How to grow grasses

Abstract

To provide methods and devices for growing gramineous plants that can yield hybrid seeds with high quality and large seed mass and can perform stable breeding using high-speed generation promotion technology.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for growing a gramineous plant, comprising: a first step of irradiating the seed parent and the pollen parent with white light having a color temperature of 5,000 K to 6,500 K using a standard light source to grow them; a mating step of excising the upper part of the floret of the seed parent grown in the first step and mating the same with the pollen parent grown in the first step; and a second step of irradiating the seed parent obtained through the mating step with light emitted from a standard light source and a LED light source capable of emitting light in a wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, wherein the peak top of light intensity is maximized in a wavelength range of 615 nm or more and 650 nm or less, and wherein the light, within the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, has the peak top of light intensity maximized in a wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cultivating a grass family plant and an apparatus for cultivating a grass family plant. [Background technology]

[0002] Rapid generation acceleration technology for grasses is expected to be applied as a fundamental technology for efficient and effective variety development, such as 1) development of near-isogenic lines (NILs) in a short period of time, 2) rapid gene accumulation starting from NILs, and 3) rapid development of initial populations for breeding selection. In all cases, crossbreeding between the desired varieties or lines is required.

[0003] In general, the plants and panicles of grasses obtained under rapid generation acceleration conditions are small, and the number of spikelets is limited. Under these circumstances, it is essential to reliably obtain hybrid seeds, ensure that the seeds germinate, and grow well in order to stably operate a breeding system using rapid generation acceleration technology.

[0004] It has been known that light conditions are important in breeding systems that use rapid generation acceleration technology. For example, a rice production method has been proposed in which rice is cultivated under dense planting conditions and short-day conditions with blue light irradiation (see Patent Document 1). In this proposed method, blue light promotes rice flowering, and dense planting conditions increase the total number of ears, making it possible to grow and harvest rice at low cost in a short period of time.

[0005] A method for growing rice has also been proposed in which rice is irradiated with intermittent light, specifically red LEDs, so that the illuminance at the rice is below the light compensation point of the rice (see Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 1). This proposed method can promote rice growth and increase the yield. Specifically, the total weight of the harvested unhulled and brown rice, the total number of kernels, the number of kernels per ear, the weight per m 2 Weight of ear per 1m 2 However, this proposed method does not affect the 1,000 kernel weight, and does not affect the size or ripening of the brown rice itself.

[0006] Therefore, there is currently a strong demand for a method for cultivating grasses that can provide high-quality hybrid seeds with good germination rates and subsequent growth, and that can stably perform breeding using high-speed generation acceleration technology, as well as a grass-plant cultivating apparatus that can be used in the method for cultivating grasses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-233509 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-176798 A [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] Kazushige Nakamura et al., Meiji University Faculty of Agriculture Research Report, No. 138 (2004), pp. 35-39 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and to achieve the following objectives: That is, the present invention aims to provide a method and an apparatus for cultivating a grass plant, which can obtain hybrid seeds with high quality and large seed mass and can stably perform breeding using high-speed generation acceleration technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The means for solving the above problems are as follows. <1> A method for growing a grass family plant, comprising: shielding external light and irradiating only artificial light to the grass family plant to grow the grass family plant, the method comprising the steps of: A first step of irradiating a grass plant with white light as the artificial light and growing the plant; A second step of growing the grass family plant grown in the first step by irradiating the grass family plant with light having a maximum peak top light intensity in a wavelength range of 550 nm to 780 nm in an emission spectrum of 380 nm to 780 nm as the artificial light; Including, The method for cultivating a grass family plant is characterized in that the first step is changed to the second step during the mating period of the grass family plant. <2> A method for growing a grass family plant, comprising: shielding external light and irradiating only artificial light to the grass family plant to grow the grass family plant, the method comprising the steps of: A first step of irradiating a grass plant with white light as the artificial light and growing the plant; A second step of irradiating the grass family plant grown in the first step with artificial light such that, in a wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm in an emission spectrum, a maximum light intensity R in a wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and a maximum light intensity B in a wavelength region of 400 nm to 490 nm satisfy R>B, and a maximum light intensity R in a wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and a maximum light intensity G in a wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G; Including, The method for cultivating a grass family plant is characterized in that the first step is changed to the second step during the mating period of the grass family plant. <3> The artificial light in the second step is an artificial light in which, in an emission spectrum in a wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Bf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy Rf>Bf, and a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Gf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy Rf>Gf. <1> from <2> The present invention relates to a method for cultivating a grass family plant. <4> In the first step, the crossbreeding of the gramineous plant is carried out using a gramineous plant having a cut glume. <1> from <3> The present invention relates to a method for cultivating a grass family plant. <5> The above-mentioned method for promoting the generation of grasses <1> from <4> The present invention relates to a method for cultivating a grass family plant. <6> A gramineous plant growing apparatus used for growing gramineous plants, A housing means capable of housing the Gramineae plant; A first light irradiating means for irradiating the inside of the container means with white light; a second light irradiating means for irradiating the inside of the container with light having a maximum light intensity at a peak top in a wavelength range of 550 nm to 780 nm in an emission spectrum in a wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm inclusive; A switching means for switching between the first light irradiation means and the second light irradiation means; The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating grasses, comprising: <7> A gramineous plant growing apparatus used for growing gramineous plants, A housing means capable of housing the Gramineae plant; A first light irradiating means for irradiating the inside of the container means with white light; a second light irradiating means for irradiating light into the container means, in which a maximum light intensity R in a wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and a maximum light intensity B in a wavelength region of 400 nm to 490 nm satisfy R>B in an emission spectrum of 380 nm to 780 nm, and a maximum light intensity R in a wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and a maximum light intensity G in a wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G; A switching means for switching between the first light irradiation means and the second light irradiation means; The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating grasses, comprising: <8> The light irradiated by the second light irradiation means is artificial light in which, in an emission spectrum of a wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Bf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy Rf>Bf, and a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Gf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy Rf>Gf. <6> from <7> The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating a grass family plant, comprising: <9> The above-mentioned method is used for cultivating a grass family plant artificially bred using a cut glume of the grass family plant. <6> from <8> The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating a grass family plant, comprising: <10> The above-mentioned method for promoting the generation of grasses <6> from <9> The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating a grass family plant, comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for cultivating a grass family plant and an apparatus for cultivating a grass family plant, which can solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, achieve the above-mentioned object, obtain hybrid seeds with high quality and large seed mass, and perform stable breeding using high-speed generation acceleration technology. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1A] 1A is a diagram showing an example of an emission spectrum of white light, where the horizontal axis represents wavelength (nm) and the vertical axis represents relative light intensity. [Figure 1B]FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the emission spectrum of light in which, in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the light intensity at the peak top in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less is maximum, or in which, in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy R > B, and the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength range exceeding 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R > G. The horizontal axis represents wavelength (nm), and the vertical axis represents relative light intensity. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a diagram showing another example of the emission spectrum of light in which, in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the light intensity at the peak top in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less is maximum, or in which, in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy R > B, and the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength range exceeding 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R > G. The horizontal axis represents wavelength (nm), and the vertical axis represents relative light intensity. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1D is a diagram showing an example of light in which, in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength range exceeding 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R > G, but the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy R < B. The horizontal axis represents wavelength (nm), and the vertical axis represents relative light intensity. [Figure 1E]1E is a diagram showing an example of light whose peak top light intensity is maximum in the wavelength range of 615 nm to 650 nm inclusive in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm inclusive in the emission spectrum, where the horizontal axis is wavelength (nm) and the vertical axis is relative light intensity. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing the results of measuring the mass of the hybrid seeds F1 obtained in Examples 1 and 2, and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 in Test Example 2. The vertical axis represents the average mass (mg) of brown rice. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the gramineous plant-growing device of the present invention, and is a front view showing the main internal configuration of the device with a portion of the front cut away. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the gramineous plant-growing device of the present invention, and is a right side view with a part of the side of the gramineous plant-growing device cut away to mainly show the storage means as an internal configuration thereof. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the internal configuration of the apparatus for cultivating gramineous plants of the present invention. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a schematic transverse sectional view of the containing means of the gramineous plant-growing device of the present invention, showing one example of the arrangement of light sources (first light irradiation means and second light irradiation means) within the containing means. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a plan view seen in the direction of the arrow bb in FIG. 6A, showing the arrangement of light sources on the ceiling surface of the accommodation means of the apparatus for cultivating a grass plant of the present invention. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a schematic outline view showing one example of the configuration of a light source of the gramineous plant growing device of the present invention. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is a diagram showing an example of an irradiation pattern of light emitted by a light source of the gramineous plant growing device of the present invention. [Figure 6E] FIG. 6E is a diagram showing another example of the irradiation pattern of light emitted by the light source of the gramineous plant growing device of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a graph showing an example of temperature change within each housing means of the gramineous plant-growing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 7B]FIG. 7B is a graph showing an example of temperature changes in each accommodation means of the apparatus for cultivating grass plants of the present invention, which change with the day-night cycle of the accommodation means. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a graph showing an example of temperature change in the accommodation means of the gramineous plant-growing apparatus of the present invention, in which the day-night cycles are set to be different from each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (Method of growing grasses) The method for growing a grass family plant of the present invention is a method for growing a grass family plant by shielding external light and irradiating only artificial light to the grass family plant, and includes a first step and a second step, and further includes other steps as necessary. The timing for changing from the first step to the second step is during the mating period of the grass family plant. The method for growing a grass plant can be suitably carried out by the apparatus for growing a grass plant of the present invention described below.

[0014] The Gramineae plant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the Gramineae plant may be a plant of the genus Oryza ( Oryza ) plants; Triticum (such as bread wheat, club wheat, and durum wheat) Triticum ) plants belonging to the genus Maize (such as corn) Zea ) plants belonging to the genus Hordeum ( Hordeum ) plants belonging to the genus Secale ( Secale cereale ) plants; Echinochloa genus (such as Echinochloa oryzicola, Barnyardgrass, and others) Echinochloa ) plants belonging to the genus Paspalum (such as Paspalum japonica, Paspalum oryzae); Paspalum ) plants; Goosegrass genus ( Eleusine ) plants; Crabgrass, etc. Digital ) plants; foxtail grass, Japanese foxtail grass, green foxtail grass, golden foxtail grass, Japanese foxtail grass, etc. Setaria ) plants belonging to the genus Remembra (such as Remembra gracilis and Remembra gracilis) Briza ) plants belonging to the genus Miscanthus ( Miscanthus ) plants; Andropogon ) plants belonging to the genus Sphagnum (such as Kazekusa and Ooniwahokori) Eragrostis ) plants belonging to the genus Sorghum (such as Sorghum serrata) Sorghum ) plants belonging to the genus Panicum ( Panicum Among these, the plants belonging to the genus Oryza ( Oryza ) plants are preferred.

[0015] When a plant belonging to the genus Oryza is used as the Gramineae plant, the rice variety is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples of the cultivar group of plants belonging to the genus Oryza include japonica, tropical japonica, indica, and javanica. In addition, examples of classification of plants belonging to the genus Oryza based on their shape include long-grained, short-grained, and medium-grained varieties. In the present invention, any of these can be used.

[0016] In this specification, the definition of "external light" varies depending on the process. In the first step, "external light" means light other than white light. In the second step, the term "external light" refers to light other than the following (1) or (2). (1) Light whose peak top light intensity is maximum in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum. (2) Light in which, in the wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in its emission spectrum, the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy R>B, and the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G. Therefore, the external light is not limited to natural light such as sunlight, but also includes artificial light other than the artificial light used in the first step or the second step described above.

[0017] In this specification, "shading" means an environment that is not affected by external light. Therefore, as long as the environment is free from the effects of external light, it may be partially or completely shaded, but completely shaded is preferable. This allows the grass plant to be irradiated with only artificial light. The shielding method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include a method using an incubator, a thermostatic device or room, a biotron, etc., which are configured to block external light. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0018] As used herein, "artificial light" means light emitted from an artificial source. The artificial light source is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include fluorescent lamps, electric lights, strobes, neon tubes, cathode ray tubes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, fluorescent lamps and LEDs are preferred.

[0019] <First step> The first step is a step of growing the grass family plant by irradiating the grass family plant with white light as the artificial light. The time when the first step is changed to the second step is during the mating period of the grass family plant. Therefore, the first step is a step of growing the grass family plant from the seed of the grass family plant to the mating period. The first step can shorten the number of days until heading of the gramineous plant.

[0020] The seeds of the Gramineae plant are not particularly limited as long as they are in a germinating state, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The method for obtaining the seeds of the Gramineae plant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and may be seeds obtained by growing the Gramineae plant outdoors such as in a farm field, or seeds obtained by growing the Gramineae plant in an artificial environment. Among these, from the viewpoint of quickly obtaining seeds of the Gramineae plant in breeding using a high-speed generation acceleration technique, seeds obtained by growing the Gramineae plant in an artificial environment are preferred.

[0021] The above-mentioned "crossbreeding" means exposing the pistil (sometimes called "female") of one individual of the Gramineae plant to the pollen (sometimes called "male") of another individual, and obtaining seeds in this way is called "cross breeding." The female plant individual is called the "seed parent" and the male plant individual is called the "pollen parent", and the hybrid seeds obtained by the hybridization are called "F1". The "crossing" also includes backcrossing, in which the F1 is crossed with the seed parent or the pollen parent.

[0022] Since the above-mentioned grasses are self-pollinating, different varieties of the grasses do not usually cross with each other. Therefore, when the above-mentioned "crossing" is performed, the seed parent is usually treated by hot water emasculation to inactivate the pollen in the stamens, so that the seed parent does not fertilize its own pollen, and then the pollen of the pollen parent is sprinkled on the pistil of the seed parent.

[0023] When carrying out the above-mentioned crossbreeding, the number of times that pollen from the pollen parent is applied to the pistil of the seed parent may be one or more times, but it is preferable that it is multiple times. In addition, when performing the above-mentioned crossbreeding, the frequency and method of applying pollen from the pollen parent to the pistils of the seed parent is preferably such that the crossbreeding bag is rocked from side to side once within 1 hour of flowering for 2 days including the day of flowering, preferably for 5 days including the day of flowering, and preferably 7 times every 15 minutes over a period of 2 hours from flowering, in order to increase the efficiency of crossbreeding.

[0024] The fact that the above-mentioned grasses have been crossed can be confirmed by the fact that fruits are ripe after crossing and the ovaries in the spikelets are enlarged. If fruits are not ripe after crossing, the ovaries in the spikelets usually do not enlarge. Furthermore, the confirmation can also be carried out by a PCR method using a marker gene according to the variety of the Gramineae plant.

[0025] In the present specification, the "mating period" refers to 14 days before to 10 days after the mating, preferably 7 days before to 5 days after the mating, more preferably 5 days before to 3 days after the mating, and does not refer only to the time when mating is performed. Therefore, the time to change from the first step to the second step may actually be before mating or after mating, but is preferably before mating. The gramineous plant has multiple flowers on one panicle, and usually, the flowers do not all bloom at the same time, but the flowering times of the multiple flowers are staggered. Therefore, the "mating period" can be determined based on the flowering period of the gramineous plant.

[0026] The crossing of the Gramineae plant may be carried out using glume-cut Gramineae plants.

[0027] Not only in the rapid generation acceleration technology, but also in the artificial crossing of grasses, a method of crossing by cutting the upper part of the spikelet (glume cutting method) is generally widely used. The present inventors have found that there is a problem in that ripened fruits obtained by crossing through glume cutting do not show sufficient swelling like fruits obtained by natural crossing (crossing by pollination at the time of flowering of the grass itself, not by the glume cutting method), and form small and shrunken fruits. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that seeds obtained by the cut glume method have a problem that germination is not stable, and even if they germinate normally, the sprouts are small and the subsequent growth is delayed by about 2 to 3 days. Therefore, in the past, in backcrossing by the rapid generation acceleration technology of gramineous plants, when a gramineous plant obtained by germinating and growing seeds obtained by the cut glume method is used as one parent, the other parent gramineous plant to be crossed with this needs to be sown with a delay of about 2 to 3 days from the sowing date of the one parent, which is very troublesome. In the rapid generation acceleration technology of gramineous plants, it is also necessary to carry out the simultaneous progress of many varieties, and there was also a problem that it was difficult to stagger the sowing timing for each crossing.

[0028] In contrast, when the method for cultivating grasses of the present invention is used, even fruits obtained by the cut glume method show sufficient enlargement, so that fruits with large seed mass can be obtained, and furthermore, the obtained fruits have a good germination rate and good subsequent growth, making it possible to obtain high-quality hybrid seeds. Therefore, this method is extremely useful not only as a method for cultivating general grasses, but also as a technology for promoting rapid generation of grasses.

[0029] The white light means colorless light that does not cause color perception, and is a mixture of light of various wavelengths of visible light. Examples of light sources capable of emitting such white light include light sources A, B, C, and D defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). 65 Light source, D 55 Light source, D 75 Standard light sources for light sources include the A light source, which is specified in JIS Z 8781-2 as D 65 The light source is also specified by JIS Z 8105. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. In addition, the color temperature (K) of the white light may be, for example, the color temperature (K) of the white light specified in JIS C 7601, JIS C 7620-2, JIS C 8155, JIS C 8157, etc., and specifically, may be daylight (about 6,500K), natural white (about 5,000K), incandescent (about 3,000K), white (about 4,200K), warm white (about 3,500K), etc. The color temperature (K) of the white light is, for example, a color temperature on the blackbody locus. Among these, the color temperature (K) of the white light is preferably natural white (about 5,000K). A specific example of a light source capable of irradiating the white light may be a fluorescent light source (LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.), and a specific example of the white light may be the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1A.

[0030] In the first step, the method of irradiating the grass family plant with the white light is not particularly limited, and can be performed by irradiating the plant with light from a light source capable of irradiating the white light in an environment where the external light is blocked.

[0031] In the first step, the irradiation time when the white light is irradiated to the grass family plant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the grass family plant, etc., but short-day conditions are preferable, and 8 to 12 hours per day are more preferable, and 9 to 11 hours are particularly preferable.

[0032] In the first step, the illuminance when the white light is irradiated onto the grass family plant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set depending on the type of the grass family plant, etc., but is preferably 5,000 lux to 100,000 lux, and more preferably 15,000 lux to 50,000 lux. The illuminance can be measured by a photometer (for example, Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd.).

[0033] In the first step, the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) when the white light is irradiated onto the grass family plant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the grass family plant, but is preferably 50 μmol m -2 s -1 ~2,500 μmol m -2 s -1 is preferred, and 200 μmol m -2 s -1 ~1,000 μmol m -2 s -1 is more preferred. The PPFD is a photon flux density in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 700 nm that is effective for photosynthesis, and can be measured with a photometer (for example, Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd.).

[0034] In the first step, the irradiation distance when the white light is irradiated onto the grass family plant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the grass family plant, etc., but is preferably 5 cm to 75 cm, and more preferably 20 cm to 50 cm.

[0035] The environmental temperature in the first step is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set depending on the type of the Gramineae plant, and may be the same or different during the light and dark periods. The light period is preferably 20°C to 35°C, more preferably 26°C to 30°C, and the dark period is preferably 18°C ​​to 27°C, more preferably 19°C to 27°C, and particularly preferably 20°C to 25°C.

[0036] The relative humidity in the first step is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set depending on the type of the Gramineous plant, etc., but is preferably 50% to 100%, more preferably 75% to 95%.

[0037] The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the first step is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set depending on the type of the Gramineae plant, etc., but is preferably 300 ppm to 1,500 ppm, more preferably 450 ppm to 700 ppm.

[0038] <Second step> The second step can be divided into the following first and second aspects. The second step makes it possible to obtain hybrid seeds with high quality and large seed mass.

[0039] The timing of changing from the first step to the second step is the mating period of the Gramineae plant. Specifically, when the "mating period" is 14 days before mating, the second step is a step of growing the Gramineae plant 14 days before and after mating, and when the "mating period" is 10 days after mating, the second step is a step of growing the Gramineae plant 10 days after mating or after.

[0040] <<First Aspect>> The second step of the first aspect is a step of irradiating the grass family plant grown in the first step with artificial light having a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum from 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, thereby growing the plant.

[0041] In this specification, the "emission spectrum" is measured by a spectrophotometer (Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd.), and is a continuous spectrum in which the horizontal axis is wavelength (nm) and the vertical axis is relative light intensity (sometimes abbreviated as "light intensity"), and the relative light intensity changes smoothly with respect to the wavelength. The relative light intensity is expressed by a number from "0" to "1."

[0042] Light in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less may be referred to as "red light" in this specification. The light having the maximum light intensity at the peak top in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum from 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less means that, when there are one or more peaks in a wavelength region other than the wavelength region of red light in the wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the light intensity at the peak top in the wavelength region of red light is maximum compared to the light intensity of the peak in the wavelength region other than the wavelength region of red light. In addition, the light intensity indicated by a peak in a wavelength region other than the wavelength region of the red light may be the light intensity of the peak top in a wavelength region other than the wavelength region of the red light, or, if the base of a peak having a peak top in the wavelength region of the red light exists in a wavelength region other than the wavelength region of the red light, it may be the light intensity at the base of the peak.

[0043] In the wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the number of peak tops in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more.

[0044] When there are two or more peak tops in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less, the light intensity of at least one of the two or more peak tops should be maximum in the wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum.

[0045] The light having the maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm in the emission spectrum from 380 nm to 780 nm can be adjusted by using one type of known light source alone or in combination of two or more types. Specific examples include light emitted from a fluorescent light source capable of emitting white light (e.g., LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.) and an LED light source (e.g., an LED tube capable of emitting light having the maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength region of 615 nm to 650 nm in the emission spectrum from 380 nm to 780 nm). A specific example of light having a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 615 nm to 650 nm in the emission spectrum in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm in the emission spectrum is the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1E. Specific examples of light having a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum from 380 nm or more to 780 nm or less include the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1B and the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1C.

[0046] The light environment of the first embodiment may be a known device, or a known device may be modified. For example, known incubators such as LH-411PFQPT-S, LPH-411PFQPT-S, LH-411PFQPT-SP, LPH-411PFQPT-SP, and LPH-411PFQPT-SPC (all manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd.) may be modified and combined with a fluorescent light source (e.g., LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.) to provide the light environment.

[0047] <<Second aspect>> The second step as the second aspect is a step of irradiating the grass family plant grown in the first step with artificial light, in which the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 490 nm inclusive satisfy R>B in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm inclusive in the emission spectrum, and the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength range of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength range of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G.

[0048] The maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less is the maximum light intensity of red light. The maximum light intensity R may be the light intensity of a peak top present in a wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less, or may be the light intensity at the base of a peak having a peak top in a wavelength region other than the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less, if the base of the peak is present in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less.

[0049] Light in the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less is sometimes referred to as “blue light” in this specification. Therefore, the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less is the maximum light intensity of blue light. The maximum light intensity B may be the light intensity of a peak top present in a wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less, or may be the light intensity at the base of a peak having a peak top in a wavelength region other than the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less, if the base of the peak is present in the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less.

[0050] In this specification, light in the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm may be referred to as “green light.” Therefore, the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm is the maximum light intensity of green light. The maximum light intensity G may be the light intensity of a peak top present in a wavelength region longer than 490 nm and shorter than 550 nm, or, in the case where the base of a peak having a peak top in a wavelength region other than the wavelength region longer than 490 nm and shorter than 550 nm is present in the wavelength region longer than 490 nm and shorter than 550 nm, it may be the light intensity at the base of the peak.

[0051] In the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm in the emission spectrum, the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 490 nm satisfy R>B, and the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G. Light can be adjusted by using one type of known light source alone or in combination of two or more types. Specific examples include light irradiated from a fluorescent light source capable of irradiating white light (e.g., LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.) and an LED light source (e.g., an LED tube capable of irradiating light with a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength region of 615 nm to 650 nm in the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm in the emission spectrum). Specific examples of light in which, in the wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy R>B, and the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G include the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1B and the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1C.

[0052] The light environment of the second aspect may be a known device or a known device that has been modified. For example, known incubators such as LH-411PFQPT-S, LPH-411PFQPT-S, LH-411PFQPT-SP, LPH-411PFQPT-SP, and LPH-411PFQPT-SPC (all manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd.) may be modified and combined with a fluorescent light source (e.g., LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.) to provide the light environment.

[0053] In the second step, the light environments using artificial light in the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be satisfied separately or simultaneously, but are preferably satisfied simultaneously.

[0054] In the second step, it is preferable that at least one of the artificial light of the first embodiment and the second embodiment is artificial light such that, in an emission spectrum in a wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Bf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy Rf>Bf, and a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Gf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy Rf>Gf.

[0055] The value Rf obtained by integrating the wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm inclusive is the definite integral of the emission spectrum curve in the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm inclusive over the wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm inclusive.

[0056] The value Bf obtained by integrating the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less is the definite integral of the emission spectrum curve of the wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less over a wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less.

[0057] The value Gf obtained by integrating the wavelength region from more than 490 nm to less than 550 nm in definite form is the value obtained by integrating the emission spectrum curve in the wavelength region from more than 380 nm to less than 780 nm in definite form in the wavelength region from more than 490 nm to less than 550 nm in wavelength.

[0058] The Rf, Bf, and Gf can be calculated by known theoretical calculation formulas. The calculations may be performed using known devices (for example, functions provided in a spectrophotometer, etc.).

[0059] In the second step, the method of irradiating the Gramineae plant with at least one of the artificial light of the first embodiment and the artificial light of the second embodiment is not particularly limited, and can be performed by irradiating the Gramineae plant with light from a light source capable of irradiating at least one of the artificial light of the first embodiment and the artificial light of the second embodiment in an environment where the external light is blocked.

[0060] In the second step, the irradiation time when the grass family plant is irradiated with at least one of the artificial light of the first embodiment and the artificial light of the second embodiment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the grass family plant, etc., but is preferably a short-day condition, more preferably 8 to 12 hours, and particularly preferably 9 to 11 hours per day.

[0061] In the second step, the illuminance when irradiating the grass family plant with at least one of the artificial light of the first embodiment and the artificial light of the second embodiment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set depending on the type of the grass family plant, etc., but is preferably 5,000 lux to 100,000 lux, and more preferably 14,000 lux to 50,000 lux.

[0062] In the second step, the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) when the grass family plant is irradiated with at least one of the artificial light of the first embodiment and the artificial light of the second embodiment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the grass family plant, but is preferably 50 μmol m -2 s -1~2,500 μmol m -2 s -1 is preferred, and 200 μmol m -2 s -1 ~1,000 μmol m -2 s -1 is more preferred.

[0063] In the second step, the irradiation distance when irradiating the grass family plant with at least one of the artificial light of the first embodiment and the artificial light of the second embodiment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the grass family plant, etc., but is preferably 5 cm to 75 cm, more preferably 20 cm to 50 cm.

[0064] The environmental temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, etc. in the second step are not particularly limited and can be appropriately set depending on the type of the Gramineous plant, etc., but the environmental temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration are preferably the same as those in the first step.

[0065] <Other processes> The method for growing a Gramineae plant may include steps other than the first step and the second step, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0066] The method for cultivating a grass family plant allows for simple and rapid breeding, and since even fruits obtained by the glume cutting method show sufficient enlargement, fruits with large seed mass can be obtained. Furthermore, the obtained fruits can produce high-quality hybrid seeds with good germination rates and subsequent growth. Therefore, the method can be suitably used not only as a general method for cultivating a grass family plant, but also as a technology for promoting rapid generation of grass family plants.

[0067] (Grain growing device) The apparatus for cultivating grasses of the present invention is used for cultivating grasses, and comprises a storage means, a first light irradiation means, a second light irradiation means, and a switching means, and may further comprise other means as necessary. The apparatus for cultivating a grass family plant is suitably used for the method for cultivating a grass family plant of the present invention described above.

[0068] The Gramineae plant grown in the Gramineae plant growing apparatus is the same as that described in the above item (Method for growing Gramineae plant). In particular, the Gramineae plant growing apparatus is suitably used for growing a Gramineae plant artificially cross-pollinated using a cut glume of the Gramineae plant.

[0069] <Method of Containment> The accommodation means is a means capable of accommodating the Gramineae plant. The storage means is not particularly limited as long as it can store the gramineous plant, but it is preferable that the storage means is configured to block external light and irradiate the gramineous plant only with artificial light. The storage means having such a configuration is preferably configured so that the inside is sealed.

[0070] The number of the accommodation means in the Gramineae plant cultivating apparatus is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and may be one or more. When the number of the storage means is multiple, the environmental conditions (e.g., light environment, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, etc.) in each storage means may be controlled individually, or all the storage means may be controlled simultaneously.

[0071] The shape of the storage means is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of storing the Gramineae plant, but is preferably a substantially box-like shape. When the number of the storage means is multiple, the storage means are arranged continuously in at least one of the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction.

[0072] The storage means has an opening for storing and removing the grass plant, and the surface having this opening is preferably defined as the "front surface."

[0073] <First Light Irradiation Means> The first irradiation means is a means for irradiating the inside of the container means with white light. The first irradiation means is not particularly limited as long as it can irradiate the inside of the container means with white light. For example, the first irradiation means may be any of the A, B, C, and D light sources specified by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). 65 Light source, D 55 Light source, D 75 Examples of standard light sources include light sources such as light sources. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. A specific example of a light source capable of emitting the white light is a fluorescent light source (LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.).

[0074] The color temperature (K) of the light irradiated by the first irradiating means may be, for example, the color temperature (K) of white light specified in JIS C 7601, JIS C 7620-2, JIS C 8155, JIS C 8157, etc., and specifically, may be daylight (about 6,500K), neutral white (about 5,000K), incandescent (about 3,000K), white (about 4,200K), warm white (about 3,500K), etc. The color temperature (K) of the white light is, for example, a color temperature on the blackbody locus. Among these, the color temperature (K) of the white light is preferably neutral white (about 5,000K).

[0075] <Second Light Irradiation Means> The second light irradiation means is divided into the following first and second aspects.

[0076] <<First Aspect>> The second light irradiation means as the first aspect is a means for irradiating the inside of the containing means with light having a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum of the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less.

[0077] The second light irradiation means as the first embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can irradiate light inside the storage means such that the light has a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, and one or more known light sources can be used alone or in combination, but it is preferable to arrange both a fluorescent light source capable of irradiating white light (e.g., LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.) and an LED light source (e.g., an LED tube capable of irradiating light such that the light has a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 615 nm or more and 650 nm or less in the emission spectrum, in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less).

[0078] <<Second aspect>> The second light irradiation means as the second aspect is a means for irradiating light into the containing means, such that in the wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum, a maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a maximum light intensity B in the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy R>B, and a maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a maximum light intensity G in the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G.

[0079] The second light irradiation means as the second embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can irradiate light inside the storage means such that in the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm in the emission spectrum, the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity B in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 490 nm satisfy R>B, and the maximum light intensity R in the wavelength region of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity G in the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy R>G, and one or more known light sources can be used alone or in combination, but it is preferable to arrange both a fluorescent light source capable of irradiating white light (e.g., LifeLook N-HG type, manufactured by Hotalux Co., Ltd.) and an LED light source (e.g., an LED tube capable of irradiating light in which the peak top light intensity in the wavelength region of 615 nm to 650 nm is maximized in the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm in the emission spectrum).

[0080] It is preferable that the light irradiated by the second light irradiation means is artificial light such that, in an emission spectrum in a wavelength region of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, the value Rf obtained by definite integration of the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the value Bf obtained by definite integration of the wavelength region of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy Rf>Bf, and the value Rf obtained by definite integration of the wavelength region of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and the value Gf obtained by definite integration of the wavelength region of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy Rf>Gf.

[0081] The Rf, Bf, and Gf are as described in the section (Method of Growing Gramineous Plants) above.

[0082] <Switching method> The switching means is a means for switching between the first light irradiating means and the second light irradiating means. The switching means is not particularly limited as long as it can switch between the first light irradiation means and the second light irradiation means, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a known switch can be used.

[0083] The gramineous plant-growing apparatus of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings, but the gramineous plant-growing apparatus of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0084] Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus for cultivating a grass plant, Fig. 4 is a side view of the apparatus, Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view of the apparatus, Fig. 6A to Fig. 6C are schematic diagrams showing the details of the configuration of the light source of the apparatus for cultivating a grass plant, Fig. 6D and Fig. 6E are schematic explanatory diagrams showing different types of irradiation patterns, and Fig. 7A to Fig. 7C are graphs showing temperature changes of each storage means in an example of operation set to predetermined environmental conditions. The apparatus for cultivating a grass plant in this embodiment has storage means arranged in five vertical tiers, and these storage means store grass plants, and each storage means can be set to a predetermined environmental condition individually.

[0085] That is, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the apparatus 1 for cultivating gramineous plants has a tank 3 formed in the apparatus main body 2, which is shielded from the outside of the apparatus to a predetermined degree. The tank 3 is preferably of a heat-insulated sealed structure. In the tank 3, a plurality of storage means 4 for storing gramineous plants arranged in multiple stages are formed by dividing the tank 3 into predetermined sections while securing a circulation passage (for feeding) 5A and a circulation passage (for returning) 5B for circulating the air in the tank to the outside of the storage means 4. An air conditioning unit 6 is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 2 as a first temperature control means for adjusting the air in the tank as a medium having a specified reference temperature to a predetermined temperature, feeding it, and circulating it. Meanwhile, a setting input unit 8 is provided at the top of the apparatus main body 2, which has an operation panel 7 for inputting and setting the environmental conditions of each storage means 4 and displaying the current environmental state, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of each unit according to the inputted setting conditions. These storage means 4 have heaters 9 as second temperature control means for adjusting the temperature inside each storage means 4 to a respective predetermined temperature based on the temperature of the circulating air, and the temperature inside the tank 3 becomes higher toward the upper levels, making it possible to set the temperature independently for each storage means 4. In other words, the gramineous plant cultivating device 1 is designed to obtain a temperature gradient in which the temperature of each storage means 4 increases stepwise toward the upper levels while maintaining a predetermined temperature difference between them.

[0086] The device main body 2 is formed of a tank 3 having an upright rectangular parallelepiped shape using thin stainless steel and steel plates, and the front part constituting this tank 3 is an outer door part 3a shown in Fig. 4, which is provided so as to be able to open and close sideways with the vertical periphery at the right end in Fig. 3 as a vertical hinge axis. In addition, the vertical side wall surfaces and the upper and lower horizontal wall surfaces as the inner surface of the tank 3 may be provided with sheet-shaped polystyrene foam 11, which is a lightweight and inexpensive heat insulating material, so as to be in contact with each surface almost entirely. This allows the tank 3 to function as a heat-insulated sealed tank, ensuring heat insulation.

[0087] Each of the storage means 4 is formed in a substantially box-like shape with airtightness, and has a floor space of, for example, about 40 cm wide and 50 cm deep. That is, each storage means 4 divides the inside of the tank 3 in the left-right direction by vertical plates 12 that form the left and right side walls and the back wall of each storage means, and also divides the back side of the tank 3, securing a long space in the vertical direction in the center of the tank 3, and this space is divided equally in the vertical direction by horizontal shelves 13. These storage means 4 are stacked in multiple stages aligned vertically, and an air circulation passage (for supply) 5A and a circulation passage (for return) 5B are formed and secured on both the left and right sides of each storage means 4, respectively, that reach from the storage means 4 at the bottom stage to the storage means 4 at the top stage. Therefore, a circulation path is formed in which air is supplied upward from the air conditioning unit 6 through the air circulation passage (for supply) 5A on the right side of the figure, passing through each storage means 4, and the air that has passed through each of these storage means 4 is returned to the air conditioning unit 6 below through the air circulation passage (for return) 5B on the left side.

[0088] The openings in FIG. 3, which are the fronts of these storage means 4, may be closed by plate-like, opaque inner door parts 4a shown in FIG. 4, which are provided so as to be able to open and close horizontally with the vertical periphery on the right side of the opening periphery as a vertical hinge axis, and these inner door parts 4a can be opened and closed individually without interfering with the inner door parts 4a of the storage means 4 above and below. Therefore, when storing or removing a gramineous plant in a certain storage means 4, it is only necessary to open and close the inner door part 4a of that storage means 4, so that the set temperature of the other storage means 4 is not disturbed. A magnet 14 is installed on the periphery of the right opening of these storage means, and the magnetic force of this magnet 14 attracts the opening and closing end side of the inner door part 4a, thereby locking the inner door part 4a in the closed state. If the inner door part 4a is made of a non-magnetic material such as a plastic plate, a magnetically attractable member such as an iron piece may be provided at the location of the inner door part 4a corresponding to the magnet 14.

[0089] Therefore, in the case of a double door configuration consisting of the outer door part 3a of the tank 3 and the inner door part 4a of each storage means 4, the effect of blocking light entering the storage means from outside the device can be improved compared to a configuration in which each storage means 4 is closed only by a single door part for each storage means. Therefore, the light conditions and light and dark environment in the storage means can be controlled freely without depending on the external environment. In addition to this, in the case of a double door configuration like this, a gap may be formed between the inner door part 4a and the outer door part 3a, and an air jacket may be formed in which circulating air flows through this gap. Therefore, according to this configuration, in addition to the heat insulating effect of the outer door part 3a as a fixed member, a heat insulating effect is obtained by constantly intervening the air flow of the air jacket to carry away the air that has been transferred heat, so a higher heat blocking effect can be expected.

[0090] Furthermore, in the approximate lower part of the right side wall surface of each storage means 4, suction ports 4b in the shape of vertically elongated slits arranged in the horizontal direction are formed, and these suction ports 4b open to the air circulation passage 5A for supplying air and communicate with the room. In the left side wall surface opposite to these side walls, an exhaust port (not shown) formed in a similar manner is provided, and this exhaust port opens to the air circulation passage (for return) 5B and communicates with the room. In addition, in each of the suction ports 4b except for the suction port 4b provided in the storage means 4 at the lowest level, an internal fan 15, which is a small blower fan with an air blowing direction facing the inside of the room, is provided, and this internal fan 15 draws air from the air circulation passage (for supplying air) 5A into the room. It is not necessary to provide the internal fan 15 in the suction port 4b of the storage means 4 at the lowest level. This storage means 4 is located near the air conditioning unit 6, and the circulating air that reaches the position of the suction port 4b of this storage means 4 has a sufficiently strong blowing force, so that the circulating air can be reliably taken into the storage means 4. Therefore, the air sucked into the room from the right air circulation passage 5A through each suction port 4b passes through each of these storage means 4 and is discharged to the left air circulation passage (for return) 5B.

[0091] A storage means internal temperature sensor (not shown) is installed in each storage means 4 as temperature detection means, and the output lines of the detection signals of these storage means internal temperature sensors are connected to the control unit, so that the control unit can individually and constantly detect the temperature inside the storage means of each storage means 4. Note that instead of providing an internal fan 15 near the intake port 4b that draws circulating air into the room, a configuration in which an exhaust fan that exhausts air from the room is provided at the exhaust port, or a configuration in which two fans, the internal fan 15 and the exhaust fan, are provided, may also be used.

[0092] Further, a heater 9 is provided as a second temperature control means near the suction port 4b of each storage means 4. The heater 9 is provided in the circulation passage (for feeding) 5A arranged outside the storage means 4 at a location upstream of the air sent through the circulation passage (for feeding) 5A with respect to the suction port 4b of the storage means 4 opened to the circulation passage (for feeding) 5A, and a long rod-shaped electric heater extending in a direction crossing the circulation passage (for feeding) 5A is provided at this location. These heaters 9 have a heat generating capacity sufficient to heat at least the circulating air sucked into the suction port 4b to the set temperature of each storage means 4, and the heating operation by each heater 9 is controlled by the control unit. Note that the temperature of the circulating air adjusted by the air conditioning unit 6 becomes the temperature in the storage means as it is for the storage means at the lowest level, so the heater 9 for this storage means 4 may not be provided.

[0093] As shown in Figs. 6A to 6C, the shelf board 13 as a member forming the ceiling surface of each storage means 4 has a lower surface (the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the floor surface or the grass family plant) that serves as the ceiling surface, i.e., the shelf board 13 that separates one storage means 4 from another storage means, on the surface that functions as a shelf board for one storage means 4 and functions as a ceiling surface for the other storage means 4, a plurality of light sources 17 formed in a thin straight tube shape are arranged in a predetermined manner. The light sources 17 are a plurality of the first light irradiation means and a plurality of the second light irradiation means. The light sources 17 are thin straight tubes, preferably thin straight tubes with a tube diameter of 3.0 mm (selectable in the range of 1.6 mm to 3.0 mm), formed to have the same length, and have a length slightly shorter than the length from one front side to the other back side on the ceiling surface. The light sources 17 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval from each other in the left-right width direction of the storage means 4. Therefore, the ceiling surface of the storage means 4 is made into a surface light, so that the grass plants stored in the storage means 4 can be irradiated from above. In this case, the shelf board 13 includes not only the shelf board 13 that separates the upper and lower storage means 4, but also the member that constitutes the ceiling surface of the uppermost storage means 4.

[0094] Although an example in which the light sources 17 are installed only on the ceiling surface of each storage means has been described here, the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple light sources 17 may be installed on one or multiple surfaces selected as appropriate as necessary, so long as they are surfaces forming the inner wall surface of each storage means 4. For example, multiple light sources 17 may be installed only on the floor surface of each storage means 4, multiple light sources 17 may be installed on both the ceiling surface and the floor surface, and even multiple light sources 17 may be installed on five surfaces other than the floor surface.

[0095] It is preferable that the light source 17 is a light source that does not affect the temperature inside each of the storage means 4. That is, it is preferable that the ratio of the total amount of heat generated by the multiple light sources 17 to the temperature adjustment capacity of the storage means 4 by the heater 9 and the amount of air flow that passes through the room after being temperature adjusted by this adjustment capacity is extremely small so as not to affect the temperature inside the storage means 4.

[0096] Furthermore, the switches (not shown) of each light source 17 and the lamp driving circuit (not shown) that allows the adjustment of the irradiation intensity are connected to the control unit via wiring (not shown). Therefore, this control unit controls the on / off of the switches of each light source 17, that is, controls the lighting state of the light source 17, and controls the irradiation intensity in the lighting state. It is preferable that the switches are wired so that the first light irradiation means and the second light irradiation means can be individually controlled on / off. The light source 17 may have a light source body 17A, a ballast 17a for each light source, and a reflector 17b that is provided between the light source body 17A and the installation surface of the light source body 17A and forms a reflective curved surface toward the light source body 17A side. The reflector 17b can reflect the irradiation light from the light source body 17A toward the installation surface of the light source body 17A of the storage means 4 and direct it toward the Gramineae plant, thereby increasing the irradiation efficiency. In addition, a light diffusion plate that equalizes the irradiation light from the light source body 17A may be provided below the light source body 17A.

[0097] Moreover, the Gramineae plant cultivating device 1 is preferably configured so that the illumination in each storage means obtained from the plurality of light sources 17 thus arranged is illumination light that does not change in the horizontal direction of the storage means 4. That is, the device may be configured to obtain any of the illumination patterns shown in Fig. 6D and Fig. 6E. Note that in Fig. 6D and Fig. 6E, the length of each downward arrow indicates the strength (amount) of illumination intensity (light amount).

[0098] The illumination pattern in Fig. 6D is configured to provide uniform illumination intensity (light quantity) in the horizontal plane direction within the storage means 4 as a gradient-free illumination. That is, all light sources 17 are controlled to emit the same light quantity. Therefore, the illumination distribution within the storage means 4 is not biased, and the illumination becomes almost uniform throughout the room.

[0099] In the irradiation pattern of Fig. 6E, the illumination pattern of Fig. 6D is configured to repeat turning on and off with a predetermined lighting time or turning off time as intermittent illumination. That is, as blinking illumination, all the light sources 17 are controlled to repeatedly turn on all at once for a predetermined time and turn off all at once for a predetermined time.

[0100] Therefore, with a configuration having these irradiation patterns, it is possible to individually prepare a light environment and an irradiation environment in each container means in response to various test conditions and requests.

[0101] In the irradiation patterns of FIGS. 6D and 6E, the irradiation light changes in the left-right width direction of the storage means 4, but it may of course be changed from the front to the back of the storage means 4.

[0102] Furthermore, in the grass plant growing device 1, the above-mentioned irradiation pattern and the emission spectrum from the light source 17 can be arbitrarily selected and changed by the user. That is, the shelf board 13 is configured to be easily detached from each storage means 4 and replaced, so that the above-mentioned irradiation pattern and the emission spectrum from the light source 17 can be replaced with a shelf board 13 having a different irradiation pattern and an emission spectrum from the light source 17. In addition to this, the number of light sources 17 can be increased or decreased according to the illuminance and / or emission spectrum required for each storage means. That is, the shelf board 13 is configured so that the light sources 17 installed on the shelf board 13 can be electrically connected to the device main body 2 side via a small number of sockets and connectors (not shown), and the shelf board 13 itself can be easily attached and detached.

[0103] Therefore, in addition to the effects of the configuration in which the above-mentioned irradiation patterns and emission spectra from the light sources 17 are formed, the configuration in which the shelf boards 13 are replaceable in this manner facilitates repair and replacement of the irradiation in each storage means, and allows replacement with a shelf board 13 having a number of light sources 17 according to the illuminance and / or emission spectrum required for that storage means 4. Therefore, the required illuminance and / or emission spectrum can be secured using a minimum number of light sources 17 as consumable parts, thereby reducing operating costs and efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0104] In addition, the light sources 17 arranged in a predetermined manner may be collectively united with the shelf 13 so as to be separable, and this irradiation unit may be configured to be replaceable with an irradiation unit of a different illuminance, or these may be combined. Therefore, according to the configuration in which a predetermined number of arranged light sources 17 are easily attached to and detached from the shelf 13 to form a replaceable irradiation unit, in addition to the above effects, the irradiation unit can be removed from the storage means 4 where irradiation is not required, so that the space inside the storage means 4 can be expanded. Also, compared to the configuration in which the light sources 17 are integrated into the shelf 13, it is only necessary to handle the irradiation unit mainly composed of the light sources 17, so that the ease of handling as a replacement part can be improved and the required storage space can be reduced.

[0105] In addition, a small fan for stirring may be provided inside the storage means 4 and used to stir the air inside the storage means 4, thereby quickly making the temperature uniform throughout the room without causing the temperature distribution inside the storage means 4 to become uneven.

[0106] The setting input unit 8 has an operation panel 7 that sets and inputs the temperature and irradiation state as environmental conditions of each storage means 4 and displays the temperature inside the storage means, and a control unit consisting of a control circuit that controls the operation of each part in a predetermined manner based on the environmental conditions set and input from this operation panel 7.

[0107] That is, the operation panel 7 has a main panel 21 and an irradiation setting panel 22. The main panel 21 has one main switch for turning on and off the power supply of the entire device, and a group of five input switches arranged horizontally for inputting and setting the set temperature of each storage means 4. The irradiation setting panel 22 also has a clock-type lamp timer for inputting and setting the irradiation time period of the light source 17, and a group of five lamp switches arranged vertically, and by turning the lamp switches on and off, the light source 17 of each storage means is switched to an operable state and the current state of the lamp is indicated by light. Therefore, by inputting and setting various conditions from the operation panel 7, the user can freely select between a common setting in which the temperature and irradiation of each storage means are changed in the same way in all storage means 4, and an individual setting in which the temperature and irradiation of each storage means are changed individually by adjusting the time of each storage means 4.

[0108] The air conditioning unit 6 is mainly composed of a cooler 25 that adjusts the air in the tank 3 to a predetermined temperature, and a circulation blower fan 26 that supplies the adjusted air to the circulation passage (for supply) 5A and circulates it through the tank 3, and the cooling operation of the cooler 25 is controlled by the control unit. That is, the air conditioning unit 6 is configured such that the cooler 25 and the circulation blower fan 26 are sequentially arranged in a passage 27 that connects the lower ends of both the air circulation passage (for supply) 5A and the air circulation passage (for return) 5B. The passage 27 is formed with a relatively large passage cross-sectional area, and the air flow speed in the passage 27 is reduced so that the cooling effect of the cooler 25 can be sufficiently obtained. Further, downstream of the cooler 25 in the air circulation direction, a relatively large diameter circulation blower fan 26 is installed with its blowing direction facing the lower end side of the air circulation passage 5A diagonally upward, and a sufficient air supply flow rate is obtained by this circulation blower fan 26. Reference numeral 28 denotes a heat exchanger for discharging heat from the cooler 25 to the outside of the device together with the exhaust air when outside air is introduced into the air conditioning unit 6 and then discharged, and 29 denotes a compressor for circulating a heat exchange medium between the cooler 25 and the heat exchanger 28 in a predetermined compression-expansion cycle, and the cooler 25 operates to cool by transporting heat from the cooler 25 and discharging it to the outside.

[0109] A measuring means (not shown) capable of measuring the temperature of the circulating air is provided at appropriate locations through which the circulating air passes, and based on the actual temperature of the circulating air detected by this measuring means, the control unit controls the cooling operation of the cooler to maintain the temperature of the circulating air at a predetermined target temperature.

[0110] Therefore, when setting the temperature environment in the gramineous plant cultivating device 1, the input switch of the operation panel 7 is operated to input the set temperature of each storage means. That is, the temperature of the storage means 4 in the lowest stage is the lowest set temperature, and as the temperature rises to the upper stage, a temperature difference gradient is formed in which the temperature in each storage means 4 in each stage increases stepwise. This temperature difference can be adjusted in a temperature gradient manner from a minimum of 2°C to five stages. For example, in the case of this five-stage system, the temperature difference of each stage storage means 4 can be adjusted to 2°C, 4°C, 6°C, 8°C, and 10°C. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, at any time, the base minimum set temperature can be changed and the temperature difference between each storage means can also be changed. In this way, in the gramineous plant cultivating device 1, the temperature difference between the storage means 4 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction can be set uniformly or randomly, or each storage means 4 can be set to the same temperature.

[0111] That is, the temperature of the circulating air that has passed through the cooler 25 is set by the cooler 25 of the air conditioning unit 6 to the lowest temperature among the set temperatures set in each storage means 4. That is, the control unit selects the lowest temperature among the desired set temperatures set in each storage means 4, and this selected temperature becomes the target temperature as a control target, and controls the cooling operation of the cooler 25 so that the temperature of the circulating air becomes this target temperature.

[0112] In the thus configured gramineous plant growing device 1, the air circulating in the tank 3 and returning passes through the cooler 25, where it is adjusted to a predetermined target temperature, and is sent out diagonally to the upper right in the figure by the circulation fan 26, and the air adjusted to the target temperature is sent upward through the circulation passage 5A. At this time, the air present in the gap formed between the outer wall surface of the member forming each of the storage means 4 and the inner wall surface of the tank 3 does not stagnate there, but ultimately moves in a direction approaching the circulation fan 26, and most of it passes through the cooler 25, so that an active heat shielding effect is obtained by this air flow in addition to the passive heat shielding effect by the fixed heat insulating member.

[0113] The circulating air that is sent rises in the circulation passage (for sending) 5A while a part of it is sucked into the storage means 4 of each stage, and the circulating air that has passed through each storage means 4 is discharged into the circulation passage (for returning) 5B, and then descends through this circulation passage (for returning) 5B and returns to the air conditioning unit 6. Therefore, the temperature of each storage means 4 is determined by the temperature of the circulating air that is sucked into each storage means 4. The actual temperature of each storage means 4 is individually controlled by the heating heater 9 that performs heating operation to compensate for the temperature difference between the set temperature of each storage means 4 and the target temperature of the circulating air. That is, the control unit controls the heating operation of the heating heater 9 to compensate for the temperature difference. In addition, the control unit is always aware of the room temperature of each storage means 4, and finely adjusts the heat generation amount of the heating heater 9 according to the fluctuation of the room temperature.

[0114] Therefore, according to the apparatus 1 for cultivating grass plants, each of the storage means 4 can ensure and maintain a constant temperature state at a desired set temperature with high accuracy. That is, the temperature in the storage means 4 can be set precisely by balancing the thermal energy intake and output in the storage means 4. Moreover, the air flowing into each of the storage means 4, which are partitioned storage means having a relatively small volume, is heated by a dedicated heater 9 for temperature compensation with respect to the reference circulating air temperature, making it easy to control the temperature in the storage means 4. Therefore, the temperature in each storage means 4 can be set to a required temperature with high accuracy while eliminating the temperature interference between one storage means 4 and the other storage means 4 and keeping each storage means 4 independent.

[0115] Therefore, each storage means 4 does not need to have a thick insulating layer as a member surrounding the entire circumference, and the internal space of each storage means 4 can be made larger. On the other hand, the role of the insulating member forming the insulating layer is thus reduced, and the device can be made thinner, so the internal space of the device can be used more efficiently and the external shape of the entire device can be made slimmer. This allows for saving on the materials used to manufacture the device and saving space. As a result, a low-cost device 1 for cultivating grass plants can be made.

[0116] Furthermore, even if the Gramineae plants in each storage means generate or absorb even a small amount of heat, the control unit constantly monitors the room temperature and controls the heating operation of the heater 9 which specifies the temperature of the air drawn into each storage means, so that the temperature can be maintained at a specified set temperature.

[0117] Furthermore, in the case where a day-night cycle environment is set in addition to the temperature environment settings described above in the Gramineae plant growing device 1, the lamp timer on the operation panel 7 is operated to input the daytime hours when the light source 17 is turned on or the nighttime hours when it is turned off, thereby setting the time periods of day and night. Therefore, in this case, as shown in Fig. 7B, for example, switching between day and night is repeated at predetermined times, and in response to this day-night switching, each storage means 4 switches to the set temperature for day or night while maintaining the temperature difference between them.

[0118] Furthermore, according to the Gramineae plant cultivating device 1, the day-night cycle is not set to the same for each storage means 4, but can be set individually for each storage means 4, and the temperature of each storage means 4 can be set to change individually in association with these individually set day-night time periods, as shown in Fig. 7C. That is, for each storage means 4, it is possible to change at any time from a certain indoor environment setting specific to that storage means 4, which freely combines the temperature and light (light and dark illuminance) of the storage means 4, to another indoor environment setting freely combining the temperature and light (light and dark illuminance).

[0119] As described above, according to the embodiment of the apparatus for cultivating grasses, since a plurality of light sources (first light irradiation means and second light irradiation means) are arranged in a predetermined manner on the ceiling surface or entire surface of each storage means, irradiation can be efficiently performed by direct irradiation through close-range irradiation, and variation and waste of irradiation can be eliminated. On the other hand, since the light sources (first light irradiation means and second light irradiation means) can be formed with a small diameter, they can be arranged closely together, and the light distribution is uniform because of their long rod shape. Therefore, the grasses can be irradiated from the ceiling surface or entire surface as uniform surface lighting. This improves the quality of irradiation to the grasses.

[0120] In addition, it is possible to irradiate the grass plant close to the light source without any interposition between the light source and the grass plant. That is, it is possible to irradiate the grass plant at a close distance by shortening the distance between the light source and the object to be irradiated. Therefore, sufficient irradiation can be obtained without increasing the illuminance. Since the irradiation efficiency can be improved in this way, the amount of power consumption required for irradiation is reduced by the increase in efficiency, resulting in power saving.

[0121] In addition, the light source can be freely selected for its luminous color, and the brightness can be precisely adjusted. This allows the lighting environment required by the grass family plants to be appropriately obtained. In addition, the environment in each storage means can be precisely controlled by combining a wider variety of environmental conditions based on temperature and illuminance than ever before.

[0122] The apparatus for cultivating grasses shown in the above figures is one example of the apparatus for cultivating grasses of the present invention, and as the apparatus for cultivating grasses, any known apparatus (e.g., a known apparatus for cultivating grasses, an apparatus for cultivating other plants, an apparatus used for cultivating algae or microorganisms, cultivating plants, raising insects or small animals, etc.) modified to have the storage means, the first light irradiation means, the second light irradiation means, and the switching means can be used. Examples of the known devices include the devices described in JP-A-2009-156525, JP-A-2002-345337, JP-A-2001-275488, and JP-A-2006-61126, and these configurations can also be used in combination.

[0123] The apparatus for growing grasses is used for growing grasses, and in particular, the light environment is such that breeding can be performed simply and quickly, and even fruits obtained by the glume cutting method can show sufficient swelling and produce fruits with large seed mass. Therefore, the apparatus can be used not only for growing general grasses, but also suitably for rapid generation acceleration technology for grasses.

[0124] Although the apparatus for cultivating grasses is used for cultivating grasses, it can also be widely used in biological tests that require light, such as germination tests of other plants, research into the biological clocks of animals including insects and plants, algae cultivation, microbial cultivation, plant cultivation, and the rearing of insects and small animals. EXAMPLES

[0125] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to Test Examples, Examples, and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Test Examples and Examples.

[0126] Example 1 <First step> The following first step (cultivation of seed parents, cultivation of pollen parents, and crossbreeding) was carried out using a plant growth incubator (LPH-350-SPC, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) under white fluorescent lamps (light environment with the emission spectrum shown in Figure 1A), with an irradiation distance of 25 cm, a 10-hour day length of 10 hours light (temperature: 27°C to 30°C) and 14 hours dark (temperature: 18°C ​​to 25°C), a CO2 concentration of 600 ppm, and a relative humidity of 85%. The emission spectrum shown in Figure 1A was measured using a spectrophotometer (Light Analyzer LA-105, Nippon Medical and Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.). The illuminance measured near the plant body in a plant growth incubator (LPH-350-SPC) using a light meter (Light Analyzer LA-105, Nippon Medical and Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.) was 17,521 lux, and the light quantity was PPFD: 224 μmol m -2 s -1 It was.

[0127] -Cultivation of seed parents- Seeds of the rice variety "Akidawarakan 1" (owned by the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization) were soaked in a 200-fold diluted fungicide (Sportac (registered trademark) Starna (registered trademark) SE, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), a 1,000-fold diluted insecticide (Sumithion (registered trademark) emulsion, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), and 1% by mass hydrogen peroxide solution at room temperature for 24 hours, and then sown on a petri dish and left for 3 days under conditions of a temperature of 30°C and a relative humidity of 100% to germinate. The germinated seeds were transplanted into a horticultural plug tray (RL-40PT, manufactured by Tokai Kasei Co., Ltd.) containing rice seedling soil (Bonsol 2, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) and cultivated. When yellowing of the leaves was observed due to nitrogen deficiency, 50 mL of 5% (w / v) urea was added to 100 individuals as a top dressing.

[0128] -Cultivation of pollen parents- The pollen parent was cultivated in the same manner as the seed parent, except that the rice variety was changed from “Akidawarakan 1” to “sbe1 Akidawara” (owned by the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization).

[0129] -mating- For the rice variety "Akidawarakan No. 1," the ears that had emerged were exposed from the leaf sheath of the flag leaf (the leaf at the very tip), and emasculated in hot water at 43°C for 7 minutes (a process in which pollen activity is inactivated by heat treatment with hot water), after which the tops of the spikelets were cut off with pollination scissors. Next, the cut glumes were placed in a crossbreeding bag (made from glassine paper in a bag shape measuring 32 cm in length and 8 cm in width) together with the rice cultivar "Akidawarakan 1" as the seed parent and the rice line "sbe1 Akidawara" as the pollen parent, and the crossbreeding bag was shaken by hand every 30 minutes during flowering every day for four days, sprinkling pollen from the pollen parent onto the pistils of the seed parent.

[0130] <Second step> The rice individuals (seed parents) crossed in the first step were transferred immediately after crossing (47 days after sowing) to a plant growth incubator (a modified LPH-350-SPC with an additional LED tube (an LED tube capable of emitting light with a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 615 nm to 650 nm in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm in the emission spectrum, having an emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1E) as a light source; hereinafter, this may be referred to as the "modified incubator 1"). The rice individuals were grown under the light environment shown in FIG. 1B, with an irradiation distance of 20 cm, a 10-hour day length of 10 hours of light (temperature: 27°C to 30°C) and 14 hours of dark (temperature: 18°C ​​to 25°C), a CO2 concentration of 600 ppm, and a relative humidity of 85%. The emission spectrum shown in Figure 1B was measured using a spectrophotometer (Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Instruments Co., Ltd.). The illuminance measured near the plant body in the modified incubator 1 using a light meter (Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Instruments Co., Ltd.) was 15,057 lux, and the light amount was PPFD: 228 μmol m -2 s -1 It was. As a result, the hybrid seeds F1 between the rice variety "Akidawarakan 1gou" and the rice line "sbe1akidawara" were obtained. The hybrid seeds F1 were harvested 27 days after crossing.

[0131] Example 2 A hybrid seed F1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the <second step> in Example 1 was changed as follows.

[0132] <Second step> In the second step of Example 1, the second step was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the light environment was changed from the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1B to the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1C. Specifically, in the second step of Example 1, the "modified incubator 1" was changed to a plant growth incubator (a plant growth incubator modified by adding an LED tube (an LED tube capable of emitting light having an emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1E and capable of emitting light with a maximum peak top light intensity in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less in the emission spectrum) as a light source to the LPH-350-SPC; hereinafter, this may be referred to as the "modified incubator 2"). The emission spectrum shown in Figure 1C was measured using a spectrophotometer (Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Instruments Co., Ltd.). The illuminance measured near the plant body in the modified incubator 2 using a light meter (Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Instruments Co., Ltd.) was 17,039 lux, and the light quantity was PPFD: 234 μmol m -2 s -1 It was.

[0133] Comparative Example 1 A hybrid seed F1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the <second step> in Example 1 was changed as follows.

[0134] <Second step> In the second step of Example 1, the light environment was not changed from that in the first step, and the second step was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the second step was carried out under white fluorescent light (under the light environment shown in Figure 1A) using a plant growth incubator (LPH-350-SPC, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd.).

[0135] Comparative Example 2 A hybrid seed F1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the <second step> in Example 1 was changed as follows.

[0136] <Second step> In the second step of Example 1, the second step was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the light environment was changed from the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1B to the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1D. Specifically, in the second step of Example 1, the "modified incubator 1" was changed to a plant growth incubator (a plant growth incubator modified by adding a blue LED tube as a light source to the LPH-350-SPC; hereinafter, this may be referred to as the "modified incubator 3"). The emission spectrum shown in Figure 1D was measured using a spectrophotometer (Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Instruments Co., Ltd.). The illuminance measured near the plant body in the modified incubator 3 using a light meter (Light Analyzer LA-105, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Instruments Co., Ltd.) was 17,204 lux, and the light amount was PPFD: 276 μmol m -2 s -1 It was.

[0137] (Test Example 1: Confirmation of hybridization in hybrid seeds F1) Using the following method, it was confirmed that the hybrid seeds F1 harvested in the second step in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were obtained by crossing the rice variety "Akidawarakan 1gou" and the rice line "sbe1 Akidawara."

[0138] The seeds were germinated in a plant growth incubator (LPH-350-SPC, manufactured by Nippon Medical and Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd.) at a temperature of 30° C. and a relative humidity of 100%, and grown for 10 days. DNA was extracted from the germinated seedlings (n = 10) using a DNA Sui-Sui kit (Rizo Inc, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan), and the DNA marker for the sbe1 gene was used to confirm that the hybrid seeds F1 were obtained by crossing the rice cultivar “Akidawarakan 1gou” with the rice line “sbe1Akidawara.” To detect the sbe1 gene, the primer pair Sbe1_5end_12I / D_U (sequence number: 1) and Sbe1_5end_12I / D_L (sequence number: 2) (see JP 2013-172710 A) were used. The temperature conditions for PCR were based on the touchdown PCR method (Don et al. 1991). The PCR program was as follows: 94°C for 5 min to completely denature DNA, followed by 34 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, annealing temperature (described below) for 60 s, and 72°C for 30 s, followed by 72°C for 10 min to synthesize complete double-stranded DNA. The annealing temperature was 62°C in the first cycle, decreased by 0.5°C per cycle from cycle 2 to cycle 14, and maintained at 55°C for the final 20 cycles.

[0139] In Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the sbe1 gene was detected in all of the hybrid seeds F1 harvested in the second step, and it was confirmed that they were obtained by crossing the rice variety "Akidawarakan 1gou" and the rice line "sbe1 Akidawara."

[0140] (Test Example 2: Measurement of the mass of hybrid seeds F1) In Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the hybrid seeds F1 harvested in the second step were dried at room temperature (25±5°C) for 7 days, and the weight of each grain of brown rice was measured using an electronic microbalance (AB204-S, Mettler Toledo, capable of measuring to 0.1 mg) and the average weight of 80 grains of brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Figure 2.

[0141] The results in Figure 2 show that when rice individuals (mother plants) that were cross-breeded after cutting were grown under the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in Figures 1B and 1C immediately after cross-breeding and the ripened fruits were allowed to ripen, the brown rice obtained had a significantly larger mass than the brown rice obtained when the ripened fruits were grown under the light environment with the conventional emission spectrum shown in Figure 1A from sowing to harvesting.

[0142] (Test Example 3: Confirmation of days to flowering depending on light environment) The number of days to heading when rice was grown under each light environment in the second step of Examples 1 and 2, and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, was confirmed by the following method.

[0143] The rice line "sbe1 Akidawara" (owned by the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization) was used and grown from sowing to heading under constant light environments, including the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in Figure 1A (LPH-350-SPC), the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in Figure 1B (modified incubator 1), the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in Figure 1C (modified incubator 2), or the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in Figure 1D (modified incubator 3). In all light environments, the day length was 10 hours, with a 10-hour light period (temperature: 27°C to 30°C) and a 14-hour dark period (temperature: 18°C ​​to 25°C), and the conditions were a CO2 concentration of 600 ppm and a relative humidity of 85%. Specifically, seeds of the rice line "sbe1 Akidawara" were sown in petri dishes under each light environment and left to germinate for three days under conditions of a temperature of 30°C and a relative humidity of 100%. The germinated seeds were then transplanted into horticultural plug trays (RL-40PT, Tokai Chemical Co., Ltd.) containing rice seedling soil (Bonsol No. 2, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) for cultivation. When yellowing of the leaves was observed due to nitrogen deficiency, 50 mL of 5% (w / v) urea was added as a top dressing for every 100 individuals. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0144] [Table 1]

[0145] The results in Table 1 show that the period until heading was the shortest when the rice was grown under the light environment with the emission spectrum shown in FIG. 1A (under white fluorescent lamps), which is effective in promoting rapid generation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0146] The method for cultivating a grass plant of the present invention allows for simple and rapid breeding, and since even fruits obtained by the glume cutting method show sufficient enlargement, fruits with large seed mass can be obtained. Furthermore, the obtained fruits can produce high-quality hybrid seeds with good germination rates and subsequent growth. Therefore, the method can be suitably used not only as a general method for cultivating grass plants, but also as a technology for promoting rapid generation of grass plants. Furthermore, the apparatus for cultivating grasses of the present invention is used for cultivating grasses, and in particular, the light environment is such that breeding can be carried out easily and quickly, and even fruits obtained by the glume cutting method can show sufficient swelling and produce fruits with large seed mass. Therefore, the apparatus can be used not only for cultivating general grasses, but also suitably for rapid generation promotion technology for grasses.

[0147] Although the apparatus for cultivating grasses is used for cultivating grasses, it can also be widely used in biological tests that require light, such as germination tests of other plants, research into the biological clocks of animals including insects and plants, algae cultivation, microbial cultivation, plant cultivation, and the rearing of insects and small animals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1. Grass plant cultivation device 2. Device main body 3 tanks 3a Outer door section 4. Containment means 4a Inner door section 4b Intake port 5A Circulation passage (for feeding) 5B Circulation passage (for return) 6. Air Conditioning Section 7 Operation Panel 8 Setting input section 9 Heater 11 Styrofoam 12 vertical plate 13 Shelf 14. Magnet 15 Interior fan 17 Light source 17A light source body 17a ballast 17b Reflector 21 Main Panel 22 Irradiation setting panel 25 Cooler 26 Circulation fan 28 Heat exchanger 29 Compressor

Claims

1. A method for growing a grass family plant, comprising: shielding external light and irradiating only artificial light to the grass family plant to grow the grass family plant, the method comprising the steps of: a first step of growing a seed parent gramineous plant and a pollen parent gramineous plant by irradiating them with white light having a color temperature of 5,000 K to 6,500 K using a standard light source defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) as the artificial light; a crossbreeding step of cutting an upper part of a spikelet of the seed parent gramineous plant grown in the first step and crossbreeding the spikelet with the pollen parent gramineous plant grown in the first step; a second step of irradiating the seed parent Gramineae plant obtained in the crossbreeding step with the artificial light, the artificial light being a combination of the standard light source and an LED light source capable of irradiating light having a maximum peak top light intensity in a wavelength range of 615 nm to 650 nm in an emission spectrum of 380 nm to 780 nm, the light having a maximum peak top light intensity in a wavelength range of 550 nm to 780 nm in an emission spectrum of 380 nm to 780 nm; A method for cultivating a grass family plant, comprising:

2. A method for growing a grass family plant, comprising: shielding external light and irradiating only artificial light to the grass family plant to grow the grass family plant, the method comprising the steps of: a first step of growing a seed parent gramineous plant and a pollen parent gramineous plant by irradiating them with white light having a color temperature of 5,000 K to 6,500 K using a standard light source defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) as the artificial light; a crossbreeding step of cutting an upper part of a spikelet of the seed parent gramineous plant grown in the first step and crossbreeding the spikelet with the pollen parent gramineous plant grown in the first step; A second step of irradiating the artificial light to the Gramineae plant as the seed parent obtained in the crossbreeding step, the light being irradiated from both the standard light source and an LED light source capable of irradiating light having a maximum light intensity at a peak top in a wavelength range of 615 nm to 650 nm in a wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm in an emission spectrum, the light satisfying R>B for the maximum light intensity R in a wavelength range of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity B in a wavelength range of 400 nm to 490 nm in a wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm in an emission spectrum, and R>G for the maximum light intensity R in a wavelength range of 550 nm to 780 nm and the maximum light intensity G in a wavelength range of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm; A method for cultivating a grass family plant, comprising:

3. 3. The method for growing a grass family plant according to claim 1, wherein the artificial light in the second step is artificial light such that, in an emission spectrum in a wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Bf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 490 nm or less satisfy Rf>Bf, and a value Rf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength range of 550 nm or more and 780 nm or less and a value Gf obtained by definite integration of a wavelength range of more than 490 nm and less than 550 nm satisfy Rf>Gf.

4. 4. The method for cultivating a gramineous plant according to claim 1, which is used for accelerating the generation of a gramineous plant.

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