JP7530652B2 - Liquid spraying device and crop cultivation field - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid spraying device and a crop cultivation field.

When cultivating crops, such as apples, using dwarf rootstocks to make the tree smaller results in a smaller amount of roots and makes the tree more likely to fall over. To prevent the trees from falling over, it is common to plant apple trees in rows, with the trunks of the trees secured to a trellis. A net is installed on apple trees planted in rows to cover the entire tree, for example, to protect it from hail damage. Generally, it is difficult to extend the net when the tree is tall. There are also other inconveniences, such as the labor required for harvesting. To address this issue, a technique for lowering the tree height is the multi-leader tree shape, in which the trunk is tilted to the side and multiple side branches are extended upward from the fallen trunk and secured to a trellis. The multi-leader tree shape allows the tree height to be lowered, but there is a problem in that lowering the tree height reduces the yield per unit area.

JP 2011-62094 A

To address this issue, multiple trellises can be arranged closely together by narrowing the distance between the rows, ensuring a sufficient yield. However, narrowing the distance between the rows of the trellises makes it difficult or impossible to spray pesticides using, for example, a speed sprayer. One option is to use a power sprayer to spray pesticides on trees that have been attracted to narrow-spaced trellises. However, when using a power sprayer, there is the problem that it is difficult to handle the hose. Another option is to spray pesticides from a sprinkler installed above the trellis. However, even when using a sprinkler, there is the problem that a large amount of pesticide needs to be sprayed in order to spread the pesticide throughout the densely packed trees.

Therefore, the problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a liquid spraying device and a crop cultivation field that can efficiently spray liquids such as chemicals onto densely packed trees attached to a trellis.

The liquid spraying device that solves the above problem comprises a plurality of nozzle units that are attached to a plurality of horizontally extending beam wires that are spaced apart vertically and extend vertically between a plurality of posts supporting a plurality of cultivated crops, and that have nozzles that spray liquid, and piping that is attached to at least one of the posts or the beam wires and supplies liquid to the nozzles, and the plurality of nozzles are arranged along the cultivated crops.

The cultivated crop may also be a columnar type tree.

The cultivated crop may also be a tree that has been trained to have a multi-axis shape, with the main trunk branched into multiple parts and trained vertically, or a multi-leader shape, with multiple side branches growing vertically from a lying main trunk.

The nozzles may also be arranged in a mesh pattern in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

The nozzles may also be arranged in a staggered pattern.

The nozzle may also be configured to eject the liquid in a direction above the horizontal.

The cultivated crop may also be an apple.

The piping may also include a parent pipe extending horizontally and a plurality of branch pipes connected to the parent pipe at horizontal intervals and extending vertically, the parent pipe being installed along the uppermost beam line among the plurality of beam lines, and the plurality of nozzles being attached to the branch pipes.

The crop cultivation field that solves the above problem includes a plurality of vertically extending supports that support a plurality of cultivated crops and are spaced apart horizontally, a plurality of horizontally extending beam wires that are stretched between the supports and spaced apart vertically, and any one of the liquid spraying devices described above.

The liquid spraying device of the present invention can efficiently spray chemicals onto densely packed trees attached to a trellis.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a crop cultivation field H according to an embodiment. A diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the drug spraying device 1 and the trellis 30 of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the nozzle unit 20 attached to the branch pipe 12. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a nozzle unit 20. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a direction in which a plurality of nozzle units 20 eject the chemical liquid L. FIG. A diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between a modified drug spraying device and a trellis 30.

Below, the chemical spraying device and crop cultivation field according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a crop cultivation field H of the embodiment. The crop cultivation field H of the embodiment includes, for example, a chemical spraying device 1 and a trellis 30. The trellis 30 supports trees T1, which are a plurality of cultivated crops. The chemical spraying device 1 is provided on the trellis 30. The trellis 30 on which the chemical spraying device 1 is provided is provided in, for example, multiple rows in the crop cultivation field H, and FIG. 1 shows one row. The chemical spraying device 1 is an example of a liquid spraying device.

The chemical spraying device 1 includes, for example, a pipe 10 and a plurality of nozzle units 20. The pipe 10 includes, for example, one parent pipe (main pipe) 11 and a plurality of branch pipes (sub-pipes) 12. A chemical is an example of a liquid, and the chemical spraying device 1 is an example of a liquid spraying device. The trellis 30 includes, for example, a plurality of supports 31 and a plurality of steel wires 32. Below, the configuration of the trellis 30 for the crop cultivation field H will first be described, and then the chemical spraying device 1 will be described.

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the pesticide spraying device 1 of the embodiment and the trellis 30. The posts 31 in the trellis 30 are rod-shaped members erected in the field. The posts 31 extend in the vertical direction. A number of steel wires 32 are strung between the posts 31. Two posts 31 and four steel wires 32 are shown in Figure 2.

The multiple steel wires 32 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The steel wires 32 are an example of beam wires. The beam wires do not have to be made of steel, and may be wires made of resin, for example. The multiple steel wires 32 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. For example, the first row (top row) of steel wires 32 from the top is arranged at a height of about 225 cm from the ground, and the second row of steel wires 32 is arranged at a height of about 185 cm from the ground. The third row of steel wires 32 is arranged at a height of about 120 cm from the ground, and the fourth row (bottom row) of steel wires 32 is arranged at a height of about 50 cm from the ground. The multiple steel wires 32 may be arranged at equal intervals, for example.

The trees T1 supported by the trellis 30 are, for example, about 2 m tall and extend vertically. The distance between the rows of the trees T1 is, for example, 2 m. The trees T1 are, for example, apple trees. The trees T1 may be fruit trees other than apple trees, or may be non-fruit trees, such as flower trees. The trees T1 are columnar type trees including a main trunk T11 and lateral branches T12. The main trunk T11 extends vertically. The trees T1 do not have to be of the columnar type. In a columnar type tree T1, lateral branches T12 extend from the main trunk T11, but in trees that are not of the columnar type, even smaller branches may extend from the lateral branches.

The trees T1 are planted in a row at approximately equal intervals in the horizontal direction. The trees T1 may be arranged at different intervals. Each tree T1 crosses a plurality of steel wires 32. At the positions where the trees T1 cross the steel wires 32, cable ties 40 (see FIG. 1) are provided to tie the trees T1 to the steel wires 32. The cable ties 40 tie the trees T1 to the steel wires 32, so that the trees T1 are supported by the trellis 30. The cable ties 40 are, for example, resin tape, but the cable ties 40 may be other materials such as rubber or string. When tying the trees T1 to the steel wires 32, the cable ties 40 do not need to be tightly attached, and may be loosely tied.

The parent pipe 11 in the piping 10 is tied to the uppermost steel wire 32 among the multiple steel wires 32 in the trellis 30. The parent pipe 11 is installed along the steel wires 32. A plurality of branch pipes 12 are connected to the parent pipe 11. The branch pipes 12 are connected to the parent pipe 11 at approximately equal intervals in the horizontal direction. A pump (not shown) is connected to the parent pipe 11, and the chemical agent supplied from the pump flows through the parent pipe 11. The branch pipe 12 is connected to the parent pipe 11, and the chemical agent flowing through the parent pipe 11 flows into the branch pipe 12. In this way, the chemical agent is supplied from the parent pipe 11 to the branch pipe 12.

Of the multiple branch pipes 12 lined up along the parent pipe 11, the branch pipes 12 lined up in odd-numbered rows (hereinafter, odd-numbered rows) counting from the right end of the parent pipe 11 each have a nozzle unit 20 attached to their intersections with the multiple steel wires 32. Also, of the multiple branch pipes 12 lined up along the parent pipe 11, the branch pipes 12 lined up in even-numbered rows (hereinafter, even-numbered rows) each have a nozzle unit 20 attached to their intersections below the intersections of the multiple steel wires 32. In this way, the multiple nozzle units 20 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the horizontal and vertical directions in a mesh-like pattern.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the nozzle unit 20 attached to the branch pipe 12. The distance between the multiple branch pipes 12 is approximately the same as the distance between the multiple trees T1. The distance between the multiple branch pipes 12 does not have to be the same, and may be uneven. Of the multiple branch pipes 12, one branch pipe 12 is arranged along one tree T1. Here, the nozzle unit 20 is attached to the intersection with the steel wire 32 in the branch pipe 12.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the nozzle unit 20. The nozzle unit 20 includes, for example, a nozzle 21, a connecting pipe 22, and a joint 23. The nozzle 21 sprays a medicinal liquid that is supplied through the branch pipe 12. The connecting pipe 22 is a hollow cylinder disposed between the branch pipe 12 and the nozzle 21. The connecting pipe 22 is made of, for example, resin, and is manufactured by bending a straight pipe. The joint 23 connects the branch pipe 12 and the connecting pipe 22. The joint 23 is, for example, a tube fitting. The medicinal liquid flowing through the branch pipe 12 is supplied to the nozzle 21 through the joint 23 and the connecting pipe 22. The joint 23 may be a joint other than a tube fitting. The joint 23 may be, for example, a bamboo shoot-type Y-shaped joint.

Each of the multiple nozzles 21 sprays the chemical solution along the plane formed by the surface of the trellis 30, so to speak, spraying the chemical solution in a wall shape perpendicular to the ground. Each of the multiple nozzles 21 is positioned facing upward from the horizontal line. The nozzles 21 spray the chemical upward from the horizontal direction. The nozzles 21 are provided facing in a direction that forms an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the horizontal line. It is preferable that the nozzles 21 are provided facing in a direction that forms an angle within the range of approximately 40° to 50° with respect to the horizontal line, for example.

The nozzle 21 sprays the liquid medicine in a direction that forms an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the horizontal line. In the embodiment, the nozzle 21 is provided facing a direction that forms an angle of approximately 45° to the upper right or upper left with respect to the horizontal line, but it may be provided at another angle, or may be provided facing downward. In addition, the multiple nozzles 21 may be provided so that their orientation changes between upward and downward.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the direction in which the multiple nozzle units 20 spray the chemical liquid L. Of the multiple nozzle units 20 provided in each branch pipe 12, the nozzle units 20 located in the top and third rows spray the chemical liquid L in a direction 45° to the upper left, and the nozzle unit 20 located in the second row sprays the chemical liquid in a direction 45° to the upper right. In this way, the multiple nozzle units 20 arranged in a staggered pattern are arranged so that the direction in which the chemical liquid is sprayed alternates between the upper right and the upper left.

The embodiment of the chemical spraying device 1 is equipped with multiple nozzle units 20, and the nozzles 21 in the nozzle units 20 are arranged along the tree T1 supported by the trellis 30. This allows the chemical solution to be sprayed without using a speed sprayer. Furthermore, by spraying the chemical solution from the multiple nozzles 21, the chemical solution can be sprayed efficiently and evenly on the tree T1 supported by the trellis 30.

In addition, in the embodiment of the pesticide spraying device 1, the multiple nozzle units 20 are arranged in a mesh pattern. This allows the pesticide to be evenly sprayed onto the multiple trees T1 spread across the surface of the trellis 30. The multiple nozzle units 20 are also arranged in a staggered pattern. This allows the nozzle units 20 to be arranged without being too close to each other. This allows the pesticide to be sprayed without excessive spraying.

In addition, in the embodiment of the pesticide spraying device 1, the nozzle 21 in the nozzle unit 20 is arranged facing upward, and the pesticide is sprayed upward. Therefore, the pesticide can be sprayed toward the underside of the leaves of the tree T1, which makes it possible to, for example, effectively exterminate pests that are often found on the underside of the leaves of trees.

In addition, in the embodiment of the pesticide spraying device 1, the nozzle units 20 are arranged in a staggered pattern so that the direction in which the pesticide is sprayed alternates between the upper right and the upper left. This allows the pesticide to be sprayed evenly over the multiple trees T1 supported by the trellis 30, so that the pesticide can be sprayed with little unevenness over the entire tree T1.

In addition, in the crop cultivation field H of the embodiment, multiple trellises 30 are arranged in a close-spaced state, so that the yield per unit area of crops, such as apples, grown on the trees T1 supported by the trellises 30 can be increased. In addition, if multiple trellises 30 are arranged in a close-spaced state, the speed sprayer cannot move close to each trellis 30, making it difficult to spray pesticides using the speed sprayer. In this regard, in the crop cultivation field H of the embodiment, a pesticide spraying device 1 is provided on the trellis 30. Therefore, pesticides can be sprayed even in places where the speed sprayer cannot enter.

In the above embodiment, multiple columnar type trees T1 are planted in a row horizontally with the main trunk T11 extending vertically, but the trees may be pruned into a multi-axis type in which the main trunk is branched into multiple branches and trained vertically, or into a multi-leader type in which multiple side branches extend vertically from a reclined main trunk. Below, we will explain an example of a modified example in which a multi-leader type tree is supported by a trellis 30. Figure 6 is a diagram explaining an example of the positional relationship between the modified chemical spraying device 1 and the trellis 30.

The trellis 30 installed in the modified crop cultivation field H supports a multi-leader tree T2. The tree T2 has a multi-leader shape with multiple side branches T22 extending from a reclined main trunk T21. The reclined main trunk T21 is positioned facing diagonally. The main trunk T21 may also face straight to the side.

The tree T2 is, for example, a columnar type, and the multiple side branches T22 all extend vertically. The spacing between the multiple side branches T22 is non-uniform. The branch pipes 12 of the piping 10 in the chemical spraying device 1 are arranged along the side branches T22. Therefore, the multiple branch pipes 12 in the modified example are arranged at non-uniform intervals (non-uniform intervals), unlike the multiple branch pipes 12 in the embodiment. In this way, the multiple branch pipes 12 may be uniform or non-uniform depending on the spacing between the multiple cultivated crops, and when the spacing between the multiple cultivated crops is non-uniform, as with the side branches T22, the spacing between the multiple branch pipes 12 may also be non-uniform.

In the modified crop cultivation field H, the tree T2 supported by the trellis 30 is a columnar type multi-leader. Because the tree T2 is a multi-leader, it is narrow and has densely packed side branches T22 with low tree height and evenly spread leaves and branches. If the trellis 30 in this state is placed between narrow rows, it will be impossible to spray pesticides using a speed sprayer, making spraying the pesticide difficult.

In this regard, the modified pesticide spraying device 1 has a branch pipe 12 of the piping 10 arranged along the side branch T22, and a nozzle 21 of the nozzle unit 20 is attached to the branch pipe 12. This allows the pesticide to be efficiently sprayed on a multi-leader type tree T2 that has narrow side branches T22 with evenly spread branches and leaves.

In the above embodiment, the liquid spraying device is a chemical spraying device 1 that sprays a chemical, but the liquid spraying device may also be a watering device that sprays a liquid other than a chemical, such as water. For example, when water is sprayed (sprayed) with a liquid spraying device, it is possible to prevent sunburn of the fruit by lowering the surface temperature of the fruit, and it is possible to prevent frost damage to buds by sprinkling water. Such water spraying can also be performed efficiently by a liquid spraying device.

In the above embodiment, the cultivated crop is a woody plant such as an apple. However, the cultivated crop may be, for example, a non-woody plant, such as a herbaceous plant. An example of a cultivated crop that is a herbaceous plant is a tomato. When the cultivated crop is a herbaceous plant such as a tomato, for example, the stem of the herbaceous plant that extends vertically may be fixed to the trellis 30.

Reference Signs List 1... Chemical spraying device 10... Pipe 11... Main pipe 12... Branch pipe 20... Nozzle unit 21... Nozzle 22... Connection pipe 23... Joint 30... Trellis 31... Support 32... Steel wire 40... Cable tie H... Crop cultivation field L... Chemical solution T1, T2... Trees T11, T21... Main trunk T12, T22... Side branch

Claims (8)

A plurality of nozzle units each having a nozzle for spraying liquid, the nozzle unit being attached to a plurality of beam lines extending in the horizontal direction and spaced apart from each other, the nozzle units being disposed between a plurality of vertically extending supports supporting a plurality of cultivated crops arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction and extending in the vertical direction;
a pipe attached to at least one of the support column and the beam wire, and supplying liquid to the nozzle;
The plurality of nozzles are arranged along the cultivated crop ,
The plurality of nozzle units are arranged in a mesh pattern in the horizontal and vertical directions.
Liquid dispersing device. The plurality of nozzle units are arranged in a staggered manner.
The liquid dispensing device of claim 1 . The cultivated crop is a columnar type tree;
A liquid dispersing device according to claim 1 or 2 . The cultivated crop is a tree that has been trained to have a multi-axis shape in which the main trunk is branched into multiple branches and trained vertically, or a multi-leader shape in which multiple side branches extend vertically from a lying main trunk.
A liquid dispersing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The nozzle ejects the liquid in a direction above the horizontal direction.
A liquid dispersing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The cultivated crop is apple.
A liquid dispersing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The piping includes a parent pipe extending horizontally, and a plurality of branch pipes connected to the parent pipe at horizontal intervals and extending vertically,
The parent pipe is installed along the uppermost beam wire among the plurality of beam wires, and the plurality of nozzles are attached to the branch pipe.
A liquid dispersing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . A plurality of vertically extending and horizontally spaced supports for supporting a plurality of cultivated crops;
A plurality of beam wires extending horizontally between the plurality of supports and spaced apart vertically;
The liquid spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
Crop cultivation field.

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