Tablet-type soil conditioner and fertilization method

Abstract

The goal is to make humic acid easy to apply while ensuring that a high level of soil improvement effect is continuously achieved over a long period of time. [Solution] The tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 contains a powder of a material containing humic acid and a binder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to tablet-shaped soil improvement materials used for various plants and a fertilization method for various plants.

Background Art

[0002] Humic acid is a soil improvement material. As the action of humic acid, supply of organic matter, increase in water retention, granulation of soil, increase in microbial activity, increase in plant physiological activity, buffer action against sudden changes in soil pH, etc. are known.

[0003] However, even when humic acid is applied alone, supply of fertilizer components (such as N, P, K, etc.) is not carried out. Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, granular fertilizers containing humic acid and various fertilizers have been proposed. The granular fertilizer of Patent Document 1 is obtained by pulverizing and mixing each raw material and molding it by a tabletting method or a rolling granulation method, and making the particle size uniform in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm. Further, the granular fertilizer of Patent Document 2 contains a powder of a material containing humic acid, a powder of a material containing nutrient elements necessary for plant growth, and a binder, and has a particle size of 0.5 to 4 mm. Further, the granular fertilizer of Patent Document 3 is obtained by blending humic acid and an alkaline substance into a powder of a fertilizer material, adding water and kneading, and granulating.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The granular fertilizers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are applied by scattering them on the soil surface or mixing them into the soil. While these methods of applying granular fertilizers are excellent in that they evenly supply humic acid and fertilizer components to the soil, they require effort to scatter or mix, leaving room for improvement in terms of ease of use. In particular, there is a need for a more convenient way to apply humic acid in home gardening and for ornamental plants.

[0006] Furthermore, in the case of potted plants, for example, removing the plant from the pot just to fertilize it and mixing granular fertilizer into the soil was a very time-consuming process.

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to enable the easy application of humic acid while providing a high level of soil improvement effect that can be sustained over a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the inventors of this application conducted diligent research and discovered that simply placing a humic acid-containing material in tablet form on the soil surface surprisingly yielded a sufficient soil improvement effect, and that this soil improvement effect continued for a long period of time. As a result, they completed the material and fertilization method described herein.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure may be a tablet-type soil conditioner used for plants. The tablet-type soil conditioner contains a powder of a material containing humic acid and a binder.

[0010] In other words, because the soil conditioner is in tablet form, preparation for fertilization is completed simply by placing it on top of the soil. Therefore, it can be easily applied without the hassle of scattering or mixing, as with conventional granular fertilizers.

[0011] When a tablet-shaped soil conditioner is placed on the soil and then watered so that water reaches the tablet, the humic acid contained in the tablet gradually dissolves and is supplied to the soil. Because the powder of the humic acid-containing material is bound together by a binder, the tablet does not completely disintegrate with a single watering, but gradually disintegrates through repeated watering. As a result, the soil improvement effect of humic acid can be obtained for a long period of time, such as several weeks or even more than a month.

[0012] The tablet-type soil conditioner may also contain fertilizer components. This allows the fertilizer components to gradually dissolve in addition to humic acid, thus providing a long-lasting fertilizing effect.

[0013] The binder used as an excipient to solidify the powder of humic acid-containing materials can be one or more selected from corn starch and crystalline cellulose. This allows the disintegration time of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner to be set to a desired time.

[0014] The binder content can be, for example, 2% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less. For example, when crystalline cellulose is used as the binder, the crystalline cellulose content can be, for example, 3% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less.

[0015] This ensures a sufficient humic acid content while allowing the tablet-type soil conditioner to completely disintegrate for more than one month from the start of use, thus extending the interval before placing the tablet-type soil conditioner on the soil again.

[0016] If fertilizer components are included, the fertilizer component content can be between 40% and 95% by weight. Furthermore, the content of humic acid-containing materials can be between 10% and 30% by weight. This ensures an appropriate balance between the soil improvement effect of humic acid and the amount of fertilizer, resulting in improved plant root development and growth.

[0017] The fertilizer component may include a slow-release fertilizer component and a quick-release fertilizer component whose effect appears faster than that of the slow-release fertilizer component. In this case, by containing more of the slow-release fertilizer component than the quick-release fertilizer component, the effect of the fertilizer can be obtained over a long period.

[0018] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a fertilization method can be assumed. The fertilization method involves placing a tablet-shaped soil improvement material containing a powder of a material containing humic acid and a binder on the soil in a pot where a plant is planted, and watering the plant at a predetermined frequency so that water reaches the tablet-shaped soil improvement material. As a result, humic acid can be easily applied, and a high soil improvement effect can be continuously obtained over a long period.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] As described above, since it is a tablet-shaped soil improvement material containing a powder of a material containing humic acid and a binder, a high soil improvement effect can be continuously obtained over a long period while making it easy to apply humic acid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the usage state of the tablet-shaped soil improvement material according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the procedure for measuring the hardness of the tablet-shaped soil improvement material. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram comparing and showing the rooting of Komatsuna grown with the tablet-shaped fertilizer of the comparative example and Komatsuna grown with the tablet-shaped soil improvement material of the example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0022] Figure 1 shows the state of use of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, the plant 2 is shown as a potted plant planted in a pot 3. The plant 2 may be, for example, a flowering plant, a leafy vegetable, an ornamental plant, a tree, etc., and the type and size of the plant on which the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 is used are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 can also be used in so-called mixed plantings, where multiple plants 2 are planted in one pot 3.

[0023] Pot 3 contains soil 4 for growing plant 2. The type of soil 4 for growing plant 2 is not particularly limited, and various types of soil suitable for plant 2 can be listed. For example, soil 4 for growing plant 2 may include leaf mold, gravel or sand, stones, etc. Also, soil 4 for growing plant 2 may include fertilizers other than the tablet-type soil conditioner 1. Specifically, for example, a standard potting mix of akadama soil and leaf mold can be listed as soil 4 for growing plant 2.

[0024] The size of pot 3 is not particularly limited. You can use pot 3 that is sized to match the size and number of plants 2. The shape of pot 3 can also be anything.

[0025] The tablet-type soil conditioner 1 is not intended only for potted plants 2, but can also be used for plants planted in the ground, such as in a field, although this is not shown in the diagram. Furthermore, the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 can also be used for plants grown in a greenhouse.

[0026] The tablet-type soil conditioner 1 contains a powder of a material containing humic acid and a binder, and is produced by compressing these raw materials into tablets using a tablet press or the like.

[0027] (Materials containing humic acid) Humus refers to all organic matter in soil, excluding active microorganisms and the remains of recently deceased plants and animals. When these organic materials are decomposed by microorganisms in the soil, the dark-colored, high-molecular-weight compounds that remain are called humic substances. Humic substances are classified into humic acid, which is soluble in alkali but not in acid; fulvic acid, which is soluble in both alkali and acid; and humin, which is soluble in both alkali and acid. Humic acid and fulvic acid together are called humic acids.

[0028] Materials containing humic acid include coal, peat, lignite, brown coal, bituminous coal, and peat. Lignite and brown coal exhibit properties intermediate between peat and bituminous coal, while brown coal is geologically younger and less coalified than lignite. Among these, lignite is particularly suitable as a material containing humic acid, but any one type selected from coal, peat, lignite, brown coal, bituminous coal, and peat may be used as a material containing humic acid, or any two or more types selected from these may be mixed and used as a material containing humic acid.

[0029] A powder made from humic acid is a material that has been pre-crushed and ground into a powder.

[0030] The content of humic acid-containing materials is specified as 1% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less. Within this range, the content of humic acid-containing materials can be 2% by weight or more. If the content of humic acid-containing materials is less than 1% by weight, the soil improvement effect described later will be small, and the plant growth will be almost the same as when humic acid is not present. On the other hand, by setting the content of humic acid-containing materials to 2% by weight or more, the soil improvement effect will be enhanced, and the plant growth will be good, and in particular, the soil improvement effect will be further enhanced by setting the content of humic acid-containing materials to 2% by weight or more. If the content of humic acid-containing materials is too high, the content of fertilizer components described later will be reduced, so by setting the upper limit of the content of humic acid-containing materials to 30% by weight or less, a sufficient amount of fertilizer components can be ensured. (binder) The binder is a binding agent that binds together the powder of the humic acid-containing material and the fertilizer components described later, maintaining the shape of a tablet. This binder can also impart appropriate disintegration properties to the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1. Examples of such binders include crystalline cellulose, starch (corn starch, etc.), and polyvinyl alcohol. Any one of crystalline cellulose, starch, and polyvinyl alcohol may be used as the binder, or any two or more of crystalline cellulose, starch, and polyvinyl alcohol may be mixed and used as the binder. Crystalline cellulose is particularly preferred as a binder that imparts appropriate disintegration properties to the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1.

[0031] The binder content is specified as 2% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less. Within this range, the upper limit of the binder content can be 8% by weight or less. Furthermore, when crystalline cellulose is used as the binder, the crystalline cellulose content can be 3% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less.

[0032] If the binder content is less than 2% by weight, the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 will maintain its shape beyond the effective period of the fertilizer components, which may lead users to mistakenly believe that the fertilizer components are still providing benefits even though their effects have worn off. On the other hand, if the binder content exceeds 30% by weight, the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 will easily disintegrate when exposed to water during watering, and will lose its ability to maintain its shape for several weeks or even a month or more. Therefore, the upper limit of the binder content has been determined so that the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 disintegrates around the time the effective period of the fertilizer components ends.

[0033] (fertilizer ingredients) The tablet-type soil conditioner 1 further contains fertilizer components as optional components. Various types of fertilizer components can be used, but it may contain at least one of the three major elements of fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as any two or all three. To achieve both rapid and sustained effects from the fertilizer components, it may contain both water-soluble and slow-release components. That is, the fertilizer components may include slow-release fertilizer components and rapid-acting fertilizer components that appear faster than the slow-release fertilizer components. In this case, the amount of slow-release fertilizer components can be increased compared to the amount of rapid-acting fertilizer components. Examples of slow-release fertilizer components include slow-release nitrogen and slow-release potassium. Examples of rapid-acting fertilizer components include rapid-acting nitrogen and rapid-acting potassium. When slow-release nitrogen and slow-release potassium are included, the amount of slow-release nitrogen can be increased compared to the amount of slow-release potassium. When rapid-acting nitrogen and rapid-acting potassium are included, the amount of rapid-acting potassium can be increased compared to the amount of rapid-acting nitrogen. When fertilizers contain phosphorus, the phosphorus content can be higher than that of nitrogen, and the phosphorus content can also be higher than that of potassium.

[0034] Furthermore, trace elements such as water-soluble salts including manganese, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, and calcium can also be added as fertilizer components. The content of these trace elements can be, for example, 1% by weight or less. Note that the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 does not need to contain fertilizer components.

[0035] The fertilizer component content can be between 40% and 95% by weight. If the fertilizer component content is less than 40% by weight, the growth effect from the fertilizer component will not be obtained over a long period of time, so the fertilizer component content should be 40% by weight or more. On the other hand, if the fertilizer component content exceeds 95% by weight, the binder content and humic acid content will be relatively low, reducing shape retention and the effect of humic acid, so the fertilizer component content should be 95% by weight or less. (Other ingredients) In addition to the above, the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 may contain other optional components. For example, the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 may contain an insecticidal component. It may also contain various inert components such as excipients and molding accelerators. Examples of such excipients include talc, and examples of molding accelerators include calcium ligninsulfonate.

[0036] (Method of manufacturing tablet-shaped soil conditioner) A powder containing humic acid is prepared by crushing lignite, a material containing humic acid, into a powder. A raw material is obtained by mixing the humic acid powder with a binder, crystalline cellulose, fertilizer components, and other components as needed. By compressing the obtained raw material into tablets using a tablet press, a tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 of the desired size and shape can be obtained. Any tablet press can be used, as long as it can produce tablets of the desired size and hardness.

[0037] (Shape and size of tablet-type soil conditioners) The tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 of this embodiment is disc-shaped. However, the shape of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 is not limited to a disc shape; for example, it may be polygonal or elliptical.

[0038] The diameter of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 is set to be between 10 mm and 30 mm for ease of use, and within that range, a diameter of 15 mm to 25 mm may be appropriate in some cases. The thickness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 is set to be 2 mm or more for strength. If the thickness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 is too thick, it may be undesirable in terms of usability, so the upper limit of the thickness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 can be set to 10 mm or less. In order to balance the disintegration properties and strength of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1, the thickness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 can be between 3 mm and 7 mm.

[0039] Furthermore, the weight of each tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 can be, for example, in the range of 1.0g to 5.0g. (Disintegration properties of tablet-type soil conditioners) The tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 gradually disintegrates when exposed to water during watering. The timing at which the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 disintegrates and disappears can be determined by the binder content and the hardness of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1. In other words, by obtaining the typical watering frequency and amount in advance, the extent to which it disintegrates when watered at this frequency and amount can be obtained through experimentation. Based on the results of this disintegration experiment, by adjusting the binder content and hardness, it is possible to manufacture tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 that disintegrates in, for example, a few weeks, a month, or several months from the start of use. Since the disintegration properties also differ depending on the type of binder, the type of binder is changed based on the results of the disintegration experiment in the same way. By conducting disintegration experiments while changing both the type and content of the binder, it is possible to obtain tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 that disintegrates at a desired timing depending on the type and content of the binder it contains.

[0040] The disintegration properties of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 can be made such that the timing of its disintegration and disappearance roughly coincides with the timing of the wearoff of the humic acid and fertilizer components. As a result, the disintegration of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 serves as an indicator that the effects of the humic acid and fertilizer components have worn off.

[0041] (Hardness of tablet-type soil conditioner) In terms of moderate disintegration, the hardness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 is preferably 6 kgf to 9 kgf, and more preferably 7 kgf to 8 kgf. The hardness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 can be set by appropriately adjusting the type and content of the binder, and the pressure during tableting by the tablet press.

[0042] The hardness of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 is a value obtained by measuring the maximum load at the measuring unit 101 when the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 is clamped in the width direction (radial direction) with a push-pull gauge 100 and force is applied until it breaks, as shown in Figure 2.

[0043] If the hardness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 is less than 6 kgf, the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 will be prone to disintegration and may disintegrate within a few weeks of starting use. Therefore, the hardness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 should be 6 kgf or higher. On the other hand, if the hardness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 exceeds 9 kgf, the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 will be difficult to disintegrate and may remain intact even after several months of use. Therefore, the hardness of the tablet-type soil conditioner 1 should be 9 kgf or lower.

[0044] (How to use tablet-type soil conditioners) The tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 according to the present invention can be used by placing a predetermined number of them on the soil 4 around the base of a plant 2. A method of fertilizing the plant 2 can be carried out by using the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1. For example, the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1, which contains a powder of a material containing humic acid and a binder, can be placed on the soil 4 of a pot 3 in which a plant 2 is planted, and the plant 2 can be watered at a predetermined frequency so that water comes into contact with the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1.

[0045] The number of tablet-shaped soil conditioners 1 used at one time can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the type of plant 2 and the size of the pot 3. For example, in this embodiment, 2 to 3 tablets of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 are used per 5-inch pot. Because it is in tablet form, it can be applied in a predetermined amount more easily than granular fertilizers. The number of tablet-shaped soil conditioners 1 used at one time may be just one. By using larger tablet-shaped soil conditioners 1, the number of tablets used at one time can be reduced.

[0046] From the standpoint of preventing fertilizer burn, it is preferable to place the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 at a certain distance from the plant 2. For example, fertilizer burn can be prevented by placing the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 at least 10 mm away from the base of the plant 2. Alternatively, the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 may be placed at least 20 mm away from the base of the plant 2. In this embodiment, since the material containing humic acid is in tablet form, such positioning can be easily performed compared to granular fertilizers. Even if the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 is placed away from the base of the plant 2, the effects of the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 (such as root growth, which will be described later) can still be obtained. In the case of plants that are not susceptible to fertilizer burn, the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 may be placed in contact with the base of the plant 2.

[0047] Furthermore, because it is in tablet form, it is easier to change the position of the tablet soil conditioner 1 once it has been placed on top of the soil 4 compared to granular fertilizers. The bottom surface of the tablet soil conditioner 1 can also be buried in the soil. Additionally, the tablet soil conditioner 1 can be placed lying down or upright; there are no particular restrictions on how the tablet soil conditioner 1 is used.

[0048] When watering plant 2, ensure that water also reaches the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 placed on top of the soil 4. This causes humic acid and fertilizer components to gradually dissolve from the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1, and the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 to gradually disintegrate. The humic acid and fertilizer components dissolved from the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 spread over a wide area of ​​the soil 4 and reach the roots of plant 2, contributing to the growth of plant 2.

[0049] As mentioned above, the timing at which the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 disintegrates and disappears is roughly coincided with the timing at which the effects of the humic acid and fertilizer components wear off. In this embodiment, the content of humic acid and fertilizer components is set so that the effects of humic acid and fertilizer components last for approximately 3 months when watering is performed at a predetermined frequency. Note that the watering frequency does not have to be daily; for example, it may be once every two days, once every three days, etc., and should be set according to the growing environment and the type of plant 2. Similarly, the amount of water should also be set according to the growing environment and the type of plant 2.

[0050] Furthermore, the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 of this embodiment can be configured to completely disintegrate and disappear after three months if watering is performed daily, by appropriately adjusting its hardness, the type and amount of binder, etc. The user can place a new tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 on the soil 4 as needed when the tablet-shaped soil conditioner 1 has disappeared. [Examples]

[0051] The following describes examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0052] (Effects on the growth of Komatsuna) Test materials were prepared according to the formulations shown in Table 1.

[0053] [Table 1]

[0054] Comparative Example 1 is a tablet-type fertilizer that does not contain lignite material, i.e., powder of material containing humic acid. Examples 1 to 3 are tablet-type soil conditioners that each contain powder of material containing humic acid. Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 to 3 vary the amount of Mospilan granules (granules containing insecticide) depending on the presence or absence and amount of lignite material. The shape and size of the tablet-type fertilizer in Comparative Example 1 are the same as those of the tablet-type soil conditioners in Examples 1 to 3, with each tablet weighing 2.5g.

[0055] Four pots were prepared using komatsuna (Gokurakuten variety) as test plants. Komatsuna seeds were sown in 3.5-inch pots filled with standard soil (akadama soil:leaf mold = 2:1). The tablet fertilizer of Comparative Example 1 and the tablet soil conditioners of Examples 1-3 were placed on top of the soil around the base of the plants in each pot. The same amount of water was applied daily to ensure that the tablet fertilizer of Comparative Example 1 and the tablet soil conditioners of Examples 1-3 were covered with water. After one month, the growth of the test plants was quantitatively measured. Temperature and humidity during the test were left to chance.

[0056] [Table 2]

[0057] Table 2 shows the fresh weight of komatsuna grown with the tablet fertilizer of Comparative Example 1 and the fresh weight of komatsuna grown with the tablet soil conditioners of Examples 1 to 3, respectively. As shown in Table 2, using the tablet soil conditioners of Examples 1 to 3, which contain humic acid, increased the growth of komatsuna compared to when the tablet fertilizer of Comparative Example 1 was used.

[0058] (Effects on root development, soil pH buffering, and nutrient retention) Test materials were prepared according to the formulations shown in Table 3.

[0059] [Table 3]

[0060] Comparative Example 2 is a tablet-type fertilizer that does not contain lignite material, i.e., powder of material containing humic acid. Example 4 is a tablet-type soil conditioner that contains powder of material containing humic acid. The shape and size of the tablet-type fertilizer in Comparative Example 2 and the tablet-type soil conditioner in Example 4 are the same, with each tablet weighing 2.5 g.

[0061] Standard potting soil (akadama soil:leaf mold = 2:1) was mixed with 5g / L of a compound fertilizer with an N:P:K ratio of 8:8:8 as a base fertilizer, and placed in two prepared 5-inch pots. Komatsuna seedlings were planted in each pot. The tablet fertilizer of Comparative Example 2 and the tablet soil conditioner of Example 4 were placed on top of the soil around the base of the plants in each pot. Every day, the same amount of water was applied to the tablet fertilizer of Comparative Example 2 and the tablet soil conditioner of Example 4, and after one month, the root development of the test plants and the soil were evaluated. The temperature and humidity during the test were left as they were.

[0062] The test plants were removed from their pots, and their root systems were visually observed. Figure 3 shows photographs of the root systems of komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) grown with the tablet-type soil conditioner of Example 4 and komatsuna grown with the tablet-type fertilizer of Comparative Example 2, both removed from their pots. The white, mesh-like structures are the roots. In the case of komatsuna grown with the tablet-type soil conditioner of Example 4, more white, mesh-like structures are visible compared to komatsuna grown with the tablet-type fertilizer of Comparative Example 2. In other words, the komatsuna grown with the tablet-type soil conditioner of Example 4 clearly had better root systems than the komatsuna grown with the tablet-type fertilizer of Comparative Example 2.

[0063] [Table 4]

[0064] Table 4 shows the results of soil pH measurement. As shown in Table 4, in Comparative Example 2, the average pH of the three plants changed by about 0.36 compared to the average pH before the test, whereas in Example 4, the average pH of the three plants changed by only 0.1 compared to the average pH before the test, indicating a smaller change in pH.

[0065] [Table 5]

[0066] Table 5 shows the magnesium content in the soil. The unit is Mg. 2+ The concentration is given as mg / L. As shown in Table 5, humic acid increased the magnesium content in the soil, resulting in improved nutrient retention.

[0067] (Durability confirmation test) Test materials were prepared according to the formulations shown in Table 6.

[0068] [Table 6]

[0069] Comparative Example 3 is a tablet-type fertilizer that does not contain lignite material, i.e., powder of material containing humic acid. Example 5 is a tablet-type soil conditioner that contains powder of material containing humic acid. The shape and size of the tablet-type fertilizer in Comparative Example 3 and the tablet-type soil conditioner in Example 5 are the same, with each tablet weighing 2.2 g.

[0070] Petunia (variety: Funhouse) seedlings were planted in No. 5 pots filled with standard potting soil (akadama:leaf mold = 2:1), and five pots were prepared using these petunia seedlings as test plants. According to the fertilization rates in Table 7 below, the prescribed number of tablet fertilizers and tablet soil conditioners were placed around the base of each plant in each pot. Three sections were prepared for each of the test plots 1 to 5.

[0071] [Table 7]

[0072] Every day, the same amount of water was applied to test plots 1-5 so that the tablet fertilizer of Comparative Example 3 and the tablet soil conditioner 1 of Example 5 were covered with water. After 3 months, the root development of each test plant and the amount of fertilizer components in the soil were evaluated for each test plant in test plots 1-5. The temperature and humidity during the experiment were left to chance.

[0073] For root development, the root ball was removed from the pot, the soil was washed off with water, and the roots were dried at 60°C for 24 hours. The weight of the roots was then measured and recorded as the underground weight. Soil calcium content was measured according to the instructions for use with the multi-parameter spectrophotometer HI 833001-01 (HANNNA). The measurement results are the average of three plots.

[0074] [Table 8]

[0075] Table 8 shows the underground weight of the test plants grown in test plots 1-5 and the calcium content of the soil in test plots 1-5. In test plots 1 and 2, where the tablet-type soil conditioner of Example 5 was placed, the underground weight was greater than in test plots 3 and 4, where the tablet-type fertilizer of Comparative Example 3 was placed, indicating better root development. In addition, test plots 1 and 2 had a higher calcium content than test plots 3 and 4. Humic acid has the effect of retaining cationic fertilizer components and preventing their leaching from the soil, so the calcium content in the soil is higher compared to soil without humic acid. Thus, by simply placing the tablet-type soil conditioner according to this embodiment on the soil and watering at a predetermined frequency, a high soil improvement effect can be obtained continuously over a long period of time, resulting in good plant growth.

[0076] The above description of the example described the case where only one tablet-shaped soil conditioner was placed on the soil. However, the results are not limited to this example; similar results can be obtained even if multiple tablets of the soil conditioner are placed on the soil. Therefore, the effect does not change significantly depending on the number of tablets used.

[0077] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, any modifications or changes that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. For example, similar results can be obtained even if the watering frequency is changed to once every two days or once every three days in the above embodiments. Also, the growth of plants will be similarly improved even if the tablet-type soil conditioner according to this embodiment is used for plants other than komatsuna and petunias. If fertilizer components are included, the growth of plants will be similarly improved even if those fertilizer components are changed. For example, the growth of plants will be similarly improved even if the amount of fertilizer components is changed according to the plant.

[0078] Especially for potted plants, the granular soil conditioner according to this embodiment can be applied very easily, as it only requires placing it on top of the soil without having to disturb the soil. [Industrial applicability]

[0079] As explained above, the tablet-type soil conditioner and fertilization method related to this disclosure can be used when growing various plants. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. Tablet-type soil conditioner 2 plants 3 pots Saturday, the 4th

Claims

1. Powdered material containing humic acid, Binder and, A tablet-type soil conditioner containing [specific ingredient].

2. In the tablet-shaped soil conditioner described in claim 1, A tablet-type soil conditioner that further contains fertilizer components.

3. In the tablet-shaped soil conditioner described in claim 1, The binder is one or more selected from corn starch and crystalline cellulose, and is a tablet-type soil conditioner.

4. In the tablet-shaped soil conditioner according to claim 3, A tablet-shaped soil conditioner containing the aforementioned binder in an amount of 2% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less.

5. In the tablet-shaped soil conditioner described in claim 4, A tablet-shaped soil conditioner containing 3% to 5% by weight of the aforementioned crystalline cellulose.

6. In the tablet-shaped soil conditioner according to claim 2, A tablet-type soil conditioner containing 40% to 95% by weight of the aforementioned fertilizer components.

7. In the tablet-shaped soil conditioner according to claim 6, A tablet-type soil conditioner containing 1% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less of the material containing humic acid.

8. In the tablet-shaped soil conditioner according to claim 2, The aforementioned fertilizer components include slow-release fertilizer components and fast-acting fertilizer components that have a faster effect than the slow-release fertilizer components. A tablet-type soil conditioner containing a greater amount of the slow-release fertilizer component than the fast-acting fertilizer component.

9. A fertilization method comprising placing a tablet-shaped soil conditioner containing a powder of humic acid-containing material and a binder on top of the soil in a pot in which a plant is planted, and watering the plant at a predetermined frequency so that water comes into contact with the tablet-shaped soil conditioner.

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