JP7208450B2 - Container for growing plant seedlings - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container for growing plant seedlings, particularly to a pot and tray for growing forest tree seedlings.

Seedlings of trees and other plants in Japan are produced from seedlings in open fields or in facilities such as greenhouses, as well as from cuttings.
On the other hand, in overseas forestry-advanced countries, container seedling raising technology using containers for raising seedlings has been established, and in recent years, JFA containers (multi-cavity containers) for domestic forestry have been developed and spread in Japan as well. Containers for raising seedlings include separate individual containers, as well as containers in the form of hard plastic containers for raising seedlings with a large number of holes for raising seedlings. There are various types such as shape. If the individual container is of the tray-separated type, its size is, for example, about 5 cm in upper diameter, about 1.5 cm in lower diameter, and about 15 cm in height, and is tapered.
Advantages of raising seedlings in containers include (1) excellent handling such as storage and transportation, (2) the ability to extend the suitable planting period because the seedlings come with a culture medium, and high planting efficiency.

In addition to the term "container", a tray-like material formed by connecting a plurality of containers is sometimes referred to as a "seedling tray", but in this specification, "container" and "seedling tray" may be used interchangeably.

When a container for raising seedlings is used for raising seedlings, a method of sowing seeds directly in the medium filled in the container, or transplanting seedlings germinated on an open field or on an artificial medium and raising the seedlings is adopted. When using a container for raising seedlings in raising seedlings, the part containing the ear of the rootstock (mother tree) is cut (the cut part is called the "scission"), and the cutting is directly placed on the cutting bed filled in the container. A method of taking a cutting, or taking a cutting of a panicle replanted from an open field or an artificial culture medium, rooting it, and raising a seedling can be adopted. In raising seedlings by the latter method (hereinafter referred to as "raising seedlings from cuttings"), it is possible to increase the production volume per area, such as growing cuttings at a high density of about 200 / m ² or more, and intensive seedling management about 100/m ² for raising seedlings). Cuttings (or cuttings) refer to the step of planting cuttings.
The container for raising seedlings can also be used for herbaceous plants, and in this case, the container can be used for raising seedlings using vegetative propagation organs such as seedlings, cuttings, roots, roots, rhizomes, and runners.

When producing seedlings, cuttings, etc. using a container, the following steps are basically performed:
(i) a step of filling a container with a medium; (ii) a step of making holes for seeding, transplanting, and cuttings on the surface of the medium filled in the container; The hole is usually drilled approximately in the center of the container. However, in the case of seeding, drilling holes may be omitted depending on the type of plant.
(iii) placing seeds, seedlings and cuttings into the holes of the medium of the container; In the case of cutting seedlings, a step of inserting the cut end of the cutting into the hole on the surface of the medium and embedding the cutting in the medium so that the stem (inserted portion) of the cutting is buried in the medium. The length by which the stem of the cutting is buried in the medium varies depending on the size of the cutting and the plant species to be cut, but is usually about 1 to 15 cm. When seeding is performed without making holes in the medium, the seeds are simply placed on the surface of the medium.
(iv) Immobilizing the sown seeds, transplanted seedlings and cuttings during nursery. In addition to filling the holes made in the step (ii), additional medium may be added to the surface of the medium, and the surface of the medium may be pressed from above to compact the medium.
After the above steps (i) to (iv), the containers are arranged in containers such as trays, transported appropriately, and used for raising seedlings. In raising seedlings from cuttings, the process of compacting the medium in step (iv) makes the cut ends of the cuttings closer to the medium and enables efficient absorption of water from the medium through the cut ends of the cuttings. It also has the effect of

On the other hand, mechanization is essential for large-scale and efficient production. The process (ii) can be easily carried out by machine for both seedlings and cuttings, and is actually mechanized. For example (i), a medium filling machine for containers has been developed and used.

There are also reports on containers for producing seedlings and cuttings other than containers, and seedling raising methods using soft pots made of non-woven fabric and biodegradable materials are increasing, mainly for forest seedlings. there is
For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 each describe a seedling-raising sheet and a pot using biodegradable materials.
Patent Document 3 discloses a cylindrical microporous sintered body (ceramic cylinder) that is strong enough to be inserted into the ground when transplanted.
Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of forming a sheet into a cylindrical shape and using it as a container.

When producing containerized seedlings in growing pots made of biodegradable materials, biodegradable plastics that make it possible to ship before the root ball formation is complete and eliminate the need to remove the container from the container. A pot-shaped container (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a "pot") made of non-woven fabric is attracting attention. As a related technique, a technique using a soil filling plate has been reported (Patent Document 4).
A rootball is a mass of soil and roots formed by firmly rooting a potted plant, and is necessary to maintain the moldability of the roots until the seedlings are planted.

As pots for growing using biodegradable materials, Patent Documents 5 and 6 describe biodegradable pots containing wood fiber and pulp, and Patent Document 7 has a function to prevent root wrapping. There is a description of equipment consisting of a growing container and a detachable tray. Furthermore, as a pot using natural materials, a jiffy pot using peat moss is also known (Patent Document 8).

JP 2007-282538 A JP 2011-55720 A JP 2008-263822 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-244701 JP 2012-115235 A JP-A-2002-65073 JP 2009-207389 A http://www.sakataseed.co.jp/product/search/id1952.html

"Development and Practical Application of Cutting Seedling Production System Using M Star Container", Miyazaki Forestry Technology Center, Yoichiro Miki

Mechanization is indispensable for the efficient mass production of seedlings, cutting seedlings, and other seedlings. As described above, processes (i) and (ii) are easy to perform by machine and are actually mechanized.
On the other hand, since soft pots do not stand on their own and are unstable in shape, it is difficult to fill the medium and soil by machine, and it is basically necessary to manually fill each pot with medium.
When raising seedlings using soft pots, the pots are first fixed to hard plastic trays, filled with medium, and seedlings are transplanted (cuttings for tree seedlings), then the pots are removed and transferred to regular trays. Sometimes it is. Such a method has higher work efficiency than the above-mentioned method in which culture medium is manually filled into individual pots, but requires many work steps and requires skill.
In view of this problem, there is a product that facilitates taking out by dividing the container (Stuewe & Sons catalog, page 12 "Open Book"). There is a problem that packing cannot be performed.
At present, it is difficult to apply the method of raising seedlings using soft pots to efficient mass production of seedlings.

Biodegradable pots containing wood fiber and pulp, and pots using peat moss, ensure self-reliance. However, biodegradable pots are generally intended to be quickly decomposed after planting, and are therefore poor in durability and not suitable for long-term raising of seedlings.

Under the above background, the present inventors have developed a method for mass production of plant seedlings, especially cutting seedlings of trees that require a long period of time (for example, 8 to 24 months) for raising seedlings. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cultivation container which is easier to fill than conventional containers, maintains the culture medium and root system over the above period, and allows pruning of air roots.

In view of the above problems, the inventors of the present invention conducted a study and found that the above problems can be solved by adjusting the index, which has not been studied until now, when using the same material as a part of the conventional cultivation container. The present invention has been completed as a result of discovering the possibility of solving the problem and further intensive research.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to at least the following inventions:
[1]
A pot for growing plant seedlings containing pulp and wood fibers, wherein the ratio of the weight of wood fibers to the total weight of pulp and wood fibers is 50% or less.
[2]
The growing pot according to the above [1], further comprising a water-resistant agent and/or a paper strength agent.
[3]
It has a truncated cone shape that tapers downward, the ratio of the length of the diameter of the upper base to the length of the diameter of the lower base is 1.2 to 3 times, and the length of the truncated cone to the length of the diameter of the lower base The growing pot according to the above [1] or [2] having a height ratio of 3 to 7 times.
[4]
A tray for growing plant seedlings, in which two or more pots for growing any of the above [1] to [3] are connected.
[5]
The growing tray according to [4] above, which has a mechanism for separating the connected growing pots.
[6]
The cultivating tray according to [5] above, wherein the mechanism for separating the connected cultivating pots is perforations or linear thin-walled portions.
[7]
The growing pot according to any one of the above [1] to [3], wherein the wood fiber is a product obtained by blasting wood chips passing through a sieve mesh of 70 mm.
[8]
The growing pot according to any one of [1] to [3] and [7] above, wherein the wood fiber contains fulvic acid.
[9]
The growing pot according to any one of the above [1] to [3] and the above [7] to [8], wherein the water resistant agent is blended with the pulp and wood fiber, or is applied to the outer surface of the growing pot. .
[10]
The growing pot according to [3] above, wherein the angle formed by the generatrix of the truncated cone and the bottom surface is 4° or more.

According to the present invention, in order to efficiently produce a large amount of plant seedlings, especially cutting seedlings of trees that require a long period of time (for example, 8 months to 24 months) to raise seedlings, it is easy to fill the culture soil and long A plant seedling growing pot and a tray growing container (a plant seedling growing pot and a tray may be collectively referred to as a "cultivating container") that enable seedlings to grow for a period of time are provided.
More specifically, according to the pot or tray for growing plant seedlings of the present invention (pots and trays for growing plant seedlings may be collectively referred to as "cultivating container"), roots are formed on the walls of the pot. Good growth can be expected after planting because the roots are cut through the air. In addition, the growing container of the present invention has the advantages of conventional biodegradable pots, such as reduction of labor associated with extraction work and collection and washing after use, and shortening of seedling raising period. Suitable for medium filling work. Therefore, according to the cultivation container of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently produce forest seedlings with good quality root systems.
Among the growing containers of the present invention, those containing a water-resistant agent and/or a paper strength agent increase the durability of the growing container, so that seedlings can be raised more reliably for a long period of time.
The growing pot of the present invention has a truncated cone shape tapered downward, the ratio of the length of the diameter of the upper bottom surface to the length of the diameter of the lower bottom surface is 1.2 to 3 times, According to the growing container in which the ratio of the height of the truncated cone to the length of the diameter is 3 to 7 times, the space for raising the seedlings can be effectively used, so that the seedlings can be produced more efficiently. be able to.
The growing pot of the present invention, which is a product obtained by blasting wood chips in which wood fibers pass through a sieve mesh of 70 mm and remain in a sieve mesh of 5 mm or more, has the effect of being more excellent in durability.
The growing pot of the present invention, in which the wood fiber contains fulvic acid, has the effect of promoting the growth of the plant to be raised.
According to the growing pot of the present invention, in which the water-resistant agent is blended with the pulp and wood fibers or applied to the outer surface of the growing pot, the degree of pruning of air roots during the growing process can be adjusted.
Among the growing pots of the present invention, those in which the angle formed by the generatrix of the truncated cone and the bottom surface is 4° or more are easy to manufacture, contributing to the improvement of manufacturing efficiency.

The trays of the present invention enhance the efficiency of manufacturing the growing pots of the present invention in one step. Therefore, according to the tray of the present invention, the growing pot of the present invention can be manufactured more easily.
Among the trays of the present invention, a mechanism for separating connected growing pots is provided, and in particular, according to the tray in which the mechanism is perforations or linear thin portions, spacing is performed according to the growth stage of the seedlings. More efficient seedling raising becomes possible.

Such structures, mechanisms and effects are different from the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 8 or Non-Patent Document 1, and are completely unimaginable even if these techniques are combined with conventional techniques.
In addition, in the growing pot or tray of the present invention, in the case of using wood fibers obtained by sorting chips with a mesh of 5 to 50 mm and then subjecting them to an explosion treatment, the wood fibers have a three-dimensional structure and tend to be strong. Since it is easy to mix with the pulper, it has the advantage of being able to produce homogeneous growing pots or trays.
Patent Document 6 discloses a pulp molded body formed by molding a raw material containing pulp as a main compounding component, having decomposability in soil, and having a bottom wall and side walls rising from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall. and is characterized in that the side wall is provided with a thin portion or a hole. However, the document does not describe an actual production example of such a seedling pot.
In addition, since the seedling pot described in Patent Document 6 has a thin-walled portion on the side wall, when the seedling-raising pot is buried in the soil and planted, even immediately after the planting, the thin-walled portion has a weak strength. It is possible to break through and extend the roots of the seedlings to the outside of the seedling pot, so that it is possible to suppress the possibility of hindering the growth of the seedlings. In other words, raising seedlings in the same raising seedling pot is assumed to be planted together with the pot before the roots of the plant to be raised grow to the inner wall of the pot, and raising seedlings for a long period of time that requires air root cutting. is not assumed in the first place. Therefore, the technique of the document does not aim at durability, and the document does not even suggest durability or a technique for imparting durability.

It is an upper plan view (upper view) and a side view (lower view) showing an example of the tray-type container for growing according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an upper plan view (upper left view), a side view (upper right view), and a cross-sectional view (lower left view) of the growing pot of the present invention. Lengths are given in mm. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a pot for growing according to the present invention (almost reversed from the mode in use). FIG. Four pots form one tray. FIG. 3 is a photographic diagram showing the results in Test Example 1. FIG. As shown in the three samples shown in the lower half of the figure, the roots were exposed from the surface of the pots in all the pots, and the root cutting effect was observed. was FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram specifically showing an angle formed by a line segment substantially perpendicular to the base and the leg of the trapezoid in the side view (trapezoid) of the growing pot of the present invention.

The plant seedling-growing pot and tray (growing container) and materials of the present invention are described in more detail below.

As used herein, the term “wood fiber” refers to fibers obtained by defibrating trunks or branches of plants such as trees by cutting, pulverizing, and/or steaming.

1. Growing pot As described above, among the growing containers of the present invention, the pot-type one is a growing pot containing pulp and wood fibers, and the ratio of the weight of wood fibers to the total weight of pulp and wood fibers is 50%. The growing pot is as follows.

●Pulp The type of pulp used in the growing pot of the present invention is not limited, and both natural pulp and synthetic pulp can be used as long as the purpose of the present invention is achieved.
The natural pulp is produced by mechanical or chemical treatment and is exemplified by:
・Wood pulp (N material, L material)
・Non-wood pulp (straw, bagasse, kenaf, mulberry)
• Waste paper pulp.
Examples of the synthetic pulp include the following:
・Synthetic fibers, thermoplastic resin fibers,
Of these pulps, natural pulp is preferred because it is readily available, and waste paper pulp is preferred in terms of cost.

● Wood fiber The type of wood fiber used in the growing pot of the present invention is not limited, and any fiber can be used as long as it achieves the object of the present invention. When trees are used as the source of wood fiber, the trees may be either coniferous or broadleaf. Although the shape and size of the wood fibers are not limited, from the standpoint of moldability, for example, the average fiber diameter may be 3 mm or less and the average fiber length may be 20 mm or less.
The size of the wood fiber and the production method are not limited, and it is preferable to use a processed material obtained by blasting wood chips that pass through a sieve mesh of 70 mm, preferably 50 mm, in order to impart further durability to the growing pot. .

●Combination ratio The ratio of the weight of wood fibers to the total weight of pulp and wood fibers is 50% or less as described above. Such proportions are preferably 0.1% to 40%, more preferably 0.5% to 40%, and even more preferably 0.5% to 35%. When the weight ratio of the wood fiber is 30% or less, it is most preferable because the production yield, moldability and strength of the growing pot are excellent. In the growing pot of the present invention, sufficient yield, formability and strength are exhibited even when the weight ratio of the wood fibers is 10% or less or less than 10%.
The growing pot of the present invention containing wood fibers is preferable because it increases the strength of the pot itself. From the viewpoint of increasing the strength, the weight ratio of wood fibers is preferably 10% to 30%.

The growing pot of the present invention, which further contains a water resistance agent and/or a paper strength agent, is preferred. This is because the use of these agents increases the durability of the growing pot, which makes it possible to raise seedlings more reliably for a long period of time.

The use of a water resistant agent reduces the contact between the growing pot and moisture and increases the water resistance of the growing pot. In addition, the use of the paper strength enhancer increases the strength of the growing pot when it comes into contact with water, and as a result, the water resistance of the growing pot increases.
Incidentally, the paper strength enhancer in the present invention means various compounds of pulp and wood fiber which are materials of pots for growing. Further, the water-resistant agent in the present invention means various compounds having water-resistant properties such as water-repellent action.
Water resistance agents and paper strength agents are illustrated below together with examples of treatment methods, but the water resistance agents and paper strength agents used in the present invention are not limited to these:

The amount of water resistance and/or strength agent used is not limited and may be from about 1% to about 5% by weight, based on the weight of the charged pulp and wood fiber, respectively.
The water resistance agent and paper strength agent may be used by being incorporated into the pulp and wood fiber mixture. The water-resistant agent may be applied to the inner wall and/or the outer wall of the pot, and it is preferable to apply it only to the outer wall because it facilitates air pruning, although it depends on the type.

In addition, components that can be contained in the growing pot may be appropriately added to the growing pot of the present invention as additive components. Examples of such additive components include sizing agents and fungicides.
The wood fiber in the growing pot of the present invention can contain fulvic acid. The growing pot of the present invention containing fulvic acid is preferable because it promotes the growth of plants to be raised.

The growth pot of the present invention is not limited in shape or size.
As for the shape of the pot, for example, the shape of the cross section (cross section) in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be polygonal or circular. The shape of the container is typically that of an elongated truncated cone or truncated square pyramid. The size of the pot is, for example, an upper diameter of about 3.5 cm to about 7.0 cm, a lower diameter of about 2.0 cm to about 4.0 cm, and a height of about 10 cm to about 18 cm. You can decide. A height of about 10 cm or more is preferable because the growth of seedlings can be maintained.
The thickness of the pot of the present invention is also not limited, and may be, for example, from about 0.3 mm to about 5.0 mm, preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 4.0 mm, more preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 3.5 mm. . Among the pots of the present invention, those having a uniform thickness throughout are preferable because they are easy to manufacture.

In addition, it has a truncated cone shape that tapers downward, and the ratio of the length of the diameter of the upper bottom surface to the length of the diameter of the lower bottom surface is about 1.2 to about 3 times the length of the diameter of the lower bottom surface. The height ratio of the truncated cone is about 3 times to about 7 times. The ratio of the length of the diameter of the upper bottom surface to the length of the diameter of the lower bottom surface is preferably about 1.4 times to about 2.5 times, more preferably about 1.5 times to about 2.5 times. The ratio of the height of the truncated cone to the length of the diameter of the lower base is preferably about 3 times to about 7 times, more preferably about 4 times to about 6 times.
Of the growing pots of the present invention that have a downward tapering truncated cone shape, those in which the size of the angle formed by the generatrix of the truncated cone and the bottom surface is about 4° or more are easy to manufacture. It is preferable because it contributes to the improvement of efficiency. "The angle formed by the generatrix of the truncated cone and the bottom surface" refers to the angle θ formed by the line segment substantially perpendicular to the base 7 and the leg 8 of the trapezoid in the side view (trapezoid) of the growing pot of the present invention ( Figure 5). An angle θ of from about 4° to about 10° is preferred, from about 4.5° to about 8° is more preferred, and from about 5° to about 7° is even more preferred.
Furthermore, in the growing pot of the present invention, the angle formed by the generatrix of the truncated cone and the bottom surface is 4° or more and the height is about 10 cm or more, as described above, the production efficiency is further improved. It is more preferable to

Among the pots of the present invention, those having slits on the wall surface are preferred because they facilitate adjustment of the water content of the culture medium. The number of slits is preferably two or four. The slit may be provided in the lower part of the wall surface, the lowest end may reach the bottom of the pot, and a hole connected to the slit may be provided in the bottom surface.
Of the pots of the present invention, those having holes for drainage on the bottom of the pot are preferable because the amount of water in the culture medium can be adjusted more easily.

2. Tray-Type Growing Container The tray-type growing container of the present invention, that is, a plant-growing tray is a tray in which two or more of the above-described growing pots of the present invention are connected via a top plate. The number of pots to be connected is not limited. For example, in FIG. 1, a total of 35 pots 2 having openings 5 are connected by a top plate 3 at positions near the openings to constitute the tray 1. ing. The position of the top plate (height relative to the opening) may be moved up or down in consideration of manufacturing efficiency and the like.

The plant-cultivating tray of the present invention may be used as a unit without separating the pots. Among the plant-growing trays of the present invention, those provided with a mechanism for separating the connected growing pots, in particular those having perforations 4, allow the spacing to be adjusted according to the growth stage of the seedlings. This is preferable because more efficient raising of seedlings is possible. The growth of the plant seedlings grown in the growing container of the present invention takes a long period of time, and the seedlings tend to elongate in the horizontal direction in some cases. is the advantage of
The mechanism for separating the connected growing pots is not limited, and may be a perforation or a thin-walled portion on a line that facilitates separation.

As for the material and manufacturing method of the plant-growing tray, those that can be used in the plant-growing pot are used as they are.

3. Method for using the container for growing plant seedlings of the present invention (filling medium)
Filling of the culture medium into the pot-type cultivation container of the present invention can be carried out using a culture medium filling machine since it is self-sustaining unlike conventional soft biodegradable pots.

In the case of using the growing container of the present invention for raising cuttings, the planting density of cuttings is preferably high from the viewpoint of production efficiency of cuttings, more preferably about 200 / m ² or more, and about 240. /m ² or more is more preferred, and about 300/m ² or more is even more preferred.
The plant-cultivating tray of the present invention may be used without being separated into individual pots, or may be used by separating only some of the pots. Alternatively, when the seedlings have grown to a certain size or more, they may be separated and used to reduce the density.

(plant)
The type of plant to which the growing container of the present invention is applied is not particularly limited as long as it is a plant capable of raising seedlings in the container, and the growth stage is not particularly limited.
Examples of said plants include woody and herbaceous plants.
Woody plants include conifers such as cedar, cypress, black pine, larch, and spruce, broad-leaved trees such as dogwood, cherry, seaweed, oak, maple, konara, alder, willow, oleander, and rose, and other tree species mainly planted overseas. Some acacias, eucalyptus, etc. are exemplified.
Herbaceous plants include flowers such as begonia, geranium, carnation and chrysanthemum, and vegetables such as tomato, cucumber and sage. When the container for cultivating the present invention is applied to herbaceous plants, the growth form and stage of the plant are not limited, and a seedling, bulb, rhizome, runner, or the like can be used.
Plants suitable for use with the material of the present invention include Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, Japanese black pine, Japanese larch and Ezo spruce, among which Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress and Japanese larch are particularly preferred.

(Culture medium)
The medium used in the present invention is not limited, and may be appropriately used for raising seedlings of the target plant. Examples of the medium include materials such as Akadama soil, Kanuma soil, peat moss, and coco peat. When the target plant is Japanese cedar or Japanese cypress, the material of the present invention in which the culture medium is mainly Akadama soil is preferable. In addition, other media having excellent capillary force (mat material, water retention material, etc.) may be used as the medium. Therefore, the "culture medium" in the present invention includes media other than the culture soil having excellent capillary force as described above.
The amount of the culture medium should be sufficient to fill almost the entire internal volume of the pot with the culture medium. By using such an amount, for example, in woody plants, cuttings after cutting can be stabilized.

(Seedling raising method and planting method)
The method for raising seedlings in the case of using the growing container of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be carried out according to the usual method for raising potted seedlings of the target plant.
When planting the raised seedlings, the raised seedlings can be planted in the forest as they are without being pulled out of the pot or tray, so that the planting can be easily performed. In the plant-growing tray as the tray-type growing container of the present invention, each pot is separated when planting.

4. Method for producing the cultivating container of the present invention The method for producing the cultivating container of the present invention is not limited, and a conventional cultivating container having the same size, shape and/or material as the cultivating container of the present invention is manufactured. method can be used.
For example, the cultivation container of the present invention may be produced by a known pulp mold manufacturing method. That is, the growing pot of the present invention can be produced by paper-making a raw material containing pulp and wood fiber as main compounding components to form a wet molded body having a predetermined shape, and drying the wet molded body.

The growth container of the present invention can also be produced by a method (raw material) comprising the following steps:
(1) Feeding of materials comprising pulp and wood fibers (and optionally other ingredients such as water resistance agents and/or strength agents) into a pulper as a raw material unit;
(2) Raw substance adjustment such as foreign matter removal and concentration adjustment by a raw substance conditioner;
(3) molding into the desired shape in a molding machine; and (4) drying in a dryer.
Raw material is the process of removing fibers from wood chips and preparing them into the desired pulp, and the equipment used to perform raw material equipment is the raw material equipment.
The mixing ratio of the materials and water in the steps (1) to (3) is not limited. A pulp and wood fiber concentration of about 0.5% to about 1.5% in the slurry obtained from the raw material preparation is preferred. The concentration is the ratio of the total combined weight of pulp and wood fiber to the total weight of the slurry.
Among the cultivation containers of the present invention having a shape of a truncated cone tapering downward, those having an angle of about 4° or more between the generatrix of the truncated cone and the bottom surface are the above (2) to ( In the process of 3), it is easy to remove from the mold without being affected by the fibers, and it is possible to mold into a predetermined shape, which is preferable.

EXAMPLES The present invention will be further described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited in any sense by these examples.
[Example 1] Production of container for growing plant seedlings of the present invention (1) (pot type)
Pots having the following shapes and volumes were made using wood fiber and waste paper pulp (Fig. 2).
・Shape: Upper surface diameter 60mmφ, lower surface diameter 26mmφ, height 155mm, thickness 3mm (no thin part)
・Capacity: 200ml
As raw materials, wood fibers (after blasting treatment) and waste paper pulp were mixed and blended with water at a ratio of 30% and 70% of the total weight of each material.
The pot was prepared by forming four trays into one tray, and provided near the bottom of four slits arranged substantially evenly on the wall surface of the pot.
Using the above material, a growing pot having the above shape and capacity was produced (Fig. 3).

[Example 2] Preparation of container for growing plant seedlings of the present invention (1) (pot-type manufacturing conditions, evaluation of moldability and strength of product)
Pots having the following shapes and volumes were produced using wood fibers and waste paper pulp in the same manner as in the Examples.
・Shape: Upper surface diameter 60mmφ, lower surface diameter 26mmφ, height 155mm, thickness 3mm (no thin part)
・Capacity: 200ml
Wood fibers (after blasting treatment) and waste paper pulp were used as raw materials, and the ratio of wood fibers to the total weight of each was adjusted from 0% to 100% (in increments of 10%) and mixed with water. The total pulp and wood fiber concentration when mixed with water was 1%.
The pot was prepared by forming four trays into one tray, and provided near the bottom of four slits arranged substantially evenly on the wall surface of the pot.
Using the above materials, growing pots having the above shapes and capacities were produced, and the yield of the produced pots and the moldability and strength of the product were evaluated with respect to the ratio of each wood fiber. Four pots were used to evaluate the mixing ratio of wood fibers.
The yield was specified by the ratio of pots to the total number of products manufactured.
The moldability was evaluated according to the following indices for all molded pots based on the mixing ratio of wood fibers being 0%.
◎・・・Moldability equivalent to that with a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0% ○・・・Moldability almost equivalent to that with a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0% △・・・Mixing ratio of wood fiber Slightly inferior formability to pots with a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0% ×: Moldability clearly inferior to pots with a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0% %, the following indicators were used.
◎: Strength superior to that with a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0% ○: Strength equivalent to that with a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0% △: With a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0% Strength slightly inferior to that of the other x: Strength clearly inferior to that of a material containing 0% wood fiber

木質繊維の混合割合が小さい方が歩留まり及び成形性は優れていた。実用的には、歩留まりは７０％以上が望まれ、成形性・強度としては上記基準による△（木質繊維の混合割合が０％であるものよりやや劣る成形性・強度）が必要であると考えられた。すなわち、本試験における材料においては、木質繊維の混合割合は５０％以下であれば製造上及び使用上の問題はないと考えられた。
なお、強度は木質繊維を添加することにより高まり、特定の範囲内においてとくに高まることが明らかになった。すなわち、ポットの強度は、木質繊維の混合割合が１０％以上、４０％以下の場合に優れ、１０％以上、３０％以下の場合にとくに優れていた。木質繊維の混合割合が１０％以下又は１０％未満の場合にも、ポットの強度は実用上の問題はないものであった。 Table 3 shows the results.

The yield and moldability were excellent when the mixing ratio of wood fibers was small. Practically, a yield of 70% or more is desired, and the moldability and strength should be △ according to the above criteria (slightly inferior moldability and strength to those with a wood fiber mixing ratio of 0%). was taken. That is, in the materials in this test, it was considered that there would be no problem in terms of production and use if the mixing ratio of wood fibers was 50% or less.
In addition, it became clear that the strength is increased by adding wood fibers, and is particularly increased within a specific range. That is, the strength of the pot was excellent when the mixing ratio of the wood fiber was 10% or more and 40% or less, and was particularly excellent when it was 10% or more and 30% or less. Even when the mixing ratio of the wood fiber was 10% or less or less than 10%, the strength of the pot did not pose a practical problem.

<Test Example 1> Pot Performance Confirmation Test Regarding the seedling-raising pot of the present invention, durability and stability during the seedling-raising period were confirmed by actually raising the seedlings.
In addition, the effects on the growth of seedlings during the seedling-raising period and the extent of root elongation (elongation out of the pot) were also confirmed.

(test sample)
A growing pot of the present invention having the composition in Table 4 was manufactured by a method similar to that described in Example 1. DW fiber (wood fiber after blasting treatment) was used as the wood fiber, and the water-resistant agent and the paper strength agent were used by blending the waste paper pulp and the DW fiber. The numerical value indicated by % in Table 3 indicates the weight % at the time of preparation. The waste paper pulp content and the DW fiber content are expressed based on the total weight (100%) of these weights. The water resistance agent content is the ratio of the weight of the water resistance agent to the weight of the entire formulation when water and other materials are blended. The test was performed in quadruplicate.

(Seedling preparation operation, test plant and seedling management)
A culture medium for raising seedlings (a mixture of peat moss and red ball) was filled in the pot of each test sample, and Japanese cedar (variety: Tanoaka) was planted (April 10).
After that, the seedlings were raised in a greenhouse (Ibaraki Prefecture) under normal management. Irrigation was carried out appropriately according to the growth of the seedlings and the weather.

(Results) All pots maintained their initial shape even after 10 months from the cuttings (Fig. 4). In addition, air root cutting was performed, and root winding did not occur.

[Reference Example 1] Preparation of container for growing plant seedlings of the present invention (2) (tray type)
A plant with the same size and shape as the pot shown in Example 1 (upper surface diameter 60 mmφ, lower surface diameter 26 mmφ, height 155 mm, thickness 3 mm (no thin part), capacity: 200 ml) connected at the upper end with a top plate. Seedling growing trays are made from wood fiber and waste paper pulp.
The raw materials and blending ratio were the same as in Example 1. That is, wood fibers (after blasting treatment) and waste paper pulp were blended in proportions of 30% and 70% relative to the total weight of each.
Using an existing pot folder, it was processed into a tray shape in which 35 pots were connected (7 x 5). Also, a perforation for pot separation is made (Fig. 5).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, materials amenable to mechanization are provided for the efficient mass production of seedlings, cuttings, and the like. Therefore, the present invention greatly contributes to the development of the plant cultivation industry and related industries.

1 Tray 2 Pot 3 Top plate 4 Perforation 5 Pot opening 6 Slit 7 Base 8 in side view Legs in side view

Claims (9)

Pulp that is waste paper pulp and
Wood fibers other than the above-mentioned pulp , which are processed products by blasting wood chips that pass through a sieve mesh of 70 mm
A pot for growing seedlings of cuttings of a tree formed by the method, wherein the ratio of the weight of the wood fiber to the total weight of the pulp and the wood fiber is 10% to 35%, and is uniform throughout , 0.5 mm or more. A pot for growing a cutting seedling of a tree, having a thickness of 5 mm or less . The growing pot according to claim 1, further comprising a water-resistant agent and/or a paper strength agent. It has a truncated cone shape that tapers downward, the ratio of the length of the diameter of the upper base to the length of the diameter of the lower base is 1.2 to 3 times, and the length of the truncated cone to the length of the diameter of the lower base 3. The growing pot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height ratio is 3 to 7 times. A tray for growing plant seedlings, to which two or more of the growing pots according to any one of claims 1 to 3 are connected. 5. The cultivating tray according to claim 4, comprising a mechanism for separating the connected cultivating pots. 6. The cultivating tray according to claim 5, wherein the mechanism for separating the connected cultivating pots is a perforation or linear thin portion. A growing pot according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the wood fiber contains fulvic acid. 8. The growing pot according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water-resistant agent is blended with the pulp and wood fiber or applied to the outer surface of the growing pot. 4. The growing pot according to claim 3, wherein the angle formed by the generatrix of the truncated cone and the bottom is 4° or more.

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