Cultivation material, cultivation system, and planting method

Abstract

Provided is a growing member provided with an insertion part (1d) that has a storage body structure made from a flexible water-shielding film and is inserted in the inside of a planting furrow formed by digging a planting place. The insertion part (1d) in the growing member has the storage body structure such that at least a portion of a wall surface of the storage body structure is surrounded, and has a non-planar bottom side region. A portion of the wall surface of the storage body structure is in an opened state, or a portion of the wall surface is provided with a sliding mechanism. As a result, the shape of at least an upper part of an outer shape defined by the storage body structure deforms without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-shielding film to increase an inner volume. Furthermore, a plurality of water permeation flow paths are one-dimensionally arranged in the bottom side region of the storage body structure. Culture soil is filled in the insertion part (1d), a plant is planted in the filled culture soil, and the plant is grown.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cultivation member for cultivating plants for forest agriculture or greening in arid or salt-affected areas, a cultivation system for cultivating plants using the cultivation member and natural water, and a plant planting method suitable for this cultivation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Forestry agriculture and afforestation in barren lands such as arid and salt-damaged areas require plant cultivation techniques that require minimal irrigation. It is known that even in arid regions, a soil layer (hereinafter referred to as a "stable soil layer") exists below a certain depth that maintains a stable temperature and moisture content throughout the year. However, large amounts of irrigation are required for the root systems of plants planted in the stable soil layer in arid regions to grow and take root. For example, a case has been reported in which 60 to 90 liters of irrigation per plant was used at one time to introduce water to a depth of 60 cm or more into the soil layer (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In irrigated agricultural areas in arid regions, salts contained in irrigation water and other sources accumulate at a depth of 30 to 50 cm from the ground surface due to evaporation of the irrigation water, with concentrations becoming higher near the surface. As a result, salt-damaged areas that have made farming difficult have continued to expand since the dawn of irrigation agriculture in recorded history. Therefore, when growing plants in arid or salt-damaged areas, there is a need for plant growth techniques that can prevent the horizontal infiltration and diffusion of irrigation water near the surface and the infiltration of salts into the culture soil, and enable plant root systems to quickly extend and establish in a stable soil layer with minimal irrigation.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an isolation material that allows for growth regulation by blocking moisture and has perforations for easy tearing so that the film can be easily torn when isolation is no longer necessary. Patent Document 2 also discloses a seedling pot in which the left and right edges and the bottom edge of a pair of overlapping biodegradable sheets are joined discontinuously by welding or the like.

[0005] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the location of the perforations is not specified, and if the perforations are formed on the side surface other than the bottom edge, moisture penetration through the side perforations reduces the growth-regulating ability. Furthermore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the plant root system extends beyond the side surface, which poses the problem that the plant root system does not necessarily extend downward selectively. Furthermore, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, when the bottom edge of the sheet and the left and right edges are joined on three sides, there is the problem that different seedling pots must be prepared for each different planting groove width. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-238874 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3177890 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Kazuhiro Asami, "2017 Forest Regeneration Technology Promotion Project for Developing Countries: Demonstration Experiment 2: Development of Greening Technology Using Nursery Block Method in Dry Areas of Uzbekistan," March 20, 2018, [Retrieved December 19, 2022], Internet URL: https: / / jifpro.or.jp / wp-content / uploads / 2018 / 03 / 5_trial-report_OYO.pdf Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] To overcome the problems of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a cultivation element with an insertion portion that can be easily inserted into planting furrows of any shape, including those with a large aspect ratio D / W, defined by the depth D and furrow width W, and that allows the root systems of planted plants to selectively grow downward with a small amount of irrigation and is resistant to breakage due to the expansion of the culture medium caused by the growth of the plant root system; a cultivation system that uses this cultivation element; and a plant planting method suitable for this cultivation system. As described below, the "furrow width W" in this invention refers to the narrowest dimension measured on a vertical cross section of the planting furrow. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a cultivation element with an insertion portion that can be inserted into planting furrows of various shapes, including cylindrical shapes; a cultivation system that uses this cultivation element; and a planting method suitable for this cultivation element and cultivation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a cultivation member having a container structure made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane and an insert portion to be inserted into a planting trench excavated in a planting area. The insert portion of the cultivation member according to the first aspect surrounds at least a portion of the wall surface of the container structure, forming the container structure, and has a non-planar bottom region. By leaving a portion of the wall surface of the container structure open or by providing a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface, at least the upper shape of the outer shape defined by the container structure can be deformed without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-impermeable membrane, thereby increasing the internal volume. Furthermore, a plurality of water infiltration channels are linearly arranged in the bottom region of the container structure. The inside of the insert portion of the cultivation member according to the first aspect is filled with culture soil, and a plant is planted in the filled culture soil and allowed to grow.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is a cultivation system comprising: a soil bed in which a planting trench is excavated so that the opening of the planting trench is located at the level of the lower end of a slope in a planting area; and an insertion section for a cultivation member that forms a container structure and is inserted into the planting trench. The planting trench of the cultivation system according to the second aspect of the present invention has a depth that is at least five times the width of the trench measured as the narrowest width on a vertical cross section. Furthermore, the insertion section has a partially open wall or a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall, which allows at least the upper part of the outer shape defined by the container structure to deform without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane, thereby increasing the internal volume. In the cultivation system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the inside of the insertion section is filled with culture soil, and plants are planted and grown in the filled culture soil.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is summarized as a planting method including the steps of: (a) digging a planting trench in a planting area having an inclined slope so that the opening is located at the level of the lower end of the slope; (b) inserting an insert part having a container structure made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane into the planting trench; (c) filling the inside of the insert part with culture soil; (d) sowing or planting seeds and seedlings in the culture soil; and (e) irrigating the planted seeds and seedlings. In the planting method according to the third aspect of the present invention, the planting trench has a depth that corresponds to a trench width measured as the narrowest width on a vertical cross section, and the insert part has a wall that is open or has a sliding mechanism on a part of the wall, so that at least the upper shape of the outer shape defined by the container structure can be deformed without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-impermeable membrane, thereby increasing the internal volume.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a planting method including the steps of: (p) preparing an insertion section having a storage structure at least partially surrounded by a wall made of a flexible water-proof membrane, and having a plurality of water infiltration flow paths linearly arranged in a bottom region of the storage structure; (q) raising and lowering and rotating an auger having an openable and closable digging tip and a hollow section to dig and insert the auger into the soil bed of the planting area and form a planting furrow in the soil bed; (r) storing the insertion section filled with culture soil through an opening of the insertion section located on the opposite side of the bottom region into the hollow section; (s) removing the auger from the soil bed while leaving the insertion section inside the planting furrow; and (t) planting seeds and seedlings in the culture soil, irrigating them through the opening, and allowing some of the irrigation water to leak out through the plurality of water infiltration flow paths. In the planting method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the insertion section has a sliding mechanism on part of the wall surface, which allows the shape of at least the upper part of the outer shape defined by the storage structure to deform without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane, thereby enabling the internal volume to be increased. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cultivation member that can be easily inserted into planting grooves of any shape, including those with a large aspect ratio, and that has an insertion portion that allows the root systems of planted plants to selectively extend downward with a small amount of irrigation and is resistant to breakage due to expansion of the culture soil caused by the growth of the plant root systems, a cultivation system that uses this cultivation member to cultivate plants, and a plant planting method that is suitable for this cultivation system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is an oblique view showing a growth member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the structure of the insertion portion of the growth member, which is formed by folding a single flexible water-blocking membrane, and Figure 1(b) is an unfolded view of Figure 1(a) before folding. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is an oblique view showing a growth member according to a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the structure of the insertion portion of the growth member formed from two flexible water-impermeable membranes, and Figure 2(b) is an exploded view corresponding to Figure 2(a). [Figure 3]Figure 3(a) is an oblique view showing a growth member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the structure of the insertion portion of the growth member formed from four flexible water-blocking membranes, and Figure 3(b) is an exploded view corresponding to Figure 3(a). [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view showing a growth member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the structure of the insertion portion of the growth member formed from a single flexible water-shielding film, and FIG. 4(b) is a process diagram corresponding to FIG. 4(a). [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plant cultivation system that uses natural water according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a configuration including a one-side inclined body laying member. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plant cultivation system using natural water according to another aspect (second aspect) of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the cultivation system configuration including installation members with sloped bodies on both sides. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plant cultivation system that uses natural water according to a modified example of the second aspect of the first embodiment, showing the cultivation system configuration including installation members with sloped bodies on both sides. [Figure 7A] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cultivation member according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a plant cultivation system using the same. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plant cultivation system according to a first modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 7C] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plant cultivation system according to a second modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for schematically explaining the outline of the structure of a mobile planting device used in a planting method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating how the auger of the mobile planting device rotates and descends to excavate the soil layer vertically, and Figure 9(b) shows the state in which the auger is being removed upward from the position shown in Figure 9(a). [Figure 10]Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating the state in which the cultivation members of the embodiment used in the buckwheat cultivation test are stored in a planting box, Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the state in which the cultivation members of comparison example 1 used in the buckwheat cultivation test are stored in a planting box, and Figure 10(c) is a schematic diagram illustrating the test cultivation area of ​​comparison example 2, a buckwheat cultivation test that does not use cultivation members. [Figure 11A] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a growth member according to a first modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, seen from above the front. [Figure 11B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the shape of one flexible water-impermeable film that constitutes a growth member according to a first modified example of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 11C] 11B is an enlarged view of part A of the growth member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. [Figure 11D] FIG. 11B is a side view of a growth member according to a first modified example of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 11A. [Figure 12] Figure 12(a) is a bottom view of a growth member according to a first modified example of the fifth embodiment, Figure 12(b) is a bottom view of a growth member according to a second modified example of the fifth embodiment, Figure 12(c) is a bottom view of a growth member according to a third modified example of the fifth embodiment, and Figure 12(d) is a bottom view of a growth member according to a fourth modified example of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13(a) is an oblique view from the upper front side showing the state in Figure 11A when culture soil is filled inside the cultivation member, Figure 13(b) is a side view showing the state in Figure 11D when culture soil is filled inside the cultivation member, and Figure 13(c) is a bottom view showing a portion of the bottom surface when culture soil is filled inside the cultivation member. [Figure 14] FIG. 13(c) is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a growth member having the same structure as the growth member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in use of a growth member having the same structure as the growth member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a growing connector according to a first modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, seen from above the front. [Figure 18] Figure 18(a) is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which a growth member according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is used, Figure 18(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction in Figure 18(a), and Figure 18(c) is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a state in which a growth member according to the sixth embodiment is used. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which a growth member according to a first modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a growth member according to a fifth modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, seen from above the front. [Figure 21] Figure 21(a) is a perspective view showing an example of the state of use of a growth member related to a first modified example of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, Figure 21(b) is a cross-sectional view seen from the AA direction of Figure 21(a), and Figure 21(c) is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the state of use of a growth member related to the first modified example of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which a growth member according to a second modified example of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 23] Figure 23(a) is an oblique view of a growth member according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, Figure 23(b) is an expanded view of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment, Figure 23(c) is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 23(b) rotated, and Figure 23(d) is an oblique view of Figure 23(c). [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an aspect in which a long growth member chain is formed by partially overlapping a plurality of growth members in a growth system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] Figure 25(a) is an oblique view of a growth member according to a modified example of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 25(b) is a diagram explaining two flexible water-shielding membranes as the raw materials (original materials) of the growth member according to the modified example of the seventh embodiment shown in Figure 25(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The first to seventh embodiments of the present invention and several modified embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the term "storage structure" is used to refer to a structure in which both ends are open and an object is clamped and stored like a bifold folder (document holder). Therefore, as long as an object, such as culture soil, can be stored in the structure inserted into a planting trench, and at least a portion of the structure for storing the object is surrounded by a wall, this term is considered to be a "storage structure." The first to sixth embodiments describe a storage structure that is roughly bag-like and stores the object, i.e., culture soil. The seventh embodiment, described later, describes a storage structure in which the left end 15s and the right end 16s have an open structure with U-shaped windows, as shown in FIG. 23(a). In other words, in this specification, even a structure with both ends open, such as that shown in FIG. 23(a), will be referred to as a "storage structure" in a broad sense.

[0016] The flexible water-impermeable membranes used in the insertion portions described in the following first to seventh embodiments and related modified embodiments (hereinafter referred to as "first to seventh embodiments, etc.") can be any membrane that has a water resistance (hydrophobicity) of 400 mmH20 (= 3.9 kPa) or more, more preferably 800 mmH20 (= 5.9 kPa), according to the water resistance test JIS L1092A method (low water pressure method), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 811, or American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 127. The thickness of the flexible water-impermeable membranes used in the insertion portions of the growth members described in the first to seventh embodiments, etc., is 10 to 250 μm, preferably 40 to 100 μm. A membrane with a thickness of 250 μm or more, which is considered a "sheet" in JIS or Europe and the United States, makes it difficult for the insertion portion to deform when inserted into planting grooves of various sizes and shapes, including those with an aspect ratio D / W of 5 or more, and therefore makes it difficult for the insertion portion to fit into the planting groove. On the other hand, if the thickness of the flexible water-blocking film is 10 μm or less, the strength of the insertion part decreases.

[0017] There are no particular limitations on the flexible water-impermeable film used in the insertion portion of the growth member described in the following first to seventh embodiments, as long as it has a water resistance of 3.9 kPa or more in a water resistance test. For example, (1) A single water-impermeable film made by forming a film of a hydrophobic resin such as polyolefin, polydiene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride, polylactide, or aliphatic polyester using the inflation method or T-die method (hereinafter referred to as a "single water-impermeable film"); (2) A composite waterproof membrane in which the hydrophobic resin film described in (1) is laminated onto a plant fiber substrate consisting of paper, nonwoven fabric, or woven fabric, such as wood pulp, recycled waste paper, hemp fiber, cotton fiber, bagasse fiber, palm fiber, banana fiber, or corn leaf fiber, obtained from plant tissues (hereinafter referred to as a "laminate composite waterproof membrane"); (3) A composite water-resistant film in which the plant fiber substrate described in (2) above is coated or impregnated with a liquid hydrophobic material such as natural rubber latex, polydiene latex, acrylic emulsion, ethylene-vinyl acetate emulsion, wax emulsion, silicone oil, or fluorine-based solvent (hereinafter referred to as a "coated / impregnated composite water-resistant film"); (4) A composite waterproof membrane prepared by adding the liquid hydrophobic material described in (3) to the aqueous dispersion slurry of plant fibers constituting the plant fiber base material described in (2) above and making a paper (hereinafter referred to as an "internal-added papermaking composite waterproof membrane"); The "laminate composite water-impermeable membrane" may be either a two-layered one-sided laminate composite water-impermeable membrane or a three-layered two-sided laminate composite water-impermeable membrane.

[0018] In this specification, hydrophobic resins such as polyolefins, polydiene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride, polylactide, and aliphatic polyesters are referred to as "hydrophobic materials of the first category." Liquid hydrophobic materials such as natural rubber latex, polydiene latex, acrylic emulsions, ethylene-vinyl acetate emulsions, wax emulsions, silicone oil, and fluorine-based solvents are referred to as "hydrophobic materials of the second category." Other known additives such as fillers, lubricants, antioxidants, surfactants, and paper strength agents can be added to hydrophobic materials or plant fiber substrates. Among the hydrophobic materials of the first category, biodegradable materials are preferred, including polyisoprene, polylactic acid, aliphatic polyesters, and hydrolyzed polyolefins in which fatty acid metal salts or the like have been added to polyolefins. Among the hydrophobic materials in the second category, preferred are biodegradable materials, such as natural rubber, beeswax, privet wax, rose wax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice bran wax, palm wax, jojoba oil, or paraffin wax having 20 to 36 carbon atoms.

[0019] Biodegradable materials for the composite waterproofing membrane can be well-known synthetic biodegradable materials or natural biodegradable materials derived from plants or animals. Synthetic biodegradable materials are broadly classified into hydrolytic and oxidative decomposition types based on their biodegradation mechanism, and either type can be used. Hydrolytic biodegradable materials include polylactic acid, modified starch, and aliphatic polyesters. Oxidative biodegradable materials include compositions in which fatty acid metal salts are added to polyolefins. Natural biodegradable materials include fibers, paper, and films primarily composed of starch or cellulose. When an insert containing a biodegradable composite waterproofing membrane is used for planting, the composite waterproofing membrane biodegrades after a certain period of time and does not remain in the soil layer 200, thereby reducing environmental impact.

[0020] The chemical substance of the hydrophobic material layer of the composite water-resistant membrane of the insertion portion of the growth member in the first to seventh embodiments may contain cis-1,4 polyisoprene. Cis-1,4 polyisoprene is the main component of natural rubber, natural rubber latex, synthetic polyisoprene, epoxidized polyisoprene, and vulcanized rubbers of these (collectively referred to as "isoprene rubber (IR)"). IR possesses flexibility derived from double bonds and hydrophobicity derived from non-polar polymers, making it suitable for use as a raw material for composite water-resistant membranes that biodegrade within a certain period of time in the soil layer 200. Composite water-resistant membranes can be obtained either as a single water-resistant membrane made from natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene, or as a composite water-resistant membrane with a substrate made from natural rubber latex. Plants that produce natural rubber latex, such as Hevea brasiliensis, guayule, and Russian dandelion, absorb carbon dioxide during plant growth. The composite waterproof membrane obtained by soaking natural rubber latex sap collected from these producing plants in a plant fiber substrate allows for the manufacture of inserts using a low environmental impact process, and can be used as a container that can be "degraded over time," and can also be biodegraded after the mission is completed.

[0021] In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, the dimensions of the specific structure, etc. should be determined with reference to the following description. It goes without saying that the dimensional relationships and ratios of parts differ between the drawings. Furthermore, the first to seventh embodiments of the present invention and their modifications are merely examples of the structure and method of an article embodying the technical concept of the present invention. The technical concept of the present invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of the components to those described below. The technical concept of the present invention may be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0022] (First embodiment) =Cultivation materials= Before the cultivation member insertion section 1d according to the first embodiment of the present invention is filled with culture soil 100, it is formed by folding a single flexible water-impermeable membrane at its lower end 13d to form a V-shape, as shown in FIG. 1(a), or by folding a single flexible water-impermeable membrane to form a U-shape with the lower end 13d as the centerline, forming part (main part) of the container structure. The flexible water-impermeable membrane may be either a single water-impermeable membrane or a composite water-impermeable membrane, as described above. Although FIG. 1(a) does not explicitly show a V-shape or a U-shape, the upper portions of the apparently defined first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 face each other in the V- or U-shaped folded structure. A surface spacing w is defined between the upper end 14a1 of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the upper end 14a2 of the second main wall surface 10d2, which faces the upper end 14a1 and is substantially parallel to the upper end 14a1. Even if the structure is bent into a V shape, when the inserting portion 1d is filled with culture soil 100, the V shape becomes a U shape.

[0023] Therefore, except when strictly distinguishing between V-shaped bent structures, the bent structure of the insertion section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment will hereinafter be generically referred to as a U-shaped structure (hereinafter also referred to as a "U-shaped structure"). The cultivation member according to the first embodiment has a U-shaped structure, with upper end 14a1 and upper end 14a2 facing each other with a face-to-face distance w, as the main part of the insertion section 1d, and auxiliary pieces 18L1, 18L2, 18R1, and 18R2 are added to this main part to realize the shape of the container structure. The insertion section 1d having a U-shaped main part is inserted into a planting trench 210 or the like excavated in a planting area, as illustrated in FIG. 5 and other figures. In this specification, the nearly cylindrical hole described in the following fifth embodiment will also be referred to as a "planting trench." The insertion section 1d has a U-shaped structure that defines a wall surface, and auxiliary pieces 18L1, 18L2, 18R1, and 18R2 are combined and overlapped on both sides of the U-shaped structure, forming a part of the wall surface that defines the housing structure, to form an overlapping surface structure in which the two overlapping curved surfaces intersect each other from opposite directions. This overlapping surface structure forms a sliding mechanism in which the overlapping curved surfaces slide against each other, and the action of the sliding mechanism constitutes a means for varying the internal volume of the insertion section 1d.

[0024] That is, because the inserting portion 1d has a sliding mechanism, it is possible to increase the internal volume without generating significant tension in the plane of the flexible water-blocking membrane. Because the increase in internal volume does not generate significant tension, the internal stress in the plane of the flexible water-blocking membrane (hereinafter referred to as "in-plane stress") does not increase to a significant level that would induce fracture. Because the inserting portion 1d has a sliding mechanism, deformation of at least the upper portion of the housing structure to consume the volume of the gap space established between the planting groove 210 and the inserting portion 1d does not increase the in-plane stress to a significant level. In this specification, the function or feature that allows the internal volume to be changed without increasing the in-plane stress of the membrane by the characteristics of the housing structure itself or the action of an added special mechanism is referred to as "structurally assisted stress-free variability," to clarify the difference from the case where the internal volume is changed by increasing the in-plane stress of a flexible membrane.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment has a structure in which a single flexible water-impermeable membrane is bent into a U-shape. The folded structure includes a first main wall surface 10d1 and a second main wall surface 10d2, which are defined as two main wall surfaces for convenience. FIG. 1(a) also shows a schematic diagram of the upper surfaces of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, which form the main portion, facing each other to form a U-shaped opposing structure. The storage body structure shown in FIG. 1(a) has a left closing mechanism 19L, which functions as a sliding mechanism, that closes an opening on the left end surface of the U-shaped opposing structure, and a right closing mechanism 19R, which also functions as a sliding mechanism, that closes an opening on the right end surface. Although it is difficult to understand from the representation in Figure 1(a), the bottom side region constituting the housing structure of the insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member in the first embodiment is non-flat because it is bent in a V-shape or U-shape with the lower end portion 13d as the starting point or center.

[0026] When planting and growing a plant 300, it is necessary to consider the three different sizes of the internal volume of the insert 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment and the structural support stress-free variability of the internal volume. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the insert 1d is inserted into the planting groove 210, the internal volume V insertand the internal volume V when the inserting portion 1d is filled with the culture soil 100 after inserting the inserting portion 1d into the planting groove 210. charge and an internal volume V due to expansion of the soil 100 caused by the growth of the plant root system 301 after planting the plant 300 in the soil 100 filled in the insertion portion 1d. growth These three types of internal volume are: V insert < V charge < V growth ……(1) It is preferable that the internal volume V insert The inside of the insertion portion 1d may not be empty, but may be filled with a small amount of culture soil 100 as a weight.

[0027] That is, since the structure has stress-free variability due to the sliding mechanism, the internal volume of the insertion portion 1d is set to V so that it is smaller than the groove width W and groove length L of the planting groove 210 in the initial state. insert < V charge Setting the above makes it easier and more reliable to insert the inserting part 1d into the planting trench 210, increasing work efficiency. Here, the "trench width W" is the dimension measured as the narrowest width on a cross section of the planting trench 210 cut vertically. If the planting trench 210 has a rectangular (rectangular) planar pattern consisting of long and short sides, the width measured in the direction of the short side of the rectangle becomes the trench width W, and the "trench length L" is the length measured in the direction of the long side of the rectangle of the planting trench 210. Taking into account the structural support stress-free variability, the internal volume of the inserting part 1d is calculated as V in equation (1). insert < V charge By setting the above, a gap space is generated between the inner wall of the planting trench 210 and the outer wall of the insertion part 1d. After inserting the insertion part 1d into the planting trench 210, the insertion part 1d is filled with culture soil 100 or watered, thereby partially filling the gap space.

[0028] V in equation (1) charge < V growthThe above condition is inevitable with the growth of the plant root system 301 of the plant 300, but since the insert part 1d has a structural support stress-free variability by a sliding mechanism, it is easy to increase the internal volume of the insert part 1d so as to consume the volume of the gap space that remains between the inner wall of the planting groove 210 and the outer wall of the insert part 1d after filling the culture soil 100 or after irrigation. Therefore, V using the structural support stress-free variability charge → V growth As the internal volume of the insert 1d increases, the insert 1d is prevented from breaking, improving its reliability. As can be seen from FIG. 5 and other figures, a gap exists between the planting groove 210 and the insert 1d, and the gap expands from moment to moment depending on the filling of the culture soil 100, irrigation, or the growth of the plant root system 301. charge → V growth The increase in volume continues, gradually consuming the volume of the interstitial space.

[0029] The insertion portion 1d has an intermittent joint 30 at the position of the folding line corresponding to the bottom side region, which is selectively and time-dependently (hereinafter referred to as "selectively time-dependently breaking"). The "intermittent joint 30" refers to a joint (repeated structure portion) that intermittently connects the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 to each other at the position of the folding line (bottom side region). In the bottom side region (position of the folding line), the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 are continuous, and connecting portions (continuous portions) 31d connecting the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 to each other and non-connecting portions 41d provided between adjacent connecting portions 31d and 31d, separated by dot-like or slit-like openings, are alternately arranged in a linear array and are continuous. A selective rupture process progresses from the openings in the flexible water-shielding membrane provided in the non-bonded portions 41 d, selecting the periphery of the openings in the non-bonded portions 41 d, moment by moment. This selective rupture around the openings progresses over time as the composite water-shielding membrane described at the beginning of the embodiment section is constructed and water from irrigation penetrates into the plant fiber substrate exposed in the openings in the non-bonded portions 41 d, and after a predetermined time has passed, the intermittent joints 30 rupture. The selective rupture over time of the intermittent joints 30 has the effect of promoting the selective downward extension of the root systems of planted plants with a small amount of irrigation.

[0030] As mentioned at the beginning of the description of the preferred embodiment, the flexible water-impermeable membrane that enables selective time-dependent rupture may be any of a single water-impermeable membrane, a laminated composite water-impermeable membrane, a coated / impregnated composite water-impermeable membrane, and an internally-added paper-based composite water-impermeable membrane. Even when the insert portion 1d is composed of a single-layer hydrophobic film (a single water-impermeable membrane), selective time-dependent rupture of the intermittent joints 30 of the insert portion 1d is possible using the following time-dependent rupture mechanism. Specifically, when irrigated, water leaks over time from the non-jointed portions 41d of the intermittent joints 30 through the filled culture soil 100 inside the insert portion 1d and into the soil below. Then, the plant root system 301 of the planted plant follows the water due to its hydrotropism and penetrates the non-jointed portions 41d of the intermittent joints 30. As the plant root system 301 grows and thickens, the opening area of ​​the non-jointed portions 41d increases. As a result of the expansion of the opening area of ​​the non-bonded portions 41d, the bonded portions 31d (or the film, depending on the bonding method) shrink, causing the bonded portions 31d to tear, and the intermittent bonded portions 30 to selectively fracture over time. The plant root system 301, which has a thin tip and thickens over time, penetrates each of the non-bonded portions 41d, which are penetration portions provided as intermittent fracture lines in the intermittent bonded portions 30, like a drill or reamer, and thickens the penetration diameter of the non-bonded portions 41d, causing selective fracture over time. This effect of selectively causing the intermittent bonded portions 30 to fracture over time, even in the case of such a single water-blocking membrane, is referred to in this specification as the "hydrotropic enlargement and expansion effect."

[0031] As described above, the flexible water-shielding membrane that constitutes the insertion portion 1d can selectively fracture the intermittent joints 30 over time, whether it is a composite water-shielding membrane or a mono-huggable film made of a hydrophobic material. When the insertion portion 1d is constituted by a composite water-shielding membrane, the hydrotropic thickening and expansion effect of the plant root system 301 is added to the effect of a decrease in the hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers that constitute the composite water-shielding membrane, thereby more efficiently causing the intermittent joints 30 to selectively fracture over time. The through holes that form the non-bonded portions 41d of the intermittent joints 30 can be made by, for example, cutting in a broken line along the lower end 13d of the composite water-shielding membrane that will be the fold line using a rotary cutter with an intermittent blade on the circumference, air-seam perforation with a sewing machine, or perforation with a laser beam. The through-holes cut by a rotary cutter having intermittent blades on the circumference become non-bonded portions 41d, and the uncut areas become multiple bonded portions 31d, with the non-bonded portions 41d and bonded portions 31d being arranged alternately in one dimension.

[0032] For rotary cutters with intermittent blades, the ratio of the length of the non-bonded portion 41d and the bonded portion 31d measured in the longitudinal direction of the lower end 13d can be adjusted by changing the ratio of the circumferential lengths of the cutting grooves between the blades. The fracture strength and the time until selective fracture over time of the lower end 13d can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio of the lengths of the non-bonded portion 41d and the bonded portion 31d measured in the longitudinal direction of the lower end 13d. From the perspective of the fracture strength and the sustained time until selective fracture over time begins, it is desirable that the length of the non-bonded portion 41s be longer than the length of the bonded portion 31s. Here, "length" refers to the distance between adjacent ends of the non-bonded portion 41d and the bonded portion 31d. For example, the ratio of the non-bonded portion 41s to the bonded portion 31s is 2 or more, preferably 10 or more. A periodic structure of an intermittent joint in which the length of non-joined portions 41d is longer than the length of joined portions 31d can be achieved by making the missing length of the rotary cutter blade circumference longer than the remaining length. In an intermittent joint having a periodic structure in which the length of non-joined portions 41d is longer than the length of joined portions 31d, plant root systems 301 can easily expand and swell in the gaps in non-joined portions 41d, and selective downward extension of plant root systems 301 is not inhibited.

[0033] As explained at the beginning of the section on the first embodiment, the term "storage structure" is used in this specification to encompass structures that are not strictly speaking bags. The non-connected portions 41 form a water infiltration flow path along the vertical direction. Since a small amount of irrigation water leaks vertically from each of the multiple non-connected portions 41d arranged in a one-dimensional direction, this structure cannot be considered a completely sealed bag. Therefore, in this specification, the storage structure will also be referred to as a "pseudo-bag." Furthermore, a pseudo-bag lacking a flat bottom will be referred to as a "bottom-missing pseudo-bag" to express the characteristics of a structure having a non-flat bottom region of the insertion portion 1d.

[0034] That is, in the structure of the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment, the main wall surface bent and positioned at the back side in FIG. 1(a) is defined for convenience as the "second main wall surface 10d2," and the storage surface having a rectangular flat portion with height h and width l positioned at the front side is defined for convenience as the "first main wall surface 10d1." In the developed view of FIG. 1(b), the surface of the flexible water-impermeable membrane positioned above the bending line (center line) becomes the apparent second main wall surface 10d2 including a rectangular area of ​​h × l, and the surface of the flexible water-impermeable membrane positioned below becomes the apparent first main wall surface 10d1. The strip-shaped area including the bending line as its center line in FIG. 1(b) is defined as the "bottom-side area" in the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment. Within the band-shaped region having a width of Δh, which is less than 10% of the height h shown in Figure 1(b), a first bottom side region is defined on the first main wall surface 10d1 side above the bending line, and a second bottom side region is defined on the second main wall surface 10d2 side below the bending line.

[0035] The insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment is characterized by being constructed by folding a single flexible water-impermeable membrane. Specifically, the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment is basically constructed such that a single flexible water-impermeable membrane appears to face two main wall surfaces, the second main wall surface 10d2 on the far side and the first main wall surface 10d1 on the near side, with the lower end 13d shown at the bottom of FIG. 1(a) as the folding line. The first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 are opposed to each other by a U-shaped folding, and the curved surface of this U-shaped folding corresponds substantially to the bottom region of the insertion section 1d. Therefore, the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment has a structure having a non-flat bottom region.

[0036] The second main wall surface 10d2 of the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment has a lower end 13d that forms a folding line, a third side 15d2 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower end 13d, and a fourth side 16d2 that is spaced from one end defined by the third side 15d2 and faces the other end in parallel to the one end, forming a hexagonal thin-film surface including a rectangular region with a height h and a width l. Because the rectangular region of h × l occupies the majority of the area of ​​the second main wall surface 10d2, if the auxiliary pieces 18L1, 18L2, 18R1, and 18R2, which are right-angled trapezoids with tapered sides at both ends, are approximated as a rectangle, the second main wall surface 10d2 can be approximated as a substantially rectangular region. The first main wall surface 10d1 shown in Figure 1(a) has a first side edge 15d1 that faces the third side edge 15d2 of the second main wall surface 10d2 and is spaced apart from the third side edge 15d2. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 1(a), the first main wall surface 10d1 faces the fourth side edge 16d2 of the second main wall surface 10d2 and has a second side edge 16d1 that is spaced apart from the first side edge 15d1 and is parallel to the first side edge 15d1. The first main wall surface 10d1 is a thin film surface that has the same shape and size as the second main wall surface 10d2, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b).

[0037] The first left auxiliary piece 18L1 of the first main wall surface 10d1 is a rectangular trapezoidal strip (hereinafter referred to as the "auxiliary wall surface") with the first side edge 15d1 as its upper base, positioned to the left of the first main wall surface 10d1 at a height d, and intended to be rolled up into a curved shape, and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 is a rectangular trapezoidal auxiliary wall surface with the second side edge 16d1 as its upper base, positioned to the right of the first main wall surface 10d1 at a height d, and is a mirror image of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1. On the other hand, the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 provided on the second main wall surface 10d2 is a right-angled trapezoidal auxiliary wall surface with the third side edge 15d2 as its upper base and positioned to the left of the second main wall surface 10d2 at a height d, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 is a right-angled trapezoidal auxiliary wall surface with the fourth side edge 16d2 as its upper base and positioned to the right of the second main wall surface 10d2 at a height d, and is a mirror image of the second left auxiliary piece 18L2.

[0038] 1(b), there are isosceles triangular cuts on both sides of the dashed line indicating the intermittent joint 30 provided in the bottom region, and the vertices of the isosceles triangles are located at both ends of the dashed line in the center of the bottom region. The lower hypotenuse of the left isosceles triangle extends to the hypotenuse of the right-angled trapezoid that constitutes the first left auxiliary piece 18L1, and the upper hypotenuse extends to the hypotenuse of the right-angled trapezoid that constitutes the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, forming an enlarged isosceles triangular cut. The lower hypotenuse of the right isosceles triangle extends to the hypotenuse of the right-angled trapezoid that constitutes the first right auxiliary piece 18R1, and the upper hypotenuse extends to the hypotenuse of the right-angled trapezoid that constitutes the second right auxiliary piece 18R2, forming an enlarged isosceles triangle cut (hereinafter referred to as an "enlarged isosceles triangle").

[0039] The process of selective rupture of the flexible water-blocking membrane also progresses over time from the enlarged isosceles triangle cutouts, assisting the selective rupture of the intermittent joints 30 over time. That is, if the flexible water-blocking membrane constituting the insertion portion 1d is constructed of a composite water-blocking membrane in which the inner wall side of the insertion portion 1d is made of a hydrophobic material, water from irrigation will penetrate into the plant fiber substrate exposed in the enlarged isosceles triangle cutouts as illustrated on both sides of the center of Figure 1(b). The penetration of water from irrigation proceeds over time toward the vertex of the enlarged isosceles triangle, i.e., toward the central bending line in Figure 1(b), and causes a decrease in the hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers constituting the composite water-blocking membrane. As a result, the intermittent joints 30 will selectively rupture after a predetermined time has elapsed. The first left auxiliary piece 18L1, the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, the second right auxiliary piece 18R2, and the second left auxiliary piece 18R2, which are each a right-angled trapezoidal auxiliary wall surface, can be cut off by a length d from both ends of the h × l rectangular area to form a reinforcing auxiliary wall surface. By adding reinforcing auxiliary wall surfaces to the left closing mechanism 19L and the right closing mechanism 19R to prevent breakage of the left closing mechanism 19L and the right closing mechanism 19R, the left closing mechanism 19L and the right closing mechanism 19R can be configured as a sliding mechanism with a multilayer overlapping surface structure of three or more layers.

[0040] 1(b), an enlarged isosceles triangle cut in from the left side of the dashed line in the center of the bottom region gives the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 the freedom to be rolled in independently of each other. For this reason, the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 are rolled in to form part of a cylindrical curved surface of approximately the same curvature, overlapped so as to intersect with each other, and a sliding mechanism is formed in which the overlapping surfaces slide in opposite directions to form a left closing mechanism 19L. This closes the opening at the left end. Similarly, the enlarged isosceles triangle cut from the right side of the dashed line in the center of the bottom side region in Figure 1(b) gives the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 the freedom to be rolled up independently of each other, and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 are rolled up to form part of a cylindrical curved surface of approximately the same curvature, so as to form a right closing mechanism 19R consisting of a sliding mechanism that slides the overlapping surfaces in opposite directions, thereby closing the opening at the right end.

[0041] The overlapping surface structure of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 that constitute the left closing mechanism 19L and the overlapping surface structure of the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 that constitute the right closing mechanism 19R can be achieved by dry surface contact using interfacial forces such as static electricity, or wet surface contact using a liquid adhesive or the like. Examples of liquid adhesives include glycerin, silicone grease, and biodegradable viscous substances. Furthermore, a mechanical surface contact structure may be adopted in which elongated guide grooves are opened in each of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 along the circumferential direction of the cylinder shown in FIG. 1(a), and rivet-like sliders fixed to each of the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 slide along the elongated guide grooves. That is, like a rivet with both ends thickened after crimping, a slider is prepared with a shaft having a diameter approximately the same as the width of the guide groove and flanges larger than the width of the guide groove on both ends, and the shaft of this slider can be slid radially inside the guide groove.

[0042] Alternatively, a mechanical surface contact structure can be realized by opening two upper and lower guide grooves along the periphery in each of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1. That is, a sewing thread passing through each of the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 may form a ring that passes through the upper guide groove, descends vertically along the outer surface of each of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1, passes through the lower guide groove, and returns to each of the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2. This mechanical surface contact may be realized by sliding these rings along the periphery in the two upper and lower guide grooves. Such dry, wet, or mechanical surface contact allows for autonomous sliding movement between surfaces that are in close surface contact with each other. A sliding mechanism may also be realized by combining dry and mechanical surface contact, or by combining wet and mechanical surface contact. When the insertion portion 1d is inserted into the planting trench 210 as shown in Figures 5 and 6A, the generation of in-plane stress on the wall surface due to the pressure when the culture soil 100 is filled inside the insertion portion 1d and the pressure caused by the expansion of the culture soil 100 due to irrigation or the growth of the plant root system 301 is reduced by shifting the sliding mechanism that slides in opposite directions in a direction that reduces the overlapping area, thereby preventing breakage of the wall surface of the insertion portion 1d.

[0043] Using equation (1), three types of internal volumes of the insertion part 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment have been determined: V insert ,V charge ,V growth The shape of the insertion part 1d shown in FIG. 1(a) can be approximated as a flat cylinder whose cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis is close to a rounded rectangle (oval). The outer circumferential length c of the flat cylinder hc Since (t) is the length of the periphery of the rounded rectangle, using the width l of the rectangular area defined in FIG. 1(a) and the opposing surface interval w(t) between the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, c hc (t) = 2l + πw(t) + 2Δl hc (t) ……(2a) The circumferential length c shown in Equation (2a) can be approximately expressed as a function of time t. hc When (t) increases as a function of time t, the change in the tension in the plane direction of the flexible water-shielding membrane that constitutes the insertion portion 1d can be ignored because the insertion portion 1d is equipped with a sliding mechanism. Therefore, there is no increase in the in-plane stress due to the generation of tension in the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 that are made of the flexible water-shielding membrane.

[0044] The second term on the right side of equation (2a) approximates the first left auxiliary piece 18L1, the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, the first right auxiliary piece 18R1, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 as semicircles when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, and the radius of the semicircle is w(t) / 2. The third term on the right side of equation (2a) represents a correction term when the planting groove 210 extends in the longitudinal direction beyond the radius of the semicircle = w(t) / 2, but Δl hc It is preferable to set (t) to 0 or a negative value. The perimeter length c shown in FIG. 1(a) of the right-angle approximation when it is assumed that the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 are bent at a substantially right angle to the first main wall surface 10d1, and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 are bent at a substantially right angle to the second main wall surface 10d2 is hc (t) is the perimeter of the rectangle, so c ra (t) = 2l + w(t) + 2Δl ra (t) ……(2b) This can be approximately expressed as a function of time t as follows: When the right-angle approximation is valid, the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 slide against each other as if they were flat surfaces, and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 also slide against each other as if they were flat surfaces.

[0045] Δl in the third term on the right side of equation (2b) ra(t) represents the correction term when the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 are misaligned to create a gap on the left side of the intermittent joint 30, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 are misaligned to create a gap on the right side of the intermittent joint 30. At the initial condition t=t0 before the insertion part 1d is inserted into the planting groove 210, the correction term Δl ra It is preferable to set (t0) to 0. Note that the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 may be bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the second main wall surface 10d2 to reach the first main wall surface 10d1, and then bent again at a substantially right angle with respect to the first main wall surface 10d1 so as to be wrapped around the inner wall side of the first main wall surface 10d1, and similarly, the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 may be bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the first main wall surface 10d1 to reach the second main wall surface 10d2, and then bent again at a substantially right angle with respect to the second main wall surface 10d2 so as to surround a part of the back side of the second main wall surface 10d2.

[0046] The opposing surface interval w(t) is a function of time t, and the opposing surface interval w(t0) at the initial condition t=t0 is set to a value smaller than the groove width W of the planting groove 210. That is, under the assumption of semicircular approximation, at t=t0 before inserting the inserting part 1d into the planting groove 210, the gap ΔW(t0) in the groove width direction at the time of insertion and the gap ΔL in the groove length direction at the time of insertion are hc (t0) value ΔW(t0) = W - w(t0) ……(3) ΔL hc (t0) = L -(l+ w(t0)) ……(4a) By setting the value of Δl to a sufficiently large value, the insertion part 1d can be easily and reliably inserted into the planting trench 210. In the formula (4a), the correction term Δl hc (t)=0. In the case of rectangular approximation, ΔL ra (t0) = L -(l+ w(t0)) ……(4b) In equation (4b), the correction term Δl ra (t)=0.

[0047] The internal volume V shown in equation (1) insert ,V charge ,V growth Correspondingly, there are three types of circumferential length c approximated by formula (2a) or formula (2b). That is, the circumferential length of the semicircular portion when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis changes due to the sliding mechanism, so the circumferential length c when inserting the insertion part 1d into the planting groove 210 insert But, c hc (t0)>c insert >c ra (t0). Furthermore, the outer circumferential length c when the inserting portion 1d is inserted into the planting groove 210 and then filled with the culture soil 100 is charge is c hc (t1)>c charge >c ra (t1), which is defined as the circumference c due to the expansion of the culture soil 100 caused by the growth of the plant root system 301 after planting the plant 300 in the culture soil 100 filled in the insertion portion 1d. growth is c hc (t x )>c growth >c ra (t x ) are defined, so three types in total can be defined. These three types of outer circumferential lengths are c insert < c charge < c growth ……(5) In addition, the perimeter c insert The outer perimeter c may be measured when a small amount of soil 100 is filled in the insertion portion 1d as a weight, rather than when the insertion portion 1d is empty. In the case of an insertion portion structure made of a flexible water-shielding film with vertical pleats or wrinkles formed therein, such as the insertion portion 1q of the cultivation member according to the fifth modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention described later, the outer perimeter c may be measured when the vertical pleats or wrinkles are formed. insert is defined, and equation (5) is applied. That is, initially, the outer periphery of the insertion part 1d is set to c so that it is smaller than the inner periphery of the planting groove 210. insert < c chargeBy setting the value, it becomes easy to insert the inserting portion 1d into the planting groove 210. Then, by using the sliding mechanism, when the culture soil 100 is filled, the outer circumferential length c insert The circumference c charge It can be made longer so that

[0048] Also, c in Eq. (5) charge < c growth The condition is inevitable due to the irrigation of the culture soil 100 and the growth of the plant root system 301 of the plant 300. However, since the insertion part 1d has a sliding mechanism, the outer circumference length c charge The circumference c growth Even if the length is increased to 100 mm, the in-plane stress of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 does not increase, and the breakage of the insertion portion 1d can be prevented. charge and c growth In this state, it can be assumed that the assumption of semicircular approximation reflects the actual situation more than the right-angle approximation, so the perimeter after filling the inserting portion 1d with the soil 100 will be explained using the semicircular approximation. growth The maximum value of is the inner perimeter of the planting groove 210. If the planar pattern of the planting groove 210 is a rectangle of W x L, the inner walls of adjacent planes of the planting groove 210 intersect at right angles to form four inscribed edges, and therefore there is a gap space between each of the four inscribed edges of the planting groove 210 and the outer wall of the insertion portion 1d, which is made up of a curved surface. Therefore, assuming that w(t) = W at t = t1, in the time period t ≥ t1, the outer perimeter c of the approximate semicircle hc (t) is c hc (t) = 2l + Δl hc* (t)+ 4r(t)> 2l + πW ……(6) It can be expressed as:

[0049] The term 4r(t) in equation (6) is determined by adjusting the outer circumferential length c of the insertion portion 1d so as to fill the gaps that occur between the four inscribed edges of the planting groove 210. hc (t) means the increasing component. Δl in Eq. (6) hc* The term (t) is ΔL explained in equation (2a).hc (t) corresponding perimeter c hc The components that contribute to the increase in (t) are those that take into account the case where the first left auxiliary piece 18L1, the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, the first right auxiliary piece 18R1, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 are flattened in a U-shape rather than in the case of a semicircular approximation, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the planting furrow 210. However, the increase in Δl due to the extension in the direction of the furrow length L hc* If (t) becomes large, holes will open directly below the U-shaped flattened protruding parts at both ends of the insertion part 1d, and there is a possibility that the soil 100 with a particle size smaller than the hole will fall through the hole, which is not desirable. Therefore, ΔL hc As in the case of (t), Δl hc* It is preferable to set (t) to 0 or a negative value.

[0050] Δl hc* When (t) has a significant positive value, the overlapping structure of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the overlapping structure of the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 flattens into a U-shape and protrudes further than the semicircle. If holes are formed directly below the U-shaped flattened protruding portions at both ends of the insertion portion 1d, additional auxiliary pieces to fill these holes must be added as drop-prevention auxiliary pieces to the holes at both ends of the bottom region so that overlapping regions are created around the holes. One side of the additional auxiliary piece serving as a drop-prevention auxiliary piece on the bottom region side may be loosely fixed or semi-fixed to the bottom region by sewing, stapling, etc. Alternatively, the lower edge of either the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 or the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, or the lower edge of either the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 or the second right auxiliary piece 18R2, may be loosely fixed or semi-fixed to the bottom region by sewing or staples, etc., to maintain a nearly right-angled configuration without creating a gap on the lower edge side. Even if either lower edge is sewn to the bottom region, sliding between the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, or between the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2, is possible as long as only the overlapping portion is slidable to reduce the width of the overlapping portion, or the other auxiliary piece is free to move. Furthermore, a method may be used in which both ends of the bottom region are first filled with soil 100 with a particle size larger than that of the holes.

[0051] Equation (6) shows that the shape of the flexible and slidable inserting portion 1d is deformed until the gaps generated at the four inscribed edges of the planting groove 210 are filled. growth When the plane pattern of the insertion part 1d becomes rectangular, time t=t x In this case, the maximum value c max =c hc (t x ) from equation (6). The length d of each of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1, the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 shown in FIG. 1(b) is given by (ΔL hc (t x )+ 4r(t x As shown in equation (6), it is preferable that ΔL hc (t x )+ 4r(t x )>πW. If the planar pattern of the planting groove 210 is a rectangle of W×L, the maximum value c max = 2(W + L), so the maximum value c max The length d required for the insertion portion 1d when this condition is met is preferably equal to W+Ll or slightly longer than W+Ll.

[0052] In a storage structure (bottom-missing pseudo-bag) having a non-planar bottom side area where the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, and the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 are fixed by adhesive, sewing, or the like, it is difficult to prevent breakage due to the expansion of the culture soil 100 caused by the growth of the plant root system 301. In contrast, if a sliding mechanism that slides in opposite directions is provided so that the internal volume and perimeter of the closing mechanism (19L, 19R) can expand as the culture soil 100 expands, and the relative positions along the surface direction of each layer can autonomously slide, breakage of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag is suppressed. Therefore, by adopting a structure that allows autonomous sliding movement of the relative positions, it is possible to solve the contradictory problems of preventing the leakage of irrigation and culture soil 100 from the bottom-missing pseudo-bag and suppressing breakage of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag. The expansion of the culture soil 100 causes the perimeter length c growth After reaching its maximum value, the internal volume V growthThe increase in the internal volume V growth The force in the depth direction due to the increase in the force becomes a force that selectively breaks the intermittent joint 30 over time. Furthermore, by adopting a structure that allows autonomous sliding movement of the relative position along the surface direction of the sliding mechanism that slides in opposite directions, when inserting the insertion part 1d into the planting groove 210 with different groove widths W and groove lengths L, the internal volume of the bottom-less pseudo-bag can be freely expanded, thereby suppressing the breakage of the bottom-less pseudo-bag and at the same time maintaining the prevention of irrigation and the outflow of the culture soil 100.

[0053] In FIG. 1(a), the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface, and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface, but this is merely an example; the left closing mechanism 19L may be configured such that the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface, and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface. Similarly, FIG. 1(a) shows a structure in which the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface, but this is merely an example. The right closing mechanism 19R may be configured such that the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A, the insertion section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment is inserted into each of the planting grooves 210 excavated at multiple locations in the soil bed 200 of the planting area. Note that FIGS. 5 and 6A are merely examples, and it is also possible to excavate one planting groove 210 at one location in the soil bed 200 of the planting area and insert one insertion section 1d into each planting groove 210. Then, culture soil 100 is filled into each of the insertion sections 1d, and seeds of plants 300 are planted in each of the filled culture soils 100. The insertion sections 1d are then watered, allowing the seeds of the plants 300 to grow. Examples of the seeds of the plants 300 to be cultivated include seeds, seedlings, cuttings, stolon, etc. In the following, seeds, seedlings, cuttings, stolon, etc. are collectively referred to as "seedlings."

[0055] Plants suitable for planting when growing seedlings using the insertion part 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment are preferably plants whose root systems grow deep underground, in order to reduce the amount of irrigation water and irrigation frequency by using deep stabilized soil water and to increase the amount of carbon stored in deep plant root systems.Specific examples of plants suitable for planting when growing seedlings using the insertion part 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment are listed below in (i) to (iv). (i) Woody plants include pine, eucalyptus, acacia, willow, corn syrup, saxaul, tamarisk, oleander, sea buckthorn, ephedra, date, sucralose, ghaf, summer, cedar, salam, galata, malta, atreplex, marula, shea butter, baobao, nutmeg, dried mahogany, moringa, henna, argan, gum arabic, frankincense, neem, pongamia, sago palm, Hamilton's teak, neem, melia, Sterculia versicola, jojoba, almond, agave, mesquite, (ii) In the herbaceous system, alfalfa, karega, clover, dandelion, guanyule, pigeon pea, pearl millet, sorghum, quinoa, amaranth, khanza, bengoan, candelilla, lupine, cowpea, grasses, (iii) Plants that utilize root systems include Japanese yam, licorice, ginseng, purple jasmine, bupleurum, astragalus membranaceus, cornflower, ephedra, (iv) Spores, mycorrhizae, and seeds that parasitize plants include those of Cistanche, Onyx, sandalwood, truffles, and matsutake mushrooms. Alternatively, the plant may be of the same genus as those exemplified in (i) to (iv) above, but is not limited to these.

[0056] The insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment can be applied to permanent planting areas, temporary planting areas, farm fields, rice paddies, forests, roads, sloping land, seawalls, coastal forests, erosion control forests, river banks, degraded land, arid land, abandoned mine sites, areas where harmful substances such as salts have accumulated, drip irrigated plant cultivation areas, etc. Furthermore, the insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment can be used to induce downward growth of the plant root systems of planted seeds and seedlings, to improve the survival rate and growth rate of planted plants by making effective use of water and fertilizer through vertical infiltration of irrigation water, and to reduce the amount and frequency of irrigation water by restricting the horizontal diffusion and infiltration of irrigation water. Further specific examples of uses of the insertion portion 1d include, but are not limited to, planting in salt-damaged areas by using the insertion portion 1d to shield the salt precipitate layer near the surface of the ground, environmental restoration technology (phytoremediation) by extending and absorbing the root systems of plants planted in a layer of harmful substances at a specific depth underground, preventing the invasion of weed root systems, preventing the invasion of pests that feed on plant root systems and harmful pathogens, controlling the shape of plant root systems by using the root systems, using the containers as both seedling containers and planting containers from seeds or grafts, and planting methods to prevent sloping land collapse.

[0057] The culture medium 100 filled into the insert section 1d according to the first embodiment includes at least one of natural soil, peat moss, coco peat, perc compost, lignite, rice husk, charcoal, charcoal powder, perlite, vermiculite, rock wool, zeolite, and pumice. Formed culture medium, in which amorphous culture medium such as powder, granular, or fibrous natural soil, peat moss, or coco peat is solidified by a binder or by heat under pressure, can also be used. It is not necessary for all of the culture medium 100 filled into the insert section 1d to be formed culture medium; it can be placed at the intermittent joints 30 or at the top of the insert section 1d, and the gaps between them can be filled with amorphous culture medium 100. 1(a) , the first left auxiliary piece 18L1, the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, the first right auxiliary piece 18R1, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 may be filled with molded soil of a particle size that will not fall through the semicircular holes formed on both sides of the intermittent joints 30, and then filled with amorphous soil 100. The procedure of placing molded soil at the intermittent joints 30 and then filling with amorphous soil prevents the amorphous soil from falling out of the intermittent joints 30 and the holes on both sides of the intermittent joints 30, and the molded soil acts as a dam, improving the retention time of irrigation water. Seedling plugs raised in molded soil are transplanted into a bag filled with soil 100 before the plant root system 301 reaches the intermittent joints 30 of the molded soil, allowing for transplantation without damaging or wrapping the roots.

[0058] Molded soil is (a) Bonding the soil substrate with a binder material such as heat-sealable fibers; (b) heating or compressing the soil substrate in a mold; (c) Confined in a paper container or other packaging; (d) Remove the root balls grown in the seedling containers. For example, when the soil base material is bound with a binder material such as heat-welded fiber, a composite core-sheath fiber can be blended to form a molded soil, with a core made of fiber that has no melting point or a melting point of 60°C or higher and a sheath made of a binder primarily composed of cis-1,4 polyisoprene.

[0059] Examples of fibers that form the core include animal and plant fibers derived from cotton, coconut shells, hemp, banana leaves, wool, and silk, as well as synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, vinylon, polyvinyl alcohol, and polylactic acid. Here, fiber includes both single fibers and twisted yarns. Composite sheath-core fibers can be obtained by immersing core fibers in a natural rubber latex solution and drying them. Adding 70% or more natural rubber latex (solids content) and less than 30% preservatives, crosslinking agents, surfactants, and antifungal agents can produce binders primarily composed of cis-1,4 polyisoprene. Mixing single-core or composite sheath-core fibers with a soil substrate, filling the mixture into a molding machine, and heat-molding produces molded soil in which the single-core or composite sheath-core fibers bind the soil substrate. The melting point of cis-1,4 polyisoprene is approximately 40°C, allowing for low-temperature heat molding, enabling the production of molded soil with high binder binding strength in a short time and with little energy consumption. By using molded soil as the soil 100 for the insertion part 1a, the shape retention of the molded soil can be utilized to allow the insertion part 1a to stand upright, or the elastic force of the molded soil can be used to reinforce the ground in planting methods to prevent sloping land collapse.

[0060] = Insertion section connector = In the case of a planting trench 210 with a long longitudinal length, it is possible to select multiple insertion sections 1d that fit the longitudinal length of the planting trench 210 and connect the multiple insertion sections 1d to form a U-shaped insertion section connection that can fit into any length of planting trench 210. To connect multiple insertion sections 1d, rather than wrapping the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 around each other in a curved shape as shown in Figure 1(a), the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 of the left insertion section 1d and the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 of the right insertion section 1d can be overlapped like flat plates, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 of the left insertion section 1d and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 of the right insertion section 1d can be overlapped like flat plates. When the longitudinal length of the planting groove 210 is not an integral multiple of the length l of the insertion section 1d, the length l of a particular insertion section 1d can be adjusted to match the longitudinal length of the planting groove 210 and the continuous length of the multiple insertion sections 1d. In this way, by overlapping the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 on the left side with the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 on the right side to connect the surfaces of adjacent bottom-less pseudo-bags, and by overlapping the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 on the left side with the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 on the right side to connect the back surfaces of adjacent bottom-less pseudo-bags, the planting groove 210 can be filled with the insertion sections of the growing elements connected in series, regardless of the groove length L.

[0061] When the container formed by the connected inserters, which are formed by connecting multiple inserters 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1(a), is filled with culture soil 100, the filled culture soil 100 pushes and spreads each inserter 1d of the connected inserters against the wall of the planting trench 210. Therefore, the overlapping surfaces connecting the connected inserters are tightly closed by the mutual pressure of the filled culture soil 100 and the wall of the planting trench 210 (hereinafter referred to as "closed overlapping surfaces"). Both ends of the connected inserters, which are formed by connecting multiple inserters 1d, are closed by the left closing mechanism 19L of the leftmost inserter 1d and the right closing mechanism 19R of the rightmost inserter 1d. As the length of the connected inserters inserted into the trench increases, for example, due to an increase in the number of connected pieces, the shielding effect of the closed ends of the connected inserters from external soil becomes negligible in practice compared to the overall shielding effect of the connected inserters. 24, which will be described later, the shielding effect of the connected insert parts from the external soil becomes negligible in practice compared to the overall shielding effect of the connected insert parts. Connected insert parts with closed ends are effective, for example, in blocking infiltration when the intrusion of harmful organisms or soil salts into the culture soil 100 filled inside the connected insert parts is particularly harmful during the planting process of seeds and seedlings in salt-accumulated areas.

[0062] In the connected inserts 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment, the bottom regions of each of the inserts 1d are closed by end-face joining of opposing surfaces forming part of a discontinuous U-shaped structure. Meanwhile, the side ends of each of the inserts 1d are closed by flatly overlapping the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 of the left insert 1d with the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 of the right insert 1d, and by flatly overlapping the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 of the left insert 1d with the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 of the right insert 1d. Here, the "end-face joining of opposing surfaces" forming part of the U-shaped structure refers to an opening method in which the end faces of the membrane surface on the side that comes into contact with the added culture soil 100 are fixed and joined together using the same or a different material as the membrane surface. On the other hand, "closed closure of overlapping surfaces" refers to a closing method in which the membrane surface on the side in contact with the soil 100 and the membrane surface on the side not in contact with the soil 100 are not fixed but are brought into close contact with each other by external pressure, thereby closing the membrane surfaces together.

[0063] In the bottom region, which forms part of the U-shaped structure, where the end faces of the discontinuous opposing surfaces are joined, non-joined portions 41d and joined portions 31d are arranged in a one-dimensional manner to form intermittent joints 30. Therefore, the bottom region of the connected inserts allows irrigation and plant root systems 301 to pass through, but the expansion pressure of the culture soil 100 is concentrated at the intermittent joints 30, pushing the joints 31d apart and making them prone to fracture. In contrast, the overlapping surface-contact closures are closed by surface-contacting the flexible membrane surfaces using the mutual pressure of the culture soil 100 filled inside the connected inserts and the soil layer 200 outside the connected inserts, resulting in a high water-blocking effect. Therefore, when the culture soil 100 expands due to the expansion of the plant root systems 301 as the plants grow, the overlapping surfaces at the overlapping surface-contact closures shift to absorb the expansion pressure, resulting in high fracture resistance. At the locations where the bottom regions of the inserts 1d are discontinuously joined at their end faces, the expansion of the culture soil 100 due to the growth of the plant root system 301 causes the closed portion of the bottom region to break before the closed portion where the overlapping surfaces are tightly closed. This allows the plant root system 301 to selectively extend downward toward a position deeper than the lower end 13d of each of the inserts 1d that make up the insert-part connection.

[0064] = Training System = As shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, the cultivation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a soil bed 200 in a planting area, a hydrophobic material-based installation member 60 that forms multiple ridges with inclined surfaces periodically laid on the soil bed 200, a plurality of planting grooves 210 with a high aspect ratio D / W periodically dug in the soil bed 200 in the planting area, and an insertion section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment inserted into each of the multiple insertion sections 1d. Culture soil 100 is filled into each of the multiple insertion sections 1d, and the cultivation system uses natural water to cultivate plants. Each of the multiple planting grooves 210 has a rectangular planar pattern, with the longitudinal direction extending perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the insert section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment has a U-shaped cross-section, a bottom-missing pseudo-bag structure, and a selectively time-ruptured intermittent joint 30 is provided in the bottom region of the insert section 1d. The U-shaped bottom-missing pseudo-bag structure does not have a flat bottom at the bottom. In the U-shaped intermittent joint 30, even if the opening length of the non-joined section 41d is made longer than the soil particle diameter, the binding force between the flexible water-impermeable membranes minimizes the outflow of the filled soil 100 from the non-joined section 41d. Therefore, compared to a container with a bottom, the space between the flexible water-impermeable membranes at the intermittent joint 30 is narrow, and the filled soil 100 accumulates densely. As a result, the rate of irrigation water leakage from the non-joined section 41d is slow, and the irrigation water accumulated in the insert section 1d permeates the filled soil 100 over time, improving the soil infiltration rate.

[0065] In the cultivation system according to the first embodiment, the aspect ratio D / W, defined as the ratio of the planting trench 210's depth D to its width W, as shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, is preferably 5 or greater. The depth D refers to the distance from the bottom of the planting trench 210 to the ground surface. For example, if the trench width W is 10 cm, the minimum requirement is a trench depth D of 50 cm or greater. When the aspect ratio D / W is less than 5, irrigation water spreads shallowly and widely near the ground surface, and the plant root system 301 also spreads shallowly due to hydrotropism, making it difficult for the plant root system 301 to reach the stable soil layer below a certain depth in the soil bed 200. If the plant root system 301 does not reach the stable soil layer or deeper in the soil bed 200 quickly, the surface soil layer becomes more susceptible to the effects of surface temperature and sunlight during the dry season, resulting in increased risk of plant 300 withering.

[0066] When the planting furrow 210 has an aspect ratio D / W ≥ 5, the plant root system 301 is forced to selectively grow downward due to the selective rupture function of the intermittent joints 30 of the insertion section 1d of the cultivation element according to the first embodiment. Therefore, by setting the planting furrow 210 aspect ratio D / W ≥ 5, the plant root system 301 quickly reaches the stable soil layer or the deeper part of the soil bed 200, which is less susceptible to the effects of surface temperature and sunlight. This reduces the risk of the plant 300 dying during the dry season. A planting furrow 210 with a furrow depth D ≥ 50 cm can block the influence of the surface and the high-salt layer near the surface in salt-damaged areas, preventing salt intrusion. Considering the depth of the stable soil layer, an aspect ratio D / W ≥ 10 is more preferable. In the case of an aspect ratio D / W≧5, in the prior art, there was a risk that the flexible member would get stuck halfway through the planting furrow 210 when inserted, which was an obstacle to practical application. However, by pre-filling a small amount of culture soil 100 into the insertion part 1d and using the culture soil 100 as a weight for the insertion part 1d, the insertion part 1d can be inserted into a planting furrow 210 with a high aspect ratio without getting stuck. Furthermore, with the culture soil 100 used as a weight for the insertion part 1d, the internal volume of the insertion part 1d can be increased by V as shown in formula (1). insert < V chargeBy setting the above, a gap space can be provided between the inner wall of the planting groove 210 and the outer wall of the insertion part 1d. Therefore, due to the synergistic effect of the weight and the reduced internal volume, the insertion part 1d can be easily and reliably inserted into the planting groove 210 with an aspect ratio D / W≧5, resulting in high work efficiency.

[0067] [One-sided tilt body: first embodiment] In the example shown in Figure 5, multiple laying members 60 made of hydrophobic material each form a sloped surface of a one-sided slope on the soil bed 200, laying multiple ridges in a periodically repeated structure. The surface of the culture soil 100 filled in the insertion section 1d is set to be the lower end of the slope. The shape of the laying member 60, which slopes diagonally upward with the surface of the culture soil 100 filled in the insertion section 1d at the lower end, as shown in Figure 5, is hereinafter referred to as a "one-sided slope." In the cultivation system according to the first aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5, laying members 60 with one main slope and an asymmetric cross-sectional shape are used to form ridges in the planting ground, and deep planting furrows 210 with a D / W aspect ratio are excavated between the ridges. Then, an insertion section 1d is inserted into each of the deep planting furrows 210 with a D / W aspect ratio. The inserted insertion section 1d is filled with culture soil 100, and a plant 300 is planted in the filled culture soil 100, and the plant 300 is grown using natural water such as rainwater and condensation. The asymmetric cross-sectional shape of the laying member 60 shown in Figure 5 will be referred to as a "single-sided sloped body" below. In the plant cultivation system according to the first aspect of the first embodiment, the lower end of the main slope formed by the single-sided sloped body is positioned at the horizontal level of the surface of the culture soil 100 filled in each of the insertion sections 1d arranged on both sides of the laying member 60 made of a hydrophobic material.

[0068] The laying members 60 made of a hydrophobic material are configured with a ridge structure that slopes on one side so that the surface of the culture soil 100 filled inside each of the multiple inserted sections 1d arranged repeatedly is at the bottom. Therefore, the laying members 60 prevent the soil water in the soil bed 200 from evaporating to the ground surface. Furthermore, by providing the laying members 60 with a ridge structure that slopes on one side, natural water flows over the surface of the laying members 60 made of a hydrophobic material and is collected and flows from the bottom of the slope into the culture soil 100 filled in the inserted sections 1d, realizing an irrigation system that utilizes natural water. In existing drip irrigation systems, the root systems 301 of cultivated plants are said to grow only in the surface layer of the ground where the drip water penetrates, making it difficult for them to establish themselves independently. In contrast, according to the cultivation system shown in Figure 5, by combining the insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member of the first embodiment with the laying member 60 made of a hydrophobic material, the presence of the insertion portion 1d restricts the rainwater and filtered water collected by the laying member 60 from diffusing in all directions on the surface of the soil bed 200, and water including natural water and manual irrigation seeps downward.

[0069] Therefore, in the plant cultivation system shown in Figure 5, the planted plants 300, due to their hydrotropic root system 301, do not remain on the surface of the soil bed 200. Instead, the plant root system 301 selectively extends downward, reaching the stable soil layer located deeper in the soil bed 200. Reaching the stable soil layer allows the plant root system 301 to grow autonomously. In particular, in a repeating structure of one-sided sloped structures as shown in Figure 5, by digging a planting trench 210 at the bottom of the valley where the cross section between the one-sided sloped structures is asymmetrical and placing an insert 1d in this planting trench 210, a highly efficient natural water utilization system can be realized. In this case, the insert 1d placed at the asymmetrical valley bottom is filled with culture soil 100, and a laying member 60 made of a hydrophobic material is used, with water collection holes provided corresponding to the placement of the plants 300 planted in the culture soil 100. Therefore, according to the plant cultivation system relating to the first aspect of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, by providing a water collection hole in the bottom of the asymmetrical valley, natural water falling uniformly over a surface can be collected into a water collection trench or water collection hole located at a predetermined location, thereby realizing a highly efficient natural water utilization system that can minimize the amount of manual irrigation.

[0070] [Two-sided tilt body: second embodiment] Figure 6A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a laying member 60 used in a cultivation system according to another aspect (second aspect) of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the cultivation system according to the second aspect of the first embodiment shown in Figure 6A, planting grooves 210 are formed at both base corners of an inverted V-shaped cross section, and an insert 1d is inserted into the planting groove 210. The inverted V-shaped laying member 60 shown in Figure 6A is hereinafter referred to as a "double-sided sloped body." The laying member 60 and planting groove 210 can be formed by either cutting or excavating the soil bed 200 of the planting area, or by piling excavated soil from the planting groove 210 on both sides in an inverted V shape. In either case, the aspect ratios D and W of the planting groove 210 are defined at the top of the planting groove 210. A hydrophobic laying member 60 is laid on the surface of the soil bed 200 shown in Figure 6A.

[0071] The hydrophobic material constituting the laying member 60 can be any known material as long as it has a hydrophobicity of 3.9 kPa or more, preferably 5.9 kPa, in a water resistance test such as the aforementioned JISL1092A method. The surface of the culture soil 100 filled inside the multiple insertion sections 1d, which are repeatedly arranged according to the ridge period, forms the lower end of the slope of the double-sided slope. It is also possible to make the height h of the insertion section 1d greater than the depth D of the planting groove 210, so that the protruding portions of the insertion section 1d inserted into the planting groove 210 are laid on the surface of the double-sided slope, thereby covering at least a portion of the laying member 60. By laying the laying member 60 made of a hydrophobic material on the surface of the soil base 200 in the planting area so as to form the ridges of the double-sided slope, it is possible to prevent the moisture contained in the soil base 200 from evaporating to the ground surface.

[0072] In existing irrigation systems, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, irrigation water diffuses and infiltrates the soil in three directions from the irrigation point, requiring a large amount of water to reach the depths. With the technology shown in Non-Patent Document 1, if the irrigation water has a high salt concentration and the amount of irrigation does not penetrate to the groundwater, the highly salty irrigation water evaporates, forming a salt deposit layer near the ground surface. Furthermore, with drip irrigation, which aims to reduce the amount of irrigation water, the plant root systems 301 of the planted plants remain near the irrigation outlet holes due to hydrotropism, preventing independent growth that would eliminate the need for irrigation.

[0073] In the plant cultivation system shown in FIG. 6A , the root system 301 of a plant 300 planted in a planting trench 210 with a deep D / W aspect ratio selectively extends downward due to hydrotropism, rather than remaining on the surface of the soil bed 200. The root system 301 then reaches a stable soil layer deep in the soil bed 200, enabling the plant root system 301 to grow autonomously. Therefore, in the plant cultivation system according to the second aspect of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6A , by providing water collection holes at the bottom of the V-shaped valley, natural water that falls uniformly over a surface can be collected in a point-like manner at the water collection holes located at predetermined points, thereby realizing a highly efficient natural water utilization system that can reduce the amount of irrigation water and the frequency of irrigation.

[0074] [Installation of solar panel: modified example of the second embodiment] A plant cultivation system according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a solar cell panel 250 on at least a portion of the upper layer of a laying member 60, as shown in FIG. 6B. The plant cultivation system according to the second modified example of the first embodiment uses a laying member 60 with sloped sides made of a hydrophobic material, as shown in FIG. 6A. By using the laying member 60 with sloped sides, rainwater and filtered water collected by the laying member 60 penetrates deep into the soil bed 200 via the planting groove 210 with a deep aspect ratio D / W, restricting tetragonal diffusion at the surface of the soil bed 200. The hydrotropism of the plant root system 301 of a planted plant 300 selectively extends downward without remaining on the surface of the soil bed 200. The plant root system 301 reaches the stable soil layer via the planting groove 210 with a deep aspect ratio D / W, enabling the plant root system 301 to grow independently. In a repeating structure of double-sided inclined bodies as shown in Figure 6B, by placing a planting groove 210 with a deep aspect ratio D / W at the bottom of the V-shaped valley sandwiched between the double-sided inclined bodies and inserting the insertion part 1d into this planting groove 210, a highly efficient natural water utilization system can be realized.

[0075] The solar cell panel 250 can be used as a hydrophobic material film on at least a portion of one of the slopes of the double-sided inclined structure. The solar cell panel 250, primarily composed of inorganic materials such as glass and silicon (Si), has a large heat capacity and is slow to heat up or cool down. This makes it susceptible to temperature differences with the atmosphere, which heats up and cools down easily, making it an ideal material for condensation of atmospheric moisture. For example, by using the solar cell panel 250 on one slope of the double-sided inclined structure and a solar reflector on the other slope, it becomes possible to utilize solar energy irradiated on both slopes of the inverted V-shape. Rainwater and condensation water collected by the solar cell panel 250 flows through the water collection holes between the ridges into the cultivation soil 100 filled in the insertion section 1d, enabling both solar power generation and an irrigation system using natural water. In a plant cultivation system according to a modified example of the second aspect of the first embodiment, the solar cell panel 250 is installed so that the lower end of the solar cell panel 250 covers the upper end of the insertion section 1d of a cultivation member laid on a sloping ground surface, and both ends form an overlapping surface. By installing the cultivation member at an incline, with the upper end of the insertion section 1d covering the lower end of the solar cell panel 250, rainwater and condensation water on the solar cell panel 250 is widely collected in the insertion section 1d via the solar cell panel 250, and water used to clean the solar cell panel 250 can also be used for irrigation. Furthermore, the plants 300 growing in the insertion section 1d have the effect of suppressing increases in soil temperature and atmospheric temperature, and the solar cell panel 250's power generation efficiency increases in lower temperature regions, contributing to improved solar power generation efficiency.

[0076] =Planting method= The series of steps that will be exemplified as a representative planting method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is as follows, but is not limited to the series of steps below. (Preparation step) Prepare an insertion part 1d having a structure as shown in FIG. 1(a); (Excavation step) Excavating a planting trench 210 having a high aspect ratio D / W in the soil bed 200 of the planting area; (Insertion process) Internal volume V insert < V charge and insert the insertion part 1d into the planting groove 210; (Filling step) Fill the opposing surface of the insertion part 1d with soil 100; (Planting step) Seeding or planting plants 300 such as seedlings in the filled culture soil 100; (Irrigation process) Irrigate the planted seedlings or other plants 300.

[0077] The planting furrow 210 excavated during the excavation step in the series of steps exemplified in the planting method of the first embodiment is preferably formed in a depression in the planting area to effectively collect rainwater and filtered water. Therefore, it is desirable to place the planting furrow 210 in a depression between ridges that slope on one side, as shown in FIG. 5, or in a depression between ridges that slope on both sides, as shown in FIG. 6A. A planting furrow 210 with a high aspect ratio D / W has a small surface area and cross-sectional area for the same amount of culture soil 100, reducing the amount of transpiration and horizontal infiltration of irrigation water. Furthermore, filling the culture soil 100 in a heap from the bottom of a narrow planting furrow 210 improves the infiltration rate of irrigation water, which is effective for the establishment of planted seeds and seedlings and the selective downward extension of plant root systems 301. A planting furrow 210 with a high aspect ratio can be excavated using an existing mobile planting device such as a trencher (trench digger). In the insertion step exemplified in the planting method of the first embodiment, when inserting the inserting portion 1d into the high aspect ratio planting trench 210, it is desirable to pre-fill a small amount of culture soil 100. The pre-filled small amount of culture soil 100 functions as a weight for the inserting portion 1d, so that the inserting portion 1d can reach the bottom of the planting trench 210 without getting stuck in the middle, even when the planting trench 210 has a high aspect ratio and is narrow.

[0078] In the filling step exemplified in the planting method of the first embodiment, the culture soil 100 filled inside the inserting part 1d inserted inside the planting trench 210 excavated in the planting ground reaches the intermittent joints of the inserting part 1d and is deposited and held there. In the filling step of the planting method of the first embodiment, the filled culture soil 100 pushes out the flexible water-blocking membrane of the inserting part 1d inserted into the planting trench 210, and the internal volume is increased to V charge → V growthTherefore, if we ignore the small gaps that occur on the four edges of the planting trench 210, no significant gap space is created between the insert portion 1d and the wall of the planting trench 210, and backfilling of soil between the insert portion 1d and the planting trench 210 is not necessary. Therefore, unless the culture soil 100 filled in the insert portion 1d is pressed, the soil density of the culture soil 100 filled in the insert portion 1d will be lower than the soil density of the wall of the planting trench 210. By stopping the surface level of the culture soil 100 filled in the filling process at a level lower than the surface of the planting ground, combined with the culture soil 100 filled at a low soil density, the outflow of irrigation water to the outer wall of the insert portion 1d is minimized, allowing water conservation.

[0079] In the planting step exemplified in the planting method of the first embodiment, seeds, seedlings, cuttings, stolons, etc. are collectively referred to as "seedlings, etc." During the irrigation step exemplified in the planting method of the first embodiment, lateral penetration of the irrigation water is blocked by the insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member, so the irrigation water does not penetrate laterally but instead seeps downward through the interior of the insertion portion 1d. The irrigation water is then temporarily blocked by the intermittent joints of the insertion portion 1d. The blocked water then seeps back up into the culture soil 100 filled in the insertion portion 1d, resulting in pseudo-bottom seepage irrigation. Therefore, the planting method of the first embodiment simultaneously improves the permeability of the irrigation water in the culture soil 100 filled in the insertion portion 1d and significantly reduces the amount of irrigation water used.

[0080] During the irrigation step of the planting method of the first embodiment, the culture soil 100 that has accumulated from the intermittent joints of the insert section 1d acts as a filter when irrigating the filled culture soil 100. Therefore, the filter temporarily retains the irrigation water. This causes the irrigation water to leak out over time from the intermittent joints of the insert section 1d. The plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 also follows the leaked water by hydrotropism, selectively extending downward from the gaps at the intermittent joints of the insert section 1d.

[0081] As can be seen from Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the bottom region of the container structure formed by the insert 1d has a linear array of intermittent joints, minimizing penetrations outside the bottom region of the insert 1d, particularly near the ground surface. By using the insert 1d of the cultivation element according to the first embodiment, the movement of moisture, salts, etc. between the culture soil 100 filled inside the insert 1d and the soil layer 200 outside the insert 1d is blocked near the surface layer of the soil layer 200. According to the planting method according to the first embodiment, a vertical water infiltration channel can be formed, through which irrigation water leaks through gaps in the intermittent joints at the lower end 13d of the insert 1d. Unless otherwise specified, irrigation here includes not only manual irrigation but also rainwater, condensation, etc.

[0082] -Water resistance evaluation of flexible water-impermeable membranes- As the flexible water-impermeable film to be used in the insertion portion 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment, the following six types of flexible water-impermeable film samples were prepared as examples for evaluating water resistance, and one type of flexible water-impermeable film was prepared as a comparative example. (Sample 1) Low-pressure polyethylene film with a thickness of 60 μm (Sample 2) Commercially available kraft paper with a thickness of 100 μm (obtained from Kamisei Co., Ltd. S700KRFT) (Sample 3) The kraft paper of Sample 2 was impregnated with a 20% diluted solution of natural rubber latex pre-vulcanized product PC-518 (obtained from Resitex Co., Ltd.), and allowed to air dry for two days and nights to obtain a composite flexible water-resistant membrane with a thickness of approximately 140 μm. (Sample 4) The kraft paper from Sample 2 was impregnated with a molten solution of wax from the Japanese wax tree produced by Seiwa Co., Ltd., and then allowed to dry naturally for two days and nights to produce a composite flexible water-resistant membrane with a thickness of approximately 160 μm. (Sample 5) Oiled paper (commercially available product (sold by SOHO Tower Co., Ltd.) Kraft paper coated with wax (paraffin) on both sides) (Sample 6) Biodegradable resin (film thickness 80 μm, base resin: Mater-BI by Novamont, obtained from Seedam Co., Ltd., Zebuas SBP201) The examples of Samples 1 to 6 were subjected to a water resistance test evaluation based on JISL1092A using a high water pressure water resistance tester MFP WP-1000K manufactured by Daiei Scientific Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd. The results are shown in Table 1 in comparison with the comparative example Cooking Cup. [Table 1]

[0083] - Buckwheat cultivation tests under various conditions in soil- Next, based on the results of the water resistance evaluation of the flexible water-resistant film in Table 1, a planting box with an open top and a mesh bottom was prepared for a buckwheat cultivation test, as shown in Figures 10(a) to 10(d). The planting box was placed on a wire net laid on a flat surface, and the inside of the planting box was filled with culture soil 100 with a moisture content of less than 3% to a height of 5 cm. Then, the following test cultivation areas a to c were prepared. (Test cultivation area a: Example): Sample 1 in Table 1 was made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane of a 60 μm-thick low-pressure polyethylene film, with dimensions of l = 30 cm, h = 12 cm, d = 5 cm, and w = 3-5 cm as defined in Figure 1(b), and the bottom was perforated by Olfer Corporation to form intermittent joints 30 with joints of 1 mm and non-joined parts of 2.7 mm, and the bottom was connected in a V-shape, and an insertion part 1d having the shape shown in Figure 10(a) was prepared. Meanwhile, a planting box as shown in Figure 10(a) was prepared, and 100g of soil 5 cm thick was poured into the box. out The inserting portion 1d was placed in the planting box so that the diagonal direction of the planting box was the longitudinal direction. Then, 720 cc of culture soil 100 was filled into the inserting portion 1d, and soil was buried around the outer periphery of the inserting portion 1d to the same height as the inserting portion 1d to form a test cultivation area according to the embodiment. (Test cultivation area b: Comparative example 1): A flexible water-impermeable membrane made of a 60 μm-thick low-pressure polyethylene film of Sample 1 in Table 1 was prepared, and the shape shown in FIG. 10(b) was prepared. The dimensions were l = 30 cm, h = 12 cm, d = 5 cm, and w = 3-5 cm, and the bottom of the insertion section for the cultivation member was open. Meanwhile, a 5 cm-thick layer of soil 100 ml was placed in a planting box as shown in FIG. 10(b). outThe inserting section was placed in the planting box so that the diagonal direction of the planting box was the longitudinal direction. Then, 720 cc of culture soil 100 was filled into the inserting section, and soil of the same height was buried around the outer periphery of the inserting section to form a test cultivation area for Comparative Example 1. (Test cultivation area c: Comparative example 2): As shown in FIG. 10(d), without using the insertion part, 100g of fertilizing soil was poured into the planting box until the height reached 15cm. out was directly filled (additional filling) to prepare a test cultivation area according to Comparative Example 3.

[0084] Two buckwheat seeds were sown diagonally in the culture soil 100 filled into each insert section prepared for test cultivation areas a and b, and in the culture soil filled directly into the planting box for test cultivation area c (Comparative Example 2), at 1 cm intervals from the center. After sowing the buckwheat seeds, they were lightly covered with soil and watered with 1000 cc. The number of germinated buckwheat plants in test cultivation areas a to d and the approximate elongation length of the above-ground parts of the germinated plants are shown in Table 2. [Table 2]

[0085] Next, instead of the low-pressure polyethylene film of Sample 1 shown in Table 1, Samples 2 to 5 and the water-impermeable film of the comparative example were used, and a test cultivation of buckwheat was carried out for 6 days in the same manner as the test cultivation in Table 2. The results are shown in Table 3. [Table 3]

[0086] -Disintegration of hydrogen bonds in plant fibers- As mentioned above, the flexible water-shielding membrane used in the insertion section 1d according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be either a single water-shielding membrane or a composite water-shielding membrane. Whether the composite water-shielding membrane has a three-layer laminate structure consisting of a central layer of plant fibers sandwiched between surface layers made of hydrophobic material on both sides, or an impregnated or internally added structure in which a hydrophobic material is embedded in the plant fibers, the mechanism of hydrogen bond breakdown during time-dependent rupture is similar. When water penetrates the plant fibers that make up the composite water-shielding membrane, the hydrogen bonds of the cellulose and hemicellulose molecules that make up the plant fibers are broken, reducing the bond strength between the plant fibers. Therefore, the plant fiber layer near the intermittent joints 30 is subjected to a peeling force due to the weight and expansion force of the filled culture soil 100, and selectively ruptures over time (selective time-dependent rupture) in preference to portions of the composite water-shielding membrane located farther from the intermittent joints 30. The closing mechanism (19L, 19R), which had been restrained from shifting by the intermittent joints 30, is released from the restraint of the sliding mechanism due to the selective time-dependent fracture of the intermittent joints 30, allowing each layer of the sliding mechanism to slide freely along the surface direction. This reduces the in-plane stress of the insertion portion 1d at a location away from the intermittent joints 30, improving fracture prevention. At the same time, the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 is selectively induced to extend downward into the soil bed 200 at a deeper level than the position of the lower end (bending line) 13d of the insertion portion 1d inside the planting groove 210, preventing the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around the roots.

[0087] <First Modification of First Embodiment> As shown in Fig. 20, the insertion section 1q of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention has multiple vertical pleats formed in the flexible water-impermeable membrane that constitutes the insertion section 1q. Here, "vertical" means a direction close to the vertical direction when the insertion section 1q is inserted into the planting trench 210. The other components, their connections, and the method of use are the same as those of the insertion section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment. The vertical pleats formed on the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 can be obtained by passing the flexible water-impermeable membrane through a pleating machine. In the case of a composite water-resistant membrane, the coated / impregnated composite water-resistant membrane, the internally added paper-making composite water-resistant membrane, or the laminated composite water-resistant membrane described at the beginning of the embodiment section can be made into a corrugated membrane all at once by a method such as (a) putting it through a pleating machine to form pleats, bending it to form opposing surfaces, and further forming discontinuous joints at the lower edges, or (b) creating a member made of a flexible water-resistant membrane with intermittent joints at the lower edges of the opposing surfaces, and putting this member as is through a pleating machine to form pleats, etc.

[0088] The vertical pleats formed on the main wall surface 10q, which is made of a flexible water-shielding membrane, are pleated. They can be formed to any width by passing the flexible water-shielding membrane sheet, which is the material for the main wall surface 10q, through a pleating machine. After forming the vertical pleats in the flexible water-shielding membrane sheet, which is the material for the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, in sheet form, the pattern of the non-jointed portions, which have repeated intermittent slits, can be realized by rotating a rotary cutter equipped with intermittent blades to create discontinuous linear breaks along the folding lines. The flexible water-shielding membrane sheet can then be formed into a U-shaped enclosure structure, as shown in Figure 1(a). It is preferable to have 10 or more pleats or a pleat width of 3 cm or less.

[0089] The inserting portion 1q of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the first embodiment is preferably used in a planting groove 210 of a planting ground or the like having a circumference shorter than the circumference when the vertical pleats are extended. That is, the inserting portion 1q is inserted into the planting groove 210 of a planting ground or the like while maintaining the vertical pleats as shown in FIG. 20 . Like the inserting portion 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment, the inserting portion 1q can be used for both raising seedlings and planting. As shown in FIG. 20 , the inserting portion 1q of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the first embodiment has vertical pleats along its entire periphery, which increases its vertical rigidity and facilitates its insertion into the planting groove 210 of a planting ground or the like. Furthermore, the ripples of the pleats gradually disappear over time, improving the resistance to breakage in response to the expansion of the culture soil 100 due to the growth and thickening of the plant root system 301. The vertical pleats of the insertion part 1q have the function of suppressing the wrapping of the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300, similar to the ribs (striated protrusions) and slits of a seedling container used in forestry. Therefore, when the root ball grows and swells inside the insertion part 1q, the vertical pleats act as an expansion buffer, improving the breakage resistance of the insertion part 1q.

[0090] <Second Modification of First Embodiment> The insert 1d of the cultivation member according to the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention is an insert 1d in which the intermittent joints 30 of the insert 1d are filled with superabsorbent polymer as part of the culture soil 100. While the location of the superabsorbent polymer filling can be selected as needed, it is preferable to place it at least in the non-jointed portions 41d of the intermittent joints 30. The superabsorbent polymer placed in the non-jointed portions 41d expands with irrigation and blocks the non-jointed portions 41d, reducing the amount of shed or leakage of the filled culture soil 100 or irrigation water from the non-jointed portions 41d, thereby improving the water storage function of the culture soil 100. Furthermore, the moisture volatilization rate of the hydrated superabsorbent polymer is slower than that of hydrated general culture soil 100. As a result, a moisture concentration gradient is formed in the culture soil 100 filled inside the container structure, with a higher moisture concentration toward the bottom. As a result, selective downward extension of the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 is promoted by hydrotropism caused by water permeating through the intermittent joints 30, and root wrapping of the plant root system 301 can be prevented.

[0091] The superabsorbent resin used in the insertion portion 1d of the growth member according to the second modified example of the first embodiment can be any known superabsorbent resin, including sodium polyacrylate, PVA, starch, polyamino acids, polysaccharides, etc., crosslinked with a crosslinking agent or electron beam.

[0092] <Third Modification of First Embodiment> The insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member according to the third modification of the first embodiment has a structure in which seeds, spores, or mycorrhizae are inserted into the insertion portion 1d along with culture medium 100. Useful parasitic plants are known that parasitize the plant root system 301 of a specific host plant and grow by obtaining nutrients from the host plant, such as Cistanche that parasitizes Saxaurus, Onyx that parasitizes Alnus oryzae, Sandalwood that parasitizes Poaceae, Malvaceae, Bamboo, Acacia, and Pongamia, etc., Matsutake that parasitizes Japanese red pine, and truffles that parasitize Fagaceae and Pinaceae. For artificial propagation, the seeds, spores, or mycorrhizae of these useful parasitic plants are planted at a certain depth near the host plant or planted together with the host plant. One possible method is to place seeds, spores, mycorrhizae, etc. of useful parasitic plants at a certain depth in the filled culture soil 100, and insert the member into a planting trench 210 excavated near the habitat of the host plant, allowing the parasitic plants to grow and become parasitic on the host plant when the composite shielding membrane collapses. The combined placement of superabsorbent resin, fertilizer, etc. around the seeds, spores, mycorrhizae, etc. of useful parasitic plants at a certain depth in the filled culture soil 100 can be an attractant for the plant root system 301 of the host plant.

[0093] A method for planting a host seedling is possible by mixing fungi and other microorganisms into the culture medium 100 filled inside the housing structure of the insertion unit 1d and then filling it with additional culture medium. Alternatively, a method is possible in which the fungi and other microorganisms are sealed in a bag made of water-soluble or biodegradable film, the bag containing the fungi and other microorganisms is attached to a predetermined position on the inside or outside of the opposing surface that forms part of the U-shaped structure, the culture medium 100 is filled inside the housing structure, and the host seedling and other microorganisms are planted. It is also possible to place a superabsorbent polymer near the fungi and other microorganisms to attract the host plant's root system 301 to the moisture of the absorbed superabsorbent polymer. The insertion unit 1 of the cultivation member according to the third modification of the first embodiment improves workability by simultaneously planting the host plant seedling and parasitic inoculants. Furthermore, by controlling the degradability of the film of the bag containing the fungi and other microorganisms, it is possible to control the time it takes for the host plant's root system 301 to reach the fungi and other microorganisms.

[0094] (Second embodiment) As shown in FIG. 7A, the cultivation member according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an insertion section 1u having a length L1 that is inserted into a planting trench 210 excavated in a soil bed 200 of a planting site, and an extension section 61 having a length L2 that is connected to the upper end of the insertion section 1u. Although not shown, the extension section 61, like the insertion section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, is composed of a single flexible water-impermeable membrane. However, the first main wall surface 10d1 shown on the bottom of FIG. 1B extends downward as a rectangle having a length L2, and the second main wall surface 10d2 shown on the top of FIG. 1B extends upward as a rectangle having a length L2. The flexible water-impermeable membrane may be either a single water-impermeable membrane or a composite water-impermeable membrane, as with the insertion section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment. The insertion section 1u shown in FIG. 7A has a housing structure at least partially surrounded by a wall surface made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane so as to have a non-planar bottom region. As in Fig. 1(a), the first left auxiliary piece and the second left auxiliary piece are wound in the front side of the paper in Fig. 7A so as to form part of a cylindrical curved surface of approximately the same curvature, constituting a sliding mechanism for sliding the overlapping surfaces in opposite directions. Furthermore, the first right auxiliary piece and the second right auxiliary piece are wound in the back side of the paper in Fig. 7A so as to form part of a cylindrical curved surface of approximately the same curvature, constituting a sliding mechanism for sliding the overlapping surfaces in opposite directions.

[0095] Therefore, by providing a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface, at least the upper portion of the outer shape defined by the container structure can be deformed without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane, thereby enabling an increase in internal volume. This feature of structurally assisted stress-free variability is similar to the structure of the insert section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment. Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 7A , multiple water infiltration channels are linearly arranged in the bottom region of the insert section 1u. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A , when the insert section 1u is inserted into the planting groove 210, the inside of the insert section 1u is filled with culture soil 100, and a plant 300 is planted in the filled culture soil 100 and allowed to grow. Furthermore, when the plant 300 is grown by irrigation, the feature of having a structure in which a portion of the bottom region of the insert section 1u near the infiltration channels selectively breaks over time due to irrigation is similar to the structure of the insert section 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment. In other words, when the insertion portion 1u is made of a single water-proof membrane, the intermittent joints 30 selectively break over time due to the hydrotropic enlargement and expansion effect of the plant root system 301, and when it is made of a composite water-proof membrane, the hydrotropic enlargement and expansion effect and the effect of the decrease in the hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers that make up the composite water-proof membrane are superimposed, resulting in efficient selective breakage over time.

[0096] The plant cultivation system according to the second embodiment includes a soil bed 200 for planting grounds, the upper part of which is wavy (saw-shaped) with ridges formed by sloping both sides, and multiple planting grooves 210 dug periodically between the ridges of the soil bed 200. An insert 1d having a length L1 and a non-flat bottom side region is inserted into each of the multiple planting grooves 210. Each of the multiple inserts 1d is filled with culture soil 100. The cultivation member according to the second embodiment is integrally composed of an extension portion 61 made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane and an insert portion 1u made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane connected to the lower end of the extension portion 61. As shown in FIG. 7A, the extension portion 61, which is part of the cultivation member according to the second embodiment, serves as an upper structure for the soil bed 200, covering the slopes of the multiple ridges near the insertion portion 1u of each of the sloping both sides, and the ends of the extension portion 61 are fixed with pegs, soil, or the like. The extension section 61 can collect irrigation water and condensation water widely and inject the water into the inside of the insertion section 1d inserted into the planting groove 210 provided at the bottom (lowest part) of the depression, making it possible to achieve both the contradictory conditions of suppressing transpiration water by the insertion section 1d inserted into the planting groove 210 with a small surface area and high aspect ratio and the wide-area collection of rainwater and filtered water.

[0097] In the plant cultivation system according to the second embodiment, an extension 61 that is continuous with the insertion portion 1u is an integral member that surrounds the insertion portion 1u and covers the corresponding slopes of the sloped bodies on both sides that make up each of the multiple ridges. Therefore, in addition to the effects obtained by the insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment, rainwater from the planting area can be efficiently collected by the extension 61 and allowed to flow down into the insertion portion 1u. Therefore, the plant cultivation system according to the second embodiment realizes an irrigation system that makes effective use of rainwater.

[0098] <First Modification of Second Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 7B, a plant cultivation system according to a first variant of the second embodiment of the present invention has a solar cell panel 250 disposed on at least a portion of the extension 61 of the cultivation member. While FIG. 7B illustrates a double-sided inclined structure, the solar cell panel 250 can be applied to either a single-sided inclined structure or a double-sided inclined structure. An effective slope for solar cell panel 250 placement can be selected depending on the sunshine conditions. As can be seen from FIG. 7B, the solar cell panel 250 can be used as a hydrophobic material film on at least a portion of either the main or secondary slope of a single-sided inclined structure, or on at least a portion of one slope of a double-sided inclined structure. Solar cell panels 250, primarily composed of inorganic materials such as glass or silicon, have a large heat capacity and are difficult to heat or cool. Therefore, they are prone to temperature differences with the atmosphere, which heats and cools easily. This makes them ideal for condensation of atmospheric moisture. For example, by using a solar cell panel 250 on one slope of a double-sided inclined structure and a solar reflector on the other slope, solar energy irradiating both slopes of an inverted V shape can be utilized. Rainwater and condensation water collected by the solar panel 250 flows through the collection holes between the ridges into the filled cultivation soil 100 in the insertion section 1u, making it possible to achieve both solar power generation and an irrigation system that uses natural water.

[0099] <Second Modification of Second Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 7C , a plant cultivation system according to a second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention uses a lower support 251a and an upper support 251b to arrange a solar cell panel 250 above at least a portion of the extension 61 of the cultivation member. Although not shown, adding an angle adjustment function for the solar cell panel 250 to the lower support 251a and the upper support 251b allows the angle of the solar cell panel 250 to be adjusted, allowing the reflected light from the solar cell panel 250 to be used for photosynthesis by planted plants. While FIG. 7C illustrates a double-sided tilted structure, the solar cell panel 250 can be applied to either a single-sided tilted structure or a double-sided tilted structure. An effective tilted surface on which the solar cell panel 250 can be arranged can be selected depending on the sunlight conditions. The solar cell panel 250 has a large heat capacity and is difficult to heat or cool. Therefore, a temperature difference is likely to occur between the solar cell panel 250 and the atmosphere, which heats and cools easily. Therefore, the underside of the solar cell panel 250 is a favorable condensation site for atmospheric moisture. Rainwater and condensation water collected by the solar panel 250 flows through the collection holes between the ridges into the filled cultivation soil 100 in the insertion section 1u, making it possible to achieve both solar power generation and an irrigation system that uses natural water.

[0100] (Third embodiment) As shown in FIG. 2(a), the insertion section 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment of the present invention is composed of a first main wall surface 10d1 and a second main wall surface 10d2, which are made of independent (separate) flexible water-impermeable membranes. The flexible water-impermeable membranes may be either a single or a composite water-impermeable membrane, as in the insertion sections 1d and 1u of the growth members according to the first and second embodiments. That is, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the insertion section 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment has a first main wall surface 10d1 and a second main wall surface 10d2, each made of two flexible water-impermeable membranes. A selectively time-rupturable (selectively time-rupturable) intermittent joint 30 is provided in the center of the bottom region of each of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2. The bottom region is closed like a beak, forming a bottom-less pseudo-bag (storage structure) with an opening at the top end opposite the bottom. The selective rupture of the intermittent joints 30 over time promotes the selective downward growth of the root system of a planted plant with a small amount of irrigation, and prevents root wrapping of the plant root system 301. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the insert 1g of the cultivation member according to the third embodiment has a housing structure with a non-flat bottom region. Furthermore, the insert 1g has a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface that forms the housing structure, allowing overlapping surfaces to slide in opposite directions. This allows at least the upper portion of the housing structure to deform to consume the volume of the gap space defined between the planting groove 210 and the insert 1g, without increasing in-plane stress in the flexible water-blocking membrane. That is, the insertion section 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment is similar to the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment in that it has a first main wall surface 10d1 and a second main wall surface 10d2, each made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, facing each other, a left closing mechanism 19L and a right closing mechanism 19R, each made of a sliding mechanism, on both sides of the U-shaped opposing structure, thereby realizing structural support and stress-free variability of the bottom-less pseudo-bag body. However, it differs from the insertion section 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment in that the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 are made of two flexible water-impermeable membranes that are independent of each other.

[0101] The "intermittent joint 30" refers to a continuous, repeating structure in which joints that join the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 and non-joints that separate the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 are alternately arranged in one dimension. The non-joints form the intermittent joint 30 by arranging multiple permeation channels in the one dimension, which serve as vertical water permeation channels. The intermittent joints 30 correspond to the joints where the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 are joined to each other by hand sewing, sewing with thread using a sewing machine, or stapler needles. When stitching with thread or staples, the joined portions and the non-joined portions between adjacent joined portions are alternately arranged in one dimension to form a continuous repeating structure, and the bottom regions of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 are joined at their opposing surfaces. When stitching or stapling the composite water-resistant membrane, the plant fibers of the composite water-resistant membrane can be exposed at the penetration points of the suture or staple. Similar to the insert 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment, the insert 1g of the cultivation member according to the third embodiment is inserted into each of the planting grooves 210 excavated at multiple locations in the soil bed 200 of the planting area, as in the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6A. The insert 1g can then be applied to a cultivation system in which the cultivation soil 100 is filled into each of the insert 1g, plants 300 are planted in each of the filled cultivation soils 100, and the plants 300 are watered with natural water to cultivate each of the plants 300. The cultivation system according to the third embodiment also has a structure that allows a small amount of irrigation water to leak vertically from the unconnected parts of the intermittent joints 30, and therefore cannot be considered a completely sealed bag. Therefore, like the insert part 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment, the structure of the insert part 1g of the cultivation member according to the third embodiment is also called a "pseudo-bag." Furthermore, a pseudo-bag lacking a flat bottom is called a "bottom-missing pseudo-bag," which describes the structure of the insert part 1d that has a non-flat bottom region.

[0102] That is, in the structure of the insertion section 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment, the storage surface located at the rear in FIG. 2(a) is defined as the "second main wall surface 10d2" for convenience, and the storage surface located at the front and having a rectangular flat portion with a height h and width l is defined as the "first main wall surface 10d1" for convenience. In the exploded view of FIG. 2(b), the surface of the flexible water-impermeable membrane located at the rear is the second main wall surface 10d2 including a rectangular area of ​​h × l, and the surface of the flexible water-impermeable membrane located at the front is the first main wall surface 10d1. In the assembled view of FIG. 2(a), the height h defined between the lower end 13d and the upper end of the first main wall surface 10d1 located at the front is used as the base, and the strip-shaped region with a width of Δh that is 10% or less of this height h and has the lower end 13d as its lower end is the first bottom-side region. 2(b), a height h can be defined between the lower end 13d and the upper end 14a2 of the second main wall surface 10d2 located on the upper side, and the strip-shaped region having a width of Δh, which is 10% or less of this height h, corresponds to the second bottom-side region. Intermittent joints 30 that selectively break over time (selective time-dependent breakage) are provided at positions included in each of the first and second bottom-side regions having a width of Δh so as to close the bottom-side region in a beak-like manner.

[0103] The intermittent joint 30, which is shown by a single dashed line in the center of the bottom region of the development view of the insertion part 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1(b), corresponds to the limit of Δh→0 for the insertion part 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment. However, in the structure of the insertion part 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment, a finite width Δh is required to form the intermittent joint 30 by sewing with thread or stapling to achieve a joint with a certain strength. Therefore, Δh is never 0, and Δh is at least about 0.5 mm. min is necessary.

[0104] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 of the first main wall surface 10d1 is a rectangular (oblong) wall surface that is arranged on the left side of the first main wall surface 10d1 and is intended to be rolled up in a curved shape. The first right auxiliary piece 18R1 shown in Fig. 2(b) is a rectangular (oblong) wall surface that is arranged on the right side of the first main wall surface 10d1 and is intended to be rolled up in a mirror image relationship with the first left auxiliary piece 18L1. 2(a), the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 provided on the second main wall surface 10d2 is a rectangular shape with the third side edge 15d2 as one of its long sides and is a winding-up auxiliary wall surface located on the left side of the second main wall surface 10d2, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 is a winding-up auxiliary wall surface with the fourth side edge 16d2 as one of its long sides and is located on the right side of the second main wall surface 10d2 at a height d and is a mirror image of the second left auxiliary piece 18L2. Note that the first left auxiliary piece 18L1, the first right auxiliary piece 18R1, the second left auxiliary piece 18L2, and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 may be right-angled trapezoids with tapered sides similar to the insertion portion 1d of the growth member according to the first embodiment.

[0105] In Figure 2(a), the left side of the beak-shaped, bottom-less pseudo-bag body is closed by a sliding mechanism in which the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface, but this is merely an example. The left closing mechanism 19L may also be configured with a laminated structure in which the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface, allowing the two pieces to slide in close contact. Similarly, Figure 2(a) shows a structure in which the right side of the bottom-less pseudo-bag body is closed by a sliding mechanism in which the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface, but this is merely an example. The right closing mechanism 19R may be configured with a laminated structure in which the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 forms part of the inner cylindrical surface and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 forms part of the outer cylindrical surface, allowing the two pieces to slide in close contact with each other. The overlapping surface structure of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 and the overlapping surface structure of the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 can autonomously displace the adjacent surfaces that are in surface contact with each other through dry surface contact, wet surface contact, or mechanical surface contact as described in the first embodiment. The sliding mechanism may also be configured with a combination of dry surface contact and mechanical surface contact, or a combination of wet surface contact and mechanical surface contact. As shown in Figures 5 and 6A, when the insertion part 1g is inserted into the planting trench 210, when the culture soil 100 is filled into the insertion part 1g, the pressure from the inside to the outside of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag body causes the surfaces of the two flexible water-proof films to adhere to each other, forming a sliding surface structure.

[0106] A hole is created directly below the portion where the overlapping surface structure of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 protrudes to the left, and a hole is also created directly below the portion where the overlapping surface structure of the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 protrudes to the right. There is a risk that the cultivation soil 100 may fall through these holes. To solve this problem, it is preferable to provide anti-drop auxiliary pieces that are larger than the area (size) of the hole and can fill the hole, and to add anti-drop auxiliary pieces to each end of the hole in the bottom region so that an overlapping area is created around the hole. The ends of the anti-drop auxiliary pieces may be semi-fixed or fixed to both ends of the bottom region by sewing, staples, adhesives, etc. 2(a) and 2(b), an intermittent joint 30 that selectively fractures over time (selective fracture over time) is provided in the central bottom region, excluding the portion that forms the left closing mechanism 19L, which serves as the left folding and closing mechanism of the bottom-less pseudo-bag, and the portion that forms the right closing mechanism 19R, which serves as the right folding and closing mechanism. By providing the intermittent joint 30, the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, which were independent from each other in the original material, are processed into an integrated body as a bottom-less pseudo-bag whose bottom side is closed like a beak, thereby forming the insertion portion 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment.

[0107] As already mentioned, the inserting portion 1g of the growing member according to the third embodiment differs from the inserting portion 1d of the growing member according to the first embodiment in that it is composed of two flexible water-impermeable membranes. Specifically, the inserting portion 1g of the growing member according to the third embodiment is arranged such that the rear second main wall surface 10d2 and the front first main wall surface 10d1 face each other, with the horizontal positions of the respective bottom ends 13d shown at the bottom of FIG. 2(b) as the reference positions. Furthermore, as a raw material, two independent flexible water-impermeable membranes intermittently connect the first bottom region and the second bottom region, thereby realizing a beak-like bent pseudo-bag structure. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 2(a), the bottom of the inserting portion 1g is bent into a beak-like shape by intermittently connecting the band-like first bottom region and second bottom region, each with a width of Δh≦h / 10, with the positions of the respective bottom ends 13d as the common reference positions.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the second main wall surface 10d2 of the insertion section 1g of the growth member according to the third embodiment has a second bottom region whose lower end is the lower end 13d, a third side edge 15d2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second bottom region, and a fourth side edge 16d2 spaced from one end defined by the third side edge 15d2 and opposing the other end in parallel to the one end, forming a rectangular thin film surface having a rectangular area of ​​h × l. The first main wall surface 10d1 shown in Fig. 2(a) has a first side edge 15d1 opposed to the third side edge 15d2 of the second main wall surface 10d2 and spaced from the third side edge 15d2. Furthermore, in the state shown in FIG. 2(a), the first main wall surface 10d1 faces the fourth side edge 16d2 of the second main wall surface 10d2, is spaced from the first side edge 15d1, and has a second side edge 16d1 parallel to the first side edge 15d1. The first main wall surface 10d1 is a thin film surface of the same shape and size as the second main wall surface 10d2, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). The first bottom-side region of the first main wall surface 10d1 faces the second bottom-side region in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction. Intermittent joints are provided at multiple locations along the longitudinal direction of the second bottom-side region, intermittently joining portions of the first bottom-side region to integrate them. The intermittent joints 30 are formed by a one-dimensionally repeated structure of multiple joints arranged intermittently and non-joined portions sandwiched between the multiple joints.

[0109] In the cultivation system according to the third embodiment, in order to prevent the selective downward extension of the plant root system 301 of the plant 300 planted in the culture soil 100 in the insertion portion 1g and to prevent the insertion portion 1g from breaking due to enlargement and growth, it is preferable that the intermittent joints 30 of the insertion portion 1g are closed at the time of planting or initial irrigation. After the planted plant 300 has taken root, it is preferable that the intermittent joints 30 selectively break or decompose over time and open earlier than other parts of the water-shielding film. In order for the intermittent joints 30 to selectively break or decompose over time, it is preferable that the thickness of the water-shielding film at the joints is thin. In the structure of the insertion portion 1g of the cultivation member of the third embodiment shown in Figure 2(a), the water-shielding film layer is two layers, the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, but since the cultivation soil 100 is filled between the two water-shielding film layers, it is essentially a combination of (one layer of the first main wall surface 10d1) + (cultivation soil 100) + (one layer of the second main wall surface 10d2), which makes it easier for selective rupture or selective biodegradation over time to occur.

[0110] When the insert portion 1g is composed of a single water-resistant membrane, the intermittent joints 30 selectively fracture over time due to the hydrotropic expansion effect of the plant root system 301. When the insert portion 1g is composed of a composite water-resistant membrane, the hydrotropic expansion effect and the weakening of the hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers that make up the composite water-resistant membrane combine to efficiently cause selective fracture over time. In particular, composite water-resistant membranes are penetrated and cut by sewing thread or stapler needles, exposing the plant fibers. During the irrigation process, water does not penetrate the plant fiber substrate laminated with a hydrophobic resin film, but penetrates and diffuses from the slightly exposed portions of the plant fiber substrate. As a result, the bond strength of the plant fibers at the penetrated and cut portions decreases due to the breakdown of hydrogen bonds between the constituent molecules, cellulose and hemicellulose. Therefore, the small exposed areas of plant fibers at the intermittent joints 30 are subjected to a pulling force due to the weight and expansion force of the filled culture soil 100, and selectively break over time in preference to areas of the water-blocking membrane located away from the intermittent joints 30.

[0111] To more efficiently achieve selective time-dependent rupture by exposing plant fibers at small penetration points, a preferred method is "eyelet stitching," in which through-holes larger than the diameter of the sewing thread are pre-drilled at the penetration points of the sewing thread and a sewing thread thinner than the diameter of the through-hole is passed through the through-hole. Eyelet stitching is an intermittent joining method similar to threading laces through eyelets in shoes. By drilling through-holes larger than the diameter of the sewing thread, water can penetrate and diffuse more efficiently toward the exposed plant fibers. Similarly, the term "eyelet stitching" will be used hereinafter to include the case where through-holes larger than the diameter of the stapler needle are pre-drilled at the penetration points of the stapler needle and a stapler needle thinner than the diameter of the through-hole is passed through the through-hole. Another method for designing the intermittent joint 30 to selectively rupture over time by irrigation is to use water-soluble fibers for the sewing thread. In this case, preliminary experiments must be conducted to determine the thickness of the sewing thread that will break in the desired time. When water-soluble fibers are used for the sewing thread, a single water-impermeable film may be used instead of a composite water-impermeable film.

[0112] The left closing mechanism 19L and the right closing mechanism 19R, which had been restrained from shifting in the relative positions of the two stacked water-blocking membranes by the intermittent joints 30, are released from this restraint by the selective time-dependent rupture of the intermittent joints 30, and the relative positions of the two water-blocking membranes can slide freely along the surface direction and shift. The volume of the bottom-less pseudo-bag body can change as the relative positions of the two water-blocking membranes at the cross-stacked parts of the closing mechanisms (19L, 19R) slide freely along the surface direction and shift, thereby weakening the force directed outward from the bottom-less pseudo-bag body that is applied to the two water-blocking membranes of the closing mechanisms (19L, 19R), reducing the in-plane stress of the bottom-less pseudo-bag body and improving the resistance to rupture. Furthermore, because the intermittent joints 30 are selectively broken over time, the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 can extend into the soil layer 200 at a position deeper than the intermittent joints 30 within the planting trench 210. This allows the plant root system 301 to selectively extend downward, preventing the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around the roots.

[0113] (Fourth embodiment) As shown in FIG. 3(a), the insertion portion 1e of the growth member according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention uses four flexible water-impermeable membranes, i.e., a first main wall surface 10d1, a second main wall surface 10d2, a left auxiliary wall surface 10f1, and a right auxiliary wall surface 10f2, which are independent (separate) from one another, as its raw materials. The flexible water-impermeable membranes may be either a single water-impermeable membrane or a composite water-impermeable membrane, as with the insertion portions 1d, 1u, and 1g of the growth members according to the first to third embodiments. In the exploded view showing the pre-assembly stage shown in FIG. 3(b), the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, which are rectangular flat plates of the same size, face each other parallel to one another. A left auxiliary wall surface 10f1, which is a U-shaped curved surface, is located to the left of the parallel opposing structure of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 as a cover for the left closing mechanism. A right auxiliary wall surface 10f2, which is a mirror image of the left auxiliary wall surface 10f1, is located to the right of the parallel opposing structure of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 as a cover for the right closing mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the insert section 1e of the growing element according to the fourth embodiment has a non-planar bottom region to form a housing structure. Furthermore, the insert section 1e has a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface forming the housing structure. This allows at least the upper portion of the housing structure to deform to consume the volume of the gap space defined between the planting groove 210 and the insert section 1e without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane, thereby providing structural support and stress-free variability. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the distance between both ends of the left auxiliary wall surface 10f1 is slightly larger than the distance between the parallel opposing structures of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, and the left auxiliary wall surface 10f1 is located outside the left end region of the parallel opposing structure. Therefore, the left auxiliary wall surface 10f1 constitutes a left closing mechanism that functions as a sliding mechanism by slidably adjoining the left end regions of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, sandwiching them from the outside. The both ends of the right auxiliary wall surface 10f2 are located outside the right end region of the parallel opposing structure of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, and constitute a right closing mechanism that slidably adjoins the right end regions of the parallel opposing structure of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, sandwiching them from the outside.

[0114] The insert 1e of the cultivation member according to the fourth embodiment has a first main wall surface 10d1 and a second main wall surface 10d2 facing each other, and has intermittent joints 30 that selectively break over time at the bottom regions of each of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2. As with the cultivation members according to the first to third embodiments, when the insert 1e is made of a single water-resistant membrane, the intermittent joints 30 selectively break over time due to the hydrotropic expansion effect of the plant root system 301. When the insert 1e is made of a composite water-resistant membrane, the hydrotropic expansion effect and the reduced hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers that make up the composite water-resistant membrane combine to efficiently cause selective breakage over time. The selective breakage of the intermittent joints 30 effectively promotes the selective downward extension of the plant root system of a plant with a small amount of irrigation. The feature shown in Fig. 3(b), in which a bottom-less pseudo-bag is formed by closing the bottom region like a beak, is similar to the insert section 1g of the cultivation member according to the third embodiment. That is, the insert section 1e of the cultivation member according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the insert section 1g of the cultivation member according to the third embodiment in that it forms a loincloth-like bottom-less pseudo-bag with open left and right ends, with the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2, each made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, facing each other. However, it differs from the insert section 1g of the cultivation member according to the third embodiment in that it uses a total of four flexible water-impermeable membranes, with the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 facing each other and one left auxiliary wall surface 10f1 forming a left closing mechanism that slidably closes the left end and one right auxiliary wall surface 10f2 forming a right closing mechanism that slidably closes the right end.

[0115] The "intermittent joint 30" is similar to the insert 1g of the cultivation member according to the third embodiment in that it is a continuous, repeating structure in which joints connecting the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 and non-joints between adjacent joints are alternately arranged in a single dimension. The non-joints form the intermittent joint 30 by arranging multiple infiltration channels in a single dimension, which serve as infiltration channels for water and other substances along the vertical direction. Similarly to the inserts 1d and 1g of the cultivation members according to the first and third embodiments, the insert 1e of the cultivation member according to the fourth embodiment is inserted into each of the planting grooves 210 excavated at multiple locations in the soil bed 200 of the planting area, as in the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6A. The insert 1e of the cultivation member according to the fourth embodiment can be applied to a cultivation system in which culture soil 100 is filled inside each insert 1e, plants 300 are planted in the filled culture soil 100, and the plants 300 are watered with natural water to cultivate each plant 300. Because the structure allows for a small amount of irrigation water to leak vertically from the non-connected portions and is not a completely sealed bag, the structure of the insert 1e of the cultivation member according to the fourth embodiment is also referred to as a "pseudo-bag," similar to the inserts 1d and 1g of the cultivation members according to the first and third embodiments. Furthermore, a pseudo-bag lacking a flat bottom is referred to as a "bottom-missing pseudo-bag," which expresses the structural characteristics of the insert 1e of the cultivation member according to the fourth embodiment, which has a non-flat bottom region.

[0116] A hole is generated directly below the portion where the left auxiliary wall surface 10f1 protrudes to the left as shown in Figure 3(a), and a hole is also generated directly below the portion where the right auxiliary wall surface 10f2 protrudes to the right as shown in Figure 3(a). There is a risk of the soil 100 falling through these holes. To resolve this problem, it is preferable to add anti-drop auxiliary pieces that are larger than the area of ​​the holes and can fill the holes to the holes at both ends of the bottom side region shown in Figure 3(a), so that an overlapping area is created around the holes. Furthermore, each end of the anti-drop auxiliary pieces may be semi-fixed or fixed to both ends of the overlapping bottom side region by sewing, stapling, adhesive, etc. In this case, a total of six flexible water-shielding membranes constitute the insertion portion 1e. In the exploded view of Figure 3(b), the surface of the flexible water-shielding membrane located at the back becomes the second main wall surface 10d2, which includes a rectangular area of ​​h × l, and the surface of the flexible water-shielding membrane located at the front becomes the first main wall surface 10d1. In the assembled view of Fig. 3(a), a height h defined between the lower end 13d and the upper end of the first main wall surface 10d1 located in the foreground is used as a reference, and a strip-like region with a width of Δh, with the lower end 13d as its lower end, is the first bottom-side region. In the partial view (exploded view) of Fig. 3(b), a height h can be defined between the lower end 13d and the upper end 14a2 of the second main wall surface 10d2 located above, and a strip-like region with a width of Δh, which is 10% of the height h, corresponds to the second bottom-side region. Intermittent joints 30 are provided to close each of the first and second bottom-side regions having a width of Δh in a beak-like manner.

[0117] The left end surfaces of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 constituting the left closing mechanism and the left auxiliary wall surface 10f1 can be connected by dry surface contact, wet surface contact, or mechanical surface contact as described in the first embodiment, allowing autonomous displacement of adjacent surfaces in surface contact. A sliding mechanism may be configured by a combination of dry surface contact and mechanical surface contact, or a combination of wet surface contact and mechanical surface contact. Similarly, the right end surfaces of the first main wall surface 10d1 and the second main wall surface 10d2 constituting the right closing mechanism and the right auxiliary wall surface 10f2 can be connected by dry surface contact, wet surface contact, mechanical surface contact, or the like as described in the first embodiment, allowing autonomous sliding displacement of opposing surfaces along the surface direction. When a force is generated from the inside to the outside of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag body that constitutes the insertion portion 1e, the connection by the sliding mechanism that slides the overlapping surfaces provided on the left closing mechanism and the right closing mechanism in opposite directions against each other is such that the size of the intersecting opposing surfaces of the sliding mechanism is desirably an area that takes into account sufficient margin to sufficiently guarantee autonomous displacement so that the structure of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag body can be maintained even if a displacement occurs due to autonomous sliding along the surface direction.

[0118] The insert 1e of the cultivation element according to the fourth embodiment allows the relative positions of the adjacent opposing surfaces of the sliding mechanisms of the left and right closing mechanisms to freely slide and shift along the surface, allowing the volume of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag formed by the insert 1e to change, weakening the force acting from the inside to the outside of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag. This reduces the in-plane stress of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag and improves its resistance to breakage. Furthermore, the insert 1e of the cultivation element according to the fourth embodiment selectively and preferentially breaks the intermittent joints 30 over time, allowing the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 to extend into the soil layer 200 deeper than the intermittent joints 30 within the planting trench 210. This induces the plant root system 301 to selectively extend downward and prevents the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around the plant root system 301.

[0119] (Fifth embodiment) =Cultivation materials= In the cultivation members according to the first to fourth embodiments, the planar pattern of the planting groove 210 is illustrated as a rectangle or a rounded rectangle. However, the planar pattern of the planting groove 210 may also be circular. As explained at the beginning of the section on the first embodiment, in this specification, a hole with a planar pattern of a circle or a shape close to a circle is also referred to as a "planting groove." That is, the insertion section 1f of the cultivation member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is formed by winding a circumferential main wall surface 10f made of a single flexible water-impermeable membrane counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 4(a) to form a cylindrical shape, and is inserted into the planting groove 210 having a circular planar pattern. As with the insertion sections 1d, 1u, 1g, and 1e of the cultivation members according to the first to fourth embodiments, the flexible water-impermeable membrane may be either a single water-impermeable membrane or a composite water-impermeable membrane. Furthermore, the basic structure is such that one side end face of the cylindrical circumferential main wall surface 10f partially overlaps the other side end face so that the other side end face passes over it, and a sliding mechanism is provided at the overlapping portion. That is, when one of the circumferential main wall surfaces 10f is wound around once by a roller or by hand to form a cylindrical shape, the area near the other side end surface of the circumferential main wall surface 10f, which is located on the outer side, wraps around the cylindrical surface counterclockwise one or more times, and wraps around the area near one of the inner side ends. Therefore, the area on the cylindrical surface where the overlapping curved surfaces are close to each other functions as a sliding mechanism. As shown in Figure 4(a), the insertion portion 1f has a non-flat bottom side area and forms a cylindrical storage body structure.

[0120] The insertion section 1f of the cultivation member according to the fifth embodiment has a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface forming the housing structure, achieving structural support and stress-free variability. That is, by changing the outer circumferential length of the cylinder using the sliding mechanism, it is possible to deform at least the upper portion of the housing structure to consume the volume of the gap space established between the planting groove 210 and the insertion section 1f while suppressing an increase in in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane. If the planar pattern of the planting groove 210 is rectangular, as described for the cultivation members according to the first to fourth embodiments, the inner walls of adjacent planar surfaces of the planting groove 210 intersect at right angles to form four inscribed edges. In this case, there are gap spaces between the four inscribed edges and the outer wall of the flat cylinder, and the shape of the flexible and slidable insertion section 1d can be deformed until the gap spaces generated by the four inscribed edges are filled. However, since the planar pattern of the planting groove 210 into which the cultivation member according to the fifth embodiment is inserted is circular, the outer circumferential length c growth reaches its maximum value when the diameter of the insertion portion 1d becomes the diameter of the planting groove 210.

[0121] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4(a), the insert 1f of the cultivation element according to the fifth embodiment locally compresses the bottom region of the cylindrical body to form two opposing surfaces, forming intermittent joints 30 that selectively fracture over time. The selective fracture of the intermittent joints 30 promotes the selective downward extension of planted root systems with a small amount of irrigation. Similar to the inserts 1g and 1e of the cultivation elements according to the third and fourth embodiments, the "intermittent joints 30" overlap the bottom region of the cylindrical circumferential main wall 10f along a specific compression direction, forming a continuous, repeating structure in which multiple joints that connect the opposing bottom region surfaces and non-joined sections between adjacent joints are alternately arranged in a single dimension. The non-joined sections form multiple infiltration channels along the vertical direction for water, etc. That is, the intermittent joints 30 are formed by arranging non-bonded portions in a one-dimensional direction between multiple bonded portions. If the height of the cylinder shown in FIG. 4(a) is h, a strip-like region with a width of Δh, which is less than 10% of the height h, corresponds to the bottom region of the insertion portion 1f of the growth member according to the fifth embodiment. Therefore, the bottom region with a width of Δh is locally pressed to intermittently bond the two opposing surfaces, forming the intermittent joints 30. As with the growth members according to the first to fourth embodiments, when the insertion portion 1f is composed of a single water-impermeable membrane, the intermittent joints 30 selectively fracture over time due to the hydrotropic expansion effect of the plant root system 301. When the insertion portion 1f is composed of a composite water-impermeable membrane, the hydrotropic expansion effect and the reduced hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers constituting the composite water-impermeable membrane combine to efficiently generate selective fracture over time. In particular, when the insertion portion 1f is made of a composite waterproof membrane, in order to allow water to penetrate and diffuse into the plant fibers at the small exposed areas and enable selective rupture of the intermittent joints 30 over time, a structure such as blind hole stitching as described in the third embodiment may be adopted.

[0122] The structure of the adhesive surface (contact surface) where one side end surface and the other side end surface of the circumferential main wall surface 10f overlap can be a structure that can autonomously shift adjacent surfaces that are in surface contact using dry surface contact, wet surface contact, or mechanical surface contact, as described in the first embodiment. The sliding mechanism can also be configured using a combination of dry surface contact and mechanical surface contact, or a combination of wet surface contact and mechanical surface contact. A sliding mechanism that slides the overlapping surfaces in opposite directions can change the outer circumferential length of the cylinder by shifting the opposing surfaces due to autonomous sliding movement along the circumferential direction. When a force is generated from the inside to the outside of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag that constitutes the insertion portion 1f, even if the position of the adhesive surface in the sliding mechanism shifts along the circumferential direction, the structure of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag can be maintained. It is desirable that the circumferential length of the adhesive surface in the sliding mechanism be long enough to accommodate the autonomous shift.

[0123] The insert 1f of the cultivation element according to the fifth embodiment allows the relative position of the adhesive surface on the overlapping surface to freely slide and shift along the circumferential direction, allowing the volume of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag formed by the insert 1f to change, weakening the force acting from the inside to the outside of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag. This reduces the in-plane stress of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag and improves its breakage resistance. Furthermore, the insert 1f of the cultivation element according to the fifth embodiment selectively and preferentially breaks the intermittent joints 30 over time, allowing the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 to extend into the soil bed 200 deeper than the intermittent joints 30 within the planting trench 210. This promotes the selective downward extension of the plant root system 301 and prevents the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around the plant root system 301.

[0124] = Training System = Like the inserts 1d, 1g, and 1e of the cultivation members according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the insert 1f of the cultivation member according to the fifth embodiment is inserted into each of the planting furrows 210 with a large aspect ratio D / W excavated at multiple locations in the soil bed 200 of the planting area, as shown in Figures 5 and 6A. As already explained in the section on the first embodiment, the "furrow width W" is the dimension measured as the narrowest width on a vertical cross section of the planting furrow 210. If the planting furrow 210 has a circular planar pattern, the narrowest width is the diameter of the circle. D in the aspect ratio D / W is the depth of the planting furrow 210. In the cultivation system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the planting furrow 210 preferably has an aspect ratio D / W ≥ 5, and more preferably has an aspect ratio D / W ≥ 10. The inserts 1f are inserted into the planting grooves 210 with a large aspect ratio D / W, and then filled with culture soil 100. Plants 300 are then planted in the filled culture soil 100 and watered by natural water or manual irrigation. The inserts 1f are designed to allow a small amount of irrigation water to leak vertically from the non-jointed portions of the intermittent joints 30 provided in the bottom region of the inserts 1f. Therefore, the inserts 1f are not completely sealed bags. Therefore, the structure of the inserts 1f of the cultivation member according to the fifth embodiment is also referred to as a "pseudo-bag," similar to the inserts 1f, 1g, and 1e of the cultivation members according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments. Furthermore, pseudo-bags lacking a flat bottom are referred to as "bottom-missing pseudo-bags," reflecting the characteristics of the structure with a non-flat bottom region. In addition to the procedure of transporting a prepared insertion portion 1f to the planting site and inserting it into the planting trench 210 dug in the soil bed 200 of the planting site, it is also possible to dig the planting trench 210 in the soil bed 200 at the planting site (site) and then roll up the insertion portion 1f on site to create an insertion portion 1f that fits the perimeter of the planting trench 210. If the perimeter of the planting trench 210 is small, after forming the insertion portion 1f, unnecessary portions of the rolled water-blocking membrane can be cut off and the cut portions can be collected, which can reduce material costs, as shown in Figure 4(b).

[0125] =Planting method= A planting method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention uses a mobile planting device as shown in Fig. 8 to insert insertion sections 1a1, 1a2, ... of a cultivation member according to the fifth embodiment into multiple planting grooves 210 with a large aspect ratio D / W excavated in a soil bed 200 of a planting site, fill each insertion section 1a1, 1a2, ... with culture medium 100, plant a plant 300 in each of the filled culture medium 100, and water the plant 300 with natural water. Using the mobile planting device as shown in Fig. 8, multiple planting grooves 210 with an aspect ratio D / W ≥ 10 can be excavated, even if the groove diameter W is less than 10 cm, and insertion sections 1a1, 1a2, ... can be inserted into the multiple planting grooves 210.

[0126] The mobile planting device shown in Figure 8 has, as its overall vehicle structure, a transport means 150 such as a tractor, a towing tool 155 connected to the rear of the transport means 150, and a wheeled loading platform 160 connected to the towing tool 155. The mobile planting device shown in Figure 8 also has a member storage box 51c loaded on the loading platform 160 on the side of the transport means 150, and planting devices (71, 73, 75, 77) mounted on the loading platform 160 on a side away from the transport means 150. The loading platform 160 has an opening, and the auger 71 can pass through the opening and move up and down between the loading platform 160 and the soil bed 200. The insertion sections 1a1, 1a2, ... of the cultivation members according to the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 4(a) are stored in the member storage box 51c, secured with their longitudinal direction (the direction in which the roots grow) aligned vertically. At this point, the multiple insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, ... may be filled with a small amount of culture soil 100, just enough to cause the multiple insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, ... to droop, or may be filled with enough culture soil 100 to grow plants 300, or may already have seeds planted in them.

[0127] The mobile planting device shown in Figure 8 includes a lifting mechanism 77 mounted on a platform 160, an auger mounting cylinder 73 fixed to the vertical shaft of the lifting mechanism 77 and capable of moving up and down the vertical shaft, an auger 71 fixed to the auger mounting cylinder 73, and a rotation mechanism 75 fixed to the auger mounting cylinder 73. An auger, commonly referred to as an "earth auger," is a type of excavation machine for a soil layer 200. The auger 71 has a hollow shaft through which the insertion sections 1a1, 1a2, etc. can pass. The auger mounting cylinder 73 and the rotation mechanism 75 also have hollow shafts through which the insertion sections 1a1, 1a2, etc. can pass. The auger 71 has a hollow rotation shaft and an opening / closing mechanism attached to the tip of the hollow shaft on the insertion direction side (downward) of the hollow rotation shaft.

[0128] The opening / closing unit is in the "closed state" shown in Figure 9(a) when pressure is applied from the outside, and in the "open state" shown in Figure 9(b) due to its own weight when the pressure from the outside is released. In the "open state" shown in Figure 9(b), the opening / closing unit opens by dividing into multiple head pieces. The opening / closing unit is a so-called "divided head" that is divided into multiple pieces around the circumference by dividing lines extending in the generatrix direction of an inverted cone hollow. Each of the multiple head pieces is independently connected to a rotating shaft via a hinge, and each of the multiple head pieces can be opened and closed independently. A spiral screw is provided on the outer periphery of the auger 71 and the opening / closing unit.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the auger 71 is rotated in a first rotational direction by the rotation mechanism 75 and lowered by the lifting mechanism 77. The opening / closing sections are subjected to pressure from the soil layer 200 and remain in a "closed state," excavating and inserting the soil layer 200 vertically to excavate a planting furrow 210 having an aspect ratio D / W≧5, preferably D / W≧10. After excavating to the desired depth, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the auger 71 is raised by the lifting mechanism 77 while being rotated in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction by the rotation mechanism 75. During this ascent, the opening / closing sections are released from pressure from the soil layer 200 and are therefore in an "open state." Therefore, when the insertion sections 1a1, 1a2, etc. are inserted from the auger mounting cylinder 73, they pass through the opening / closing sections and are inserted into the planting furrow 210 up to the intended position of the intermittent joint 30 designed within the furrow. The auger 71 serves as an insertion guide for the insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, . . . , making it possible to insert the insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, .

[0130] Taking the above into consideration, the insertion portions 1a1, 1a2, ... of the cultivation member of the fifth embodiment can be inserted into the planting groove 210 in the soil bed 200 of the planting area using a mobile planting device, roughly through the following representative steps. (p) The auger 71 is inserted into the soil layer 200 of the planting area by lowering the lifting mechanism 77 and rotating the rotation mechanism 75 in the first direction, thereby forming a planting furrow 210 with an aspect ratio D / W≧5, preferably a planting furrow 210 with an aspect ratio D / W≧10. (q) The inserting parts 1a1, 1a2, ... each filled with the soil 100 are housed in the hollow shaft of the auger 71. (r) By rotating the rotation mechanism 34 in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, and by raising the lifting mechanism 33, the insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, ... filled with the cultivation soil 100 are left in the planting trench 210 formed in step (p), and the auger 71 is removed from the soil bed 200 of the planting area. (s) If necessary, the culture soil 100 is additionally filled, and seeds or seedlings are planted in the insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, ... filled with the culture soil 100. It should be noted that step (s) can also be performed using a device other than the mobile planting device. In step (r), if the inserting sections 1a1, 1a2, ... that already contain raised seedlings are filled instead of the inserting sections 1a1, 1a2, ... that are filled with culture soil 100, step (s) can of course be omitted.

[0131] <First Modification of Fifth Embodiment> The insertion section 1a of the growth member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention has a circumferential main wall surface 10a made of a single flexible water-impermeable membrane, as shown in FIG. 11B. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, the circumferential main wall surface 10a is wound clockwise to form a flattened cylindrical shape. The right end 16a of the circumferential main wall surface 10a, which is wound clockwise to form a flattened cylindrical shape, moves leftward, passing over the left end 15a, and overlaps, with a sliding mechanism provided at the overlapping portion. That is, when the single circumferential main wall surface 10a is wound clockwise by a roller or manually to form a flattened cylindrical shape, the area near the right end 16a of the circumferential main wall surface 10a, which is located on the outer side, wraps around the area near the left end 15a on the inner side after wrapping around the flattened cylindrical surface one or more times. The inserting section 1f shown in FIG. 4(a) is cylindrical in shape with a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is nearly a perfect circle, while the inserting section 1a shown in FIG. 11A is cylindrical in shape with a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis that is nearly a rounded rectangle. The inserting section 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment also has the same characteristic as the inserting section 1f of the cultivation member according to the fifth embodiment, that is, when the cultivation soil 100 is not filled, it forms a flexible, bottom-less pseudo-bag body with an opening at the upper end 14a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11D, the bottom side region of the lower end 13a, which is opposite the upper end 14a, is narrowed to form a beak (V-shape).

[0132] The insert section 1a of the cultivation element according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment has a sliding mechanism where the left end 15a of the main wall surface 10, made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane that constitutes the container structure, faces rightward, while the right end 16a faces leftward. This allows the volume to be varied during plant cultivation. As shown in FIG. 11A, the sliding mechanism allows the overlapping surfaces to slide in opposite directions on the surrounding surface, providing structural support for stress-free variability. That is, the sliding mechanism allows at least the upper portion of the outer shape defined by the container structure to deform to fit the shape of the inner wall of the planting groove 210 without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-impermeable membrane. That is, the shape of at least the upper portion can be deformed to consume the volume of the gap between the planting groove 210 and the insert section 1a. In the bottom region defined by the lower end 13a, as shown in FIG. 11C, multiple connecting portions (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, etc., which intermittently bond and fix opposing surfaces to each other, are linearly arranged (one-dimensionally) to create a pseudo-bag (pseudo-bag) with an opening at the upper end 14a. The pseudo-bag is a bottom-less pseudo-bag lacking a flat bottom. Between the multiple connecting portions (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, etc., multiple non-connecting portions 41a1, 41a2, etc. are alternately arranged in a straight line to complement the arrangement of the multiple connecting portions (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, etc., forming an intermittent joint. Each of the multiple non-connecting portions 41a1, 41a2, etc. forms a vertical permeation flow path for water, etc. Therefore, the insertion portion 1a does not become a complete bag.

[0133] The insert 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment is flexible. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13(b), filling the cultivation soil 100 through the opening of the upper end 14a increases the distance between the opposing surfaces at locations other than the lower end 13a, causing the upper end 14a to bulge. When irrigation is performed through the opening of the upper end 14a after filling the cultivation soil 100 through the opening, some of the irrigation water leaks out (downward) from the non-connected portions 41a1, 41a2, etc., which form the multiple infiltration channels. The insert 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment is also volume-variable. Therefore, filling the cultivation soil 100 through the opening of the upper end 14a increases the circumferential length at locations other than the lower end 13a, as shown in FIG. 13(b). Even if the culture soil 100 expands as the root systems 301 of the plants planted in the culture soil 100 grow, the volume can be increased by lengthening the circumferential length of the portions other than the lower end portion 13a.

[0134] That is, the insert portion 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment intermittently adheres to the lower end portion 13a of the bottom-less pseudo-bag, forming an intermittent joint that selectively breaks over time when irrigated. Water and particles such as fine sand leak to the outside through the multiple non-jointed portions (permeation channels) 41a1, 41a2, etc. Meanwhile, clumps of soil that have absorbed water and coagulated are designed to remain contained and accommodated within the bottom-less pseudo-bag without leaking to the outside through the multiple non-jointed portions 41a1, 41a2, etc. The insert portion 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment serves as a plant cultivation container that can be filled with culture soil and irrigated to cultivate plants from seeds or seedlings.

[0135] The surrounding main wall surface 10a, made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, that constitutes the insert portion 1a of the cultivation element according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment can be formed into a cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. 11A, by overlapping and slidably stacking (adhering) the left end 15a and right end 16a of at least one flexible water-impermeable membrane sheet. The culture soil 100 filled into the insert portion 1a expands as the plant root system 301 grows. The sliding mechanism, formed by the overlapping surface structure of the left end 15a and right end 16a shown in FIG. 11A, allows the sliding mechanism to autonomously slide relative to each other so that the internal volume can expand as the culture soil 100 expands, thereby preventing the bottom-less pseudo-bag from breaking. 11A, when a single flexible water-impermeable membrane sheet is wrapped around in a strip shape and laminated (adhered) so that left end 15a and right end 16a can slide against each other, the overlapping portion of strip-shaped left end 15a and right end 16a may be located anywhere on the opposing surfaces formed in the bottom region of the bottom-less pseudo-bag when multiple joints (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, ... are provided in lower end 13a to form a bottom-less pseudo-bag. Furthermore, the amount of overlapping portion between left end 15a and right end 16a is not critical, but the area of ​​the overlapping portion must be large enough to maintain the cylindrical shape of the bottom-less pseudo-bag even if the volume of the bottom-less pseudo-bag increases due to sliding of the overlapping portion.

[0136] The inserting portion 1a of the growth member according to the first modified embodiment of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 11A has a rectangular front shape when nothing is filled inside, but it may have a shape other than a rectangle. For example, a convex portion continuous with the surrounding main wall surface 10a made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane may be provided near the center of the upper end portion 14a of each of the two opposing surfaces, the front and back, of the inserting portion 1a of the growth member according to the first modified embodiment of the fifth embodiment, and these two convex portions may function as handles for the inserting portion 1a. Furthermore, the inserting portion 1a of the growth member according to the first modified embodiment of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 11A has a horizontally elongated rectangular front shape when nothing is filled inside, but any shape, such as a vertically elongated shape or a shape that narrows from the top to the bottom, may be used.

[0137] In the structure illustrated in Figures 11A-11C of the insert section 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment, multiple joints (narrowed sections) 31a1, 31a2, ... are formed by the sewing thread 21, and the opposing surfaces formed in the bottom region of the bottom-less pseudo-bag body intermittently adhere near the lower end 13a, forming an intermittent joint that is designed to selectively fracture over time. One method for designing the intermittent joint to selectively fracture over time by irrigation is to use water-soluble fiber for the sewing thread 21. Instead of using water-soluble fiber for the sewing thread 21, the flexible water-impermeable membrane that constitutes the insert section 1a may be composed of a composite water-impermeable membrane having at least a two-layer laminate structure: a plant fiber layer and a hydrophobic material layer laminated on the plant fiber layer, as employed in the insert sections 1d, 1g, 1e, and 1f of the cultivation members according to the first to fifth embodiments. In the case of a composite water-resistant membrane with a two-layer laminate structure, it is preferable to use a hydrophobic material layer positioned on the inner wall surface of the bottom-missing pseudo-bag body that constitutes the insertion portion 1a of the cultivation member in the first modified example of the fifth embodiment. Even if the sewing thread 21 is a water-insoluble fiber, a small amount of the plant fiber layer is exposed where the sewing thread 21 penetrates the composite water-resistant membrane. When water penetrates the exposed plant fiber layer, the hydrogen bonds between the plant fibers are broken, and the intermittent joints are selectively (preferentially) determined. To more efficiently allow water to penetrate and diffuse into the plant fibers in the small exposed areas, a structure such as the blind hole sewing described in the third embodiment can be used.

[0138] Whether the composite waterproof membrane is a laminated composite waterproof membrane, a coated / impregnated composite waterproof membrane, or an internally added paper-making composite waterproof membrane, water penetrates the plant fiber layer exposed where the sewing thread 21 penetrates the composite waterproof membrane, causing the hydrogen bonds between the plant fibers to break down, and the intermittent joints are selectively (preferentially) determined. Using the sewing thread 21, the opposing surfaces formed in the bottom region of the bottom-less pseudo-bag body are sewn together in a one-dimensional direction by wavy stitching or the like from the right or left end of the lower end 13a of the rectangular front shape of the insertion part 1a, thereby forming a discrete, one-dimensional array of multiple joints (narrowed parts) 31a1, 31a2, ... 12(a), at the location where sewing thread 21 penetrates two apparently opposing circumferential main wall surfaces 10a made of flexible water-impermeable membrane, the two apparently opposing surfaces of circumferential main wall surfaces 10a made of flexible water-impermeable membrane are physically constrained to be close to each other, resulting in a one-dimensional array of multiple point-like joints (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, .... Between each of the multiple joints (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, ..., multiple non-jointed portions (permeation flow paths) 41a1, 41a2, ... are discretely arranged one-dimensionally, so that the two opposing surfaces of circumferential main wall surfaces 10a made of flexible water-impermeable membrane are not constrained to be closer to each other than the multiple joints (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, ... and can be spaced apart relatively.

[0139] Multiple joints (narrowed portions) 31a1, 31a2, ... and multiple non-joined portions 41a1, 41a2, ... are arranged in a one-dimensional, alternating, dashed line pattern at the lower end 13a, forming a so-called "linear mesh"-like structure that functions as a barrier for soil and irrigation. To achieve a linear arrangement of multiple joints (narrowed portions), other options include insert portion 1a sewn with two sewing threads by lockstitching with a sewing machine as shown in FIG. 12(a) (a second variation of the fifth embodiment), insert portion 1b sewn with two sewing threads as shown in FIG. 12(b) (a third variation of the fifth embodiment), insert portion 1c fixed with staples as shown in FIG. 12(c) (a third variation of the fifth embodiment), and insert portion 1p fixed with adhesive, heat sealing, or other point bonding as shown in FIG. 12(d) (a fourth variation of the fifth embodiment). Using biodegradable materials for the sewing thread and staples allows them to biodegrade over time, thereby achieving a low environmental impact. Cotton or silk thread can be used as the sewing thread, and aliphatic polyester resin can be used for the sewing thread and stapler needle.

[0140] Figures 13(a)-(c) and 14 show the state of the insertion section 1a filled with culture soil 100. In Figures 13(a) and 13(b), the culture soil 100 is shown filled from the upper end 14a of the insertion section 1a to slightly below, but the amount of culture soil 100 filled is arbitrary. Depending on the work process, a small amount of culture soil 100 is first filled to slightly above the lower end 13a of the insertion section 1a, and finally filled to the top of the insertion section 1a, in a "divided filling" manner. As shown in Figure 14, the distance dx between the connecting portions 31a2 and 31a3 is defined as the "active length" of the non-connecting portion 41a2, and the width dy of the non-connecting portion 41a2 perpendicular to the active length dx at the center of the active length dx is defined as the "buffer width" of the non-connecting portion 41a2. Compared to when the insertion section 1a is empty, when the insertion section 1a is filled with culture soil 100, the buffer width dy of the non-bonding section 41a2 expands and the working length dx decreases. The change in shape of the gap in the non-bonding section 41a2 stops when the expansion force generated by the filling of the insertion section 1a with culture soil 100 and the tension of the surrounding main wall surface 10a made of a flexible water-blocking membrane are balanced. When a large amount of culture soil 100 is filled, the pressing force of the culture soil 100 greatly expands the buffer width dy, and the non-bonding section 41a2 becomes a gap shaped like a "pot belly filled with culture soil." The working length dx and buffer width dy are the same for non-bonding sections (multiple infiltration channels) other than the non-bonding section 41a2.

[0141] When the culture soil 100 begins to fill the insertion section 1a, particles smaller than the smaller of the working length dx or the buffer width dy (hereinafter referred to as the "sieve mesh") may fall out from the center of the non-bonding section 41a2. However, because the culture soil particles aggregate together to form larger clumps due to interactions and pressure between particles, only a small amount of culture soil particles actually fall out. Furthermore, once the culture soil 100 has accumulated at the lower end 13a of the insertion section 1a, almost no culture soil 100 falls out of the non-bonding section 41a2 during subsequent filling of the culture soil 100. The residual accumulation rate can be improved by increasing the degree of compression or humidifying the culture soil 100 being filled. The working length dx is preferably 5 mm or more and 1.5 cm or less, from the viewpoint of balancing culture soil retention and irrigation water leakage.

[0142] When the culture medium 100 in the insertion section 1a is filled with water, the water seeps downward through the culture medium 100 and is temporarily blocked by the multiple joints 31a1, 31a2, etc. The blocked water then seeps back into the culture medium 100 above, and over time leaks out through the multiple non-joints 41a1, 41a2, etc. Generally, when watering seedling containers from above, specific water channels form within the culture medium in proportion to the particle size of the culture medium particles, causing water to leak from the bottom without fully penetrating the entire culture medium. Therefore, to achieve both water conservation and high water penetration into the culture medium, submerged bottom watering, in which the seedling container is immersed from the bottom in a water tank, is effective. Even in existing seedling pots with bottoms, water remaining at the bottom can create a pseudo-submerged bottom watering effect. Compared to existing seedling raising pots with a bottom surface, the inserting section 1a of the growing member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment has a small bottom surface with multiple connecting sections 31a1, 31a2, ..., where the culture soil 100 is densely compressed and accumulated. This allows the dammed water to penetrate and reach the upper part of the culture soil 100 and remain there for a long time, providing a high pseudo-submerged bottom irrigation effect and enabling both water conservation and a high water infiltration rate into the culture soil 100.

[0143] A preferred method for linearly arranging the multiple connected portions (narrowed portions) is a sewing method using fibers or twisted yarn, as shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b). With the sewing method, the multiple connected portions (narrowed portions) are arranged in a point-like manner, such as the multiple connected portions 31a1, 31a2, etc., as shown in Figure 12(a) and elsewhere. Therefore, the proportion of the cross-sectional area occupied by the multiple non-connected portions 41a1, 41a2, etc. at the lower end portion 13a is larger than that occupied by the multiple connected portions 31a1, 31a2, etc. Because the proportion of the cross-sectional area occupied by the multiple non-connected portions 41a1, 41a2, etc. at the lower end portion 13a is relatively large, roots tend to grow downward through the multiple non-connected portions 41a1, 41a2, etc., making it difficult for root wrapping to occur inside the insertion portion 1a. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12(a), 13(c) and 14, the sewing thread 21 exists as a "pressure application portion" along one arc around each of the multiple non-connected portions 41a1, 41a2, ..., which has the effect of suppressing excessive expansion in the dy direction and suppressing excessive falling off of the cultivation soil 100 and excessive leakage of irrigation water.

[0144] Any type of soil can be used as the culture soil 100 to be filled into the insertion portion 1a, but by using low-permeability clay soil or a highly hydrophilic material as the culture soil 100, it is possible to extend the time for leakage through the multiple non-bonding portions 41a1, 41a2, ... and to extend the time for the irrigated water to permeate to the lower end 13a. The culture soil to be filled into the insertion portion 1a may be molded culture soil. It is also possible to use a combination of molded culture soil and culture soil with a degree of freedom in shape as the culture soil to be filled into the insertion portion 1a.

[0145] The insert section 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment can be used, for example, for raising seedlings. As shown in FIG. 15, multiple insert sections 1a1, 1a2...1a6, which have the same structure as the insert section 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment, are filled with culture soil, and seedlings (seeds, seedlings, or bulbs) are planted and watered, allowing for seedling raising in locations other than the planting site where seedling management is easier. As shown in FIG. 15, the multiple insert sections 1a1, 1a2...1a6 in which plants have been planted are stored in a close proximity to each other inside an insert container 51a having a cylindrical wall. A partition plate 53a horizontally installed midway along the cylindrical wall of the insert container 51a preferably has a mesh structure.

[0146] If the partition plate 53a has a mesh structure, excess irrigation water from the multiple insertion sections 1a1, 1a2...1a6 in which plants are planted can be discharged into the lower space through the mesh structure of the partition plate 53a, preventing root rot.In addition, the so-called ``air root cutting'' effect stops the downward extension of the plant root systems 301 from the multiple insertion sections 1a1, 1a2...1a6, so that the multiple insertion sections 1a1, 1a2...1a6 in which plants are grown can be removed from the insertion section container 51a without damaging the plant root systems 301.

[0147] FIG. 16 shows a plurality of insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, . . . 1a, each having the same structure as the insertion part 1a of the growth member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment. k (k is a natural number of 2 or more) are housed in the insertion portion container 51b. The insertion portion container 51b is a container having the same structure as the insertion portion container 51a shown in FIG. 15.k As a method of storing the insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, . . . 1a, first, k A small amount of soil is filled into each of the inserting portions 1a1, 1a2...1a k Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the plurality of insertion sections 1a1, 1a2, . . . 1a are placed in the insertion section container 51b. k are fastened and stored so that their longitudinal directions (directions in which the roots grow) are vertical. k Finally, the plurality of insert parts 1a1, 1a2...1a k Seeds, seedlings, bulbs, or cuttings (seedlings, etc.) are sown or planted in the soil inside, and the seeds, etc. are grown by watering.

[0148] The insertion portions 1a1, 1a2, . . . 1a are filled with a smaller amount of soil than the cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical internal space of the insertion portion container 51b. k The insertion portions 1a1, 1a2, ... 1a are arranged so that the total cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction of the insertion portions 1a1, 1a2, ... 1a is larger than the total cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction of the insertion portions 1a1, 1a2, ... 1a k By storing an excessive number of insertion parts 1a1, 1a2, ... 1a k In each of the flexible water-shielding films, a twist occurs to eliminate the difference in cross-sectional area, i.e., vertical wrinkles occur in the substantially vertical direction. k The cross-sectional areas of the respective insertion portions 1a are smaller than before they are stored in the insertion portion container 51b. When the insertion portion 1a having vertical wrinkles (kinks) for planting is removed from the insertion portion container 51b and planted, the vertical wrinkles (kinks) act as a buffer against the growth of the plant root system 301 after planting, leading to the prevention of damage such as breakage of the insertion portion 1a and the prevention of root wrapping.

[0149] The insert 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment can be used to raise seedlings in a storage device such as the insert container 51a shown in Fig. 15 or the insert container 51b shown in Fig. 16, and then removed from the storage device and planted directly in a recess in the planting ground, or planted directly in another insert 1a filled with culture soil from the planting ground. In these planting procedures, the insert 1a containing the planted seedlings is planted as is, reducing damage to the plant root system 301 caused by removing the seedling container and eliminating the need for work steps such as removing the seedling container.

[0150] Furthermore, the inserting portion 1a of the cultivating member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment can also be used in a method in which, without undergoing a seedling raising process outside the planting site, the inserting portion 1a filled with a small amount of culture soil 100 is inserted into a planting trench 210 excavated in a soil bed 200 of the planting site, as shown in Figure 19, and the culture soil 100 is further added, seeds or seedlings are planted (not shown), and watering is performed (not shown), thereby cultivating the plants. The surface level of the culture soil finally filled into the inserting portion 1a can be set independently of the surface level of the soil bed 200 of the planting site, and can be set to any level equal to, above, or below.

[0151] The plant root system 301 of the sown or planted seedling penetrates the soil bed 200 of the planting site from the lower end 13a via the multiple non-joined portions 41a1, 41a2, etc. of the intermittent joints shown in Figure 12(a) and elsewhere. Because the multiple joined portions 31a1, 31a2, etc. occupy a smaller proportion of the lower end 13a than the multiple non-joined portions 41a1, 41a2, etc., the plant root system 301 penetrates the soil bed 200 where the planting is planned, selectively extending downward without becoming wrapped around the roots. In particular, the intermittent joints selectively (preferentially) break over time due to irrigation, facilitating the selective downward extension of the plant root system 301. Therefore, the selective breakage of the intermittent joints over time effectively prevents the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around the roots.

[0152] By making the perimeter of the flexible insert 1a slightly longer than the inner perimeter of the planting groove 210 and filling the inside of the insert 1a with culture soil 100 until the insert 1a is in close contact with the inner wall of the planting groove 210, it is possible to omit the step of backfilling the gap between the insert 1a and the planting groove 210. Furthermore, the breakage resistance of the insert 1a is improved when the root ball expands inside the insert 1a.

[0153] The insert 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment can be used to induce selective downward growth of plant root systems 301 of planted seeds and seedlings in permanent planting areas or temporary planting areas, as described in the first embodiment. Specific uses of the insert 1a, like the insert 1d of the cultivation member according to the first embodiment, include improving the survival rate and growth rate of planted plants by effectively utilizing water and fertilizer through vertical infiltration of irrigation water, and reducing the amount and frequency of irrigation water by limiting the horizontal diffusion and infiltration of irrigation water. Further, possible uses of the insertion portion 1a include planting in salt-damaged areas by shielding the salt precipitate layer near the surface of the ground with the insertion portion 1a, environmental restoration technology by extending and absorbing the root systems 301 of plants such as seeds and seedlings planted in a layer of harmful substances at a specific depth underground, preventing the invasion of weeds by the root systems 301, preventing the invasion of pests and harmful pathogens that feed on the root systems 301 of plants, controlling the shape of the root systems 301 using the root systems 301, and planting methods to prevent the collapse of sloping land, but as with the insertion portion 1d of the cultivation member of the first embodiment, it is not limited to these.

[0154] As mentioned at the beginning of the section on the embodiment, the surrounding main wall surface 10a of the insertion portion 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment, which is made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, may be a single water-impermeable membrane or a composite water-impermeable membrane. A flexible water-impermeable membrane with a thickness of 10 μm to 250 μm is flexible enough to fit into any shape of planting groove 210, including those with an aspect ratio D / W of 5 or greater. Furthermore, the insertion portion 1a can deform as the root ball grows and expands inside the insertion portion 1a. If the thickness of the surrounding main wall surface 10a exceeds 250 μm, it becomes difficult for the insertion portion 1a to fit into the shape of the planting groove 210.

[0155] When an insert 1a having a surrounding main wall surface 10a made of a flexible, water-impermeable membrane made of a biodegradable material is used for planting, the surrounding main wall surface 10a made of the flexible, water-impermeable membrane biodegrades after a certain period of time, reducing the environmental impact caused by the surrounding main wall surface 10a remaining in the soil layer 200. The surrounding main wall surface 10a made of the flexible, water-impermeable membrane of the insert 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment may contain a plant-based material. Examples of plant-based fiber substrates include those made from hydrophobic fibers such as undefatted cotton linters, kapok, or banana leaves, which are processed using known methods, as well as water-resistant papers such as kraft paper, parchment paper, and glassine paper, which have a resistance of 3.9 kPa or higher, as described above. The insert 1a having a plant-based fiber substrate absorbs carbon dioxide during the growth stage of the plant material used for the plant-based fiber substrate, is biodegradable, and is expected to be used as a low-environmental-impact container.

[0156] The components of the water-blocking material of the surrounding main wall surface 10a, which is made of a flexible water-blocking membrane, of the insertion portion 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment may contain biologically derived wax. Examples of biologically derived waxes that can be used include commercially available insect-derived waxes such as beeswax or privet wax, as well as plant-derived waxes such as beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice bran wax, palm wax, and jojoba oil. These waxes can be used as composite water-blocking membranes by impregnating a plant fiber substrate. The wax can be impregnated into the substrate by direct application if it is liquid, or by immersion impregnation of the substrate in molten wax in a hot water bath if it is solid. Biologically derived waxes exhibit hydrophobic properties, enabling the insertion portion 1a to be manufactured using a low-environmental-impact process of wax extraction from living organisms, its use as a container capable of decomposing over time, and biodegradation after the mission is completed.

[0157] Hydrolyzable biodegradable resins are known, which decompose into water and carbon dioxide through hydrolysis and biodegradation. The surrounding main wall surface 10a, which is made of a flexible water-impermeable film, of the insertion section 1a of the growth member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment may contain a hydrolyzable biodegradable resin. Preferred examples of hydrolyzable biodegradable resins include starch polyester, polylactic acid, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), polyglycolic acid, polybutylene adipate / terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate succinate, polybutylene succinate, and polybutylene succinate adipate. The insertion section 1a, whose surrounding main wall surface 10a is made of a hydrolyzable biodegradable resin and is made of a flexible water-impermeable film, is biodegraded after its mission is completed, reducing the environmental impact.

[0158] The surrounding main wall surface 10a of the insertion portion 1a of the growth member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment, which is made of a flexible water-impermeable film, may contain an oxidatively decomposable biodegradable resin. It is well known that oxidatively decomposable biodegradable resins can be obtained by adding a fatty acid salt to a polyolefin. A homopolymer or copolymer of low-density polyethylene or linear low-density polyethylene is preferred as the polyolefin because of its flexibility and extensibility. Preferred fatty acids in the added fatty acid salt include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. Preferred metals in the added fatty acid salt include manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper. Metal salts, metal oxides, and metal hydroxides can also be used. Iron stearate and manganese stearate are particularly preferred fatty acid metal salts. Carboxylate salts or animal fats and vegetable oils containing carboxylic acids can also be used.

[0159] The surrounding main wall surface 10a made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane can be obtained by mixing 0.25 to 5.0% by weight of a fatty acid salt with polyolefin using an extruder, kneader, or the like, and then subjecting the mixture to an inflation film manufacturing device. Alternatively, commercially available oxidatively decomposable biodegradable films can also be used as the surrounding main wall surface 10a made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane. The insertion section 1a, which uses these films as the surrounding main wall surface 10a made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, is biodegraded after its mission is completed, reducing the environmental impact.

[0160] The sewing thread 21 that linearly arranges the multiple connecting portions 31a1, 31a2, etc. of the insertion portion 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment may contain a degradable material. Examples of degradable materials include naturally occurring biodegradable materials such as cotton, hemp, silk, sheep's yarn, rayon, and Tencel, and water-soluble materials such as polyvinyl alcohol or metal alginate. The sewing thread 21 can be obtained by spinning these materials and then twisting them as needed. Water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol-based threads are particularly preferred. The water-dissolving time can be controlled by adjusting the degree of saponification and the thickness of the sewing thread depending on the moisture content of the culture soil, the soil temperature, the amount of irrigation, the cultivation period, and the size of the insertion portion 1a. When planting in the planting area, the mesh is made dense to prevent the culture soil from falling off and to increase the retention rate of the culture soil when irrigating, and after planting, the sewing thread is decomposed and the mesh is made sparse to make it easier for the plant root system 301 to selectively penetrate vertically downward into the soil base 200 of the planting area, making it possible to achieve both the contradictory conditions of a coarse and fine mesh.

[0161] Plants suitable for planting using the insert 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment are those with deep root systems 301, which reduce irrigation water consumption by utilizing deep, stabilized soil water and increase carbon storage in the deep plant root systems 301. Plants suitable for planting using the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment include woody plants such as pine and eucalyptus, herbaceous plants such as alfalfa and kale, and root-utilizing plants such as yam and licorice, as described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, congeners of these woody plants, herbaceous plants, and root-utilizing plants are also included, but are not limited to these. The insert 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment can be inserted into a recess formed in the planting area using a hoe, shovel, auger, or the like. The insert 1a is filled with culture soil, and the seedling is planted and irrigated.

[0162] -Breaking test- The insertion part 1a used in the growth test for the time-dependent fracture test of the intermittent joint was made from a polyethylene tube with an inner circumference of 21 cm and a height of 30 cm, using the following sewing threads A, B, and C. The sewing threads A, B, and C were all water-soluble fiber "Solbron (registered trademark)" manufactured by Nichibi Corporation. Sewing thread A: SS62T / 18F (melting temperature 30°C or higher, thickness 62 decitex (dTex), 18 filaments) Sewing thread B: SS110T / 30F (melting temperature 30°C or higher, thickness 110 decitex, 30 filaments) Sewing thread C: SS600T / 200F (melting temperature 30°C or higher, thickness 600 decitex, 200 filaments) The insert part 1a made using sewing thread A was designated as broken sample A, the insert part 1a made using sewing thread B was designated as broken sample B, and the insert part 1a made using sewing thread C was designated as broken sample C. The stitching using sewing threads A, B, and C was all wavy stitching, and the stitching interval was 1.5 cm for each.

[0163] Next, a test insert container for storing the multiple insertion parts 1a of the fractured specimens A to C was filled with soil to a depth of approximately 5 cm. A small amount of soil was filled into each of the multiple insertion parts 1a of the fractured specimens A to C, and an excess number of insertion parts 1a of the fractured specimens A to C were placed in the test insert container so that the total cross-sectional area of ​​the multiple insertion parts 1a of the fractured specimens A to C was larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the test insert container. An additional 300 g of soil (moisture content 13%) was then filled into each of the insertion parts 1a to be used in the fracture test. At this point, vertical folds had formed in the flexible water-impermeable membrane of each of the insertion parts 1a to be used in the fracture test. One type of barley, one type of oat, and one type of buckwheat were sown in each of the multiple insertion parts 1a of the fractured specimens A to C, and each was irrigated with 300 cc of water. The multiple inserted portions 1a of the broken samples A to C were watered three times with 150 cc of water per time at intervals of 7 to 10 days. The outside temperature during cultivation was about 13 to 24°C.

[0164] In the inserted part 1a of broken specimen A, the sewing thread A at the intermittent joint broke while the culture soil was being filled, causing the culture soil to flow out from the bottom, and further testing was discontinued. One month after sowing, in the inserted part 1a of broken specimen B, all of the sewing threads B at the intermittent joint had broken, and the plant's root system 301 had dispersed from the bottom and invaded the culture soil in the test insert container. In the inserted part 1a of broken specimen C, part of the sewing thread C at the intermittent joint had broken, causing the plant's root system 301 to disperse from the broken part and invade the culture soil in the test insert container.

[0165] =Cultivation connector= As shown in FIG. 17 , the cultivation connector 2 according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is a cultivation connector in which the insertion portions 1a1-1a7 of multiple cultivation members according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment are connected to each other horizontally, with their respective side edges as boundary lines. Adjacent insertion portions 1a1-1a7 constituting the cultivation connector 2 are linearly fixed to each other along their respective side edges extending from the top to the bottom via joints 61a1-61a6 located at the boundary lines. In the cultivation connector 2 for plant cultivation according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment, each of the insertion portions 1a1-1a7 of multiple cultivation members according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment is used as a "child container," and the multiple insertion portions 1a1-1a7 are connected horizontally in a linear fashion. The bottom regions of each of the insertion portions 1a1-1a7 are provided with intermittent joints that selectively break over time, as indicated by dashed lines. The joints 61a1-61a6 can be formed by heat sealing, high-frequency bonding, adhesive bonding, or the like. As the insertion portion 1a serving as the child container, in addition to the insertion portions 1a1 to 1a7 of the growth members according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment, the insertion portion 1b of the growth member according to the second modified example of the fifth embodiment, the insertion portion 1c of the growth member according to the third modified example of the fifth embodiment, the insertion portion 1p of the growth member according to the fourth modified example of the fifth embodiment, etc. The types, numbers, and arrangements of the multiple insertion portions 1a1 to 1a7 in FIG. 17 are merely examples, and the insertion portions 1a serving as child containers may be a mixture of multiple types with different diameters, or may be all of one type. Furthermore, the insertion portions 1a serving as child containers may be connected at a vertical boundary line, or may be connected at a diagonal boundary line, or to the front side or back side of the opposing surface formed in the bottom-side region of the bottom-less pseudo-bag of the insertion portion 1a1.

[0166] The cultivation connector 2 for cultivating plants according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment can be used in any of several ways, including using the cultivation connector 2 as an integrated plant cultivation container, or cutting and separating the multiple insertion sections 1a1-1a7, which are child containers, and using each separately. For example, when using the cultivation connector 2 as an integrated plant cultivation container, the planting distance between plants can be adjusted as desired, for example, by leaving the insertion section 1a adjacent to the insertion section 1a where seeds or plants have been sown or planted unplanted. This prevents entanglement of the plant root systems 301. Another efficient method is to use the cultivation connector 2 as an integrated plant cultivation container for raising seedlings, and then, after seedling raising, cut and separate the insertion sections 1a1-1a7 at the joints 61a1-61a6 for planting. Cutting allows for easy separation by marking break lines at the joints 61a1-61a6.

[0167] (Sixth embodiment) The cultivating member insert 1r according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention differs from the cultivating member insert 1a according to the first modified embodiment of the fifth embodiment in the structure of its upper end 11r, as shown in FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b). This structure allows for a new method of use. Other components, their connections, and the method of use are similar to those of the cultivating member insert 1a according to the first modified embodiment of the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18(a), the cultivating member insert 1r according to the sixth embodiment is equipped with a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface forming the container structure, providing structural support and stress-free variability. That is, the sliding mechanism allows at least the upper portion of the container structure to deform to consume the volume of the gap space between the planting groove 210 and the insert 1r without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane. The flexible water-impermeable membrane constituting the insertion portion 1r may be either a single water-impermeable membrane or a composite water-impermeable membrane, similar to the insertion portions 1d, 1u, 1g, 1e, 1f, etc. of the growth members according to the first to fifth embodiments.

[0168] In Figures 18(a) and 18(b), the upper end 11r of the insertion part 1r is folded outward on both the front and back sides of the opposing surface formed in the bottom region of the bottom-less pseudo-bag to form a variable-volume tubular structure, and two wires 63 are passed through each of these variable-volume tubular structures as "wire threads." Each variable-volume tubular structure may be folded inward, and the variable-volume tubular structure may be fixed by any method, such as staples. Although not shown, the two wires 63 are stretched between pillars or the like. The insertion part 1r is suspended from the two wires 63. The insertion part 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment was used by standing inside the insertion part container or inserting into the planting trench 210 excavated in the soil bed 200. However, the insertion part 1r of the cultivation member according to the sixth embodiment is suspended from the upper end 11r. As shown in Figures 18(a) and (b), the lower end 13r of the insertion part 1r can be used without being grounded, or as shown in Figure 18(c), the lower end 13r of the insertion part 1r can be grounded to a soil bed 200 or the like. Furthermore, when the lower end 13r is grounded to a soil bed 200 or the like, the soil bed 200 may be ridged to stabilize it, or the lower end 13r may be buried deeper than shown in Figure 18(c). In either case, the surface level of the filled culture soil 100 is above the surface level of the soil bed 200. When the lower end 13r is separated or touching, it can be used for raising seedlings or planting, and when the lower end 13r is buried in the ground, it can be used for planting. In addition to the soil bed 200, a liquid tank containing a nutrient solution can also be used for the grounded or buried location.

[0169] In the insert section 1r of the cultivation member according to the sixth embodiment, the intermittent joints 30r that selectively break over time are formed by linearly arranging multiple joints (narrowed sections) with sewing thread, but other construction methods are also possible. As with the cultivation members according to the first to fifth embodiments, when the insert section 1r is formed from a single water-impermeable membrane, the intermittent joints 30r selectively break over time due to the hydrotropic expansion and growth effect of the plant root system 301. When the insert section 1r is formed from a composite water-impermeable membrane, the hydrotropic expansion and growth effect combined with the reduced hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers that make up the composite water-impermeable membrane efficiently causes selective breakage over time. The selective breakage of the intermittent joints 30 promotes the selective downward extension of the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 with a small amount of irrigation, significantly preventing root wrapping of the plant root system 301. Furthermore, the insertion portion 1r may have multiple partition portions provided on the main wall surface 10r made of a flexible water-proof membrane in order to provide partitions in the cultivation soil for each plant 300, and a structure such as the cultivation connecting body 2 for plant cultivation according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment may be used instead.

[0170] According to the insertion portion 1r of the cultivation member of the sixth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the insertion portion 1a of the cultivation member of the first modified example of the fifth embodiment, the increased light receiving area for the plant 300 ensures the plant 300 an advantage in the growth competition with weeds, reduces the labor required for digging up the root system 301 of root-utilizing plants, and prevents damage to the plant root system 301.

[0171] <First Modification of Sixth Embodiment> The cultivating member insert 1s according to the first modified example of the sixth embodiment of the present invention differs from the cultivating member insert 1a according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment in the structure of its upper end 11s, as shown in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b), and incorporates a new method of use resulting from this structure. Other components, their connections, and the method of use are similar to those of the cultivating member insert 1a according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment. The main wall surface 10s, made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, has multiple partitions extending vertically from the lower end 13s. The interior spaces separated by the multiple partitions are filled with culture soil 100, and multiple plants 300 are grown in the space. In FIG. 21(a), the multiple partitions extend from the lower end 13s to the upper end 11s, with no partitions remaining beyond the upper end 11s. However, multiple partitions may extend upward beyond the extent shown in FIG. 21(a). Furthermore, the insertion portion 1s may be formed based on a structure similar to that of the cultivation connecting body 2 for cultivating plants according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment. That is, a flexible water-impermeable membrane sheet without a partition may be connected to the top of the cultivation connecting body, which is a group of child containers, to realize a structure without a partition near the upper end portion 11s as shown in FIG. 21(a).

[0172] In the insertion section 1s of the growth member according to the first modified example of the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b), one upper end 11s of the opposing surfaces of the main wall surface 10s made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane is folded inward to form a variable-volume cylindrical structure, and the other upper end 11s of the opposing surfaces covers the variable-volume cylindrical structure. A single wire 63 is threaded through the variable-volume cylindrical structure as a "wire threader." The variable-volume cylindrical structure may be folded outward, or may be fixed with a stapler or other fastening method. Although not shown, the wire 63 is stretched between pillars or the like, and the insertion section 1s is suspended from the wire 63. A plurality of through-holes 65 are drilled in the upper end 11s of the main wall surface 10s made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, which covers the upper end 11s. The plants 300 can grow upward through the plurality of through-holes 65. The through-holes 65 also serve to prevent the inside of the insertion part 1s from becoming stuffy.

[0173] While the inserting portion 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment was placed upright in an inserting portion container or a soil bed 200, the inserting portion 1s of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the sixth embodiment is suspended from its upper end 11s, similar to the inserting portion 1r of the cultivation member according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b), in the cultivation system according to the first modification of the sixth embodiment, the lower end 13s of the inserting portion 1s can be used without being grounded, or as shown in FIG. 21(c), the lower end 13s of the inserting portion 1s can be grounded to the soil bed 200 or the like. When the lower end 13s is grounded to the soil bed 200 or the like, the soil bed 200 may be ridged for stability, or the lower end 13s may be buried deeper than shown in FIG. 21(c).

[0174] In the cultivation system according to the first modification of the sixth embodiment, the surface level of the culture soil 100 filled in the insertion section 1r is above the surface level of the soil bed 200. When the lower end 13s is spaced apart from the surface level of the soil bed 200 as shown in FIG. 21(b), or when the lower end 13s is in contact with the surface level of the soil bed 200 and slightly embedded as shown in FIG. 21(c), the system can be used for raising seedlings or transplanting. In addition to the soil bed 200, a liquid tank containing a culture solution can also be used as a place where the insertion section 1r is grounded. In the insertion section 1s of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the sixth embodiment, the selectively time-ruptured intermittent joints 30s are configured by linearly arranging multiple joints (narrowed portions) with sewing thread, but other configuration methods are also possible. In addition to the effects of the insertion part 1s of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the sixth embodiment, the insertion part 1s of the cultivation member according to the first modified example of the fifth embodiment has the effects of increasing the light-receiving area of ​​the plant 300, thereby giving the plant 300 an advantage in the growth competition with weeds, reducing the labor required for digging up the root system 301 of a plant that utilizes its root system, preventing damage to the plant root system 301, and providing heat retention, moisture retention, protection from rain, and insect protection.

[0175] <Second Modification of Sixth Embodiment> In the cultivation system according to the second modification of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 22, the soil bed 200 is raised until the upper end 11i is almost hidden, eliminating the need to suspend the insertion unit 1i by wire 63, as was the case in the cultivation system according to the first modification of the sixth embodiment. In the insertion unit 1i shown in FIG. 22, a first through-hole 66a and a second through-hole 66b are provided at the upper end 11i of the opposing surface of the main wall surface 10i, which is made of a flexible water-shielding membrane. In the cultivation system according to the second modification of the sixth embodiment, the surface level of the culture soil 100 filled inside the insertion unit 1i is above the surface level of the soil bed 200, as shown in FIG. 22, as in the cultivation system according to the first modification of the sixth embodiment.

[0176] As shown in FIG. 22, when the lower end 13i of the insertion member 1i is buried in the ground, it can be used in a cultivation system for planting. The insertion member 1i can be buried in a soil layer 200 or a liquid tank containing a culture solution. In the insertion member 1i of the cultivation member according to the second modification of the sixth embodiment, the selectively time-fracturing intermittent joints 30i are configured by linearly arranging multiple joints (narrowed portions) with sewing thread, but other configuration methods are also possible. In addition to the effects of the insertion member 1a of the cultivation member according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment, the insertion member 1i of the cultivation member according to the second modification of the sixth embodiment has the following advantages: It increases the light-receiving area of ​​the plant 300, thereby ensuring the plant 300's advantage in growth competition with weeds; it reduces the labor required for digging up the root system 301 of root-utilizing plants, prevents damage to the plant's root system 301, and provides heat retention, moisture retention, protection from rain, and insect protection.

[0177] (Seventh embodiment) For the insertion sections 1d, 1u, 1g, 1e, 1f, 1a, etc. of the growth members according to the first to sixth embodiments, the structurally assisted stress-free variability was described, which had a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface constituting the housing structure of the insertion sections 1d, 1u, 1g, 1e, 1f, 1a, etc. In the insertion section 1s of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the wall surface of the housing structure constituting the insertion section 1s is in an open state, which differs from the structure provided with a closing mechanism based on an overlapping structure constituting the sliding mechanism of the insertion sections 1d, 1u, 1g, 1e, 1f, 1a, etc. described in the first to sixth embodiments. However, even if a portion of the wall surface of the housing structure constituting the insertion section 1s is in an open state, the structurally assisted stress-free variability similar to that of the first to sixth embodiments can be achieved. In other words, by utilizing the characteristics of the open state, the shape of at least the upper portion of the housing structure with the open end can be deformed without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-shielding membrane, thereby increasing the internal volume. The flexible water-proof membrane constituting the insertion portion 1s may be either a single water-proof membrane or a composite water-proof membrane, similar to the insertion portions 1d, 1u, 1g, 1e, 1f, 1a, etc. of the growth members according to the first to sixth embodiments.

[0178] Specifically, the inserting section 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment is a U-shaped (loincloth-like) container structure (pseudo-bag) as shown in FIG. 23(a). This U-shaped pseudo-bag has open ends 15s and 16s, but even with this structure, the characteristic of structural support stress-free variability can be realized. When the inserting section 1s is inserted into the planting groove 210, the wall surface of the planting groove 210 acts in the same manner as the closing mechanism described for the inserting sections 1d, 1u, 1g, 1e, 1f, 1a, etc., described in the first to sixth embodiments, so that the culture soil 100 introduced from the top of the inserting section 1s is less likely to fall out of the open ends 15s and 16s. Furthermore, because the left end 15s and the right end 16s of the inserting section 1s are open, the internal volume V described in equation (1) of the first embodiment is insert ,V charge V growth This allows the insertion portion 1s to exert an action equivalent to the increase in the pressure.

[0179] The insertion portion 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment is a thin film for growing plants, and as shown in FIG. 23(b), it has a U-shaped structure as shown in FIG. 23(a) with a main wall surface 10s made of a single flexible water-impermeable membrane. For convenience, in the insertion portion 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment, the flexible main wall surface located at the back of the U-shape in FIG. 23(a) is defined as the "second main wall surface," and the flexible main wall surface located at the front is defined as the "first main wall surface." That is, the main wall surface located at the top of FIG. 23(b) is the second main wall surface of the U-shape, and the main wall surface located at the bottom is the first main wall surface of the U-shape. Because the single U-shaped main wall surface 10s of the flexible water-impermeable membrane has a folded structure, the lower portions of the first and second main wall surfaces are joined to form a loincloth-like insertion portion 1s with both ends open. 23(a), the effective volume of the housing structure can be increased as shown in formula (1) so as to consume the volume of the gap space between the planting groove 210 and the insertion section 1s, without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane. Therefore, it can be considered that the effective shape of the insertion section 1s has changed so as to consume the gap space between the planting groove 210 and the insertion section 1s.

[0180] In the seventh embodiment, the insert section 1s of the cultivation element has open, opposing ends 15s, 16s that form part of a U-shaped structure. Therefore, the walls of the insert section 1s do not provide a barrier to the soil outside the insert section 1s. However, by lowering both the height level of the culture soil 100 filled into the container structure formed by the insert section 1s and the soil density of the culture soil 100 inside the insert section 1s below the soil bed 200 of the planting area that forms the walls of the planting trench 210, irrigation water is limited from the ends 15s, 16s to the outside of the insert section 1s. Furthermore, irrigation water for the culture soil 100 filled in the insert section 1s permeates downward almost selectively through the interior of the culture soil 100. Therefore, the narrower and longer the planting trench 210, the lower the rate of water permeation into the soil bed 200 outside the insert section 1s.

[0181] As shown in Figures 5 and 6A, the loincloth-shaped insert 1s is inserted into the planting trench 210 so that its cross section is U-shaped or similar, and plant cultivation soil 100 is filled between one of the U-shaped main walls of the insert 1s. A plurality of non-bonded portions 41s are intermittently and continuously provided at the lower end 13s of the U-shaped main wall 10s, which is made of a single flexible water-impermeable membrane. For example, if the flexible water-impermeable membrane is a three-layer laminate composite water-impermeable membrane, the plant fiber layer, which forms the central layer of the composite water-impermeable membrane, is exposed at the opening, which serves as the non-bonded portion 41s. In Figures 23(a) and (b), the lower end 13s at the folding line is depicted as if it were a line, but in reality, it is a strip-shaped (rectangular) two-dimensional region with an area large enough to accommodate multiple non-bonded portions 41s that form wide slit-like openings, as shown in Figures 23(c) and (d). The insertion portion 1s is bent at a center line that divides the lower end 13s into first and second bottom-side regions. Therefore, the lower end 13s, which is shown as a line in the developed view of FIG. 23(b), actually has a width, and the region above the center line that fits within this width becomes the band-shaped second bottom-side region. Similarly, the region below the center line that fits within the width of the lower end 13s becomes the band-shaped first bottom-side region. When viewed from the left end 15s or right end 16s, as shown in FIG. 23(a), the apparent first and main wall surfaces appear to join in a U-shape at the center line that divides the first and second bottom-side regions. For convenience, the second main wall surface can be defined as a third side edge perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second bottom-side region and a fourth side edge that is spaced from one end of the third side edge and parallel to the other end. The first main wall surface is a thin film surface having the same shape and size as the second main wall surface, as shown in FIGS. 23(a) and (b).

[0182] The first bottom-side region of the first main wall surface faces the second bottom-side region in parallel with the longitudinal direction and is intermittently connected (continuous) to a portion of the second bottom-side region at multiple locations along the longitudinal direction of the second bottom-side region, forming an integrated connected portion (continuous portion) 31s. For convenience, the first main wall surface can be defined as having a first side edge facing the third side edge of the second main wall surface and spaced apart from the third side edge in a U-shape, and a second side edge facing the second side edge of the second main wall surface and spaced apart from the first side edge in a U-shape. However, as can be seen from Figures 5A, 6A, 7A, etc., the composite water-shielding membrane is flexible, and therefore does not have a fixed U-shape as shown in Figure 23(a). A plurality of non-joined portions 41s and a plurality of joined portions 31s arranged alternately at the lower end portion 13s are repeatedly arranged (one-dimensionally arranged) in a straight line from the left end portion 15s to the right end portion 16s, forming an intermittent joint portion.

[0183] As shown in FIG. 23(c), the non-bonded portions 41s are multiple cuts (slits) intermittently provided in the flexible water-impermeable membrane, and each non-bonded portion 41s forms a through-hole that penetrates the flexible water-impermeable membrane. As shown in FIGS. 23(c) and 23(d), the non-bonded portions 41s have exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2, which are the wall surfaces of the cut-through holes. As with the growth members of the first to sixth embodiments, when the insertion portion 1s is made of a single water-impermeable membrane, the intermittent joints 30 selectively fracture over time due to the hydrotropic expansion effect of the plant root system 301. When the insertion portion 1s is made of a composite water-impermeable membrane, the hydrotropic expansion effect and the reduced hydrogen bonding strength of the plant fibers that make up the composite water-impermeable membrane combine to efficiently cause selective fracture over time. When the insertion section 1s has a three-layer laminate structure including a plant fiber substrate layer and hydrophobic material layers covering both sides of the plant fiber substrate layer, the three-layer laminate structure of the plant fiber substrate layer and the hydrophobic material layer is exposed at each of the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2. When water penetrates the plant fiber substrate layer at the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2, the intermittent joints selectively fracture over time. This selective fracture of the intermittent joints promotes the selective downward growth of the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 with a small amount of irrigation and prevents the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around itself.

[0184] Because the composite water-resistant membrane is flexible, the pattern of the through-holes constituting the non-jointed portion 41s can be easily changed by filling the space between one of the U-shaped main wall surfaces 10s with soil for plant cultivation. That is, by filling the soil, the through-hole pattern changes from a rectangular pattern in the unloaded state before filling to an elliptical pattern with pointed ends (a boat shape with acute angles at the bow and stern) as shown in Figures 23(c) and 23(d). However, the pointed shapes at the bow and stern shown in Figures 23(c) and 23(d) are schematic diagrams. In reality, the shape of the short side of the rectangle in the unloaded state is maintained at the bow and stern, and the upwardly convex curved surface on the upper side and the downwardly convex curved surface on the lower side are planar patterns connected to each other via the short side of the rectangle. When watering is performed from above after filling the space between the second main wall surfaces of the insertion portion 1s with culture soil, some of the water leaks out (downward) from the multiple through holes that form an elliptical pattern, as shown in Figures 23(c) and (d).

[0185] The insertion section 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment has a lower end 13s that is intermittently connected by multiple connecting portions 31s. Focusing only on the bottom, water and particles such as fine sand introduced from the top of the insertion section 1s partially leak out through the through-holes formed by the multiple non-connecting portions 41s. Meanwhile, the two-dimensional dimensions of the through-holes are designed so that clumps of soil that have absorbed water and aggregated are retained within the insertion section 1s and maintained within the insertion section 1s without leaking out through the through-holes formed by the multiple non-connecting portions 41s. Focusing on both ends of the insertion section 1s shown in Figures 23(a) and 23(b) as a single structure, the third side edge of the second bottom region and the first side edge of the first main wall face each other at a distance, and the second side edge of the second bottom region and the second side edge of the first main wall face each other at a distance. 23(a), at the left end 15s of the insertion part 1s, the third side edge and the first side edge are spaced apart in a U-shape and open, and at the right end 16s, the fourth side edge and the second side edge are spaced apart in a U-shape and open, and the insertion part formed by the insertion part 1s is not strictly a bag. For this reason, some of the water and particles such as fine sand grains introduced from the top of the insertion part 1s in a bare state fall out to the outside from the left end 15s and the right end 16s, and clumps of soil that have coagulated with water also appear to fall out to the outside from the left end 15s and the right end 16s.

[0186] However, as shown in Figures 5 and 6A, the insertion section 1s is designed to have a width that allows it to be stored in a space that can accommodate the insertion section 1s, including the lower end section 13s (see Figure 23, etc.). Therefore, when the insertion section 1s is inserted into the planting groove 210, the wall surface of the planting groove 210 acts as part of the bag, preventing soil clods and the like from falling out. In other words, the wall surface of the planting groove 210 functions in a manner equivalent to the overlapping surface structure of the first left auxiliary piece 18L1 and the second left auxiliary piece 18L2 that constitute the left closing mechanism 19L described in the first embodiment, and further, the overlapping surface structure of the first right auxiliary piece 18R1 and the second right auxiliary piece 18R2 that constitute the right closing mechanism 19R. In equation (6) of the first embodiment, Δl due to extension in the direction of the groove length L is hc*We explained that if (t) becomes large, holes will open directly below the U-shaped flattened portions at both ends of the insertion portion 1d, and there is a chance that the culture soil 100, which has a smaller particle size than the hole, will fall through the hole, which is undesirable.

[0187] The function of the holes generated directly below the left closing mechanism 19L and the right closing mechanism 19R in the first embodiment is equivalent to the increased distance between the wall of the planting trench 210 and the end of the insertion section 1s. Therefore, even if the loincloth-shaped, bottom-less pseudo-bag body has a structure with both ends 15s, 16s open, water and particles such as fine sand introduced from the top of the insertion section 1s, as well as clumps of soil that have coagulated with water, are less likely to fall out of the insertion section 1s from both ends 15s, 16s in the open state. Furthermore, because the left end 15s and the right end 16s are open due to the loincloth-shaped (U-shaped) structure, there is a certain degree of freedom in increasing the internal volume of the insertion section 1s. Therefore, the U-shaped structure allows for the internal volume V, as explained in equation (1) of the first embodiment, to be increased. insert ,V charge V growth The inserting section 1s serves as a plant cultivation container in which culture soil 100 is filled between one U-shaped main wall surface 10s and watered, and plants can be cultivated from seeds or seedlings.

[0188] If there is a distance between each of the end portions 15s, 16s of the insert portion 1s and the corresponding wall surface of the planting groove 210, causing the culture soil 100 to fall out from the end portions 15s, 16s, additional auxiliary pieces can be provided as fall prevention auxiliary pieces to fill the gap between the end portions 15s, 16s and the corresponding wall surface of the planting groove 210. The fall prevention auxiliary pieces can be, for example, rectangular in shape, and arranged so that one side of the rectangle overlaps both ends of the bottom region of the insert portion 1s in a U-shape. Furthermore, the length of the fall prevention auxiliary piece can be selected so that there is an excess length along the wall surface of the corresponding planting groove 210 to lean against. The side of each fall prevention auxiliary piece that overlaps the bottom region of the insert portion 1s can be semi-fixed or fixed in a U-shape at the U-shaped overlap points on both ends of the bottom region by sewing, staples, adhesives, etc.

[0189] Furthermore, if the soil 100 is likely to fall off from both ends 15s, 16s, molded soil larger than the distance from the wall of the planting trench 210 may be selected in advance and filled in the positions near both ends 15s, 16s where it is likely to fall off, and the remaining areas may be filled with amorphous soil 100. By first placing molded soil with a large particle size on both ends 15s, 16s of the intermittent joint 30 and then filling the remaining areas with amorphous soil, it is possible to prevent the amorphous soil from falling off from the gaps on both ends 15s, 16s of the intermittent joint 30. The method of using large molded soil and the method of providing anti-fall auxiliary pieces on both ends of the bottom region of the insertion section 1s may be used in combination.

[0190] As shown in Figures 23(c) and 23(d), the insertion section 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment has through-holes formed by multiple non-bonded sections 41s at its lower end 13s. Therefore, moisture collected at the lower end 13s is absorbed by the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2 exposed through the through-holes of the multiple non-bonded sections 41s. When the insertion section 1s is constructed of a three-layer laminate composite waterproof membrane, as moisture absorption from the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2 of the multiple non-bonded sections 41s progresses, the plant fiber substrate layer, which is the central substrate of the three-layer laminate structure, becomes brittle, and selective rupture over time begins. The weight of the irrigated culture soil 100 is placed on the lower end 13s, causing selective rupture over time to occur from the plant fiber substrate layer of the composite waterproof membrane near the lower end 13s. In the case of a three-layer laminate structure in which the plant fiber substrate layer of the composite water-shielding membrane is coated with a hydrophobic material layer, the hydrophobic material layer coating the surface is extremely thin. As the hydrogen bonds of the plant fiber substrate become brittle due to water absorption through the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2, selective fracture occurs at the intermittent joints over time. This means that the lower end 13s loses its ability to retain culture soil 100 and irrigation water, and the roots of the plant planted in the insert 1s tend to grow downward. As a result, as shown in Figures 5 and 6A, inserting the insert 1s into the planting groove 210 facilitates the selective growth of the plant root system 301 downward, preventing root wrapping of the plant root system 301.

[0191] In the insertion section 1s of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 23(a) and other figures, when nothing is filled between the U-shaped main wall surface 10s and in an unloaded state, the shape is rectangular when viewed from the normal direction of the main wall surface, but shapes other than rectangular are also acceptable. For example, facing convex portions may be provided near the center of the upper part of each of the U-shaped main wall surfaces 10s of the insertion section 1s of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment, so as to be continuous with the composite water-impermeable membrane and function as handles. Furthermore, in the insertion section 1s of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 23(a) and other figures, when nothing is filled between the U-shaped main wall surface 10s and in an unloaded state, the shape is horizontally elongated rectangular when viewed from the normal direction of the main wall surface, but any shape, such as a vertically elongated shape or a shape that narrows from top to bottom, may be adopted.

[0192] The through-holes that function as the non-bonded portions 41s in the lower end portion 13s can be formed by cutting broken lines along the lower end portion 13s, which will be the fold of a single composite water-proof membrane, using a rotary cutter or the like, as already described in the first embodiment. The rotary cutter can adjust the ratio of the circumferential lengths of the cutting grooves between the blades to the ratio of the lengths of the non-bonded portions 41s and the bonded portions 31s measured in the longitudinal direction of the lower end portion 13s. The ratio of the lengths of the non-bonded portions 41s and the bonded portions 31s measured in the longitudinal direction of the lower end portion 13s can adjust the fracture strength of the lower end portion 13s and the time until selective time-dependent fracture begins. From the perspective of the fracture strength of the lower end portion 13s and the maintenance time until selective time-dependent fracture begins, it is desirable that the length of the non-bonded portions 41s and the bonded portions 31s measured in the longitudinal direction of the lower end portion 13s be longer than the length of the bonded portions 31s. For example, for one bonded portion 31s, there are two or more non-bonded portions 41s, preferably ten or more.

[0193] The longitudinal length of the through-hole of the non-bonded portion 41s shown in Figure 23(c) (the length of the major axis of the ellipse) is defined as the "working length," and the width perpendicular to the working length at the center of the working length (the length of the minor axis of the ellipse) is defined as the "buffer width" of the non-bonded portion 41s. Compared to when the insertion portion 1s is empty, when the insertion portion 1s is filled with culture soil 100, as shown in Figures 5 and 6A, the buffer width of the non-bonded portion 41s expands and the working length contracts. The shape change of the non-bonded portion 41s stops when the expansion force generated by the filling of the culture soil 100 into the insertion portion 1s and the tension of the composite water-proof membrane are balanced. When a large amount of culture soil 100 is filled, the buffer width expands significantly due to the pressing force of the culture soil 100 against the through-hole, and the through-hole of the non-bonded portion 41s becomes a "pot-bellied" gap filled with culture soil 100.

[0194] When the culture soil 100 begins to fill the insertion section 1s, particles smaller than the shorter of the working length or buffer width (hereinafter also referred to as "sieve mesh") may fall out from the center of the through-holes formed by the non-bonding sections 41s. However, because the culture soil 100 aggregates to form larger clumps due to the interaction and pressure between particles, only a small amount of the culture soil 100 actually falls out. Furthermore, once the culture soil 100 has accumulated at the lower end 13s of the insertion section 1s, almost no culture soil 100 falls out of the through-holes formed by the non-bonding sections 41s during subsequent filling of the culture soil 100. The residual accumulation rate can be improved by increasing the degree of compression or humidifying the culture soil 100 being filled. The working length is preferably 5 mm or more and 1.5 cm or less from the viewpoint of balancing the retention of the culture soil 100 and the leakage of irrigation water.

[0195] When water is irrigated into the culture medium 100 filled in the U-shaped insert 1s, which has a single main wall 10s and is open at both ends, the water permeates downward through the culture medium 100 and is temporarily blocked at the bottom end 13s. The blocked water then permeates back into the culture medium 100 above and over time leaks out through each of the through-holes in the non-connecting portions 41s. Generally, when watering seedling containers from above, specific water channels are formed within the culture medium 100 in proportion to the particle size of the culture medium particles, which can lead to water leakage from the bottom without sufficient water permeation throughout the culture medium 100. Therefore, submerged bottom irrigation, in which the seedling container is immersed from the bottom in a water tank, is effective in achieving both high water permeability into the culture medium 100 and water conservation. Even in existing seedling pots with bottoms, water remaining at the bottom can simulate submerged bottom irrigation. Compared to existing seedling pots that have a bottom, the multiple non-jointed parts 41s in the insertion part 1s have the culture soil 100 densely compressed and accumulated at the small-area lower end 13s, allowing the blocked water to penetrate and reach the upper part of the culture soil 100 and remain there for a long time, thereby increasing the effect of pseudo-immersion bottom irrigation and enabling both a high water penetration rate into the culture soil 100 and water conservation.

[0196] The plant fibers are not particularly limited as long as they are fibers obtained from plant tissues such as wood pulp, recycled waste paper, and cotton fiber, as described in the first embodiment. The hydrophobic material of the composite water-blocking film of the insertion part 1s of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment can be the hydrophobic material of the first or second category described in the first embodiment. The first category hydrophobic material and plant fiber can be combined by laminating a film of the first category hydrophobic material with plant fiber paper. Alternatively, composite pellets of the first category hydrophobic material and plant fiber can be prepared and combined using an extrusion molding method (T-die method) or an inflation method. The second category hydrophobic material and plant fiber can be combined by adding the second category hydrophobic material during plant fiber papermaking, or by impregnating or coating the second category hydrophobic material into plant fiber paper.

[0197] The soil 100 filled into the insertion section 1s can be any type of soil. However, by using low-permeability clay soil or a highly hydrophilic material for the soil 100, it is possible to extend the time for leakage through the through holes formed by the multiple non-bonding sections 41s and to extend the time for the irrigated water to penetrate to the lower end 13s. The soil 100 filled into the insertion section 1s may be molded soil. Here, molded soil refers to soil 100 with limited freedom of shape. The soil 100 filled into the insertion section 1s can be a combination of molded soil and soil 100 with freedom of shape. The soil that serves as a "weight" for the tip of the loincloth-shaped insertion section 1s with both ends open can also be the same type of soil as the soil 100.

[0198] Using molded soil as the soil 100 for the insertion section 1s can provide the effect of allowing the insertion section 1s to stand upright by utilizing the shape retention of the molded soil, or of reinforcing the ground through the elasticity of the molded soil in planting methods for preventing slope collapse, etc. Plants suitable for planting using the insertion section 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment are preferably plants with root systems 301 that extend deep underground, in terms of saving irrigation water by utilizing deep stabilized soil water and increasing the amount of carbon stored in the deep root system. Plants suitable for planting using the insertion section 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment include woody plants such as pine and eucalyptus, herbaceous plants such as alfalfa and kale, and root-utilizing plants such as yam and licorice, as described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, plants of the same genus as these woody plants and herbaceous root-utilizing plants may also be used, but these are merely examples. Specific uses of the insertion portion 1s include, but are not limited to, guiding downward growth of the root system of planted seedlings in the permanent planting area or temporary planting area described in the first embodiment.

[0199] Similar to the methods shown in Figures 5 and 6A, an example of a method for planting a plant using an inserting unit 1s in a target planting area (planting site) is shown. First, the inserting unit 1s shown in Figure 23(a) is prepared. Next, a planting trench 210 is excavated in the soil bed 200 of the planting ground. A small amount of soil is placed on the lower end 13s (see Figure 23(a)) of the inserting unit 1s, which is a loincloth-shaped inserting unit with both ends open, formed by the main wall surfaces of the inserting unit 1s, to serve as a weight, and the inserting unit 1s is inserted into the planting trench 210. Next, as shown in Figures 5A, 6A, 7A, and others, culture soil 100 is filled inside the inserting unit 1s, i.e., between one of the U-shaped main wall surfaces of the inserting unit 1s, and a plant 300 is planted in the culture soil 100. The planted plant 300 is then watered. The amount of culture soil 100 to be filled is arbitrary, and the surface level of the culture soil 100 finally filled into the loincloth-shaped insert 1s, whose main wall surfaces are open at both ends, can be set to any level, above, or below the surface level of the planting ground soil bed 200, independently of the surface level of the planting ground soil bed 200. By using the insert 1s for planting, the insert 1s can be easily and reliably inserted to the bottom of the planting groove 210 in the soil bed 200, and as the insert 1s is filled with culture soil 100 and watered, the lower end 13s of the loincloth-shaped insert 1s, whose main wall surfaces are open at both ends, gradually decomposes, allowing the plant root system 301 of the planted plant to selectively extend downward, thereby preventing the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around the roots.

[0200] By using the insertion part 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment in the plant planting process, the following effects are obtained. (1) By preparing a roll of material in advance and cutting the roll of material on-site (at the planting site) to create the insertion portion 1s according to the depth of the planting trench 210, the size of the insertion portion 1s can be adapted to any depth of the planting trench 210. This reduces the amount of material waste. (2) Even if the planting trench 210 is relatively deep and narrow, by putting soil to act as a weight on the lower end 13s of the insertion portion 1s, which is a loincloth-shaped insertion portion 1s with both ends open, it is possible to easily and reliably insert the tip of the lower end 13s of the insertion portion 1s to the bottom of the planting trench 210. (3) Since it deforms in accordance with the deformation of the planting furrow 210 and the soil 100, it has high resistance to breakage when not irrigated. (4) By watering and the weight of the culture soil 100, the lower end 13s of the insertion portion 1s is selectively broken and opened over time, allowing the plant root system 301 of the planted plant 300 to selectively extend from the lower end 13s downward in the planting trench 210. The plant root system 301 does not become wrapped around the roots. (5) The irrigation water does not penetrate anywhere other than the lower end 13s of the insertion portion 1s, but only through the through holes formed by the multiple non-connecting portions 41s arranged at the lower end 13s, so that it is possible to conserve water for irrigation.

[0201] When paper is used as the plant fiber base layer, a composite water-resistant membrane with a three-layer laminate structure of paper and a hydrophobic material layer is resistant to water penetration. However, in the insertion section 1s of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment, the non-bonded section 41s of the composite water-resistant membrane formed by a specific mechanical means such as a rotary cutter exposes plant fibers with hydroxyl groups at the cut section, making it more susceptible to water penetration. The penetrated water weakens the hydrogen bonding strength between cellulose, the main component of the plant fibers, and makes it more susceptible to selective fracture over time. By minimizing the area of ​​the bonded portion of the lower end 13s of the insertion section 1s of the growth member according to the seventh embodiment, the bonding strength of the lower end 13s itself can be reduced. Furthermore, by exposing the plant fibers at the non-bonded section 41s using a specific mechanical means such as a rotary cutter and allowing water, such as irrigation, to penetrate from the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2, the bonding strength of the lower end 13s can be further reduced.

[0202] That is, the insert section 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment is configured so that the lower end 13s of the insert section 1s disintegrates and opens after planting, faster than the composite water-impermeable membrane itself disintegrates. After the insert section 1s is filled with culture soil 100 and irrigation is introduced, a certain amount of time is required for the water to penetrate the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2 of the non-bonded portions 41s, causing selective fracture of the lower end 13s due to a decrease in the hydrogen bonding strength between cellulose. During the certain time until selective fracture occurs, the irrigation water is temporarily stored in a so-called "dam" at the lower end 13s, improving water penetration and water storage in the filled culture soil 100 using a bottom irrigation method. The seventh embodiment of the cultivation element insert 1s allows for easy and reliable insertion of the insert 1s to the bottom of the planting groove 210 in the planting ground due to the weight of the culture soil 100 filled between the insert 1s's U-shaped main wall 10s. After planting the plant 300, the bottom end 13s selectively fractures over time due to the expansion pressure of the U-shaped main wall 10s of the insert 1s caused by the culture soil 100 and the penetration of water into the exposed end surfaces 41s1 and 41s2 due to irrigation, etc. As a result, irrigation water penetrates the open bottom end 13s into the soil layer 200 below without horizontal diffusion. Therefore, the plant root system 301 of the planted plant selectively extends from the open bottom end 13s into the soil layer 200 below, following the root hydrotropism. Therefore, according to the insertion portion 1s of the cultivation member of the seventh embodiment, the plant root system 301 can reach the stable soil layer quickly and over the shortest distance with a small amount of irrigation, and the remarkable effect of preventing the plant root system 301 from becoming wrapped around the roots can be achieved.

[0203] = Training System = In the growing system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 24, the right lateral end 16s1 of the first insertion portion 1s1 and the left lateral end 15s2 of the second insertion portion 1s2 intersect to form a connecting overlapping surface 18D. By forming the connecting overlapping surface 18D by intersecting the right lateral end 16s1 of the first insertion portion 1s1 shown in Fig. 24 with the left lateral end 15s2 of the second insertion portion 1s2, it is possible to form a connected body of growing members (1s1, 1s2) with an extended overall length. The first insert 1s1 is inserted into the planting furrow 210, the second insert 1s2 is inserted and overlapped on the right lateral end 16s1 of the first insert 1s1 to form the connecting overlapping surface 18D, and the third insert 1s3, ... is then inserted and overlapped, making it possible to create a connected body of inserts (1s1, 1s2, 1s3, ...) of growing elements that can be used for any furrow length of the planting furrow 210. As the length of the connected body of inserts (1s1, 1s2, 1s3, ...) inserted into the planting furrow 210 increases due to an increase in the number of connected pieces, the shielding effect of the openings on both ends of the connected body of inserts (1s1, 1s2, 1s3, ...) from external soil becomes negligible in practice compared to the overall shielding effect of the connected body of inserts (1s1, 1s2, 1s3, ...).

[0204] Another method for forming the non-jointed portions 41s at the lower end portion 13s may be to face the end faces of the first and second bottom-side regions to form a single composite water-shielding membrane equivalent to the structure shown in Figure 23(b). In this case, a pattern of recesses with a depth equal to the width of the non-jointed portions 41s may be formed in advance in one of the first or second bottom-side regions, and either the first or second bottom-side region without recesses may be joined together in a facing relationship to form a single composite water-shielding membrane, resulting in multiple intermittent joints 31s. Alternatively, a pattern of recesses with a depth equal to half the width of the non-jointed portions 41s may be formed in each of the first or second bottom-side regions, and the first and second bottom-side regions may be joined together in a facing relationship to form a single composite water-shielding membrane, resulting in multiple intermittent joints 31s. In the structure illustrated in Figures 23(a) to (d), the insertion portion 1s of the cultivation member of the seventh embodiment has a plurality of non-bonded portions 41s and a plurality of bonded portions 31s arranged one-dimensionally in a dashed line pattern at the lower end portion 13s, so that the lower end portion 13s is in a so-called "linear mesh" state and functions as a dam for the cultivation soil 100 and irrigation water.

[0205] (Modification of the seventh embodiment) As shown in Fig. 25(a), the insertion section 1t of the growth member according to the modified example of the seventh embodiment of the present invention forms a V-shaped, bottom-less pseudo-bag body by a single U-shaped main wall surface (10t1, 10t2) consisting of a first main wall surface 10t1 and a second main wall surface 10t2 facing each other. Each of the first main wall surface 10t1 and the second main wall surface 10t2 is a composite waterproof membrane made of either a single waterproof membrane, a laminate-type composite waterproof membrane, a coating-impregnation-type composite waterproof membrane, or an internal-added papermaking-type composite waterproof membrane. The second bottom-side region of the second main wall surface 10t2 and the first bottom-side region of the first main wall surface 10t1 are joined to each other at portions of the second bottom-side region and the first bottom-side region, as shown in Fig. 25(a), to form a V-shaped insertion section 1s with both ends open. 25(a), the second bottom side region is defined as a rectangular region including the lower edge of the second main wall surface 10t2 and the arrangement of the sewing threads 21t parallel to this lower edge, and the first bottom side region is defined as a rectangular region including the lower edge of the first main wall surface 10t1 and the arrangement of the sewing threads 21t parallel to this lower edge. That is, the second main wall surface 10t2 located on the far side of the paper in FIG. 25(a) has the second bottom side region and a third side edge 15t2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second bottom side region, and further has a fourth side edge 16t2 spaced from one end defined by the third side edge 15t2 and serving as the other end facing parallel to this one end.

[0206] The first bottom region of the first main wall surface 10t1, located on the near side of the page in Figure 25(a), faces parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second bottom region of the second main wall surface 10t2 and is intermittently connected to portions of the second bottom region at multiple locations along the longitudinal direction of the second bottom region, forming an inverted V-shaped roof below the connecting portion 41t. The first main wall surface 10t1 has a first side edge 15t1 facing the third side edge 15t2 of the second main wall surface 10t2 and spaced apart from the third side edge 15t2, and further has a second side edge 16t1 facing the fourth side edge 16t2 of the second main wall surface 10t2 and spaced apart from the first side edge 15t1. As shown in Figures 5 and 6A, plant cultivation soil 100 is filled between the first main wall surface 10t1 and the second main wall surface 10t2, which form the V-shaped insertion portion 1t with both ends open. The V-shaped insertion portion 1t, with both ends open, is inserted into the planting groove 210 shown in Figures 5 and 6A, etc. In use, in a portion of the lower end portion 13b of each of the first main wall surface 10t1 and the second main wall surface 10t2, the sewing thread 21t, which is intermittently connected to each other, penetrates through each of the first main wall surface 10t1 and the second main wall surface 10t2, exposing a small amount of plant fiber layer around the sewing thread 21t. The insertion portion 1t of the cultivation member according to the modified seventh embodiment differs from the insertion portion 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment in the structure of the lower end portion 13t.

[0207] The sewing with the sewing thread 21t may be performed by machine sewing, for example. In the case of machine sewing, the sewing thread 21t serving as the upper thread and the sewing thread 21t serving as the lower thread are sewn while crossing between the opposing first main wall surface 10t1 and second main wall surface 10t2. Alternatively, hand sewing such as wave stitching using the sewing thread 21t may be performed. In either case, a needle is pierced through the composite water-impermeable membrane during sewing, leaving a small amount of the plant fiber layer exposed around the sewing thread 21t in the multiple pores.

[0208] That is, gaps exist between the composite water-shielding membrane and the outer periphery of the sewing thread 21t, and the sewing thread 21t passes through the multiple through-holes with redundancy, as shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b). Spaces exist between the upper surface of the second main wall surface 10t2 and the sewing thread 21t, and between the lower surface of the first main wall surface 10t1 and the sewing thread 21t. The sewing thread 21t passes through these spaces so that multiple infiltration channels (vertical water infiltration channels) where the second main wall surface 10t2 and the first main wall surface 10t1 are not tightly fixed to each other can be formed as gaps (non-jointed portions). Because the sewing thread 21t is loosely sewn with empty spaces, if particles such as sand grains are inserted between the second main wall surface 10t2 and the first main wall surface 10t1 and pressure is applied from the inside, gaps will form between the second main wall surface 10t2 and the first main wall surface 10t1 at the non-jointed portions. Between adjacent non-joined portions, there are intermittently formed joined portions that tightly join the second bottom region of the second main wall surface 10t2 and the first bottom region of the first main wall surface 10t1. The non-joined portions and the joined portions are alternately and periodically arranged. For the insertion portion 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment, a structure was described in which slits were formed in the flexible water-impermeable membrane along the center lines of the first and second bottom regions of the U-shaped main wall surface 10s to form the non-joined portions 41s. The insertion portion 1s also has a plurality of non-joined portions 41s and a plurality of joined portions 31s alternately and periodically arranged. For the insertion portion 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment, when the flexible water-impermeable membrane has a three-layer laminate structure, the plant fiber base layer of the three-layer laminate structure is exposed along the center lines of the first and second bottom regions of the main wall surface 10s.

[0209] In contrast, in the insertion section 1t of the growth member according to a modified example of the seventh embodiment, portions of the flexible water-impermeable membrane are in close contact with each other at specific portions of the first and second bottom-side regions to form a joint. Focusing only on the lower portion of the insertion section 1t, water and particles such as fine sand introduced from the top of the insertion section 1t partially leak downward (to the outside) through multiple infiltration channels (vertical water infiltration channels) generated in the non-jointed section. Meanwhile, the dimensions and shape of the non-jointed section are designed so that clumps of soil that have absorbed water and aggregated are retained and maintained within the insertion section 1t without leaking out through the multiple infiltration channels in the non-jointed section. Here, focusing on both ends of the insertion section 1t as a standalone structure, the left end faces (15t1, 15t2) and right end faces (16t1, 16t2) of the insertion section 1t are open, and strictly speaking, it is not a housing structure. As a result, some of the water and fine sand particles introduced from the top of the insertion section 1t fall out from the left end face (15t1, 15t2) and the right end face (16t1, 16t2) to the outside, and some of the clumps of soil that have absorbed water and coagulated also appear to fall out from the left end face (15t1, 15t2) and the right end face (16t1, 16t2) to the outside.

[0210] However, as with the inserting section 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment, by limiting the width of the planting groove 210 to a dimension that will fit the first and second main wall surfaces 10t1, 10t2 of the inserting section 1t, the walls of the planting groove 210 act as part of the bag, preventing clods of soil from falling out. This makes it difficult for water introduced from the top of the inserting section 1t, particles such as fine sand grains, and clods of soil that have coagulated with water to fall out of the inserting section 1t. The inserting section 1t can be used as a plant cultivation container in which culture soil 100 is filled between the first and second main wall surfaces 10t1, 10t2, and watered to cultivate plants from the seed or seedling stage.

[0211] When the insert section 1t of the cultivation element according to the modified seventh embodiment is composed of a composite water-impermeable membrane, as shown in FIG. 25(a), the lower end 13t has an intermittent joint at a portion thereof, so that moisture collected at the lower end 13t is absorbed by the exposed end surface 42a of the intermittent joint. As moisture penetrates through the exposed end surface of the intermittent joint, the hydrogen bonds between the plant fibers constituting the composite water-impermeable membrane are broken, and selective fracture begins to occur. The weight of the water-irrigated culture soil 100 is placed on the lower end 13t, and selective fracture over time occurs in the plant fiber substrate layer of the composite water-impermeable membrane near the intermittent joint. When the insert section 1t is composed of a single water-impermeable membrane, selective fracture over time occurs due to the hydrotropic expansion effect described above. As a result, the intermittent joint loses its ability to retain culture soil 100 and water, and the plant root system 301 planted in the insert section 1t is more likely to extend downward. 5 and 6A, the insertion part 1t can be inserted into a planting groove 210, similar to the insertion part 1s of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment, to facilitate selective extension of the plant root system 301 downward in the planting groove 210. By adjusting the thickness of the sewing thread 21t and the sewing interval, it is possible to adjust the fracture resistance of the intermittent joint and the time at which selective fracture over time begins.

[0212] Furthermore, with regard to the selective rupture of the intermittent joints over time, tension is applied to the sewing thread 21t serving as the upper thread and the sewing thread 21t serving as the lower thread due to the expansion of the first main wall surface 10t1 and the second main wall surface 10t2 of the insertion portion 1t by filling with culture soil 100, and when this tension exceeds the rupture resistance of the composite water-proof membrane, the composite water-proof membrane is cut by the sewing threads 21t and 21b, causing selective rupture over time (see Figures 12(a) and (b)). In the case of hand-sewn sewing, the composite water-proof membrane may be cut by only the sewing thread 21t, instead of two types of sewing threads, causing selective rupture over time.

[0213] In addition to the hydrotropic expansion effect, a method can also be employed in which weakening the strength of the sewing thread 21t causes the first and second main wall surfaces 10t1 and 10t2 of the insertion section 1t to expand due to the filling of the culture soil 100, thereby selectively breaking the sewing thread 21t over time and disassembling the intermittent joints to open the insertion section 1t. In the case of machine sewing, the sewing thread 21t also contributes to selective breaking over time, as shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b). Another method for weakening the strength of the sewing thread 21t is to use a water-soluble thread for the sewing thread 21t. Examples of water-soluble threads include polyvinyl alcohol and metal alginates. These materials can be spun and then twisted as needed to obtain the sewing thread 21t. Water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol-based threads are particularly preferred. The water dissolution time can be controlled by adjusting the degree of saponification and the thickness of the sewing thread depending on the moisture content of the culture soil 100, the soil temperature, the amount of irrigation, the cultivation period, and the size of the insertion section 1t. In particular, for polyvinyl alcohol-based threads, the water dissolution temperature can be changed depending on the degree of saponification, so by irrigating the culture soil 100 at a certain temperature or above, it is possible to selectively cause the intermittent joints to break over time, thereby increasing the options for selective breakage methods over time.

[0214] In the insert section 1t of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 25(a), when nothing is filled between the first and second main wall surfaces 10t1 and 10t2, the shape is rectangular when viewed from the normal direction of each of the first and second main wall surfaces 10t1 and 10t2, but shapes other than rectangular are also acceptable. In the structure of the insert section 1t of the cultivation member according to the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 25(a), fixed and non-bonded sections (see FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b)) created by sewing at the intermittent joints are alternately arranged, forming a so-called "linear mesh"-like structure that functions as a barrier between the culture soil 100 and irrigation water. The length of the non-bonded section defined between the fixed sections on both sides is defined as the "working length," and the width of the central section of the working length perpendicular to the working length is defined as the "buffer width" of the non-bonded section. Compared to when nothing is filled in the insertion section 1t, when the insertion section 1t is filled with culture soil 100, the buffer width expands and the action length contracts. The change in shape of the insertion section 1t stops when the expansion force generated by the filling of the insertion section 1t with culture soil 100 and the tension of the composite water-blocking membrane are balanced. When a large amount of culture soil 100 is filled, the buffer width expands significantly due to the pressing force of the culture soil 100, and the multiple infiltration channels (vertical water infiltration channels) that occur in the non-jointed sections shown in Figures 12(a) and (b) become gaps shaped like a "pot belly filled with culture soil 100."

[0215] When the culture soil 100 begins to fill the insertion section 1t, particles smaller than the sieve mesh of the multiple permeation channels that form in the non-connected sections shown in Figures 12(a) and (b) may fall out from the center of the multiple permeation channels. However, because the culture soil 100 particles aggregate together to form larger clumps due to interactions and pressure between particles, the amount of culture soil 100 that actually falls out is very small. Furthermore, once the culture soil 100 accumulates in the intermittent joints of the insertion section 1t, almost no culture soil 100 falls out of the multiple permeation channels during subsequent filling. Furthermore, the residual accumulation rate can be improved by increasing the degree of compression or humidifying the culture soil 100 being filled. The operating length of the multiple permeation channels shown in Figures 12(a) and (b) is preferably 5 mm or more and 1.5 cm or less from the viewpoint of balancing the retention of the culture soil 100 and the leakage of irrigation water.

[0216] When the culture medium 100 in the insertion section 1t is filled with water, the water permeates downward through the culture medium 100 and is temporarily blocked at the intermittent joints. The blocked water then permeates back into the upper culture medium 100 and over time leaks out through the multiple permeation channels that form at the non-junctions shown in Figures 12(a) and (b). Generally, when watering seedling containers from above, specific water channels form within the culture medium 100 in proportion to the particle size of the culture medium particles, and water leakage from the bottom occurs without sufficient water permeation throughout the culture medium 100. Therefore, submerged irrigation, in which the seedling container is immersed from the bottom in a water tank, is effective in achieving both a high water permeability rate into the culture medium 100 and a water-saving rate. Even in existing seedling pots with bottoms, pseudo-submerged irrigation occurs due to the water remaining at the bottom. Compared to existing seedling pots that have a bottom, the insertion section 1t has the culture soil 100 compressed and accumulated at a high density in the small, intermittent joints, which allows the blocked water to penetrate and reach the top of the culture soil 100 and remain there for a long time, thereby increasing the effect of pseudo-immersion bottom irrigation and making it possible to achieve both a high water penetration rate into the culture soil 100 and a water-saving rate.

[0217] The culture medium 100 and soil serving as weights to be filled into the insertion part 1t of the cultivation member according to t...

Claims

1. The container has a structure at least partially surrounded by a wall made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, and includes an insertion part that is inserted into a planting trench excavated in the planting area; the insert has a non-planar bottom region; By leaving a portion of the wall surface open or by providing a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface, the shape of at least the upper part of the outer shape defined by the housing structure can be deformed without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-impermeable membrane, thereby making it possible to increase the internal volume, A plurality of water permeation channels are arranged in one dimension in the bottom region, A cultivation member characterized in that the inside of the insertion portion is filled with culture soil, and a plant is planted in the filled culture soil and the plant is allowed to grow.

2. 2. The cultivation element according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the bottom region near the permeation channel has a structure that selectively breaks over time due to the irrigation when the plant is grown by irrigation.

3. A growth member as described in claim 2, characterized in that in the bottom side region, the flexible water-proof membrane forms two opposing surfaces facing each other, and an intermittent joint is formed to connect the two opposing surfaces to each other via the infiltration flow path.

4. The planting trench is excavated at a position that will become the bottom of the depression in the planting area, the growth member further comprises an extension portion connected to an upper end of the insertion portion so as to be continuous with the upper end of the insertion portion; 4. The growing member according to claim 3, wherein the extension is disposed on a slope toward the bottom of the depression.

5. 4. The growth member according to claim 3, wherein the sliding mechanism is formed by overlapping surfaces of the flexible water-blocking films that cross each other from opposite directions.

6. 6. The cultivation member according to claim 1, wherein the flexible water-blocking film is a composite water-blocking film made of a hydrophobic material and plant fibers.

7. 6. The growth member according to claim 1, wherein the flexible water-impermeable film has a plurality of vertical pleats formed therein.

8. In a planting area having an uneven shape with an inclined slope, a soil bed is excavated so that an opening of a planting groove is located at the level of the lower end of the slope; an insertion portion for a cultivating member that is inserted into the planting groove in a container structure; a depth corresponding to the width of the planting groove measured as the narrowest width on a vertical cross section that is at least five times the depth of the groove; a wall of the insertion section that is open or has a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall, so that at least the upper part of the shape of the outer shape defined by the storage structure can be deformed without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane, thereby increasing the internal volume; and a cultivation system comprising: a cultivation section that fills the inside of the insertion section with culture soil; and a plant that is planted in the culture soil and allowed to grow.

9. the growth member further comprises an extension portion connected to an upper end of the insertion portion so as to be continuous with the upper end of the insertion portion; The growing system of claim 8, wherein the extension is disposed on the slope.

10. 9. The cultivation system according to claim 8, wherein a solar cell panel is arranged on at least a part of the slope.

11. In a planting area having an inclined slope, a step of digging a planting trench so that an opening is located at the level of the lower end of the slope; Inserting an insertion part having a housing structure made of a flexible water-blocking film into the planting groove; Filling the inside of the insertion portion with soil; Sowing or planting seeds in the soil; A step of irrigating the planted seedlings; Including, A planting method characterized in that the planting groove has a depth that corresponds to the groove width measured as the narrowest width on a vertical cross section, which is at least five times the groove width, and the insertion portion has a wall surface that is open or a sliding mechanism on a part of the wall surface, so that at least the upper shape of the outer shape defined by the storage body structure can be deformed without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-proof membrane, thereby increasing the internal volume.

12. a step of preparing an insertion part having a housing structure at least partially surrounded by a wall surface made of a flexible water-impermeable membrane, and a plurality of water infiltration flow paths linearly arranged in a bottom region of the housing structure; a step of lifting and rotating an auger having an openable and closable digging tip and a hollow portion to dig and insert it into the soil bed of the planting area, thereby forming a planting groove in the soil bed; A step of storing the insertion portion filled with soil from an opening of the insertion portion located on the opposite side of the bottom side region into the hollow portion; Removing the auger from the soil bed while leaving the insert inside the planting trench; A step of planting seeds in the culture soil, irrigating them through the openings, and allowing a portion of the irrigation water to leak to the outside through the multiple water infiltration channels; wherein the insertion portion has a sliding mechanism on a portion of the wall surface, thereby enabling at least the upper shape of the outer shape defined by the storage body structure to deform without increasing the in-plane stress of the flexible water-blocking membrane, thereby enabling the internal volume to be increased.

Images