.5 ds / m to 8.0 ds / m, and more preferably 1.0 ds / m to 5.0 ds / m. The concentration of the liquid fertilizer may be changed according to the growth of the fruit vegetable plants. The EC value is measured at 25°C using an electric conductivity meter (for example, HI98131 manufactured by Hannah Instruments).

[0035] In fruit and vegetable plants, it is preferable to remove leaves below the harvested fruit bunches, as this can improve cultivation efficiency. Side shoots on fruit and vegetable plants may be removed (side shoot pruning) as appropriate.

[0036] Fruit vegetable plants are not particularly limited, and examples include solanaceae plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers, cucurbitaceae plants such as melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and zucchinis, legumes such as kidney beans, peas, and broad beans, mallows such as okra, and grasses such as corn. Of the fruit vegetable plants listed above, solanaceae plants or cucurbitaceae plants are suitable for the cultivation method of the present disclosure, tomatoes or melons are more suitable, and tomatoes are even more suitable. Tomatoes include midi tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, fruit tomatoes, etc. Melons include netted melons such as green-fleshed and red-fleshed varieties, and non-netted melons.

[0037] [Fruit and vegetable cultivation equipment] The fruit and vegetable plant cultivation device of the present disclosure includes a light source that irradiates artificial light from the side and top directions of the fruit and vegetable plants, and a control mechanism (hereinafter also referred to as the "light intensity control mechanism") that controls the light irradiation conditions to produce a light intensity distribution when irradiating the artificial light onto the fruit and vegetable plants.

[0038] The light source for irradiating artificial light can be any of those described above. In addition, the cultivation device can be applied to a cultivation system equipped with a light source, such as the cultivation system described above.

[0039] The light intensity control mechanism controls the light irradiation conditions of the artificial light irradiated onto the fruit and vegetable plants so that a light intensity distribution is generated on the fruit and vegetable plants.

[0040] In one embodiment, photon sensors for measuring light intensity are disposed at the growing point of the fruit vegetable plant and at the center of the lowest leaf of the fruit vegetable plant, and the light intensity control mechanism acquires data on the respective light intensities from the photon sensors and calculates a light intensity ratio. The light intensity ratio is calculated by dividing the light intensity I of the artificial light irradiated onto the growing point of the fruit vegetable plant by the light intensity I of the artificial light irradiated onto the growing point of the fruit vegetable plant. t The light intensity I of artificial light irradiated to the center of the lowest leaf of a fruit vegetable plant, b It is preferable that the ratio of satisfies the following relationship: This further increases the light intensity at and near the growing point of the fruit vegetable plant. I b / I t ≦0.8 Then, the calculated light intensity ratio I b / I t If the ratio exceeds 0.8, the light intensity control mechanism sends a signal to the light source to adjust the angle of the artificial light to be irradiated, the number of irradiation directions of the artificial light to be irradiated, the light intensity of the artificial light, etc., and adjusts the light intensity ratio to be within the above range.

[0041] The light intensity control mechanism is configured to adjust the ratio of the light intensity of the artificial light irradiated to the center of the lowest leaf of the fruit vegetable plant to the light intensity of the artificial light irradiated to the growing point of the fruit vegetable plant (I b / I tIt is preferable to control the light irradiation conditions so that the value of (x, y) is 0.8 or less. From the viewpoint of improving the weight of harvested fruits, the light intensity control mechanism preferably controls the light irradiation conditions so that the light intensity ratio is more preferably 0.7 or less (even more preferably 0.5 or less). From the viewpoint of improving the weight of harvested fruits, the light intensity control mechanism preferably controls the light irradiation conditions so that the light intensity ratio is preferably 0.3 or more (more preferably 0.4 or more). In one embodiment, the light control mechanism can control the light intensity ratio by changing the number of light sources that irradiate the fruit and vegetable plants with artificial light, the irradiation angle of the artificial light that irradiates the fruit and vegetable plants, etc. [Example]

[0042] The above embodiment will be specifically described below using examples, but the above embodiment is not limited to these examples.

[0043] <Example 1-1> Tomato seeds (variety: Momotaro York (registered trademark)) were sown on a 5 cm square urethane sponge (Kyowa Co., Ltd., yellow fruit and vegetable culture medium) that had been sufficiently saturated with pure water, and stored in the dark at a temperature of 28°C and a relative humidity of 70% for 3 days. After rooting of the tomato seeds was confirmed, the seedlings were grown for 17 days using a submerged hydroponic culture system. The liquid fertilizer used was Kyowa Co., Ltd.'s Hyponica liquid fertilizer, diluted 500 times with pure water. During the seedling raising period, an LED (CIVILIGHT, DPT2RB120Q33, Showa Denko K.K.) was used as the light source, and the light intensity on the top surface of the urethane sponge was 250 μmol / m 2 / s. When adjusting the light intensity, the amount of red (wavelength 660 nm) and blue (wavelength 450 nm) light from the LED was adjusted so that the light intensity ratio was red:blue = 2:1. Other environmental conditions during seedling raising were set as follows.

[0044] -Seedling raising environmental conditions- ·Light / dark cycle: 16 hours (light period) / 8 hours (dark period) ·Temperature: 27℃ (light period) / 19℃ (dark period) Relative humidity: 70% Carbon dioxide concentration: 1,000 ppm Distance between plants: 15cm

[0045] Ten tomato seedlings obtained by the above seedling raising process were grown under the following cultivation conditions (hereinafter referred to as the growth process). During the growth period, the plants were trained to a single stem and trained according to the standard method, including pruning (side shoot removal and leaf removal) and training. After three inflorescences (first to third inflorescences) had formed on the main branch, and after it was confirmed that three true leaves had developed above the third inflorescence, the top was pinched off, leaving the true leaves. The tomato fruits that had borne fruit by the third inflorescence were harvested, and cultivation was completed. If the number of buds exceeded six, the seventh bud was removed. If the number of fruits exceeded four, the fifth fruit was removed.

[0046] During the growth process, the number of buds and fruit set for each plant, as well as the harvest, were recorded, and the fruit set rate (%; [number of fruit set / number of buds] x 100) and the average weight per fruit (hereinafter also referred to as "average fruit weight") were calculated. The results are shown in Table 1. The fruit set rate and average fruit weight were also determined for the following Examples 1-2 to 1-5 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-2, and are also shown in Table 1.

[0047] -Cultivation conditions during the growing process- Support: The same urethane sponge used in the seedling raising process is used. ·Light / dark cycle: 16 hours (light period) / 8 hours (dark period) Relative temperature: 27°C (light period) / 19°C (dark period) ·Humidity: 70% Nutrient solution: Kyowa Co., Ltd.'s "Hyponica Liquid Fertilizer" diluted 250 times with pure water. Carbon dioxide concentration: 1,000 ppm Light irradiation conditions: During the growth period, artificial light was always irradiated from the direction of 0°±20° and 90°±20° relative to the growth direction of the stem of the tomato plant. The light intensity ratio (light intensity at the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit vegetable plant (tomato plant)) b / Light intensity of growing point It The light intensity distribution was set so that the light intensity at the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit vegetable plant was 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s, and the light intensity at the growth point was 240 μmol / m 2 / s~260μmol / m 2 / s.

[0048] <Example 1-2> Tomato plants were cultivated and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the light irradiation conditions in the cultivation conditions during the growth step were changed as follows.

[0049] -Cultivation conditions during the growing process- Light irradiation conditions: Artificial light was irradiated from directions of 0°±20° and 90°±20° relative to the stem growth direction of the tomato plants only during the period from the differentiation of the first flower bud to the confirmation of the final fruit set (hereinafter also referred to as "Period A"). The light intensity ratio (the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit vegetable plant (tomato plant) I) b / Light intensity of growing point I t The light intensity distribution was created so that the light intensity I b is 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s, light intensity of the growing point I t is 240 μmol / m 2 / s~260μmol / m 2 / s. During the period other than the above period (hereinafter also referred to as "Period B"), artificial light irradiation from the direction of 0°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stem of the tomato plant was stopped, and artificial light was irradiated only from the direction of 90°±30° relative to the growth direction of the stem of the tomato plant. The light intensity ratio was set to 1.0. Note that the light intensity I at the center of the bottommost leaf of the fruit vegetable plant was 1.0. b , light intensity at the growth point I t Both are 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s.

[0050] <Examples 1-3> Tomato plants were cultivated and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that the light intensity ratio in Period A was changed to 0.8. b is 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s, light intensity of the growing point I t is 150 μmol / m 2 / s~163μmol / m 2 / s.

[0051] <Examples 1-4> As a light source during the seedling raising period, tomato plants were cultivated and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that when adjusting the light intensity, the amount of red (wavelength 660 nm) and blue (wavelength 450 nm) light from the above LED was adjusted so that the light intensity ratio was red:blue = 10:1.

[0052] <Examples 1-5> Tomato plants were cultivated and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that a white LED (PGL-NE-200NWD, manufactured by Ryoden Shoji Co., Ltd.) was used as the light source during the seedling raising period.

[0053] <Comparative Example 1-1> Tomato plants were cultivated and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the light irradiation conditions in the cultivation conditions during the growth step were changed as follows.

[0054] -Cultivation conditions during the growing process- Light irradiation conditions: During the growing period, artificial light was irradiated only from a direction of 90°±30° relative to the direction of stem growth of the tomato plants. The light intensity ratio was set to 1.0. The light intensity at the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit vegetable plants was I. b , light intensity at the growth point I t Both are 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s.

[0055] <Comparative Example 1-2> Tomato plants were cultivated and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the light irradiation conditions in the cultivation conditions during the growth step were changed as follows.

[0056] -Cultivation conditions during the growing process- Light irradiation conditions: During the growing period, artificial light was always irradiated from a direction of 0°±30° relative to the direction of stem growth of the tomato plants. The light intensity ratio was 0.2. The light intensity at the center of the bottom leaf of the fruit vegetable plants was I b is 48 μmol / m 2 / s~52μmol / m 2 / s, light intensity at the growing point I t is 240 μmol / m 2 / s~260μmol / m 2 / s.

[0057] <Example 2-1> Melon seeds (variety: Lennon (registered trademark)) were sown on a 5 cm square urethane sponge (manufactured by Kyowa Co., Ltd., yellow fruit and vegetable culture medium) that had been sufficiently saturated with pure water, and stored in the dark at a temperature of 28°C and a relative humidity of 70% for 3 days. After confirming that the melon seeds had taken root, they were grown for 17 days using a submerged hydroponic culture system (hereinafter referred to as the seedling raising process). The liquid fertilizer used was Kyowa Co., Ltd.'s "Hyponica Liquid Fertilizer," diluted 500 times with pure water. The light source used during the seedling raising period was an LED (CIVILIGHT, DPT2RB120Q33) manufactured by Showa Denko, with a light intensity of 250 μmol / m on the top surface of the urethane sponge. 2 The other environmental conditions during the seedling raising process were set as follows:

[0058] -Environmental conditions during the seedling raising process- ·Light / dark cycle: 16 hours (light period) / 8 hours (dark period) ·Temperature: 27℃ (light period) / 19℃ (dark period) Relative humidity: 70% Carbon dioxide concentration: 1,000 ppm Distance between plants: 15cm

[0059] Ten melon seedlings obtained by the above seedling raising method were grown under the following cultivation conditions. During the growing period, the plants were trained to a single stem, and pruned (side shoots were removed) and trained according to the standard method. The female flowers were pollinated until fruit was confirmed on the main branches. After the first fruit was confirmed, the flowers were thinned without pollination. If multiple fruits were confirmed to have set at the same time, cultivation was continued for about a week with multiple fruits, after which only the largest fruit was left and the other smaller fruits were thinned. One fruit was harvested from each plant, completing the cultivation. During the growing process, the number of female flower buds, the number of fruits, and the harvest were recorded for each plant, and the fruit set rate ([number of fruits / number of buds] x 100) and the weight per fruit (hereinafter also referred to as "average fruit weight") were calculated and summarized in Table 2. For the comparative example 2-1 below, the fruit set rate and average fruit weight were also calculated and summarized in Table 2.

[0060] -Cultivation conditions during the growing process- Support: The same urethane sponge used in the seedling raising process is used. ·Light / dark cycle: 16 hours (light period) / 8 hours (dark period) ·Temperature: 27℃ (light period) / 19℃ (dark period) ·Humidity: 70% Nutrient solution: Kyowa Co., Ltd.'s "Hyponica Liquid Fertilizer" diluted 150 times with pure water. Carbon dioxide concentration: 1,000 ppm Light irradiation: Artificial light was irradiated from the direction of 0°±30° and 90°±30° to the direction of stem growth of the melon plants only during the period from the differentiation of the first flower bud to the confirmation of the final fruit set (hereinafter also referred to as "Period A"). The light intensity ratio (the center of the lowest leaf of the fruit vegetable plant) b / Light intensity of growing point I t ) was set to 0.5. The light intensity I b is 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s, light intensity of the growing point I t is 240 μmol / m 2 / s~260μmol / m 2 / s. During the period other than the above (hereinafter also referred to as "Period B"), artificial light irradiation from the direction of 0°±30° relative to the stem growth direction of the melon plants was stopped, and artificial light was irradiated only from the direction of 90°±30° relative to the stem growth direction of the melon plants. The light intensity ratio was set to 1.0. Note that the light intensity I at the center of the bottommost leaf of the fruit vegetable plants was 1.0. b is 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s, light intensity of the growing point I t is 120 μmol / m 2 / s~130μmol / m 2 / s.

[0061] <Comparative Example 2-1> Melon plants were cultivated and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that the light irradiation conditions in the cultivation conditions during the growth step were changed as follows.

[0062] -Cultivation conditions during the growing process- Light irradiation conditions: During the growth period, artificial light was irradiated from a direction of 90°±30° relative to the direction of stem growth of the melon plants. The light intensity ratio was set to 1.0.

[0063] [Table 1]

[0064] [Table 2]

[0065] As shown in Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that the fruit-bearing rate of the fruit vegetable plant cultivation method of the Example is superior to that of the fruit vegetable plant cultivation method of the Comparative Example.

[0066] (Explanation of symbols) 1. Cultivated strains 3...LED light source 5a, 5b...Reflective sheet 7a,7b...Lighting equipment 10,20... Cultivation system

[0067] The disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-077110, filed on May 9, 2022, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-023805, filed on February 17, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants, comprising irradiating fruit and vegetable plants with artificial light under light irradiation conditions that result in a fruit-setting rate of 80% or more, The method includes irradiating the fruit vegetable plant with the artificial light after confirmation of the differentiation of a first flower bud of the fruit vegetable plant until confirmation of the final fruit set, the artificial light source includes a red LED and a blue LED, The cultivation method comprises the steps of: (a) determining whether the artificial light applied to the fruit vegetable plant is a first flower bud; (b) determining whether the artificial light applied to the fruit vegetable plant is a first flower bud; and (c) determining whether the artificial light applied to the fruit vegetable plant is a second flower bud; and (d) determining whether the artificial light applied to the fruit vegetable plant is a second flower bud.

2. 2. The method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants according to claim 1, wherein the fruit and vegetable plants are tomatoes.

3. a light source for irradiating fruit and vegetable plants with artificial light; a control mechanism that controls the light source so that a light intensity It of the artificial light irradiated to the growing point of the fruit vegetable plant and a light intensity Ib of the artificial light irradiated to the center of the lowest leaf of the fruit vegetable plant satisfy a relationship of 0.3≦Ib / It≦0.8 from the time when the differentiation of the first flower bud of the fruit vegetable plant is confirmed until the final fruit setting is confirmed; A cultivation device for fruit and vegetable plants, comprising: The cultivation device, wherein the light source of artificial light includes a red LED and a blue LED.

4. A method for producing tomato plants by the method for cultivating fruit and vegetable plants according to claim 1 or 2.

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