# Patent

## Title
Plant cultivation material and plant cultivation method using the material

## Abstract

Plant cultivation materials, which have the liquid retentivity and the liquid transitivity, which provide the best environment for plants respiration, which comprises polyesters, natural pulps and/or synthetic pulps such as polyolefin pulps, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provide the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth, and the plant cultivation methods by using the materials can be provided.

## Background
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to plant cultivation materials and plant cultivation methods using the materials.
BACKGROUND ART
To date, a large number of plant cultivation methods to accelerate the plant growth such as the methods utilizing superabsorbent polymers represented by crosslinked sodium polyacrylate gels (Patent Literature 1), foamable resins represented by polyvinyl alcohols, polyurethanes and polystyrenes (Patent Literature 2), and breathable films and porous films represented by non-woven fabrics, or multi films (Patent Literature 3 and Patent Literature 4) have been reported.
But the cases that the amount of water or a nutrient solution required depending on the plant growth cannot be supplied have been observed in the cultivation method utilizing superabsorbent polymers, the cases that the air necessary for the plant growth cannot be sufficiently supplied have been observed in the cultivation method utilizing formable resins, and the cases that the amount of water or a nutrient solution necessary for the plant growth cannot be retained and therefore stably supplied to plants have been observed in the cultivation method utilizing breathable films or porous films.
A cultivation method utilizing ceramics (Patent Literature 5) was discovered in order to solve the aforementioned problems. But the capability of this method to supply to plants the amount of water or a nutrient solution necessary for the plant growth has been still insufficient, and thus, no plant cultivation environment for plants to absorb the amounts of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want has not been provided yet.
REFERENCE LIST
Patent Literature


    Patent Literature 1: WO97/008938A
    Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-45895
    Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-217874
    Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-153398
    Patent Literature 5: Japanese Patent No. 3044006


SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention
The challenge to be solved by this invention is to provide plant cultivation materials suitable to make a plant cultivation environment in which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want in order to accelerate the plant growth and a plant cultivation methods using these materials.
Means for Solving the Problems
As a result of intensive studies to solve the aforementioned challenge, the inventors have discovered that the materials having the liquid retentivity and the liquid transitivity, and comprising a structure capable to provide the environment suitable for the plant respiration for the plant growth can accelerate the plant growth, since plants can absorb, from the materials, the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plant want whenever plants want.
This invention to solve the aforementioned challenge is as follows:
(1) A plant cultivation material, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides a cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth.
(2) A plant cultivation material, which has the liquid retentivity and the liquid transitivity, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth.

(3) A plant cultivation material, which is capable to retain water, a nutrient solution and/or the liquid dissolving agrochemical products (which is described as “Liquid” hereinafter), which has the cavities for the smooth transitivity of Liquid, from which plants can absorb the amounts of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth.

(4) A plant cultivation material, which is capable to retain water a nutrient solution and/or the liquid dissolving agrochemical products, which has the cavities for the smooth transitivity of Liquid, which comprises the layered structure capable to control the root growth, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth.

(5) A plant cultivation material, which is capable to retain water, a nutrient solution and/or the liquid dissolving agrochemical products, which has the cavities for the smooth transitivity of Liquid, which comprises the layered structure capable to control the root growth so that roots can respire sufficient air, from which plants can absorb the amounts of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth.

(6) A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation materials according to any one of (1) to (5).

Effects of Invention
The plant growth is made accelerated, the crop yield and the quality are made higher, and the supply of the elements necessary for the plant growth can be controlled to the minimum required, since plants can absorb the amounts of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want by utilizing the plant cultivation materials and the plant cultivation methods using the materials of this invention.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a plant cultivation using the plant cultivation materials of this invention.



DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, this invention will be described in detail.
This invention provides the plant cultivation materials which have the liquid retentivity and the liquid transitivity for plants to absorb the amounts of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want and which comprise a structure capable to provide the environment suitable for plant respiration (which is described as “Materials” hereinafter) and the plant cultivation methods using Materials.
The term “Materials” indicates the materials described as any one of (1) to (6), for example, the materials that comprise only one of materials or the materials at any given ratio mixed with two or more of the materials which are synthetic pulps produced from polyolefins such as polyethylenes and polypropylenes, natural pulps, and/or polyesters and so on. Examples of the synthetic pulps include those described in Japanese Patent No. 3913421 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-077519 or those produced by the method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1260/1978, but are not limited thereto. For example, the materials formed into mono-layered or multi-layered sheet and/or something like this by using a slurry prepared only by one of the materials or at any given ratio mixed with two or more of materials which are synthetic pulps, natural pulps, polyesters and so on can be used.
Hereinafter, the terms used in the embodiments of this invention will be described.
(Plants)
The term “plant(s)” is used herein to mean various plants including plants of Malveceae such as cotton, plants of Chenopodiaceae such as sugar beet, plants of Brassicaceae such as rapeseed and cabbage, plants of Poaceae such as corn, wheat and rice, plants of Cucurbitaceae such as cucumber and pumpkin, plants of Asteraceae such as lettuce and safflower, plants of Apiaceae such as carrot, plants of Euphorbiaceae such as castor bean and cassava, plants of Solanaceae such as eggplant and tomato, plants of Rosaceae such as strawberry and apple, plants of Fabaceae such as soybean, and plants of Rutaceae such as orange and lemon, but are not limited thereto.
(Seeds)
The term “seed(s)” is used herein to mean the disseminules produced by the sexual reproduction of spermatophytes, which contain therein the embryos that are young plants growing from fertilized eggs, and also used to mean the artificial seeds which are the adventive embryos obtained by tissue cultures and embedded with gelatins, resins or something like those.
(Seedling)
The term “seedling” is used herein to mean the plant bodies having roots, stems and leaves, or the fragments of the plant bodies that are lack of one or two of roots, stems and/or leaves and able to be regenerated to complete plant bodies by curing.
(Cultivation)
The term “cultivation” is used herein to mean to artificially grow plants in any stage from the seeding stage to the maturation stage thereof. For example, it is used to mean to artificially grow plants over the entire or in a partial period from the seeding stage to the maturation stage and in each following stage or in the stages by the combination of two or more of the following stages:
(1) From the seeding stage to the maturation stage;
(2) From nursery plants to the maturation stage;
(3) From seeds to nursery plants;
(4) From the stage when plants are cultivated in the other places through the nursery plants before the desired maturation to the desired maturation stage.
(5) From nursery plants to the stage before the desired maturation (Plants are cultivated in the other places after the stage before the desired maturation to the desired maturation stage.)
The cultivation until the maturation stage includes the maturation stage in which the desired plant bodies or one of parts of fruits, flowers, leaves, buds, branches, stems, roots and bulbs of the plant bodies are at least made available to be harvested, or in which seeds or nursery plants are made available to be harvested from the plant bodies.
(Germination)
The term “germination” is used herein to mean that leaves, stems and/or roots and so on are growing from the inside or the surface of seeds, bulblets, bulb, and so on.
(Acceleration)
The term “acceleration” is used herein to mean the superior plant growth to those by conventional technologies, for example, faster growing, higher germination rate, higher survival rate, larger amount of plant bodies, higher crop yield, higher quality such as higher sugar content and so on.
(Elements Necessary for the Plant Growth)
The term “elements necessary for the plant growth” is used herein to mean the elements essential for the plant growth such as water, fertilizers and air, and the elements required to control insects and/or diseases harmful to the plant growth such as agrochemical products. But the elements are not limited thereto. (These elements are described as “Element(s)” hereinafter.)
(Absorb as Much as Plants want Whenever Plants want)
The term “absorb as much as plants want whenever plants want” is used herein to mean that plants absorbing Elements as much as plants want whenever plants want, that is, absorbing Elements depends on the plants themselves.
(Liquid Retentivity)
The term “liquid retentivity” is used herein to mean the property to retain the liquid containing Elements in Materials. The preferable retention rate is 30% or more and 95% or less as a liquid content (by weight) in Materials containing the liquid, and the more preferable retention rate is 40% or more, and 80% or less.
(Liquid Transitivity)
The term “liquid transitivity” is used herein to mean the property to easily transfer the liquid containing Elements in Materials. The preferable transfer rate is 0.01 mL/h or more per 1 cm3 of Materials, and the more preferable transfer rate is 0.1 mL/h or more per 1 cm3 of Materials.
(Fertilizers)
The term “fertilizers” is used herein to mean the nutrients essential for the plant growth, and used to mean the nutrients containing at least one of three fertilizer elements which consist of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potassium, and being liquid forms or the liquid prepared by dissolving solid fertilizers in water (including emulsion-forms, suspension-forms and so on), (which is described as a “Nutrient Solutions” hereinafter).
The examples of Nutrient Solutions are nitrogen fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, urea, lime nitrogen and potassium nitrate, phosphate fertilizers such as superphosphate of lime, double or triple superphosphate and fused phosphate, potash fertilizers such as potassium chloride and potassium sulfate, chemical fertilizers such as mono-fertilizers, a chemical fertilizer and mixed fertilizers, calcareous fertilizers such as burnt lime, slaked lime and calcium carbonate fertilizers, silicate fertilizers such as slag silicate fertilizers, manganese fertilizers such as manganese sulfate fertilizers and slag manganese fertilizers, boric acid fertilizers such as borate fertilizers, trace element composite fertilizers such as fused trace element composite fertilizers, and mixed fertilizers which are the mixtures of the aforementioned fertilizers or the mixtures with the following agrochemical products, but not limited thereto. One, or two or more selected from the aforementioned fertilizers can be used as the ingredient(s) of Nutrient Solutions as desired.
(Agrochemical Products)
The term “agrochemical products” is used herein to mean the agents required to control insects and/or diseases harmful to the plant growth, and used to mean the liquid forms or the liquid prepared by dissolving solid agrochemical products in water (including emulsion-forms, suspension-forms and so on).
The agrochemical products include insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, fungicides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators, which types are single formulated products and mixed formulated products. The single formulated products mean the agrochemical products containing single active ingredient and the mixed formulated products mean the agrochemical products arbitrarily mixed with two or more active ingredients of insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, fungicides and herbicides described below, but are not limited thereto.
The examples of the active ingredients of insecticides, acaricides or nematicides are organophosphates such as acephate and fenitrothion, carbamates such as methomyl and benfuracarb, pyrazoles such as fipronil, neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid and dinotefuran, natural products such as milbemectin and spinosad, and the other active ingredients of insecticides, acaricides or nematicides having systemic or water soluble properties such as chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole, but are not limited thereto.
The examples of the active ingredients of fungicides are carbamates such as thiuram and mancozeb, strobilurins such as azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl, azoles such as triflumizole, tebuconazole and simeconazole, natural products such as kasugamycin and streptomycin, and the other active ingredients of fungicides having systemic or water soluble properties, but are not limited thereto.
The examples of the active ingredients of herbicides or a plant growth regulators are phosphates such as glyphosate and glufosinate, sulfonylureas such as thifensulfuron methyl, inorganics such as ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, triketones such as sulcotrione and mesotrione, pyrazolates such as pyrazolate and pyrasulfotole, triazolones such as sulfentrazone and amicarbazone, isoxazoles such as isoxachlortole, natural products such as cytokinin and gibberellin, and the other active ingredients of herbicides or plant growth regulators having systemic or water soluble properties, but are not limited thereto.
Additionally, the term “systemic property” is used herein to mean the property that the agrochemical products are absorbed from the roots, stems or leaves of the plants and then transferred into the plant bodies.
(Cavities)
The term “cavities” is used herein to mean the spaces through which the liquid containing Elements is transferred in Materials, whose size for seeds not to fall down, and which have the liquid transitivity caused by surface tension and capillary action inside of the cavities. In particular, it is preferable that 10 μmφ or less of cavities occupy 50% or more (relative to volume) of the total cavities existing in Materials, and it is more preferable that 10 μmφ or less of the cavities occupy 90% or more (relative to volume) of the total cavities existing in Materials.
(Control of Root Growth)
The term “control of root growth” is used herein to mean the methods to allow the plant roots to grow in a state suitable for the plant growth inside or outside of Materials and to create the environment of the roots by which plants can absorb Elements as much as plants want whenever plants want. This is caused by the layered structure of Materials.
(Layered Structure)
The term “layered structure” is used herein to mean a three-dimensional structure formed by laminating a planar structure on the other planar structure(s) in a layer thickness direction (a direction that intersects to a planar structure consisting of each layer), wherein, the planar structures are formed by continuously or discontinuously intertwining the materials constituting Materials in a two-dimensional manner. The preferable thickness of each layer is 0.01 mm or more, and the more preferable thickness is 0.1 mm or more. The preferable number of layers is two or more. The preferable thickness of Materials as a whole is 5,000 m or less, and the more preferable thickness is 500 m or less.
(Cultivation Methods)
According to the plant cultivation methods using Materials, plants can be cultivated over any given stages ranging from seeding to the maturation stage using Materials that can supply to plants the elements necessary for the plant growth. Such any given stages ranging from seeding to the maturation stage are as described in the aforesection “Cultivation”.
The shape and the size of Materials are not particularly limited, but can be selected as appropriate depending on the plant growth to keep the plant growth direction and the root swelling better until the maturation stage of the target plants. For example, Materials can be used in various shapes such as sheet-forms, mat-forms, cube-forms and/or cuboid-forms, and column-forms, at least to ensure the surface of Materials for seeding and the parts of Materials for the root growth.
The places on which Materials are put can be selected as appropriate depending on the purpose of plant cultivation. For example, Materials are put in the container depending on the cultivation purposes, and then, plants can be cultivated until the maturation stage thereof after seeding on Materials under the condition available to supply to plants the elements necessary for the plant growth.
The elements necessary for the plant growth can be supplied to Materials put in the containers by several methods such as the method of transferring the elements filled in the containers to Materials, the method of using the elements previously filled in Materials and the method by the parallel use of these methods.
For example, Elements can be supplied to the plants by Liquid penetrable in Materials being filled in the container, by Materials being contacted with Liquid, and by Liquid being penetrated in Materials. Liquid is available to be replenished the containers with when required, and able to be replenished the container with continuously or at intervals.
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, plants can be grown on Materials 1 by cuboid-shaped Materials 1 being partially immersed in Liquid in the container 2 and by seeding on the upper surface of Materials 1 exposed to the air. Patterned indented structure, dents for seeding, or something like that can be laid on the seeding surface of Materials.
As shown in FIG. 1, plants grow in the layer thickness direction (in the vertical direction to the each layer) in case that Materials 1 have a layered structure. On the other hand, the steady rooting condition can be ensured for the stable cultivation states for plants by roots not only growing in the layer thickness direction of the layered structure but also effectively growing in the horizontal direction (in the direction perpendicular to the layer thickness direction and the direction along the planar structure of each layer). The relationship between the layer thickness direction in the layered structure of Materials and the plant growth direction is not limited to the relationship shown in FIG. 1, and can be controlled as appropriate so that the suitable cultivation condition for plants can be obtained. Moreover, as required, the supports for plants, the guides to support the plant growth directions or the supporting structures to fix the position of Materials 1 in the container can be also used.
The places on which the containers are put can be selected as appropriate depending on the purpose of plant cultivation, for example, in natural environments such as in the soils, cultivation chambers, houses, cultivation facilities and the others in which the cultivation conditions such as temperature and/or humidity and be controlled.
WORKING EXAMPLES
This invention will be specifically described by the following working examples. But these examples are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.
Example 1
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 80 mm×100 mm×65 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of water poured into a cultivation case. Wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp in order to observe the growth. The result of the growth is shown in Table 1.







TABLE 1





Result of Wheat Growth (Seeding on Jan. 6, 2012)























Days after Seeding (days)
3
6
9
13
14
21
27
30





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
40
60
147
188
237
275
285


Number of Leaves (pieces)

1
1
2
3
3
4
4





Days after Seeding (days)
35
37
41
43
51
63
69
72





Height of Plants (mm)
293
294
290
299
299
310
345
365


Number of Leaves (pieces)
5
5
5
5
7
7
7
7









Example 2
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 80 mm×100 mm×65 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case. Wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp in order to observe the growth and to measure the amount of the nutrient solution consumed during the growth. The results of the growth and the amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Table 3.







TABLE 2







Composition of Nutrient Solution











Concentration

Concentration


Ingredient
(mg/L)
Ingredient
(mg/L)













Ca(NO3)2•4H2O
472
ZnSO4•7H2O
0.22


KNO3
808
CuSO4•5H2O
0.08


NH4H2PO4
152
Na2MoO4•2H2O
0.025


MgSO4•7H2O
492
MnSO4•5H2O
2.38


H3BO3
2.86
Fe-EDTA
22.6
















TABLE 3





Results of Wheat Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)























Days after Seeding (days)
2
3
6
9
13
14
21
23





Height of Plants (mm)

5
45
120
165
200
280
290


Number of Leaves (pieces)

1
1
2
3
3
5
6


Growth Stage
Germination


Integrated Amount of Nutrient






28


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
27
30
35
37
41
43
51
56





Height of Plants (mm)
330
335
390
405
419
428
450
450


Number of Leaves (pieces)
9
10
12
12
12
16
19
19


Growth Stage
Active Tiller






Booting


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
72

128

184
234
289
333


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
58
59
63
66
69
72
79
83





Height of Plants (mm)
452
465
470
518
520
558
600
635


Number of Leaves (pieces)
19
19
19
22
22
22
22
22


Growth Stage


Integrated Amount of Nutrient

377
432
471
527
555
599
677


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
86
90
93





Height of Plants (mm)
638
638
661


Number of Leaves (pieces)
23
23
23


Growth Stage
Ear emergence


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
744
800


Solution Consumption (mL)









Example 3
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (registered trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 300 mm×360 mm×100 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 4) poured into a cultivation case. Grape tomato seeds were put on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp in order to observe the growth and to measure the sugar content of fruitive grave tomato pulp by a hand-held refractometer IATC-1E (Brix: 0% to 32%) manufactured by Iuchi Seieido Co., Ltd. The results of the growth and the sugar content are shown in Table 5.







TABLE 4







Composition of Nutrient Solution











Concentration

Concentration


Ingredient
(mg/L)
Ingredient
(mg/L)













Ca(NO3)2•4H2O
354
ZnSO4•7H2O
0.22


KNO3
404
CuSO4•5H2O
0.08


NH4H2PO4
76
Na2MoO4•2H2O
0.025


MgSO4•7H2O
246
MnSO4•5H2O
2.38


H3BO3
2.86
Fe-EDTA
22.6
















TABLE 5





Results of Grape Tomato Growth and Sugar Content (Seeding on Apr. 13, 2012)























Days after Seeding (days)
5
18
28
32
52
60
69
76





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
30
55
72
215
355
480
640


Number of Flower Buds (pieces)




3
12
14
47


Number of Fruit-Setting (pieces)







1





Days after Seeding (days)
84
87
90
98
108
119
132
167





Height of Plants (mm)
830
860
1,000
1,270
1,500
1,800
2,250


Number of Flower Buds (pieces)
93
94
114
185
166
155
142


Number of Fruit-Setting (pieces)
7
7
11
24
56
131
199


Sugar Content (Brix, %)







14.0









Examples 4 to 14
Leaf lettuce, rapeseed, myosotis, corn poppy, prunus sargentii, camphor laurel, silk tree, nigella, coriander, soybeans and red perilla were seeded by the similar method to that described in Example 2 in order to observe each plant growth and to measure each amount of the nutrient solution consumed during each growth. The results of each growth and each amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Tables 6 to 16.







TABLE 6





Results of Leaf Lettuce Growth and Amount of Nutrient Solution


Consumption (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)

















Days after Seeding (days)
















2
3
6
9
13
14
21
23





Height of Plants
Germination
5
5
8
20
27
45
53


(mm)


Number of

2
3
3
4
4
5
6


Leaves (pieces)


Integrated


Amount of


Nutrient Solution


Consumption


(mL)












Days after Seeding (days)
















27
30
35
41
43
51
56
58





Height of Plants
70
80
110
139
152
190
200
212


(mm)


Number of
7
7
8
9
11
12
13
13


Leaves (pieces)


Integrated



60
80
140
220


Amount of


Nutrient Solution


Consumption


(mL)












Days after Seeding (days)
















59
63
66
69
72
79
83
86





Height of
220
220
235
239
249
252
268
268


Plants (mm)


Number of
13
15
15
15
15
16
16
16


Leaves (pieces)


Integrated
260
320
400
480
530
590
690
740


Amount of


Nutrient


Solution


Consumption


(mL)













Days after Seeding (days)













90
93







Height of Plants (mm)
268
268



Number of Leaves (pieces)
16
16



Integrated Amount of Nutrient
860



Solution Consumption (mL)

















TABLE 7





Results of Rapeseed Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)























Days after Seeding (days)
2
3
6
9
13
14
21
23





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
10
17
20
30
33
60
65


Number of Leaves (pieces)

2
2
3
4
4
5
5


Integrated Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
27
30
35
41
43
51
56
58





Height of Plants (mm)
78
84
110
141
156
215
245
250


Number of Leaves (pieces)
6
6
7
9
10
11
11
11


Integrated Amount of Nutrient



67

109
159


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
59
63
66
69
72
79
83
86





Height of Plants (mm)
250
254
285
315
329
360
366
367


Number of Leaves (pieces)
11
13
13
13
13
16
16
16


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
192
225
275
325
375
425
542
592


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
90





Height of Plants (mm)
367


Number of Leaves (pieces)
16


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
717


Solution Consumption (mL)
















TABLE 8





Results of Myosotis Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)























Days after Seeding (days)
3
6
9
13
14
21
23
27





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
5
6
15
17
32
40
56


Number of Leaves (pieces)

2
2
4
4
6
6
7


Integrated Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
30
35
41
43
51
56
58
59





Height of Plants (mm)
62
83
107
115
145
155
155
159


Number of Leaves (pieces)
7
10
10
18
19
19
22
24


Integrated Amount of Nutrient


31
44
60
98


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
63
66
69
72
79
83
86
90





Height of Plants (mm)
161
163
163
168
173
180
180
180


Number of Leaves (pieces)
27
27
27
34
34
34
34
34


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
136

180
205
255
293
324
362


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
93





Height of Plants (mm)
180


Number of Leaves (pieces)
34


Integrated Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (mL)
















TABLE 9





Results of Corn Poppy Growth and Amount of Nutrient Solution


Consumption (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)

















Days after Seeding (days)
















2
3
6
9
13
14
21
23





Height of
Germination
3
8
10
10
12
22
29


Plants (mm)


Number of

2
2
4
4
6
9
9


Leaves


(pieces)


Integrated


Amount of


Nutrient


Solution


Consumption


(mL)












Days after Seeding (days)
















27
30
35
41
43
51
56
58





Height of
38
49
74
95
103
144
160
165


Plants (mm)


Number of
10
13
17
17
18
21
24
26


Leaves


(pieces)


Integrated



100

200
250


Amount of


Nutrient


Solution


Consumption


(mL)












Days after Seeding (days)
















59
63
66
69
72
79
83
86





Height of
165
165
178
189
190
207
207
212


Plants


(mm)


Number of
26
26
26
26
31
31
31
31


Leaves


(pieces)


Integrated

400

550
650
875
1,000
1,150


Amount of


Nutrient


Solution


Con-


sumption


(mL)













Days after Seeding (days)













90
93







Height of Plants (mm)
224
248



Number of Leaves (pieces)
31
31



Integrated Amount of Nutrient
1,300



Solution Consumption (mL)

















TABLE 10





Results of Prunus Sargentii Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)























Days after Seeding (days)
1
6
9
13
14
21
23
27





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
15
43
80
95
119
130
132


Number of Leaves (pieces)

2
5
6
6
7
8
9


Integrated Amount of Nutrient





40

80


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
30
35
41
43
51
56
58
59





Height of Plants (mm)
138
162
190
205
242
256
268
276


Number of Leaves (pieces)
9
11
12
12
14
16
16
16


Integrated Amount of Nutrient


140
160
200
240


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
63
66
69
72
79
83
86
90





Height of Plants (mm)
295
310
323
340
372
390
390
390


Number of Leaves (pieces)
17
17
17
19
19
19
19
19


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
290
330
370
420
450
500
550
620


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
93





Height of Plants (mm)
419


Number of Leaves (pieces)
19


Integrated Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (mL)
















TABLE 11





Result of Camphor Tree Growth (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)























Days after Seeding days)
1
2
3
6
9
13
14
21





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
20
22
30
30
30
30
32


Number of Leaves (pieces)

1
1
1
1
2
3
4





Days after Seeding days)
23
27
30
35
41
43
51
56





Height of Plants (mm)
32
32
32
32
32
32
32
32


Number of Leaves (pieces)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4





Days after Seeding days)
58
59
63
66
69
72
79
83





Height of Plants (mm)
32
33
33
33
33
33
33
33


Number of Leaves (pieces)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4





Days after Seeding days)
86
90
93





Height of Plants (mm)
33
33
33


Number of Leaves (pieces)
4
4
4
















TABLE 12





Results of Silk Tree Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Nov. 15, 2011)























Days after Seeding (days)
3
9
13
14
21
23
27
30





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
25
28
45
53
55
55
55


Number of Leaves (pieces)

4
5
5
6
6
6
6


Integrated Amount of Nutrient




100


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
35
41
43
51
56
58
59
63





Height of Plants (mm)
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55


Number of Leaves (pieces)
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
250





500


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
66
69
72
79
83
86
90
93





Height of Plants (mm)
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55


Number of Leaves (pieces)
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
8


Integrated Amount of Nutrient




750


Solution Consumption (mL)
















TABLE 13





Results of Negella Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Dec. 13, 2011)























Days after Seeding (days)
2
6
13
14
23
27
30
35





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
10
33
42
47
50
51
51


Number of Leaves (pieces)

2
2
2
3
3
3
4


Integrated Amount of Nutrient





50

138


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
41
43
51
56
58
63
66
69





Height of Plants (mm)
67
75
80
94
97
95
105
109


Number of Leaves (pieces)
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8


Integrated Amount of Nutrient

176

264


339


Solution Consumption (mL)
















TABLE 14





Results of Coriander Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Dec. 13. 2011)























Days after Seeding (days)
6
13
14
23
27
30
35
41





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
41
48
50
53
53
57
65


Number of Leaves (pieces)

2
3
4
5
5
6
7


Integrated Amount of Nutrient




100

275


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
43
51
56
58
63
66
69





Height of Plants (mm)
77
85
120
132
138
156
161


Number of Leaves (pieces)
7
10
10
13
14
15
15


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
350

500


625


Solution Consumption (mL)
















TABLE 15





Results of Soybeans Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption (Seeding on Jan. 6, 2012)























Days after Seeding (days)
3
14
23
27
30
35
41
43





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
25
67
129
160
168
175
200


Number of Leaves (pieces)

3
6
7
7
8
10
10


Integrated Amount of Nutrient


75
200

325
475


Solution Consumption (mL)





Days after Seeding (days)
51
56
59
63
66
69
72
79





Height of Plants (mm)
212
223
223
235
240
240
240
240


Number of Leaves (pieces)
22
28
37
38
38
38
38
38


Integrated Amount of Nutrient
700
775

1,025
1,225
1,325
1,475
1,625


Solution Consumption (mL)









[Table 19]








TABLE 16





Result of Red Perilla Growth (Seeding on Oct. 1, 2012)

















Days after Seeding (days)
















4
11
18
25
32
38
46
62





Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
5
7
9
10
20
50
65


Number of Leaves

2
4
4
 6
 6
 8
12


(pieces)












Days after Seeding (days)














68
75
82
91
96
104





Height of Plants (mm)
80
115
130
160
170
185


Number of Leaves
12
 12
 14
 14
 14
 20


(pieces)









Example 15
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 65 mm×65 mm×95 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case. Dianthus seeds were put on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp in order to observe the growth. The result of the growth is shown in Table 17.







TABLE 17







Result of Dianthus Growth (Seeding on Jul. 29, 2011)









Days after Seeding (days)
















6
13
21
35
42
49
55
84



















Height of Plants
Germination
10
45
70
75
80
80
95


(mm)









Example 16
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 500 mm×340 mm×150 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 18) poured into a cultivation case. After a hole with a size sufficient to receive a seed therein was made on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp, a corn seed was then put in the hole in order to observe the growth until fruition. The result of the growth is shown in Table 19.







TABLE 18







Composition of Nutrient Solution











Concentration

Concentration


Trade name
(mg/L)
Trade name
(mg/L)













Otsuka House No. 1
250
Otsuka House
167




No. 2


Otsuka House No. 5
5





(Note)


Otsuka House: trade name of fertilizer produced and distributed by Otsuka AgriTechno Co., Ltd.













TABLE 19







Result of Corn Growth (Seeding on Jul. 29, 2011)









Days after Seeding (days)














4
14
31
43
49
71

















Height of
Germi-
320
850
114
125
130


Plants (mm)
nation


Growth



Blooming of
Blooming
Fruition


Stage



Male Flower
of Female







Flower









Example 17
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 260 mm×110 mm×150 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 18) poured into a cultivation case. After a hole with a size sufficient to receive a seed therein was made on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp, a paddy rice (Nihonbare) seed was then put in the hole in order to observe the growth until the maturation stage. The result of the growth is shown in Table 20.







TABLE 20







Result of Paddy Rice Growth (Seeding on Dec. 20, 2011)









Days after Seeding (days)















4
14
31
38
49
71
114


















Height
Germi-
180
490
720
780
1,150
1,200


of Plants
nation


(mm)


Growth





Booting
Maturation


Stage









Example 18
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 500 mm×340 mm×150 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 18) poured into a cultivation case. After a hole with a size sufficient to receive a seed therein was made on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp, a sorghum seed was then put in the hole in order to observe the growth until fruition. The result of the growth is shown in Table 21.







TABLE 21







Result of Sorghum Growth (Seeding on Dec. 20, 2011)









Days after Seeding (days)












4
49
71
114















Height of Plants (mm)
4
1,030
1,280
1,300


Growth Stage
Germination

Ear
Fruition





Emergence









Example 19 to 20
Cotton and rapeseed were seeded by the similar method to that described in Example 18 in order to observe each plant growth. The results of each growth are shown in Tables 22 and 23.







TABLE 22







Result of Cotton Growth (Seeding on Dec. 20, 2011)









Days after Seeding (days)













10
67
87
207
307
















Height of Plants
Germination
794
850
1,200
1,500


(mm)


Growth Stage

Blooming
9
14
26





Flower
Flower
Flower





Buds
Buds
Buds
















TABLE 23







Result of Rapeseed Growth (Seeding on Dec. 20, 2011)









Days after Seeding (days)













6
66
98
121
161
















Height of Plants
Germination
18
30
98
104


(mm)


Growth Stage



Blooming
Fruition









Example 21
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (registered trademark): E400) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 400 mm×200 mm×5 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 18) poured into a cultivation case. Kentucky bluegrass seeds were put on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp in order to observe the growth. The result of the growth is shown in Table 24.







TABLE 24







Result of Kentucky Bluegrass Growth (Seeding on Jun. 4, 2012)










Days after Seeding (days)













5
11
21
67

















Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
15
60
200










Example 22
Synthetic paper manufactured by mixing natural pulp with synthetic pulp was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 80 mm×100 mm×65 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case. Wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the synthetic paper in order to observe the growth and to measure the amount of the nutrient solution consumed during the growth. The results of the growth and the amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Table 25.







TABLE 25







Results of Wheat Growth and Amount of Nutrient Solution


Consumption (Seeding on Aug. 27, 2011)









Days after Seeding (days)
















3
8
14
23
35
49
56
72



















Height of
Germi-
80
155
180
180
180
285
320


Plants (mm)
nation


Number of

1
2
3
4
6
7
8


Leaves (pieces)


Integrated



450



950


Amount of


Nutrient


Solution


Consumption


(mL)









Example 23
Natural pulp paper manufactured by processing natural pulp was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 80 mm×100 mm×65 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case. Wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the natural paper in order to observe the growth and to measure the amount of the nutrient solution consumed during the growth. The results of the growth and the amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Table 26.







TABLE 26





Results of Wheat Growth and Amount of Nutrient Solution


Consumption (Seeding on Aug. 27, 2011)

















Days after Seeding (days)
















3
8
14
20
27
34
41
48





Height of
Ger-
45
150
170
200
200
240
360


Plants (mm)
mination


Number of

1
2
3
4
5
6
7


Leaves


(pieces)


Integrated


200

350

500


Amount of


Nutrient


Solution


Consumption


(mL)













Days after Seeding (days)















57
65
71
78







Height of
440
440
440
440



Plants (mm)



Number of
9
10
10
11



Leaves



(pieces)



Integrated
650

900
1,025



Amount of



Nutrient



Solution



Consumption



(mL)










Example 24
Polyester paper manufactured by mixing polyester with natural pulp was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 80 mm×100 mm×65 mm (in height), and the cuboid was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured in a cultivation case. Wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the polyester paper in order to observe the growth and to measure the amount of the nutrient solution consumed during the growth. The results of the growth and the amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Table 27.







TABLE 27







Results of Wheat Growth and Amount of Nutrient Solution


Consumption (Seeding on Dec. 28, 2012)









Days after Seeding (days)
















4
12
20
25
34
41
48
53



















Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
162
275
313
385
417
425
427


Number of Leaves

2
4
5
5
7
10
12


(pieces)


Integrated Amount

17
50
94
138
182
226
282


of Nutrient Solution


Consumption (mL)









Plants that can be cultivated by the similar methods to those described in Examples 1, 2 and 16 are shown in Table 28. But the examples of the plants are not limited thereto.







TABLE 28







Plant List










Family
Genus
Species
Plant Name





Malvaceae
Gossypium

Cotton



Hibiscus
H. cannabinus
Kenaf





Hibiscus



Abelmoschus
A. esculentus
Okra


Chenopodiaceae
Spinacia
S. oleracea
Spinach



Beta
B. vulgaris
Sugar Beet


Rubiaceae
Gardenia
G. jasminoides
Common Gardenia



Coffea

Coffee Tree


Brassicaceae
Brassica
B. napus
Rapeseed




B. oleracea
Broccoli





Cabbage




rapa
Turnip



Raphanus
R. sativus
Japanese Radish



Brassica
B. juncea
Leaf Mustard


Iridaceae
Crocus

Crocus


Poaceae
Zea
Z. mays
Corn



Oryza
O. sativa
Rice



Sorghum
S. bicolor
Sorghum



Triticum

Wheat



Hordeum
H. vulgare
Barley



Zoysia

Zoysia


Araliaceae
Eleutherococcus

Siberian Ginseng



Schefflera
S. arbolicola
Schefflera



Panax
P. ginseng
Asian Ginseng


Cucurbitaceae
Cucumis
C. melo
Melon




C. sativus
Cucumber



Cucurbita

Pumpkin


Anacardiaceae
Toxicodendron
T. vernicifluum
Lacquer tree



Mangifera
M. indica
Mango


Ebenaceae
Diospiros
D. kaki
Persimmon


Oxalidaceae
Averrhoa
A. carambola
Star Fruit


Asteraceae
Lactuca
L. sativa
Lettuce



Chrysanthemum
C. morifolium
Florists' Daisy



Glebionis
G. coronarium
Crown Daisy



Carthamus
C. tinctorius
Safflower



Helianthus
H. annuus
Sunflower



Zinnia

Zinnia Elegans


Apocynaceae
Catharanthus
C. roseus
Madagascar





Periwinkle


Ranunculaceae
Nigella

Fennelflower



Aconitum

Monkshood



Coptis
C. japonica
Coptis


Lauraceae
Cinnamomum
C. camphora
Camphor Laurel




C. zeylanicum
Cinnamon


Moraceae
Ficus
F. carica
Fig Tree




F. elastica
Indian Rubber Tree


Papaveraceae
Papaver
P. somniferum
Opium Poppy




P. rhoeas
Corn Poppy


Strelitziaceae
Strelitzia

Bird of Paradise


Piperaceae
Piper
P. nigrum
Pepper


Araceae
Amorphophallus
A. konjac
Amorphophallus





Konjac



Colocasia
C. esculenta
Eddoe


Lamiaceae
Perilla
P. frutescens
Red Shiso



Ocimum
O. basilicum
Basil


Zingiberaceae
Zingiber
Z. officinals
Ginger



Curcuma
C. longa
Turmeric


Apiaceae
Bupleurum
B. stenophyllum
Bupleurum





Scorzonerifolium



Apium
A. graveolens
Celery



Daucus
D. carota
Carrot



Coriandrum
C. sativum
Coriander


Meliaceae
Azadirachta
A. indica
Neem


Polygonaceae
Fagopyrum
F. esculentum
Buckwheat



Rheum

Rhubarb


Ericaceae
Vaccinium
Cyanococcus
Blueberry



Pieris
P. japonica
Japanese





Andromeda


Passifloraceae
Passiflora
edulis
Passion Fruit


Euphorbiaceae
Ricinus
R. communis
Castor Bean



Manihot
M. esculenta
Cassava



Hevea
H. brasiliensis
Para Rubber Tree


Eucommiaceae
Eucommia
E. ulmoides
Eucommia





Ulmoides Oliver


Solanaceae
Solanum
melongena
Eggplant




S. tuberosum
Potato




S. lycopersicum
Tomato



Nicotiana
N. tabacum
Tobacco



Datura
D. metel
Angel's Trumpet


Caryophyllaceae
Dianthus
D. caryophyllus
Carnation




D. supperbus
Dianthus


Alliaceae
Allium
A. cepa
Onion


Mimosoideae
Albizia
A. julibrissin
Silk Tree



Acacia

Gum Arabic


Musaceae
Musa

Banana


Rosaceas
Amygdalus
A. persica
Peach



Fragaria

Strawberry



Malus
M. pumila
Apple



Pyrus
P. communis
European Pear




P. pyilfolia
Pear



Prunus

Cherry




P. mume
Japanese Apricot




P. dulcis
Almond


Bromeliaceae
Ananas
A. comosus
Pineapple


Caricaceae
Carica
P. papaya
Papaya


Amaryllidaceae
Allium
A. cepa
Onion



Allium
A. sativum
Garlic


Convolvulaceae
Ipomoea
I. batatas
Sweet Potato


Myrtaceae
Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus


Vitaceae
Vitis

Grape


Fagaceae
Quercus
Q. acutissima
Sawtooth Oak




Q. suber
Cork Oak



Castanea
C. crenata
Japanese Chestnut


Paeoniaceae
Paeonia
P. lactiflora
Peony


Ephedraceae
Ephedra
E. sinica
Ephedra Sinica


Actinidiaceae
Actinidia
A. chinensis
Kiwi Fruit


Fabaceae
Pisum
P. sativum
Pea



Glycine
G. max
Soybean


Rutaceae
Poncirus
P. trifoliata
Hardy Orange



Citrus
C. unshiu
Citrus Unshiu




C. sinensis
Orange




C. limon
Lemon


Boraginaceae
Myosotis
M. scorpioides
Myosotis


Berberidaceae
Nandina
N. domestica
Heavenly Bamboo


Oleaceae
Olea
O. europaea
Olive



Jasminum

Jasmine


Arecaceae
Phoenix
P. dactylifera
Manila palm


Salicaceae
Salix

Willow



Populus
P. nigra
Lombardy Poplar


Dioscoreaceae
Dioscorea
D. japonica
Japanese Yam


Saxifragaceae
Hydrangea
H. serrata
Sweet





Hydrangea Leaf


Liliaceae
Asparagus

Asparagus



Lilium

Lily



Liriope
L. muscari
Liriope









Example 25
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cube with a size of 100 mm×100 mm×100 mm (in height), and the cube was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 18) poured into a cultivation case. After a hole with a size of 20 mm×20 mm×10 mm (in depth) was made on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp, a broad bean seed was put in the hole (seeding on May 31, 2012). Twenty two days after the seeding, when the plant grew up to approximately 200 mm in height, Aphis craccivora was released to the plant. Seven days after the insect release, an aqueous solution dissolved with 10 mg of dinotefuran (manufactured by MITSUI CHEMICALS AGRO, INC.; an insecticide classified in neonicotinoids) in 1,000 mL of the nutrient solution was prepared, and the solution was then inserted to the synthetic pulp by a syringe. The number of Aphis craccivora surviving in four days after the insertion of the solution to the synthetic pulp was compared with the number of Aphis craccivora before the insertion of the solution in order to check the efficacy of dinotefuran against Aphis craccivora. The result is shown in Table 29.







TABLE 29







Number of Surviving Aphis Craccivora









Days after Insect



Release (days)











0 (before Insect





Release)
7
11














Days after Dinotefuran Insertion (days)

0
4











Number of Surviving Insects
Egg
0
7
0



Larva
0
129
0



Total
0
136
0



(egg + larva)









Example 26
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cube with a size of 100 mm×100 mm×100 mm (in height), and the cube was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 18) poured into a cultivation case. After a hole with a size of 20 mm×20 mm×10 mm (in depth) was made on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp, a broad bean seed was put in the hole (seeding on May 31, 2012). Twenty two days after the seeding, when the plant grew up to approximately 200 mm in height, Aphis craccivora was released to the plant. Seven days after the insect release, an aqueous solution dissolved with 1.5 mg of dinotefuran (manufactured by MITSUI CHEMICALS AGRO, INC.; an insecticide classified in neonicotinoids) in 500 mL of the nutrient solution was prepared, and the solution was mixed with the nutrient solution in the cultivation case. The number of Aphis craccivora surviving in four days after mixing the solution was compared with the number of Aphis craccivora before mixing the solution in order to check the efficacy of dinotefuran against Aphis craccivora. The result is shown in Table 30.







TABLE 30







Number of Surviving Aphis Craccivora









Days after Insect



Release (days)











0 (before Insect





Release)
7
11














Days after mixing Dinotefuran

0
4


Solution (days)











Number of Surviving Insects
Egg
0
108
0



Larva
0
120
0



Total
0
228
0



(egg + larva)









Reference Example 1
A ceramic (a hollow cylindrical ceramic with a size of inner diameter: 20 mmφ×outer diameter: 28 mmφ×height: 80 mm) manufactured by Phytoculture Control Co., Ltd. was immersed in a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case, and a wheat seed was put on the inner surface of the ceramic in order to observe the wheat growth (seeding on Jan. 6, 2012) and to measure the amount of the nutrient solution consumed during the growth. The results of the growth and the amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Table 31 in contrast to the results of Example 2.







TABLE 31







Comparison of Results of Wheat Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption









Days after Seeding (days)













3
21
37
56
72

















Ceramic
Height of Plants (mm)
Germination
215
350
434
437



Number of Leaves

3
5
9
10



(pieces)



Integrated Amount of


641
1,342
2,166



Nutrient Solution



Consumption (mL)


SWP
Height of Plants (mm)
5
280
405
450
558


(Registered
Number of Leaves
0
5
12
19
22


Trademark)
(pieces)



Integrated Amount of

28
183
333
555



Nutrient Solution



Consumption (mL)









Reference Example 2
SkyGel (0.64 g) manufactured by Mebiol Inc. absorbing and retaining a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) which is 100 times weight of SkyGel was prepared into a cube being 40 mm on a side, wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the SkyGel (seeding on Nov. 29, 2011), and the nutrient solution was inserted into the SkyGel every time when the volume of the SkyGel was approximately half by drying in order to observe the growth. The result of the growth is shown in Table 32 in contrast to the result of Example 2.







TABLE 32







Comparison of Result of Wheat Growth









Days after Seeding (days)













2
13
30
56
83

















SkyGel
Height of Plants
Germi-
150
210
320
370



(mm)
nation



Number of Leaves

2
4
8
9



(pieces)


SWP
Height of Plants
Germi-
165
335
450
635


(Registered
(mm)
nation


Trademark)
Number of Leaves

3
10
19
22



(pieces)









Reference Example 3
Commercially available polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 70 mm×70 mm×35 mm (in height), the PVA was then immersed in a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case, and wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the PVA in order to observe the growth (seeding on Nov. 29, 2011). The result of the growth is shown in Table 33 in contrast to the results of Example 2.







TABLE 33







Comparison of Result of Wheat Growth









Days after Seeding (days)













2
9
21
30
41

















PVA
Height of Plants
Germi-
60
117
199
Death



(mm)
nation



Number of Leaves

2
3
4



(pieces)


SWP
Height of Plants
Germi-
120
280
335
419


(Registered
(mm)
nation


Trademark)
Number of Leaves

2
5
10
 12



(pieces)









Reference Example 4
Mumak (a good based on polyurethanes) manufactured by Achilles Corporation was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 100 mm×100 mm×25 mm (in height), the cuboid was then immersed in a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case, and wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the Mumak in order to observe the growth (seeding on Nov. 29, 2011). The result of the growth is shown in Table 34 in contrast to the result of Example 2.







TABLE 34







Comparison of Result of Wheat Growth









Days after Seeding (days)













2
9
21
27
37

















Mumak
Height of Plants
Germi-
140
230
230
Death



(mm)
nation



Number of Leaves

2
3
4



(pieces)


SWP
Height of Plants
Germi-
120
280
330
405


(Registered
(mm)
nation


Trademark)
Number of Leaves

2
5
9
 12



(pieces)









Reference Example 5
A commercially available non-woven fabric was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 80 mm×10 mm×0.1 mm (in height), the non-woven fabric was then floated on a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case, and wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the non-woven fabric in order to observe the growth and to measure the amount of the nutrient solution consumed during the growth (seeding on Dec. 20, 2011). The results of the growth and the amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Table 35 in contrast to the results of Example 2.







TABLE 35







Comparison of Results of Wheat Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution Consumption









Days after Seeding (days)













2
21
37
58
69

















Non-
Number of Leaves
Germi-
4
5
10
12


woven
(pieces)
nation


fabric
Integrated Amount

214
407
914
1,271



of Nutrient Solution



Consumption (mL)


SWP
Number of Leaves
Germi-
5
12
19
22


(Reg-
(pieces)
nation


istered
Integrated Amount

28


527


Trade-
of Nutrient Solution


mark)
Consumption (mL)









Reference Example 6
Grotop Master (a good based on rockwools) manufactured by CRODAN was prepared into a cuboid with a size of 80 mm×100 mm×75 mm (in height), the Grotop Master was then immersed in a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 2) poured into a cultivation case, and wheat seeds were put on the upper surface of the Grotop Master in order to observe the growth and to measure the amount of the nutrient solution consumed during the growth (seeding on Dec. 20, 2011). The results of the growth and the amount of the nutrient solution consumption are shown in Table 36 in contrast to the results of Example 2.







TABLE 36







Comparison of Results of Wheat Growth and Amount of Nutrient


Solution consumption









Days after Seeding (days)













2
21
37
56
69

















Grotop Master
Number of Leaves
Germination
4
6
8
9



(pieces)



Integrated Amount of

213
475
938
1,519



Nutrient Solution



Consumption (mL)


SWP
Number of Leaves
Germination
5
12
19
22


(Registered
(pieces)


Trademark)
Integrated Amount of

28

333
527



Nutrient Solution



Consumption (mL)









Reference Example 7
A ceramic manufactured by Phytoculture Control Co., Ltd. was immersed in a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 4) poured into a cultivation case, and grape tomato seeds were put on the surface of the ceramic in order to measure the sugar content of the fruitive grape tomato pulp by a hand-held refractometer IATC-1E (Brix: 0% to 32%) manufactured by Iuchi Seieido Co., Ltd. The result or the sugar content is shown in Table 37 in contrast to the results of Example 3.







TABLE 37







Comparison of Result of Sugar Content of Grape Tomato









Days after



Seeding (days)



167













Sugar Content (Brix, %)
Ceramic
10.0



SWP (Registered Trademark)
14.0









Reference Example 8
Synthetic pulp (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; SWP (Registered Trademark): E400) was prepared into a cube with a size of 100 mm×100 mm×100 mm (in height), and the cube was then floated on the liquid surface of a nutrient solution (the composition is shown in Table 18) poured into a cultivation case. After a hole with a size of 20 mm×20 mm×10 mm (in depth) was made on the upper surface of the synthetic pulp, a broad bean seed was then put in the hole (seeding on May 31, 2012). Twenty two days after the seeding, when the plant grew up to approximately 200 mm in height, Aphis craccivora was released to the plant in order to observe the transition of the number of surviving Aphis craccivora. The result was shown in Table 38 in contrast to the results of Examples 25 and 26.







TABLE 38







Number of Surviving Aphis Craccivora









Days after Insect



Release (days)











0





(before



Insect



Release)
7
11
















Number of
No
Egg
0
6
154


Surviving
Dinotefuran
Larva
0
54
162


Aphis
Treatment
Total (egg + larva)
0
60
316


Craccivora
Example 25
Egg
0
7
0




Larva
0
129
0




Total (egg + larva)
0
136
0



Example 26
Egg
0
108
0




Larva
0
120
0




Total (egg + larva)
0
228
0










(Reference)

0
4


Days after Dinotefuran Treatment (days)









REFERENCE SIGNS LIST


    1. Materials
    2. Liquid such as water, nutrient solution and agrochemical products
    3. Plant (example)

## Claims

1. A plant cultivation material, which comprises a material capable of allowing plant roots to grow so that the roots can respire sufficient air, from which the plant can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as the plant wants whenever the plant wants, and which provides a cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth and which comprises a layered structure capable to control the root growth so that roots can respire sufficient air, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth, wherein the layered structure comprises a planar structure formed by intertwining materials constituting the cultivation material for growth of the roots not only in the layer thickness direction, but also in a direction perpendicular to the layer thickness direction along to the planar structure.

2. A plant cultivation material according to claim 1, wherein the layered structure comprises a three-dimensional structure formed by laminating a planar structure on the other planar structure in a layer thickness direction, wherein, the planar structures are formed by continuously or discontinuously intertwining the materials constituting the cultivation material in a two-dimensional manner.

3. A plant cultivation material according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the planar structure is 0.01 mm or more.

4. A plant cultivation material, which has liquid retentivity and liquid transitivity, which comprises a material capable of allowing plant roots to crow so that the roots can respire sufficient air, from which the plant can absorb an amount of the elements necessary for plant growth as much as the plant wants whenever the plant wants, and which provides a cultivation environment to accelerate plant growth and which comprises a layered structure capable to control the root growth so that roots can respire sufficient air, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides a cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth, wherein the layered structure comprises a planar structure formed by intertwining materials constituting the cultivation material for growth of the roots not only in the layer thickness direction, but also in a direction perpendicular to the layer thickness direction along to the planar structure.

5. A plant cultivation material according to claim 4, wherein the layered structure comprises a three-dimensional structure formed by laminating a planar structure on the other planar structure in a layer thickness direction, wherein, the planar structures are formed by continuously or discontinuously intertwining the materials constituting the cultivation material in a two-dimensional manner.

6. A plant cultivation material according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the planar structure is 0.01 mm or more.

7. A plant cultivation material, which is capable of retaining liquid such as water, a nutrient solution and agrochemical products, which has cavities for smooth transitivity of the liquid, which comprises a layered structure capable of allowing plant roots to grow so that the roots can respire sufficient air, from which the plant can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for plant growth as much as the plant wants whenever the plant wants, and which provides a cultivation environment to accelerate plant growth and which comprises a layered structure capable to control the root growth so that roots can respire sufficient air, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provides the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth, wherein the layered structure comprises a planar structure formed by intertwining materials constituting the cultivation material for growth of the roots not only in the layer thickness direction, but also in a direction perpendicular to the layer thickness direction along to the planar structure.

8. A plant cultivation material according to claim 7, wherein the layered structure comprises a three-dimensional structure formed by laminating a planar structure on the other planar structure in a layer thickness direction, wherein, the planar structures are formed by continuously or discontinuously intertwining the materials constituting the cultivation material in a two-dimensional manner.

9. A plant cultivation material according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the planar structure is 0.01 mm or more.

10. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 1.

11. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 2.

12. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 3.

13. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 4.

14. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 5.

15. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 6.

16. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 7.

17. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 8.

18. A plant cultivation method using the plant cultivation material according to claim 9.