Seedling Mat

Abstract

To provide a seedling mat in which a root growing from a seed easily becomes rooted, even including a constituent material with relatively great rigidity.SOLUTION: Seeds SD are inoculated on a seedling mat 100. The seedling mat 100 comprises: a seedling hearth part 1; a plurality of inoculation hole parts 3. The seedling hearth part 1 comprises first and second principal planes F1, F2 facing each other. The seedling hearth part 1 is formed of a plurality of constituent materials which includes a first constituent material for allowing growing of the root. The plurality of the inoculation hole parts 3 is provided on the seedling hearth part 1. The seeds SD are arranged on the plurality of inoculation hole parts 3. Each inoculation hole part 3 extends in a prescribed direction D12 directed from the first principal plane F1 to the second principal plane F2 of the seedling hearth part 1. The seedling hearth part 1 has a plurality of root spread parts 6 each of which corresponds to each of the plurality of inoculation hole parts 3. The root spread parts 6 are formed of the first constituent material respectively, and are coupled to the end parts of the inoculation hole parts 3 in the prescribed direction D12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seedling mat. [Background technology]

[0002] The seedling raising material described in Patent Document 1 is composed of a hard layer and a layer that allows easy penetration of seedling roots. The layer that allows easy penetration of seedling roots is formed on the hard layer. The hard layer has normal strength obtained by consolidating the bed substitute material. The layer that allows easy penetration of seedling roots is a layer in which the bed substitute material has been softened to reduce the penetration resistance of the seedling roots. The rooting tip of the seed extends through the layer that allows easy penetration of seedling roots and then reaches the hard layer. The seedling roots then penetrate into the hard layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 49-016288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the seedling raising material described in Patent Document 1, depending on the rigidity of the hard layer, it may be difficult for the seedling roots to penetrate into the hard layer. In other words, depending on the rigidity of the hard layer, it may be difficult for the roots to spread in the hard layer.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a seedling mat that allows roots to easily grow from seeds, even when it contains components with relatively high rigidity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, seeds are sown in a seedling mat. The seedling mat includes a seedling bed section and a plurality of sowing hole sections. The seedling bed section has a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other. The seedling bed section is composed of a plurality of components including a first component material that allows roots to grow. A plurality of sowing hole sections are provided in the seedbed section. Seeds are placed in the plurality of sowing hole sections. Each of the plurality of sowing hole sections extends in a predetermined direction from the first main surface toward the second main surface of the seedbed section. The seedling bed section has a plurality of root spreading sections provided corresponding to the plurality of sowing hole sections, respectively. The root spreading sections are composed of the first component material and are connected to ends of the sowing hole sections in the predetermined direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a seedling mat can be provided that allows roots to easily grow from seeds, even when the seedling mat contains components with relatively high rigidity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a seedling mat according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1(a) is an enlarged plan view showing a sowing hole portion of the seedling mat according to the embodiment 1. FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIB-IIB in FIG. [Diagram 3] 1(a) is an enlarged plan view showing a sowing hole portion of a seedling mat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB-IIIB in FIG. [Figure 4] 4(a) is an enlarged plan view showing a sowing hole portion of a seedling mat according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB of (a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference symbols and the description will not be repeated. In addition, in the drawings, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system are appropriately illustrated to facilitate understanding. For example, the X-axis and Y-axis are approximately parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis is approximately parallel to the vertical direction.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) A seedling mat 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0011] First, the seedling mat 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the seedling mat 100 according to the first embodiment. A plurality of seeds are sown in the seedling mat 100 shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the seeds will be referred to as "seeds SD". The seeds SD are, for example, vegetable seeds or paddy rice seeds. The seedlings grown from the seeds SD are scraped off from the seedling mat 100 by the planting claws of a transplanting machine and planted in farmland by the transplanting machine. For example, the planting claws of the transplanting machine scrape off a portion of the seedling mat 100 in a block shape together with the seedlings grown from the seeds SD.

[0012] In the example of FIG. 1, the seedling mat 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (e.g., a substantially rectangular flat plate shape). The seedling mat 100 includes a seedbed section 1 and a plurality of sowing hole sections 3. The seedbed section 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (e.g., a substantially rectangular flat plate shape). The seedbed section 1 has a first main surface F1 and a second main surface F2. The first main surface F1 and the second main surface F2 face each other and are substantially parallel. For example, of the front and back surfaces of the seedbed section 1, the first main surface F1 corresponds to the front surface, and the second main surface F2 corresponds to the back surface.

[0013] The seedbed section 1 is composed of a plurality of components. Each of the plurality of components constituting the seedbed section 1 is composed of a plurality of materials. Note that the components may be composed of a single material.

[0014] The multiple components constituting the seedbed section 1 include a first component that allows roots to grow. Details of the first component will be described later. It is also preferable that the multiple components constituting the seedbed section 1 include not only the first component, but also a second component having a rigidity higher than that of the first component. According to this preferred example, the rigidity of the seedling mat 100 as a whole can be improved. Details of the second component will be described later.

[0015] In this specification, "rigidity" refers to a property that indicates the degree of hardness of an object. Thus, the higher the "rigidity", the harder the object is, and the lower the "rigidity", the softer the object is. "Rigidity" is expressed, for example, by the elastic modulus of an object. The higher the elastic modulus, the higher the rigidity of the object and the harder the object is. On the other hand, the lower the elastic modulus, the lower the rigidity of the object and the softer the object is. The elastic modulus is expressed, for example, by Young's modulus. The higher the Young's modulus, the higher the rigidity of the object and the harder the object is. On the other hand, the lower the Young's modulus, the lower the rigidity of the object and the softer the object is.

[0016] A plurality of sowing holes 3 are provided in the seedbed section 1. Each of the plurality of sowing holes 3 is a hole for placing a seed SD. Therefore, in each of the plurality of sowing holes 3, a seed SD is sown.

[0017] In the example of FIG. 1, the multiple sowing holes 3 are arranged in a substantially square lattice or substantially rectangular lattice. Specifically, two or more sowing holes 3 are arranged in a straight line along the first direction D1. Adjacent sowing holes 3 in the first direction D1 are arranged at an interval Lx. In addition, two or more sowing holes 3 are arranged in a straight line along the second direction D2. Adjacent sowing holes 3 in the second direction D2 are arranged at an interval Ly. The interval Lx and the interval Ly may be the same or different. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are substantially parallel to the first main surface F1. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0018] Next, the sowing hole portion 3 will be described with reference to Figures 2(a) and 2(b). Figure 2(a) is an enlarged plan view of the sowing hole portion 3. Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB in Figure 2(a).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the seeding hole portion 3 extends from the first main surface F1 of the seedbed portion 1 toward the second main surface F2. Specifically, each of the multiple seeding holes 3 extends in a predetermined direction D12 from the first main surface F1 of the seedbed portion 1. The predetermined direction D12 faces from the first main surface F1 to the second main surface F2 of the seedbed portion 1. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the predetermined direction D12 is approximately perpendicular to the first main surface F1 and the second main surface F2. Therefore, the predetermined direction D12 is approximately perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] In the first embodiment, the hole width d3 of the sowing hole portion 3 is constant toward the predetermined direction D12. In this specification, the hole width d3 being constant is a concept including the hole width d3 being approximately constant. The hole width d3 indicates the length of the sowing hole portion 3 in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction D12. It is preferable that the hole width d3 is larger than the minimum diameter of the seed SD. For example, in the case of a long and thin seed SD (e.g., cucumber), even if "the minimum diameter of the seed SD < the hole width d3 < the maximum diameter of the seed SD", the seed SD can be easily placed in the sowing hole portion 3. Note that, for example, the hole width d3 may be larger than the maximum diameter of the seed SD. In this case as well, the seed SD can be easily placed in the sowing hole portion 3.

[0021] Moreover, the sowing hole portion 3 has an approximately cylindrical shape. Specifically, the sowing hole portion 3 has a wall surface WL and a space SP3 surrounded by the wall surface WL. The wall surface WL is an approximately cylindrical surface. Therefore, the space SP3 has an approximately cylindrical shape. The sowing hole portion 3 is symmetrical with respect to the axis line AX of the sowing hole portion 3. The axis line AX is approximately parallel to the predetermined direction D12. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the axis line AX is a center line passing through the center of the sowing hole portion 3. In this specification, the radial direction RD with respect to the axis line AX will be appropriately used for explanation. The radial direction RD indicates a direction approximately perpendicular to the axis line AX.

[0022] In the example of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), the sowing hole portion 3 has an approximately cylindrical shape. Therefore, the wall surface WL is an approximately cylindrical surface. And the space SP3 has an approximately cylindrical shape. In addition, as long as the seed SD can be arranged in the sowing hole portion 3, the shape of the sowing hole portion 3 is not particularly limited. For example, the sowing hole portion 3 and the space SP3 may have an approximately prism shape. For example, the shape of the sowing hole portion 3 in a plan view may be a symmetrical shape or an asymmetrical shape. The symmetrical shape is, for example, an approximately circular shape, an approximately polygonal shape, or an approximately elliptical shape. In this specification, the plan view indicates that the object is viewed from a predetermined direction D12. For example, the sowing hole portion 3 and the space SP3 may have an approximately pyramidal shape (for example, an approximately conical shape or an approximately pyramidal shape) or an approximately frustum shape (for example, an approximately conical shape or an approximately pyramidal shape).

[0023] The seed SD is placed at the bottom 30 of the sowing hole 3. The bottom 30 is an end of the sowing hole 3 in the predetermined direction D12.

[0024] The seedbed section 1 has a root spreading section 6. Specifically, the seedbed section 1 has a plurality of root spreading sections 6. The plurality of root spreading sections 6 are provided corresponding to the plurality of sowing holes 3 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. The root spreading section 6 is made of a first component material that allows roots to extend. The first component material includes at least an organic fiber material, for example. The organic fiber material is an example of a material. The organic fiber material is a fiber material made of organic matter. The organic fiber material is, for example, coco peat, peat moss, or rice husk. In addition to the organic fiber material, the first component material may further include at least one of a binder (coagulant), a soil improvement material, a fertilizer, and soil. The binder is, for example, latex or polyvinyl alcohol.

[0025] The root spreading section 6 is connected to the bottom 30 of the sowing hole section 3. Therefore, roots growing from the seeds SD placed at the bottom 30 can easily enter the root spreading section 6, and the roots can easily extend in the root spreading section 6. That is, according to the first embodiment, even if the seedling mat 100 includes a component material with a relatively high rigidity (specifically, the second component material), the roots extending from the seeds SD placed at the bottom 30 can easily extend in the root spreading section 6. In this specification, a "component material with a relatively high rigidity" refers to a component material having a rigidity higher than that of the first component material.

[0026] In particular, in the first embodiment, a part 60a of the upper end 60 of the root spreading portion 6 constitutes the bottom 30 of the sowing hole portion 3. The upper end 60 of the root spreading portion 6 is the end of the root spreading portion 6 in the opposite direction D21 of the specified direction D12. In addition, the width d6 of the upper end 60 of the root spreading portion 6 is preferably larger than the hole width d3 of the sowing hole portion 3. According to this preferred example, the roots extending from the seed SD can easily enter the root spreading portion 6. The width d6 indicates the length of the upper end 60 in a direction perpendicular to the specified direction D12. The width d6 of the upper end 60 of the root spreading portion 6 may be approximately the same as the hole width d3 of the sowing hole portion 3. In this case, the upper end 60 of the root spreading portion 6 constitutes the bottom 30 of the sowing hole portion 3. The width d6 is preferably equal to or larger than the hole width d3, but the width d6 may be smaller than the hole width d3.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the portion of the seedbed section 1 adjacent to the root spreading section 6 in the radial direction RD is preferably made of a second component material having a higher rigidity than the first component material. According to this preferred example, the rigidity of the portion where the roots of the seeds SD do not need to spread is increased, thereby increasing the rigidity of the entire seedling mat 100.

[0028] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2(b), in the first embodiment, it is preferable that the seedbed section 1 further includes a first layer 11 and a second layer 12. In Figure 2(b), for ease of understanding, the boundary between the first layer 11 and the root spreading section 6 is shown by a dashed line for convenience.

[0029] The first layer 11 is made of the first component material from the first main surface F1 toward the second main surface F2. That is, the first layer 11 is spaced from the second main surface F2 in the opposite direction D21 of the predetermined direction D12. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the surface of the first layer 11 in the opposite direction D21 is the first main surface F1. The first component material allows the roots to grow. The sowing hole portion 3 is provided in the first layer 11. The second layer 12 is made of the second component material from the second main surface F2 toward the first main surface F1. That is, the second layer 12 is spaced from the first main surface F1 in the predetermined direction D12. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the surface of the second layer 12 in the predetermined direction D12 is the second main surface F2. The root extension portion 6 is provided in the second layer 12. The second component material constituting the second layer 12 has a higher rigidity than the rigidity of the first component material.

[0030] Therefore, the rigidity of the first layer 11 is lower than that of the second layer 12. In other words, the first layer 11 is softer than the second layer 12. Therefore, when the seedlings are scraped off the seedling mat 100 by the planting claws, the first layer 11 can absorb the impact caused by the planting claws entering the first layer 11. In addition, the rigidity of the second layer 12 is higher than that of the first layer 11. In other words, the second layer 12 is harder than the first layer 11. Therefore, when the seedlings are scraped off the seedling mat 100 by the planting claws, the second layer 12 suppresses deformation of the seedling mat 100, making it easier for the planting claws to scrape off the seedlings.

[0031] In addition, the constituent material of the first layer 11 and the constituent material of the root spreading portion 6 are the first constituent material and are the same constituent material. Therefore, compared to the case where the constituent material of the first layer 11 and the constituent material of the root spreading portion 6 are different, the seedling mat 100 is easier to manufacture. For example, first, the second constituent material is laid in a container to form the second layer 12. The container has, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top. Next, a plurality of holes 10 in which a plurality of root spreading portions 6 are respectively arranged are formed in the second layer 12 in the container. Next, in the container, the first constituent material is laid on the second layer 12 to form a plurality of root spreading portions 6 and the first layer 11 composed of the first constituent material. Next, a plurality of sowing holes 3 are formed above the plurality of root spreading portions 6 in the first layer 11.

[0032] In particular, in the first embodiment, it is preferable that the root spreading portion 6 has a shape that tapers in the specified direction D12. This preferred example makes it even easier to manufacture the seedling mat 100. This is because, in this preferred example, it is sufficient that the holes 10 for arranging the root spreading portion 6 have a shape that tapers in the specified direction D12, so that the holes 10 for arranging the root spreading portion 6 can be easily formed in the second layer 12. The shape of the root spreading portion 6 is determined by the shape of the holes 10.

[0033] Specifically, the root spreading portion 6 has a generally conical shape tapering in the predetermined direction D12. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the root spreading portion 6 has a generally conical shape. As long as the root spreading portion 6 is formed from the first component material, the shape of the root spreading portion 6 is not particularly limited. As another example of a generally conical shape, the root spreading portion 6 may have a generally pyramidal shape, or may have, for example, a generally frustum shape (for example, a generally truncated cone shape or a generally frustum pyramidal shape).

[0034] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2(b), an example of the first component and the second component will be described. The first component includes, for example, at least an organic fiber material and a binder. The binder solidifies the organic fiber material. The second component includes, for example, at least a specific material and a binder. The binder solidifies the specific material. The content of the binder per unit volume in the second layer 12 is greater than the content of the binder per unit volume in the first layer 11. Therefore, the rigidity of the second component constituting the second layer 12 is higher than the rigidity of the first component constituting the first layer 11. That is, the rigidity of the second layer 12 is higher than the rigidity of the first layer 11. For example, the elastic modulus of the second component constituting the second layer 12 is greater than the elastic modulus of the first component constituting the first layer 11. That is, the elastic modulus of the second layer 12 is greater than the elastic modulus of the first layer 11.

[0035] The "specific material" constituting the second component may be, for example, an organic fiber material. In this case, the organic fiber material constituting the first component and the organic fiber material constituting the second component may be the same or different. The "specific material" constituting the second component may be a material different from the organic fiber material. The second component may be composed of a single material. In this case, the second component is, for example, cork or plaster.

[0036] Continuing to refer to Figure 2 (b), the seedling mat 100 will be described in detail. The seedling bed section 1 has a thickness t. Specifically, the first layer 11 has a thickness t1. The second layer 12 has a thickness t2. The thickness t indicates the length of the seedling bed section 1 in a specified direction D12. The thickness t1 indicates the length of the first layer 11 in the specified direction D12. The thickness t2 indicates the length of the second layer 12 in the specified direction D12.

[0037] 2(b), the thickness t1 of the first layer 11 and the thickness t2 of the second layer 12 are substantially equal to each other. However, the thickness t1 of the first layer 11 and the thickness t2 of the second layer 12 may be different from each other.

[0038] The seeding hole portion 3 has a depth DP3 from the first main surface F1. The depth DP3 indicates the length of the seeding hole portion 3 in the predetermined direction D12. The depth DP3 of the seeding hole portion 3 is smaller than the thickness t of the seedbed portion 1. Therefore, the seeding hole portion 3 does not penetrate the seedbed portion 1. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the depth DP3 of the seeding hole portion 3 is approximately equal to the thickness t1 of the first layer 11. However, the depth DP3 and the thickness t1 may be different.

[0039] Furthermore, the root spreading portion 6 has a height DP6 from the second main surface F2. The height DP6 indicates the length of the root spreading portion 6 in the specified direction D12. The height DP6 of the root spreading portion 6 is smaller than the thickness t of the seedbed portion 1. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the height DP6 of the root spreading portion 6 is approximately equal to the thickness t2 of the second layer 12. However, the height DP6 and the thickness t2 may be different.

[0040] 2(b), the depth DP3 of the seeding hole 3 and the height DP6 of the root spreading portion 6 are substantially equal. However, the depth DP3 and the height DP6 may be different.

[0041] (Embodiment 2) A seedling mat 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 3. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the seedling mat 100A according to the second embodiment has a through hole portion 8 for the sowing hole portion 3. The overall configuration of the seedling mat 100A according to the second embodiment is similar to the overall configuration of the seedling mat 100 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, Fig. 1 will be referred to as appropriate in the description of the second embodiment. Below, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0042] Fig. 3(a) is an enlarged plan view of the sowing hole portion 3 of the seedling mat 100A according to embodiment 2. Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB-IIIB in Fig. 3(a). As shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), the seedling mat 100 further includes a through hole portion 8. Specifically, the seedling mat 100A has a plurality of through hole portions 8. The plurality of through hole portions 8 are provided in correspondence with the plurality of sowing hole portions 3 (the plurality of root spreading portions 6) shown in Fig. 1, respectively.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the through-hole portion 8 has a through space SP8. The through-hole portion 8 is connected to the sowing hole portion 3 and extends to the second main surface F2. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the water permeability of the seedling mat 100A can be improved through the through-hole portion 8. For example, when watering the sowing hole portion 3, excess water can be discharged from the sowing hole portion 3 to the outside of the seedling mat 100A through the through-hole portion 8. Therefore, the soaking of the seed SD in the sowing hole portion 3 can be suppressed. As a result, the germination rate of the seed SD can be improved. The through-hole portion 8 can further improve the breathability of the seedling mat 100A.

[0044] Specifically, the through hole portion 8 is provided at a position farther away from the first main surface F1 of the seedbed portion 1 than the sowing hole portion 3. The through hole portion 8 is connected to the bottom 30 of the sowing hole portion 3. Furthermore, the through hole portion 8 extends from the bottom 30 of the sowing hole portion 3 to the second main surface F2 of the seedbed portion 1. Note that, as long as the through hole portion 8 extends from the sowing hole portion 3 to the second main surface F2, the connection point between the through hole portion 8 and the sowing hole portion 3 is not particularly limited. For example, the through hole portion 8 may extend from the wall surface WL of the sowing hole portion 3 to the second main surface F2.

[0045] In the example of FIG. 3(b), the hole width d8 of the through-hole portion 8 is smaller than the hole width d3 of the sowing hole portion 3. Specifically, the hole width d8 of the through-hole portion 8 is smaller than the width of the bottom portion 30 of the sowing hole portion 3. The hole width d8 indicates the length of the through-hole portion 8 in a direction perpendicular to the specified direction D12. The width of the bottom portion 30 indicates the length of the bottom portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the specified direction D12.

[0046] Furthermore, the hole width d8 of the through-hole portion 8 is smaller than the minimum diameter of the seed SD. Therefore, the seed SD can be prevented from entering the through space SP8 of the through-hole portion 8. It is preferable that the hole width d8 of the through-hole portion 8 is 1 / 2 or less of the minimum diameter of the seed SD. According to this preferred example, it is possible to more effectively prevent the seed SD from entering the through space SP8 of the through-hole portion 8.

[0047] Furthermore, the through-hole portion 8 extends in a substantially straight line toward the predetermined direction D12. The through-hole portion 8 is disposed on the axis line AX and extends along the axis line AX. As long as the through-hole portion 8 extends from the sowing hole portion 3 to the second main surface F2, the shape of the through-hole portion 8 is not particularly limited. For example, the shape of the through-hole portion 8 in a plan view may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The symmetrical shape is, for example, substantially circular, substantially polygonal, or substantially elliptical.

[0048] (Embodiment 3) A seedling mat 100B according to embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4. The main difference between embodiment 3 and embodiment 1 is that the constituent material of the first layer 11A of the seedling mat 100B according to embodiment 3 is different from the constituent material of the root extension section 6. The overall configuration of the seedling mat 100B according to embodiment 3 is similar to the overall configuration of the seedling mat 100 according to embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1. Therefore, Figure 1 will be referred to as appropriate in the description of embodiment 3. Below, the differences between embodiment 3 and embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0049] FIG. 4(a) is an enlarged plan view of the sowing hole portion 3 of the seedling mat 100B according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB in FIG. 4(a). As shown in FIG. 4(b), the seedling mat 100B comprises a first layer 11A and a second layer 12. The constituent material of the first layer 11A is different from the constituent material of the root spreading portion 6. Specifically, the constituent material of the first layer 11A is the third constituent material. The constituent material of the root spreading portion 6 is the first constituent material. The third constituent material is different from the first constituent material.

[0050] According to embodiment 3, even if the constituent material of the first layer 11A is different from the constituent material of the root spreading section 6 and the seedling mat 100B includes a constituent material (specifically, the second constituent material) with relatively high rigidity, roots extending from the seed SD placed in the sowing hole section 3 are likely to spread in the root spreading section 6.

[0051] The third component material includes, for example, at least a specific material and a binder. The binder solidifies the specific material. The content of the binder per unit volume in the second layer 12 is greater than the content of the binder per unit volume in the first layer 11A. Therefore, the rigidity of the second component material constituting the second layer 12 is greater than the rigidity of the third component material constituting the first layer 11A. That is, the rigidity of the second layer 12 is greater than the rigidity of the first layer 11A. For example, the elastic modulus of the second component material constituting the second layer 12 is greater than the elastic modulus of the third component material constituting the first layer 11A. That is, the elastic modulus of the second layer 12 is greater than the elastic modulus of the first layer 11A.

[0052] The "specific material" constituting the third component may be, for example, an organic fiber material. In this case, the organic fiber material constituting the third component and the organic fiber material constituting the second component may be the same or different. The "specific material" constituting the third component may be a material different from the organic fiber material. The third component may be composed of a single material. In this case, the third component is, for example, a nonwoven fabric.

[0053] In the third embodiment, the first constituent material constituting the root extension portion 6 does not need to contain a binder.

[0054] Here, the seedling mat 100B according to the third embodiment may further include a plurality of through-holes 8 as described with reference to FIG.

[0055] In addition, in the first to third embodiments, as an example, the seedling mats 100, 100A, and 100B have the first layer 11 and the second layer 12. However, as long as the seedling bed section 1 has the root spreading section 6, the seedling mat of the present invention may be composed of a single layer or may be composed of three or more layers.

[0056] The embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and examples, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, a certain component among all the components shown in one embodiment may be added to a component of another embodiment, or some components among all the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0057] In addition, the drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of each component to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. In addition, the configurations of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0058] The present invention relates to a seedling mat and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Nursery section 3 Seeding hole 6. Root section 8 Through hole 11 1st layer 12 2nd layer 100, 100A, 100B Seedling Mat F1 First main surface F2 Second main surface SD seeds

Claims

1. A seedling mat in which seeds are sown, A seedbed section having a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other and composed of a plurality of components including a first component that allows roots to grow; a plurality of sowing holes provided in the seedbed section for placing the seeds; Equipped with Each of the plurality of sowing holes extends in a predetermined direction from the first main surface of the seedbed portion toward the second main surface, The seedbed section has a plurality of root spreading sections provided corresponding to the plurality of sowing holes, The root spreading portion is made of the first component material and is connected to an end of the sowing hole portion in the predetermined direction, The plurality of components constituting the seedbed section include a second component having a rigidity higher than a rigidity of the first component, A seedling mat in which the portion of the seedbed section that is radially adjacent to the root spreading section with respect to the axis of the sowing hole section is made of the second component material.

2. A seedling mat for sowing seeds, comprising: A seedbed section having a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other and composed of a plurality of components including a first component that allows roots to grow; a plurality of sowing holes provided in the seedbed section for placing the seeds; Equipped with Each of the plurality of sowing holes extends in a predetermined direction from the first main surface of the seedbed portion toward the second main surface, The seedbed section has a plurality of root spreading sections provided corresponding to the plurality of sowing holes, The root spreading portion is made of the first component material and is connected to an end of the sowing hole portion in the predetermined direction, The plurality of components constituting the seedbed section include a second component having a rigidity higher than a rigidity of the first component, The seedbed section includes: A first layer configured of the first component material from the first main surface toward the second main surface; a second layer formed of the second component material except for the root portion from the second main surface toward the first main surface; and The seeding hole portion is provided in the first layer, The seedling mat, wherein the root spreading portion is provided on the second layer.

3. The seedling mat according to claim 2 , wherein the root spreading portion has a shape tapered in the predetermined direction.

4. Further provided with a plurality of through-hole portions provided corresponding to the plurality of sowing holes, The through-hole portion is connected to the sowing hole portion and extends to the second main surface of the seedbed portion, The seedling mat according to claim 1 , wherein the through-hole portion has a width smaller than the width of the sowing hole portion and smaller than a minimum diameter of the seed.

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