Plant cultivation equipment

Abstract

To provide a plant cultivation device capable of surely, easily and continuously maintaining a proper irrigation state at low cost, regardless of the number of varieties of plants to be cultivated, the cultivation quantity for each variety, or differences in shipping time, etc. [Solution] The plant cultivation device 1 controls the supply amount of culture solution w to the seedling boxes 10N, 20N of each tier by opening and closing solenoid valves 15a, 25a in accordance with the pF values ​​detected by pF humidity sensors S1, S2 arranged in the root zone 8 of multiple seedling boxes 10N, 20N supported on the lower and upper tiers of a stand 2. This prevents uneven distribution of the components of the culture solution w due to the height of each tier, reliably and easily maintains appropriate and uniform cultivation conditions, and enables the culture solution w to be circulated to the seedling boxes 10N, 20N of each tier.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant cultivation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cultivation device and method for plants such as strawberries, which includes a cultivation shelf that supports multiple box-shaped planters in multiple tiers along the vertical direction, each having a culture medium inside and irrigation tubes arranged on top of the culture medium and with the openings closed with lid members made of insulating material, a nutrient solution supplying device that supplies nutrient solution adjusted to a predetermined temperature range to the irrigation tubes of each of the multiple planters, and a drainage tank that collects drainage collected from the multiple planters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-202047 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the cultivation apparatus and cultivation method of Patent Document 1 have the problem that there is a risk of the active ingredients in the nutrient solution being unevenly distributed depending on the height of each planter, and since the nutrient solution is used once and then discarded, the management becomes cumbersome and the costs increase.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to solve the problems described above and to provide a plant cultivation device that can maintain appropriate irrigation conditions more reliably, easily, and at low cost regardless of the number of plant varieties to be cultivated, the number of plants to be cultivated for each variety, the cultivation period, or differences in shipping period. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is based on the idea of ​​supporting a number of seedling boxes, each of which has one or more rhizospheres arranged inside to support the roots of the plants to be grown, in a vertical row on a stand, and adjusting the amount of circulating culture solution supplied to each of the seedling boxes in each row by opening / closing or adjusting the opening degree of an electromagnetic valve in accordance with the pF value of the rhizosphere.

[0007] That is, the plant cultivation device according to the present invention is A stand having supports and rungs, the stand being supported horizontally and linearly between a pair of parallel rungs, the parallel rungs also being arranged vertically across a plurality of stages, and a plurality of seedling boxes being supported between the rungs for each stage; One or more root zones each made of an inorganic fiber material that is arranged for each of the plurality of seedling boxes and supports the roots of the plants to be grown; A pF humidity sensor is provided in the root zone of each of the seedling boxes. An irrigation pipe arranged along the upper portion of the seedling boxes in each stage; A plurality of circulation paths for the culture solution communicating from the bottoms of the plurality of seedling boxes in each stage to the irrigation pipe; A plurality of solenoid valves are individually arranged on the irrigation pipe side in the circulation flow paths of the plurality of culture solutions; An adjustment means for adjusting the opening / closing or opening degree of each of the solenoid valves in accordance with the pF value for each of the root zones of the seedling boxes of each stage detected by the pF humidity sensor; and a pump disposed in the circulation flow path for the plurality of culture solutions.

[0008] The adjusting means may be a relay element or a personal computer.

[0009] The multiple seedling boxes in each tier may be divided into groups, and each group of seedling boxes may be connected to the pump via the converging part of the circulation flow path from the bottom, and the length of the irrigation pipe may be adjusted to correspond to the size of the multiple seedling boxes in the group.

[0010] The system may further include a temperature sensor set in the root zone of the seedling raising boxes for each tier, and a temperature control means arranged near the multiple seedling raising boxes for each tier so as to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor within a predetermined temperature range.

[0011] One or more bases made of foamed resin are placed inside the seedling box, and the root zone may be arranged on the upper surface of the base or within each of a number of through holes that vertically penetrate the base.

[0012] A sheet-like rhizosphere is laid inside the seedling box and a plurality of plants are planted in the rhizosphere, or a plurality of the rhizospheres are fixedly arranged and a plant is planted in each rhizosphere.

[0013] The suction side of the pump may be connected to a groundwater supply pipe or a replenishment culture medium tank via an on-off valve or the solenoid valve.

[0014] At least one of LED lights and fluorescent lights may be arranged along the upper side of the seedling trays on each tier. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the plant cultivation device of the present invention, the supply amount of nutrient solution to each stage of the seedling box is controlled by opening and closing the solenoid valve or adjusting the opening degree according to the pF value obtained from the pF humidity sensor set in the root zone of the multiple seedling boxes supported on each stage of the stand, which suppresses uneven distribution of the composition of the nutrient solution due to the height of each stage, and ensures and easily maintains a proper and uniform growing condition, and reduces the management and costs because the proper amount of nutrient solution is circulated to the seedling boxes of each stage. Therefore, it becomes possible to continue stable mulch cultivation regardless of the variety, quantity, growing season, or shipping time of the plants to be cultivated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a plant cultivation device of the present invention, including a vertical cross section in part. [Diagram 2] 2A is a partial right side view mainly showing a stand in the plant cultivation device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing an outline of a circulation flow path in the plant cultivation device of FIG. [Diagram 3] 2A to 2C are vertical cross-sectional views showing seedling boxes having different shapes from the seedling box in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an operation mode of the plant cultivation device different from that of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 5(a) is a flow chart showing an operation mode of the plant cultivation apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is a flow chart showing an operation mode of the plant cultivation apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view similar to FIG. 1, showing an application form of the plant cultivation device of FIG. [Figure 7] 1, showing a plant cultivation device of a different form from that described above, and FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes a mode for carrying out the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2(A), the plant cultivation device 1 of the present invention includes a stand 2 having multiple stages, at least an upper stage and a lower stage, and seedling boxes 10N (10a-10z) supported on the lower stage and seedling boxes 20N (20a-20z) supported on the upper stage. As shown in the figures, the stand 2 includes a pair of left and right supports 3, a beam 6 connecting the supports 3, and a pair of left and right horizontal lower rungs 4 and upper rungs 5 ​​fixed to each support 3 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the beam 6 in a plan view. The lower rungs 4 and upper rungs 5 ​​are made of hollow steel pipes with a square cross section, or the like.

[0018] The total number of seedling boxes 10N (10a-10z), 20N (20a-20z) on each stage is not limited to 26, but may be any multiple number. The entire plant cultivation device 1 including the stand 2 is built on the ground GL in a greenhouse or vinyl house (not shown), except for groundwater uw (described later). Furthermore, the beams 6 may be structured so that multiple beams are arranged between a pair of left and right supports 3.

[0019] Between a pair of parallel lower racks 4, a tray T of a seedling box 10N, whose vertical cross section is in the shape of a trough with flanges at both ends, is supported linearly along the horizontal direction, and between a pair of parallel upper racks 5, a tray T of a similar seedling box 20N is supported in the same manner. As shown in FIG. 1, on the inside t of each tray T, a plate-shaped base 7 made of foamed resin such as polystyrene foam or urethane foam, and a plate-shaped cultivated land 8 made of inorganic fiber material such as rock wool made of volcanic ash or perlite, etc., are arranged. The surface of the base 7 is covered with a root prevention sheet (not shown). In addition, the culture solution w that has already been irrigated is retained on the inside t of the tray T surrounding the base 7. Furthermore, the culture solution w appropriately contains required fertilizing components and components that prevent pests.

[0020] A plant p to be cultivated is planted in the cultivated land 8, and its roots n extend into the cultivated land 8 and the culture solution w. For convenience, the cultivated land 8 into which the roots n of the plant p penetrate is referred to as the rhizosphere 8. The plant p in Figs. 1, 2(A) and (B) is exemplified by a tomato whose stem becomes thicker and more vertical as it grows, and in the case of a plant p such as a tomato that grows to a large size when grown, only one rhizosphere 8 is provided for one tray T, and one or two plants (tomatoes) p are planted therein.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2(A), above each of the lower and upper seedling raising boxes 10N and 20N, irrigation pipes 18 and 28 for supplying the culture solution w thereto are arranged in a horizontal direction. As shown by the solid arrows in FIG. 1, two sets of circulation channels 16-17 and 26-27 are individually connected to the irrigation pipes 18 and 28 from the bottom of each tray T of the lower and upper seedling raising boxes 10N and 20N. A pump P is interposed in the middle of the multiple circulation channels 16-17 and 26-27. In the circulation channels 17 and 27 downstream of the pump P, open / close type solenoid valves 15a and 25a are individually arranged on the irrigation pipes 18 and 28 side. In addition, a tank bed (not shown) for temporarily storing the culture solution w is provided in the circulation channels 16 and 26 near the ground GL.

[0022] That is, the culture solution w can be circulated intermittently through the lower seedling raising box 10N via a pump P and an electromagnetic valve 15a, and the culture solution w can be circulated through the upper seedling raising box 20N via the same pump P and an electromagnetic valve 25a. The pump P includes a dedicated motor (not shown) for rotating its impeller (not shown). Also, a dedicated pump P may be provided for each of the circulation channels 16-17 and the circulation channels 26-27.

[0023] Thin sensing parts (probes) of pF humidity sensors S1, S2 are individually inserted into each root zone 8 in the lower and upper seedling raising boxes 10N, 20N. Wires 11, 21, shown by dashed lines, extending individually from the pF humidity sensors S1, S2 are connected to the motor of the pump P via relay elements (relay circuits) 13a, 23a and dashed wires 12, 22. In addition, the relay elements 13a, 23a are adjustment means that individually operate the solenoid valves 15a, 25a when a switch (not shown) is turned on (closed), that is, that opens and closes the solenoid valves 15a, 25a.

[0024] It is preferable that the pF humidity sensors S1, S2 are arranged in groups of adjacent ones along the longitudinal direction of each of the lower and upper rows of the multiple seedling raising boxes 10N, 20N in the lower and upper rows, and one pF humidity sensor S1, S2 is arranged in each group. For example, as shown in Fig. 2(B), the seedling raising boxes 10a-10c on the lower row and the seedling raising boxes 20a-20c on the upper row are arranged in groups of three, and the circulation channels 16 from each of the seedling raising boxes 10a-10c on the lower row are connected to the pump P as a convergent section 16s, and the circulation channels 26 from each of the seedling raising boxes 20a-20c on the upper row are connected to the pump P as a convergent section 26s, which makes it easy to manage the irrigation of each of the multiple seedling raising boxes 10N, 20N.

[0025] In this case, the lengths of the irrigation pipes 18, 28 are also divided according to the overall size of the seedling raising boxes 10a-10c, 20a-20c. Moreover, the solenoid valves 15a, 25a may be individually arranged for each set, as in the above. With this configuration, it becomes possible to easily and inexpensively manage the irrigation of a large number of seedling raising boxes 10N, 20N using a relatively small number of relay elements 13a, 23a and solenoid valves 15a, 25a.

[0026] The relay elements (adjustment means) 13a, 23a are turned on and off, and the solenoid valves 15a, 25a are opened and closed through relay sequences 14, 24. That is, FIG. 1 shows a system diagram showing the response relationship between the humidity sensors S1, S2, the relay elements 13a, 23a, and the solenoid valves 15a, 25a (hereinafter, the same applies). The arrangement of the pF humidity sensors S1, S2 in each stage is such that one sensor is provided for each group of a plurality of adjacent seedling boxes, and the intervals between the pF humidity sensors S1, S2 in each group are preferably approximately equal. Furthermore, when a plurality of seedling boxes are grouped into a group, the total number of seedling boxes is appropriately selected according to the nature and characteristics of the plants p to be grown.

[0027] The pF humidity sensors S1 and S2 are also called tensiometers or pF meters, and detect the pF value, which is the force (moisture tension) that originally tries to retain moisture in the soil. By keeping the appropriate pF value in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 to 3.0, the risk of root rot due to over-moisture (excess) and growth disorders due to over-dryness (insufficiency) can be prevented. That is, the present invention makes it possible to apply the pF humidity sensors S1 and S2 to the rhizosphere 8, which is made of inorganic fiber such as rock wool and contains the roots n of the plant p, in order to prevent watering errors with the culture solution w by keeping the soil moisture tension within the appropriate pF value range. The plant cultivation device 1 in FIG. 1 is intended to prevent the risk of growth disorders due to over-dryness (insufficiency of culture solution w).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the suction side of the pump P is connected to a supplementary culture solution tank 19 and groundwater uw via a water supply pipe 9 indicated by a two-dot chain arrow. By using groundwater uw, which has little seasonal temperature change, as a solvent for preparing the culture solution w, it is possible to suppress the influence of temperature changes on the culture solution throughout the year. An opening / closing valve or solenoid valve (neither shown) may be added to the water supply pipe 9. In addition, at least one of an LED light L and a fluorescent lamp L is arranged above the lower seedling box 10N and the upper seedling box 20N along their longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to supplement the amount of light for photosynthesis and extend the lighting time.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the sensing parts of temperature sensors s1 and s2 are individually inserted into the root zone 8 of one seedling box 10N, 20N in each set of the multiple seedling boxes 10N, 20N in the lower and upper stages. The temperature sensors s1 and s2 detect whether the root zone 8 and its vicinity are kept within a predetermined temperature range according to the growth stage of the plant p to be grown. If the temperature is outside the temperature range, the result is transmitted to the temperature adjustment means 50 via wiring 52. The temperature adjustment means 50 includes a heater 54 and a hot air fan 56 for heating, and a cold air fan 56 for cooling (the fan 56 is common for heating and cooling), and drives the cold air fan 56 in the case of an overheated state, and uses the heater 54 and the cold air fan 56 in the case of an overcooled state. The temperature control means 50 is not limited to being placed above (near) the seedling boxes 10N and 20N, but may be placed on (near) the side of (or on) the bottom surface of (or on) one or both of the seedling boxes 10N and 20N in an upside-down position. Also, an independent control means (not shown) such as a controller may be placed in the wiring 52.

[0030] The humidity control and temperature control of the rhizosphere 8 described above are performed in parallel. The rhizosphere 8 to be detected is not limited to that of the common seedling raising boxes 10N, 20N in the lower and upper stages as shown in FIG. 1, but may be the rhizosphere 8 of the separate seedling raising boxes 10N, 20N in each group. In addition, the temperature control using the temperature sensors s1, s2 may be performed by a timer (not shown) or the like by specifying the season, time period, weather conditions, etc. Furthermore, the temperature adjustment means 50 may be an air conditioner, and specifically, the indoor unit of the air conditioner may be installed at an appropriate position inside the stand 2.

[0031] FIG. 3(A) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a different type of seedling box 30N. The seedling box 30N includes a base 7 that is rectangular in plan view and is laid on the inside t of the tray T similar to the above, a cylindrical overall shape that penetrates the base 7 vertically, and a plurality of through holes 7h that are formed in a lattice shape in plan view, and a plurality of cylindrical root zones 8r that are arranged for each of the through holes 7h, and a plant p with a short height and small leaves that has a root n portion planted in each of these root zones 8r. Examples of small plants p include shiso leaves, mitsuba, komatsuna, and spinach. In this case, the culture solution w is stored up to the thickness of the base 7. The pF humidity sensors S1 and S2 are set in one of the root zones 8r. The temperature sensors s1 and s2 are also set in another root zone 8r.

[0032] 3(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a further different type of seedling box 32N. This seedling box 32N is provided with a frame 33 made of hard resin arranged on the inside t of the tray T, a plurality of elliptical spheroid root zones 8q inserted into a plurality of hemispherical recesses 34 opening on the upper surface of the frame 33, and a plant p with its root n planted in each of the root zones 8q. A through hole 35 is opened at the lowest part of each recess 34. In this case, the culture solution w is stored to such an extent that almost the entire frame 33 is submerged. In addition, the pF humidity sensors S1 and S2 and the temperature sensors s1 and s2 are individually set in different root zones 8q.

[0033] 3(C) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a seedling box 36N of a different form. In this seedling box 36N, the inner side t of the tray T is divided into two by a convex stripe tu protruding upward from the center of the rectangular inner side t in a plan view, and a sheet-like rhizosphere 8 is laid in each section, and the roots n of multiple plants p are planted in the rhizosphere 8 at positions in a lattice or staggered pattern in a plan view. Slits or perforations 8v are formed in the sheet-like rhizosphere 8 to later divide the plants p into sections.

[0034] In this case, the culture solution w is stored up to a depth equivalent to the thickness of each rhizosphere 8. The pF humidity sensors S1, S2 and the temperature sensors s1, s2 are set in separate parts of the rhizosphere 8. In the next cultivation stage, the sheet-like rhizosphere 8 is divided into a plurality of pieces along the slits or perforations 8v, taking care not to accidentally break the roots n, and then watered. Alternatively, the sheet-like rhizosphere 8 may be left as it is and placed on the inside t of another tray T or on a different cultivated land 8 for cultivation. The seedling raising boxes 30N, 32N, and 36N described above are used in the same manner as the seedling raising boxes 10N and 20N.

[0035] Here, the operation of the plant cultivation device 1 will be described. First, the state shown in FIG. 1 will be supplemented with FIG. 5(a). FIG. 1 shows the state immediately after the pF humidity sensors S1 and S2 detect an "overdry state" in which the pF values ​​of the lower and upper seedling boxes 10N and 20N are both below the required range. The culture solution w in the circulation flow paths 16-17, 26-27 is in a stagnant, stored state. As a result, the switches (not shown, the same applies below) of the relay elements 13a and 23a are turned on through the wires 11 and 21, and the relay sequences 14 and 24 are operated to open the solenoid valves 15a and 25a that were closed, and a large increase in the rotation speed is instructed to the motor of the pump P through the wires 12 and 22.

[0036] As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, a large amount of culture solution w is vigorously supplied to the lower and upper seedling boxes 10N, 20N through the irrigation pipes 18, 28 from the circulation flow paths 17, 27, so that the growth of the target plant p can be automatically prevented. When the detection by the pF humidity sensors S1, S2 returns to the range of a predetermined pF value, the relay elements 13a, 23a are switched off and the solenoid valves 15a, 25a are closed. During this time, the temperature sensors s1, s2 are simultaneously detecting whether the root zones 8 of the seedling boxes 10N, 20N are in the growth temperature range. Therefore, when the root zones 8 of the upper and lower seedling boxes 10N, 20N are both overheated, the cool air fans 56 of the temperature adjustment means 50 of each stage are driven, so that growth failure can be prevented more reliably.

[0037] Next, the state of the plant cultivation device 1 shown in Fig. 4 will be further explained with reference to Fig. 5(b). Fig. 4 shows a state immediately after an "overdry state" is detected, in which the lower pF humidity sensor S1 detects an appropriate pF value, but only the upper pF humidity sensor S2 detects a pF value below the required range. As a result, the switch of relay element 23a is turned on through wire 21, which operates relay sequence 24 to open solenoid valve 25a, and a command is sent through wire 22 to the motor of pump P to gradually increase its rotation speed.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, a larger amount of culture solution w is forcefully supplied to the upper seedling box 20N through the irrigation pipe 28 from the circulation flow path 27, automatically preventing growth disorders of the plants p to be cultivated. Meanwhile, the culture solution w is maintained unchanged in the lower seedling box 10N. When the detection by the humidity sensor S2 returns to the range of the specified pF value, the relay element 23a is switched off and the solenoid valve 25a is closed.

[0039] As described above, the temperature sensors s1 and s2 can detect overheating and overcooling in parallel, so that growth defects caused by these conditions can be reliably prevented. Contrary to Fig. 4, the upper pF humidity sensor S2 detects a proper pF value, but even if only the lower pF humidity sensor S1 detects that the detected pF value is below the required range, it is easily understood that growth defects can be prevented by opening the solenoid valve 15a. Furthermore, in Fig. 4, if a dedicated pump P is provided for each of the circulation channels 16-17 and 26-27, it is sufficient to operate only the pump P on the latter side.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a front view similar to Fig. 1, showing an application form of the plant cultivation device 1. As shown in the figure, relay elements 13b, 23b are used as adjustment means, and flow-adjusting solenoid valves (proportional control solenoid valves) 15b, 25b are adopted via these and relay sequences 14, 24. In addition, the circulation flow paths 16-17, 26-27 constantly drive the pump P to constantly circulate the culture solution w little by little. That is, the relay elements 13b, 23b are of a type compatible with the constant circulation of the culture solution w and the solenoid valves 15b, 25b.

[0041] Therefore, when the humidity of the root zone 8 in the seedling boxes 10N and 20N is below a predetermined pF value, the pF humidity sensors S1 and S2 issue an instruction to increase the opening of the solenoid valves 15b and 25b via the relay elements 13b and 23b through the relay sequences 14 and 24, and as shown in the figure, the culture solution w is vigorously irrigated to the seedling boxes 10N and 20N from the irrigation pipes 18 and 28. On the other hand, when the humidity of the root zone 8 in the seedling boxes 10N and 20N is above a predetermined pF value, an instruction to decrease the opening of the solenoid valves 15b and 25b is issued. As a result, it is possible to reliably maintain an appropriate pF value at all times. In addition, appropriate temperature management can be performed in parallel using the temperature sensors s1 and s2 and the temperature adjustment means 50.

[0042] Fig. 7(A) is a front view showing a plant cultivation device 1a of a different form from the above. As shown in the figure, the plant cultivation device 1a uses a personal computer (hereinafter, abbreviated as PC) 40 to change the opening degree of the solenoid valves 15b, 25b instead of the flow-control relay elements 13b, 23b as an adjustment means. That is, each pF value detected from the lower and upper pF humidity sensors S1, S2 is transmitted to an interface 41 in the PC 40 via wiring 11, 21 as shown in Fig. 7(B). Each pF value is individually compared in a calculation unit 43 with the range of appropriate pF values ​​recorded in advance in a storage unit 42, and their appropriateness is judged.

[0043] If each pF value detected by calculation unit 43 is outside the appropriate pF value range, a signal instructing solenoid valves 15b, 25b to increase or decrease their opening is sent from calculation unit 43 through interface 41 and wiring 44, 45. Also, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 7(A), it is possible to place a common computer 40 that performs the same function as above in each of the wiring 52 that individually connects between the lower and upper temperature sensors s1, s2 and each temperature adjustment means 50 of each stage.

[0044] According to the plant cultivation device 1a as described above, it is possible to manage the appropriate irrigation and temperature conditions for the multiple seedling boxes 10N, 20N on each level with minimal effort and at relatively low cost using one or several personal computers 40. The personal computer 40 may also be capable of remotely controlling the on-off valves or solenoid valves in the water supply pipes 9. As a result, it becomes easier to replenish the circulating culture solution w and to effectively utilize the groundwater uw.

[0045] The plant cultivation device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described forms. For example, the number of stages of the rungs supporting the seedling boxes on the stand 2 may be three or more, and in particular in the case of a facility such as a plant factory, a form in which a plurality of seedling boxes are supported on four to five or more stages may be used. In addition, between the tray T such as the seedling box 10N and the lower rung 4 or upper rung 5 supporting it, a ball or roller-shaped sliding means may be appropriately provided on either one of the rungs to make the movement work on the lower rung 4 and upper rung 5 more efficient.

[0046] Furthermore, the seedling boxes supported on the lower rung 4 and the upper rung 5 may be ones for cultivating plants p of the same type or variety, or plants p that have a common cultivation season or scheduled shipping season. The pumps P may be provided individually for the seedling boxes 10N, 20N on each level, and the circulation channels 16-17, 26-27 on each level may also pass through a dedicated pump P. Furthermore, the irrigation pipes 18, 28 may have two or more water supply ports (multiple ports) for each seedling box 10N, 20N.

[0047] The temperature adjustment means 50 may also include an opening and closing device (including a drive source) for a skylight of a greenhouse or a projecting window or a sliding window on a side wall. Furthermore, in Fig. 3 (A) to (C), the pF humidity sensors S1, S2 and the temperature sensors s1, s2 are set for the root zones 8r, 8q, 8 in the same seedling raising box 30N, 32N, 36N, but they may be set in parts of the root zones 8r, 8q, 8 in different seedling raising boxes 30N, 32N, 36N in the same set. In addition, the lighting time periods and illuminance of the LED lights L and the fluorescent lights L may also be effectively managed by the personal computer 40.

[0048] Furthermore, this invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] According to the present invention, the supply amount of the culture solution w to the seedling boxes 10N, 20N of each stage is adjusted by opening and closing the solenoid valves 15a, 25a or adjusting the opening degree of the solenoid valves 15b, 25b according to the pF value detected by the pF humidity sensors S1, S2 arranged in the root zone 8 of the multiple seedling boxes 10N, 20N supported on each stage of the stand 2, so that the uneven distribution of the composition of the culture solution w due to the height of each stage can be suppressed, and the appropriate and uniform growth state can be reliably and easily maintained. Furthermore, since the culture solution w is circulated intermittently or constantly to the seedling boxes 10N, 20N of each stage, the management and cost can be reduced. Then, the plant p can be planted by simply arranging the required seedling boxes 10N, 20N on each stage. Therefore, regardless of the variety, quantity, growth period, shipping period, etc. of the plant p to be cultivated, stable mulch cultivation can be sustained, which can contribute to the development of sustainable development agriculture (smart agriculture). [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1, 1a Plant cultivation equipment 2 Mounting stand 3 pillars 4 Shimojo 5 Uesagi 6 beams 7 Foundation 7h through hole 8, 8r, 8q Cultivated land / rhizosphere 8v Slit / Perforation 9 Water supply pipe 10N(a~z), 20N(a~z), 30N, 32N, 36N seedling box 11, 12, 21, 22 Wiring 13a, 13b, 23a, 23b Relay elements (adjustment means) 14, 24 Relay Sequence 15a, 25a solenoid valve (open / close type) 15b, 25b Solenoid valve (flow rate adjustment type) 16~17, 26~27 Circulation flow path 16s, 26s focusing section 18, 28 Irrigation pipe 19 Culture liquid tank 33 Frame 34 Recess 35 Through hole 40 Computer (adjustment means) 41 Interface 42 Storage section 43 Arithmetic section 44, 45, 52 Wiring 50 Temperature adjustment means 54 Heater 56 Hot / cold air fan GL ground L LED light / fluorescent light n root P-Pump p plant S1, S2 pF Humidity Sensors s1, s2 temperature sensors T-Tray t inside tu ridge uw Groundwater w Culture solution

Claims

1. A stand having supports and rungs, the stand being supported horizontally and linearly between a pair of parallel rungs, the parallel rungs also being arranged vertically across a plurality of stages, and a plurality of seedling boxes being supported between the rungs for each stage; One or more root zones each made of an inorganic fiber material that is arranged for each of the plurality of seedling boxes and supports the roots of the plants to be grown; A pF humidity sensor is provided in the root zone of each of the seedling boxes. An irrigation pipe arranged along the upper portion of the seedling boxes in each stage; A plurality of circulation paths for the culture solution communicating from the bottoms of the plurality of seedling boxes in each stage to the irrigation pipe; A plurality of solenoid valves are individually arranged on the irrigation pipe side in the circulation flow paths of the plurality of culture solutions; an adjusting means for adjusting the opening / closing or opening degree of each of the solenoid valves in accordance with the pF value of each of the root zones of the seedling boxes of each stage detected by the pF humidity sensor; and a pump disposed in the circulation flow path of the plurality of culture solutions.

2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means is a relay element or a personal computer.

3. 3. A plant cultivation device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the multiple seedling boxes in each stage are divided into groups, and each group of seedling boxes is connected to the pump via a converging portion of the circulation flow path from the bottom, and the length of the irrigation pipe is set to correspond to the size of the multiple seedling boxes in each group.

4. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor set in the root zone of the seedling boxes for each tier; and a temperature control means arranged near the plurality of seedling boxes for each tier so as to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor within a predetermined temperature range.

5. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein one or more bases made of foamed resin are arranged inside the seedling box, and the root zone is arranged on the upper surface of the base or in each of a plurality of through holes that vertically penetrate the base.

6. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet-like root zone is laid inside the seedling box and a plurality of plants are planted in the root zone, or a plurality of the root zones are fixedly arranged and a plant is planted in each of the root zones.

7. 2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein a groundwater supply pipe or a replenishment culture solution tank is connected to a suction side of the pump via an on-off valve or the solenoid valve.

8. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of an LED light and a fluorescent light is arranged along an upper portion of each of the plurality of seedling boxes in each tier.

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