Composition for treating potting soil, potting soil using the same, and cultivation method

Abstract

To provide a composition for potting soil treatment, with which water repellent prevention performance may be maintained for a long period of time, even if the amount used is increased, the occurrence of plant growth disorders can be suppressed, and which may be applied to plants that are prone to growth disorders.SOLUTION: The composition for potting soil treatment does not contain a nonionic surfactant and contains at least one anionic surfactant selected from the sulfate type and the phosphate type.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for treating potting soil, a potting soil using the same, and a cultivation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Culture media, which is a blend of organic and inorganic soil conditioners, fertilizers, and soil, is used for growing vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, and other plants. As culture media undergoes repeated watering and drying over the course of cultivation, it tends to become denser and less permeable, resulting in insufficient water distribution to the plants. Furthermore, its water retention capacity also decreases, which can result in stunted plant growth and insufficient development. In particular, organic materials such as peat moss, which are blended into culture media, have the water-repellent properties characteristic of dried plant fibrous materials. When this water-repellent property prevents sufficient water distribution to the plants, plant growth can be stunted and they can stunt development.

[0003] Conventionally, methods proposed for suppressing the water repellency of culture medium or soil include, for example, adding a surfactant directly to the culture medium or soil itself (Patent Documents 1 to 25).

[0004] On the other hand, the present applicant has proposed a water repellency suppressant containing a sulfonate or sulfate anionic surfactant and a specific nonionic surfactant in a predetermined ratio (Patent Document 26). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 53-122508 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-085488 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-205387 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-030654 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-000041 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-026260 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-023768 [Patent Document 8] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-130976 [Patent Document 9] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-157819 [Patent Document 10] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-074896 [Patent Document 11] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-164975 [Patent Document 12] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-191780 [Patent Document 13] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-323121 [Patent Document 14] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-215917 [Patent Document 15] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-256160 [Patent Document 16] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-204246 [Patent Document 17] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-254079 [Patent Document 18] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-265306 [Patent Document 19] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-261872 [Patent Document 20] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-052013 [Patent Document 21] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-536572 [Patent Document 22] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-092955 [Patent Document 23] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-054880 [Patent Document 24] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-074677 [Patent Document 25] Re-table 2012-063899 publication [Patent Document 26] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-190436 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the surfactants proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 25 have the problem that although they can relatively maintain initial water permeability after addition to the culture medium, the permeability decreases with repeated water supply, and the effect is not sustained. Furthermore, the surfactants proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 25 also have the problem that using large amounts of them may cause plant growth disorders. Furthermore, because culture medium is usually transported and stored after production, there is a time lag between the production of the culture medium and its actual use. Therefore, when the culture medium is used after a period of transportation from the production site or storage in a warehouse, the water repellency suppression ability may not be as good as it was immediately after production.

[0007] Furthermore, it is difficult for nonionic surfactants to maintain their water-repellent properties for a long period of time, and increasing the amount added to maintain water-repellent properties for a long period of time can have adverse effects on plant growth, such as plant damage and root rot. On the other hand, although anionic surfactants can maintain water-repellent properties for a long period of time compared to nonionic surfactants, many of their compounds have a more adverse effect on plant growth than nonionic surfactants.

[0008] To address these problems, the applicant has proposed a water-repellent inhibitor in Patent Document 26 that, by combining a specific anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, can maintain water-repellent prevention performance for a long period of time while suppressing plant growth disorders. However, in the case of the water-repellent inhibitor in Patent Document 26, increasing the amount used can cause plant growth disorders, so it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommended amount to be added, and it is difficult to use on plants that are prone to growth disorders. Therefore, it was thought that there was room for improvement.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a culture soil treatment composition that can maintain water repellency for a long period of time, can suppress the occurrence of plant growth disorders even when the amount used is increased, and can be used for plants that are prone to growth disorders. Another aim is to provide a culture soil containing such a culture soil treatment composition and a plant cultivation method using this culture soil. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the culture soil treatment composition of the present invention is a culture soil treatment composition used to suppress the water repellency of culture soil, and is characterized by not containing a nonionic surfactant and containing at least one anionic surfactant selected from sulfate types and phosphate types.

[0011] The culture soil of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a mixture of culture soil components and the culture soil treating composition.

[0012] The method for cultivating plants of the present invention is characterized by cultivating seedlings or seeds of a desired plant using the above-mentioned culture soil. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the potting soil treatment composition of the present invention and the potting soil using the same, it is possible to maintain water repellency for a long period of time, and even if the amount used is increased, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of plant growth disorders, and it is possible to use it for plants that are prone to growth disorders. Furthermore, according to the plant cultivation method of the present invention, even if the amount used of the potting soil treatment composition is increased, it is difficult for growth disorders such as plant damage and root rot to occur, and it is possible to promote plant growth. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In general, anionic surfactants are considered to have excellent water-repellent suppression properties, while nonionic surfactants have little effect on plant growth. In the above-mentioned Patent Document 26, the combined use of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant achieves both water-repellent suppression properties and the effect of suppressing plant growth disorders. However, it has been commonly believed that it is difficult to achieve both water-repellent suppression properties and the effect of suppressing plant growth disorders when using only one of the surfactants (e.g., Patent Documents 1 to 25).

[0015] However, in the course of their research into surfactants, the inventors discovered that sulfate-type and phosphate-type anionic surfactants can independently achieve both the water-repellent inhibitory effect and the inhibitory effect on plant growth disorders, leading to the completion of the present invention.

[0016] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the potting soil treatment composition of the present invention will be described.

[0017] The present invention is a composition for treating potting soil used to suppress the water repellency of potting soil, which does not contain a nonionic surfactant and contains at least one anionic surfactant selected from sulfate types and phosphate types.

[0018] The sulfate-type anionic surfactant is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include alkyl sulfate ester salts, alkyl ether sulfate ester salts, polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether sulfate ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfate ester salts, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0019] The alkyl sulfate salt is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include those in which the alkyl group has 10 to 18 carbon atoms and the cation species is sodium, potassium, ammonium, an amine compound, etc. Specific examples thereof include, but are not particularly limited to, decyl sulfate, lauryl sulfate, tridecyl sulfate, myristyl sulfate, cetyl sulfate, oleyl sulfate, stearyl sulfate, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the above alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfates having 10 to 14 carbon atoms are preferred, and sodium lauryl sulfate is more preferred.

[0020] The alkyl ether sulfate is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate obtained by sulfate esterification of a linear or branched alcohol having 10 to 22 carbon atoms with 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added thereto, or a salt thereof, and examples thereof include those in which the cation species is sodium, potassium, ammonium, an amine compound, or the like. Specific examples thereof include, but are not particularly limited to, polyoxyethylene decyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene myristyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene eicosyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene behenyl ether sulfate, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates having 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added are preferred, and polyoxyethylene (1) lauryl ether sodium sulfate, polyoxyethylene (3) lauryl ether sodium sulfate, and polyoxyethylene (3) stearyl ether sodium sulfate are more preferred.

[0021] The polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether sulfate salt is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether ammonium sulfate, polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether potassium sulfate, and polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether sodium sulfate. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the above, those with 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added are preferred, and polyoxyethylene (13) styrenated phenyl ether ammonium sulfate is more preferred. The polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfate salts include, but are not limited to, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether sulfate salts, polyoxyethylene dinonylphenyl ether sulfate salts, etc. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, sodium polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether sulfate, ammonium polyoxyethylene dinonylphenyl ether sulfate, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the above, those with 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added are preferred, and ammonium polyoxyethylene (7) dinonylphenyl ether sulfate is more preferred.

[0022] The phosphate-type anionic surfactant is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include alkyl phosphate ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0023] The alkyl phosphate salt is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include mono- or di-alkyl phosphate salts in which the alkyl group has 8 to 22 carbon atoms and the cation species is sodium, potassium, ammonium, an amine compound, or the like. Specific examples thereof include, but are not particularly limited to, octyl phosphate salt, isooctyl phosphate salt, 2-ethylhexyl phosphate salt, decyl phosphate salt, lauryl phosphate salt, tridecyl phosphate salt, myristyl phosphate salt, cetyl phosphate salt, oleyl phosphate salt, stearyl phosphate salt, eicosyl phosphate salt, behenyl phosphate salt, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0024] The polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include those in which the alkyl group has 10 to 22 carbon atoms and the cation species is sodium, potassium, ammonium, an amine compound, etc. Specific examples thereof include, but are not particularly limited to, polyoxyethylene decyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene myristyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene eicosyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene behenyl ether phosphate, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0025] Among the above phosphate-type anionic surfactants, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates are preferred, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates in which 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) are added to a linear or branched alcohol having 12 to 18 carbon atoms are more preferred, with potassium polyoxyethylene (2) lauryl ether phosphate and sodium polyoxyethylene (7) oleyl ether phosphate being even more preferred. The number in parentheses indicates the number of moles of ethylene oxide added.

[0026] In the potting soil treatment composition of the present invention, the content of the anionic surfactant can be 1 to 100% by mass. When the content of the surfactant is within this range, by mixing it with the potting soil components, even if there is a time lag before use or even if plants are grown over a long period of time and irrigated repeatedly, water can be quickly and uniformly penetrated, the composition has water permeability, and stable water repellency suppression can be maintained from the beginning to the long term, thereby promoting plant growth without causing growth inhibition. In consideration of water repellency suppression, the content of the surfactant is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more. In consideration of suppressing plant growth inhibition, the content of the surfactant is preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less.

[0027] The potting soil treatment composition of the present invention does not contain a nonionic surfactant, i.e., the potting soil treatment composition of the present invention does not contain, for example, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyalkylene glycol, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene (hydrogenated) castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, fatty acid alkanolamide, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester.

[0028] The culture soil treatment composition of the present invention preferably contains at least one of water and alcohol. When water or alcohol is contained, the total amount thereof is preferably 10 to 90% by mass, more preferably 30 to 90% by mass. When the total amount is 30% by mass or more, lumps, i.e., lumps of carrier that are difficult to disintegrate, are unlikely to occur, improving handleability. Blocking, i.e., agglomerates of carrier that are soft enough to disintegrate, is also unlikely to occur, improving handleability. Considering these points, the total amount is preferably 30% by mass or more, more preferably 40% by mass or more.

[0029] Furthermore, the alcohol is more preferably a monohydric to trihydric alcohol or an alkoxy alcohol having 8 or less carbon atoms. By using such an alcohol, blocking can be suppressed, and handling properties are particularly improved. Furthermore, the water penetration speed is further improved.

[0030] Among the above alcohols, the monohydric alcohol having 1 to 8 carbon atoms is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, pentanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, hexanol, methylpentanol, dimethylbutanol, 2-ethylbutanol, heptanol, octanol, 2-ethylhexanol, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0031] The dihydric alcohol having 1 to 8 carbon atoms is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include methanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2-octanediol, 1,8-octanediol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0032] The trihydric alcohol having 1 to 8 carbon atoms is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include glycerin.

[0033] The alkoxy alcohol having 2 to 8 carbon atoms is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-(n-propoxy)ethanol, 2-isopropoxy-1-ethanol, 3-(n-propoxy)ethanol, 2-(n-butoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 1-methoxy-2-butanol, 3-methoxy-1-butanol, 4-methoxy-1-butanol, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0034] In the culture soil treatment composition of the present invention, the content of the monohydric to trihydric alcohol or alkoxy alcohol having 8 or less carbon atoms is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, in consideration of suppressing blocking and improving handling properties. In consideration of suppressing transpiration during production, the upper limit is preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 40% by mass or less, and even more preferably 30% by mass or less.

[0035] The potting soil treatment composition of the present invention can contain salts, antifoaming agents, thickeners, viscosity reducers, disinfectants, solvents, fragrances, colorants, pH adjusters, nutrient sources, minerals, and other fertilizers, within the range that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0036] By mixing the composition for treating potting soil of the present invention with potting soil components, it is possible to maintain water-repellent prevention performance for a long period of time, and even if the amount used is increased, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of plant growth disorders, making it possible to use it on plants that are prone to growth disorders.

[0037] Furthermore, the potting soil treatment composition of the present invention can also be used to suppress water repellency of soil, and can exert a water repellency suppression effect by directly spraying it on the surface of the land (soil) where plants are planted, or by simply mixing a small amount into the soil.

[0038] The culture soil of the present invention is obtained by mixing the culture soil treatment composition of the present invention with culture soil components. The amount of the culture soil treatment composition of the present invention added to the culture soil of the present invention, calculated as the active ingredient (total amount of anionic surfactant and alcohol), can be 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, preferably 0.01 to 10 parts by mass, and more preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the culture soil components other than the culture soil treatment composition. Within this range, stable water repellency suppression can be achieved from the beginning to the long term without inhibiting the growth of the plants being grown.

[0039] As the method of mixing the composition for treating potting soil of the present invention with potting soil components, in order to disperse uniformly in the potting soil components, can be suitably adopted the method usually used.For example, when the water repellency suppressant of the present invention is liquid at room temperature, it can be used as it is, when it is solid or paste at room temperature, it can be used by heating and melting it into liquid form, or the water repellency suppressant of the present invention that is mixed with water can be used as an aqueous solution.The potting soil treating composition of the present invention in these forms can be applied to the potting soil components by spraying or the like, or the potting soil components can be immersed in the composition for treating potting soil of the present invention, so that the potting soil treating composition of the present invention can be attached to the potting soil components.

[0040] In the culture soil of the present invention, the culture soil components used are not particularly limited as long as they are those typically used in culture soil. Examples include various plant-based organic substances, inorganic substances, fertilizers, soil, etc. that have traditionally been used in culture soil. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of plant-based organic substances in the culture soil include, but are not limited to, peat moss, coconut shells, rice husks, sawdust, bamboo powder, bagasse, peat, and grass peat. Examples of inorganic substances in the culture soil include, but are not limited to, vermiculite, attapulgite, diatomaceous earth, sepiolite, zeolite, perlite, silica sand, sea sand, alumina sand, talc, and calcium carbonate. Examples of fertilizers in the culture soil include, but are not limited to, nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, potassium fertilizers, calcium compounds such as calcium hydroxide, magnesium compounds such as magnesium hydroxide, and zinc compounds such as zinc oxide. The soil for the culture soil component is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include natural soil such as Kuroboku soil, Akadama soil, Kanuma soil, Hyuga soil, and rice field soil.

[0041] In addition, the plant cultivation method of the present invention involves cultivating desired plant seedlings or seeds using the above-mentioned potting soil of the present invention. The potting soil of the present invention can maintain water repellency for a long period of time, and even if the amount used is increased, it can suppress the occurrence of plant growth disorders, and can be used for plants that are prone to growth disorders. Therefore, even if the amount used of the potting soil treatment composition is increased, growth disorders such as plant damage and root rot are unlikely to occur, and plant growth can be promoted.

[0042] The type of plant that can be subjected to the plant cultivation method of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be used for vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees, fruit trees, etc. Specifically, the method can be suitably used for cultivating leafy vegetables such as bok choy, komatsuna, lettuce, and herbs, and fruit vegetables whose fruits are harvested such as tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, melons, watermelons, and strawberries.

[0043] The potting soil treatment composition, potting soil, and plant cultivation method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Example]

[0044] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0045] (1) Production of a composition for treating potting soil Culture soil treatment compositions were prepared by stirring and mixing ingredients such as surfactants at room temperature according to the formulations shown in Examples 1 to 27 in Tables 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8 in Table 3. Water and alcohol were mixed with the surfactant in advance, and this mixture was added at room temperature and stirred and mixed.

[0046] (2) Production of potting soil Peat moss / vermiculite = 5 / 5 (mass ratio) was used as the culture soil components, and the above culture soil treatment composition was mixed with 100 mass parts of this culture soil component to obtain the effective component-equivalent adhesion amount (mass parts) of the water repellent inhibitor shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3 to obtain culture soil.

[0047] (3) Evaluation The following evaluations were made: <Water repellency prevention performance> <Flooding speed> A fixed amount of culture soil was filled into a cell tray (30 square, 128 holes) conforming to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries standards using a seed drill, and after spreading and compacting, a fixed amount of water was irrigated. The time it took for the water to penetrate into the culture soil (when no water floated) was observed and evaluated on a five-point scale: 5: within 5 seconds, 4: 5-10 seconds, 3: 10-20 seconds, 2: 20-60 seconds, and 1: 60 seconds or more. The 50th time refers to the evaluation result 50 days after irrigating a fixed amount once a day. The culture soil 120 days after production was produced by filling a plastic bag with the culture soil, sealing it, and storing it at 30°C after production. <Water permeability> A fixed amount of compost was filled into a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries-standard cell tray (30mm square, 128 holes) using a seeder, and after spreading and compacting, a fixed amount of water was irrigated. One minute after irrigation, the compost was dug up with a spatula, and the overall water permeability was observed and evaluated on a five-point scale: 5: 100-90%, 4: 90-80%, 3: 80-60%, 2: 60-40%, and 1: less than 40%. The results are shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3. The 50th evaluation refers to the evaluation results 50 days after irrigating a fixed amount once a day. The compost 120-day-old was prepared by filling a plastic bag with compost, sealing it, and storing it at 30°C after production. <Growth> A fixed amount of culture soil was filled into a cell tray (30 square, 128 holes) conforming to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries standards using a seeder, and after spreading and compacting, komatsuna and lettuce seeds were sown again using the seeder, one per pot, and covered with a fixed amount of culture soil. The sowing process was completed by irrigating the seedlings with a fixed amount of water once a day after sowing, and the germination rate after 7 days and 120 days was evaluated according to the following criteria: ◎: 95% or more 〇: 90% or more △: 85% or more ×: 80% or more In addition, the rooting status and cotyledon development status of the Komatsuna were evaluated according to the following criteria. ◎:Good 〇: Fairly good △: Slightly poor ×: Bad Furthermore, regarding the aboveground weight of the lettuce, all seedlings were pulled out one month after the start of cultivation, the soil attached to the roots was washed with water, and the aboveground parts and roots were separated and the stem length was measured. The aboveground parts and roots of the samples were then dried separately at 110°C for three days and the weights of each were measured. The average of the 20 plants was calculated, and a relative value was calculated, with the value of a sample without water repellent agent (blank) set at 100%. The results were evaluated according to the following criteria. ◎: 95% or more 〇: 90% or more △: 85% or more ×: 80% or more

[0048] [Table 1]

[0049] [Table 2]

[0050] [Table 3]

[0051] The potting soil treatment compositions of Examples 1 to 27 all showed superior effects in terms of water-repellent prevention and growth of komatsuna and lettuce compared to the comparative examples. The sulfonate-type anionic surfactants of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were confirmed to have excellent water-repellent prevention, but to have a significant impact on plant growth. The nonionic surfactants of Comparative Examples 5 to 7 had a relatively low impact on plant growth, but had poor water-repellent prevention. When the amount added to enhance water-repellent prevention was increased, as in Comparative Example 8, when 5 parts by mass of active ingredient was added per 100 parts by mass of potting soil, plant growth was confirmed to be inhibited.

[0052] The composition for treating potting soil exhibited sufficient water-repellent properties even when added in an amount of 0.01 parts by mass of active ingredient per 100 parts by mass of potting soil, as in Examples 4 and 13, and it was confirmed that even when the amount of active ingredient added was 10 parts by mass, as in Example 19, the impact on plant growth was low.

[0053] This suggests that the culture soil treatment compositions containing sulfate-type and phosphate-type anionic surfactants have excellent water-repellent properties for the culture soil, and that even when used in increased amounts, they have little effect on plant growth and cause little damage to plants. In particular, the phosphate-type anionic surfactants were found to cause significantly less damage to plants.

[0054] Comparing the sulfate-type anionic surfactants used in the culture soil treatment compositions of Example 1 with Examples 3 and 6, it was confirmed that the alkyl sulfate of Example 1 was superior in terms of water-repellent prevention performance, and the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates of Examples 3 and 6 were superior in terms of plant damage. Comparison of Examples 3 and 6 suggested that, as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, a lower number of moles of ethylene oxide added resulted in better water-repellent prevention performance, while a higher number of moles added resulted in less plant damage. From the perspectives of water-repellent prevention performance and plant damage, polyoxyethylene (3) lauryl ether sodium sulfate is preferably used.

[0055] Furthermore, when Example 1 is compared with Examples 24 to 27, it was confirmed that the alkyl sulfate of Example 1 is superior in terms of water repellency prevention performance, and that the polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether sulfate of Examples 24 and 25 and the polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfate of Examples 26 and 27 are superior in terms of plant damage.

[0056] Comparison of Examples 11 and 16, and Examples 12 and 17, among the phosphate-type anionic surfactants used in the culture soil treatment compositions, confirmed that polyoxyethylene (7) oleyl ether sodium phosphate was suitable for use in terms of water repellency and plant damage prevention. It is believed that the longer the alkyl group of the phosphate-type anionic surfactant, the better its water repellency and plant damage prevention.

[0057] <Handling> Culture soil treatment compositions were prepared in the same manner as above according to the formulations shown in Examples 28 to 35 in Table 4. The appearance of the culture soil treatment compositions was visually observed and evaluated according to the following criteria. ◎: No thickening or gelation 〇: Viscosity increased, but no problems with use ×: Fluidity decreased due to thickening or gelation

[0058] [Table 4]

[0059] As shown in Table 4, it was confirmed that the culture soil treatment compositions of Examples 28 to 35 did not thicken or gel and were easy to handle. Furthermore, as shown in Examples 29 and 31 to 33, it was confirmed that when alcohol was used in combination, handling was improved.

Claims

1. The composition for treating culture soil is used to suppress the water repellency of culture soil, and does not contain a nonionic surfactant, but contains at least one anionic surfactant selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene dinonyl phenyl ether sulfates, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates.

2. The culture soil treatment composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate is a linear or branched alcohol having 12 to 18 carbon atoms to which 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide are added.

3. The culture soil treatment composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate is a linear or branched alcohol having 12 to 18 carbon atoms to which 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide are added.

4. The composition for treating potting soil according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which contains at least one of water and alcohol.

5. The culture soil treatment composition according to claim 4, wherein the alcohol is a monohydric to trihydric alcohol or an alkoxy alcohol having 8 or less carbon atoms.

6. A culture soil comprising a mixture of culture soil components and the culture soil treating composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The culture soil according to claim 6, wherein the anionic surfactant in the culture soil treatment composition is contained in an amount of 0.001 to 10 parts by mass in terms of active ingredient (total amount of anionic surfactant and alcohol) relative to 100 parts by mass of the culture soil.

8. A method for cultivating plants, comprising cultivating seedlings or seeds of a desired plant using the culture soil of claim 6 or 7.

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