Controlled-Release Fertilizer Capsules for Hydroponic Perennials
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cultivation methods, such as flood irrigation and mass spraying, are wasteful of resources and harmful to the environment, and hydroponic cultivation of perennial plants with large root systems has been deemed cost-ineffective due to the need for large planting containers.
Innovation Solution
A controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) formulation with a balanced N-P-K ratio, specifically a 3-1-3 or 14-4-14 ratio, coated with polyolefin or polyurethane, is used in hydroponic systems to provide nutrients efficiently and effectively, reducing the need for frequent applications and minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional flood irrigation and mass spraying are used, then plants can be grown in organized rows with established cultivation practices, but resources are wasted and environmental damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful elements (soil, flood irrigation, mass spraying) from the cultivation system and replaces them with a hydroponic system that delivers nutrients directly to plant roots through controlled-release fertilizer capsules, eliminating resource waste and environmental damage while maintaining ease of cultivation
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled-release fertilizer capsules are designed to automatically release nutrients in response to plant root exudates, creating a self-regulating system that eliminates the need for manual irrigation and fertilization, thereby reducing resource waste while maintaining ease of cultivation
2Loss of energy
If hydroponic cultivation is used for perennial plants with large root systems, then resource efficiency is improved, but large planting containers are required making it cost-ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses small biodegradable capsules with flexible shells that contain controlled-release fertilizer, allowing hydroponic cultivation of perennial plants in small containers while maintaining resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the nutrient delivery parameters by using controlled-release capsules that respond to plant root exudates, enabling efficient nutrient delivery to perennial plants with large root systems in small containers, thereby improving resource efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness
3Measurement precision
If controlled-release fertilizer is used in hydroponic systems, then nutrient delivery precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled-release fertilizer capsules are designed to automatically release nutrients in response to plant root exudates, creating a self-regulating system that achieves precise nutrient delivery without complex control mechanisms, thereby improving nutrient delivery precision while minimizing system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The CRF formulation allows for precise and sustained nutrient delivery, promoting healthy plant growth and reducing resource waste, enabling hydroponic cultivation of perennial plants without the need for frequent fertilizer applications, thus enhancing yield and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
The controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) formulation... coated with polyolefin or polyurethane... allows for precise and sustained nutrient delivery
Implementation Method 2
a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) formulation with a balanced N-P-K ratio, specifically a 3-1-3 or 14-4-14 ratio, coated with polyolefin or polyurethane
Data Source
AI summary
A method of hydroponic growing of plants comprising hydroponically growing the plants in the presence of a controlled release hydroponic fertilizer composition. The hydroponic fertilizer composition comprises a polymerically coated controlled release fertilization nutrient formulation which further comprises micronutrients and optionally chelated iron.