JP7623709B2 - How to grow eggplant on the vine - Google Patents

Description

Patent Act Article 30 Paragraph 2 applies Date held: February 12, 2021 Meeting name and location: 2020 Plant Factory Human Resources Development Program Course D Ehime University Plant Factory Research Center (3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture) Date held: April 21, 2021 Meeting name and location: 2021 Materials Business General Meeting and Zennoh Yume Farm Lecture JA Fukushima Building Conference Room 1001 (1-1 Mimainaga, Hirano, Iizaka-machi, Fukushima City) Date held: April 28, 2021 Meeting name and location: Yume Farm Zennoh Kochi Promotion Monthly Meeting Yume Farm Zennoh Kochi (20-1 Sozu, Aki, Kochi Prefecture) JA Kochi Prefecture Aki District Headquarters 3F Main Conference Room (1-16 Saiwai-cho, Aki, Kochi Prefecture)

The present invention relates to a vine-based cultivation method for eggplants, and more specifically, to a vine-based cultivation method for eggplants in which eggplant branches are continuously trained as they grow while being harvested.

Methods for cultivating fruit-bearing plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers include pinching cultivation, in which the growing point of each branch is pinched off to limit the growth range and then pruned while harvesting, and vine-drawing cultivation, in which the growing point is maintained while the extended branches are continuously trained as they grow and then harvested (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The advantages of vine-cut cultivation include that it is less labor-intensive and does not require as much skill as pinching cultivation, and that the yield is stable throughout the entire cultivation period. Therefore, when it comes to growing eggplants, vine-cut cultivation is expected to reduce labor and stabilize yields.

Patent No. 4874430

However, vine cultivation is originally a cultivation method suitable for creeping plants, and the optimal method for vine cultivation of eggplant had not yet been established.

In particular, eggplant branches are harder than vines and may break if bent too hard. Forcing them to bend also causes great stress and weakens the tree, making it difficult to apply traditional training and vine-cutting methods.

The present invention aims to provide a method for cultivating eggplants by vine-graining that is simple, allows for continuous vine-graining while maintaining the vigor of the plant, and enables efficient and stable eggplant harvesting.

In order to achieve the above object, the eggplant cultivation method of the present invention is a method for cultivating eggplant by vine down in an eggplant cultivation row having ridges in which a plurality of eggplant plants with training branches for vine down are planted in a row at a predetermined plant-to-plant distance, the training branches include a main branch and a branch branched off from the main branch, and the eggplant cultivation row has an upper limit growth length that determines the upper limit of the height at which the training branches of the eggplant plants are grown, and a fruit-bearing range that is the height range at which the eggplant plants are allowed to bear fruit. a cutting height that determines the lower limit of the height at which the eggplant plants are grown; two lower induction lines extending along both sides of the ridges; two upper induction lines located above the two lower induction lines and stretched along both sides of the ridges at a height exceeding an upper growth height that determines the upper limit of the height at which the eggplant plants are grown; and induction members suspended from each of the two upper induction lines so as to be movable along the upper induction lines and capable of guiding training branches of the eggplant plants to the suspended positions. The attracting members are configured to be able to be attached to the training branches of the eggplant plants by fasteners that can be attached and detached. Each training branch is hung at a predetermined interval from the upper attracting wire in a state where it is attracted to each other. The main branches of adjacent eggplant plants are attracted to the upper attracting wires on different sides. When the height of each training branch of the plurality of eggplant plants exceeds the upper growth height limit, the attracting members that attract the training branches are shifted by a predetermined width in a certain direction. The training branch is lowered a specified distance so that the height of the tip of the training branch that is connected to the upper guide line is below the upper limit growth length, and the training branch is connected to the lower guide line on the same side as the upper guide line of the training destination by a removable fastener during the training and vine lowering operation, and the direction in which the training member is shifted during the training and vine lowering operation is opposite to that of one of the two upper guide lines.

Another feature of this system is that when the training branch is shifted by the training and vine-pulling work and goes outside the eggplant cultivation row by a specified distance along one of the upper training lines, a turn-around training work is performed in which the training member that trains the training branch is folded back to the other side, with the row of ridges as the boundary, and hung on the other upper training line.

Another feature of the method is that after the training and vine-pulling work, the leaves and side branches of the eggplant plants that grow below the trimming height of the training branches are trimmed.

Another feature of the method is that during the training and vine-lowering work, the position at which the middle part of the training branch is connected to the lower training line is adjusted to a position where the part of the training branch that falls within the fruit-bearing range is trained vertically.

Another feature of this method is that after the training and vine-pulling work, the height of one of the training branches of one of the eggplant plants is set as a reference height, and height adjustment work is carried out to align the heights of the training branches of the multiple eggplant plants to the reference height.

Another feature is that the width by which the tips of the training branches are lowered during the training and vine lowering work is set shorter than the width by which the training members are shifted.

The eggplant plants are grafted onto a vigorous rootstock that strengthens the plant's vigor and planted in the furrows, and the furrows are also characterized as being an isolation medium.

Another feature is that the lower guide wire is tightly fastened and supported under tension by multiple supports erected at predetermined intervals along both sides of the ridge.

The adjacent eggplant plants are planted so that the main branches of each plant grow in opposite directions, and the training branches are guided to grow diagonally in a plan view to one of the upper training lines during the growth stage before the eggplant plants are harvested.

Another feature is that the main branch and the branch of the same plant are both attracted to the upper attraction line on the same side.

Another feature is that the branch consists of one primary branch, and the main branch and the first branch of the same plant are both attracted to the upper attraction line on the same side.

Alternatively, the branch is composed of two branches, a first branch and a second branch that branches off from the main branch at a position above the first branch, and the main branch and the first branch of the same plant are attracted to different upper attraction lines, and the main branch and the second branch of the same plant are both attracted to the same upper attraction line.

Another feature is that the lower guide wire extends to a position a predetermined distance higher than the branching position of the branch.

According to the eggplant vine-down cultivation method of the present invention, multiple eggplant plants are planted in a row of ridges in an eggplant cultivation row, and each training branch of the planted eggplant plants is tied with a fastener to a training member suspended from an upper training line that is extended along both sides of the ridge at a position higher than the upper limit of growth length, while being tied to the lower training line with a fastener. Each time the branch tip exceeds the upper limit of growth length, the training position is shifted, and the branch tip is lowered by changing the connecting position, so that growth and harvesting can be repeated while maintaining the growth point of each training branch of the eggplant plants, making it possible to carry out continuous vine-down cultivation with simple operations while maintaining the plant's vigor.

In addition, by training and lowering the vines, each training branch of the eggplant plant is lowered when it exceeds a certain height, and the fruit-bearing range of each training branch is maintained in a vertical position while the eggplant continues to grow. This allows the eggplants to always be in a state where they can bear fruit, so eggplants can be harvested continuously during the cultivation period and a constant yield can be expected, making for an efficient and stable eggplant harvest.

In addition, by using the training and vine-lowering work to guide each training branch that is connected to the training member suspended from the same upper training line so that the branch tips are equidistant from each other, the work can be done uniformly, making it easier to manage the growth of eggplant plants, and since the work does not require advanced skills, it is easier to secure workers.

In addition, by having the main branches of adjacent eggplant plants guided to different upper guide lines, it is possible to avoid overcrowding and eliminate unevenness in the cultivation space, making effective use of the cultivation space within the eggplant cultivation row and enabling efficient cultivation.

In addition, as the training branches of eggplant plants continue to be trained and lowered, they move toward the end of the eggplant cultivation row along the upper training line, so that on one side of the eggplant cultivation row, the cultivation space on one end of the row becomes clogged and the cultivation space on the other end becomes empty.

In contrast, the directions in which the attracting members are shifted during the training and vine-pulling work are opposite on one side of the two upper training lines, and when each training branch of an eggplant plant reaches the end of the eggplant cultivation row, a turn-around training work is performed. As a result, the branches that have been trained to reach the end of the row on one side of the eggplant cultivation row can be turned to the upper training line on the other side, using the row of ridges as the boundary, and moved to the cultivation space vacated by training on the other side. This means that each training branch of an eggplant plant can be kept within the cultivation space of the eggplant cultivation row regardless of its growth, making it possible to save space and carry out continuous vine-pulling work without time constraints.

In addition, by folding back the training branches of eggplant plants and then training them a specified distance along the upper training line, it is possible to prevent the training branches from being bent unreasonably due to sudden folding back, reduce the stress that the eggplant plants experience when they are folded back, and prevent the weakening of the plant's vigor.

In addition, after training and vine cutting, the leaves and side branches of eggplant plants that are lower than the cutting height can be cut off. This allows the fruit-bearing range of each training branch to be kept within a certain range through training and vine cutting and height adjustment work, which limits the working area during harvesting, thereby reducing the labor required for harvesting.

In addition, by preventing overgrowth and maintaining good ventilation, diseases such as black blight can be suppressed, allowing for a more efficient and stable eggplant harvest.

In addition, by adjusting the position where the middle part of the trained training branch is connected to the lower training line so that the part of the training branch that falls within the fruit-bearing range extends vertically, the part that falls within the fruit-bearing range does not tilt excessively, and the spacing between each training branch can be narrowed while avoiding dense planting, making it possible to cultivate eggplants efficiently by making effective use of the cultivation space.

In addition, by training and plowing, the part of each training branch that is located in the fruit-bearing range can be trained to grow vertically, which prevents poor sunlight and ventilation caused by dense planting while also preventing empty spaces, ensuring sufficient cultivation space even in a limited area.

In addition, by adjusting the height, the height of the growth point of each training branch of each eggplant plant can be made uniform after training and vine cutting, which makes it possible to equalize the amount of light received by the eggplant plants and reduce differences in growth among the plants, eliminating bias from one location to another and stabilizing the yield across the entire eggplant cultivation row.

In addition, when training and lowering the vines, by lowering the eggplant plant's training branches by a shorter distance than the width by which the branch tips are shifted, the trained branches are given enough slack to grow vertically without overhanging the walkway, and the branch tips are less likely to have height differences after lowering the vines, allowing for proper vine lowering and more efficient and stable eggplant harvesting.

Furthermore, by using vigorous rootstocks for eggplant plants, the eggplant plants' ability to maintain their vigor can be strengthened, and by using the ridges as an isolation medium, the adverse effects of soil-based diseases on the rootstock can be suppressed, and soil management such as irrigation and fertilization becomes easier, making it easier to maintain the vigor of the plant.

In addition, the lower guide wire is tightly fastened to each support so that it is under tension, which keeps the tension of the lower guide wire strong. Therefore, when the middle part of the eggplant branch is fastened to the lower guide wire with a fastener, the fastened part is less likely to sag, making it easier to guide and take down the vines.

Also, since adjacent eggplant plants are planted in advance so that the main branches of each plant grow in opposite directions, it becomes easy to guide the main branches of adjacent eggplant plants to the upper training line on the other side, reducing the stress that the eggplant plants experience when trained and preventing weakening of the plant's vigor.

In addition, by attracting the eggplant plants to the upper attracting wire with the attracting member during the growth stage before harvest, the eggplant plants' training branches are attached to the attracting cord before they grow, allowing the connected branches to grow upward, and the connected branches will not fall over under their own weight even if they grow.

In addition, by training each training branch so that it extends diagonally in a plan view relative to the upper training line, the training members that have trained the training branches can be easily shifted along the upper training line during training and vine removal work, reducing the stress that eggplant plants experience when trained and preventing weakening of the plant's vigor.

In addition, when training the main branch and the branches of the same plant to the same upper training wire, the training branches for each eggplant plant can be trained together, making the work for each plant simpler.

In particular, in the case of eggplant plants trained to double stems, by training the main branch and the first branch to the same upper training wire, there is less bending between the main branch and the first branch, which reduces stress on the eggplant plant and makes it easier to maintain its vigor.

Alternatively, in the case of eggplant plants trained to three branches, training the main branch and the secondary branch to the same upper training wire and training the primary branch to the opposite upper training wire can prevent the training branches from becoming too closely spaced, which can lead to poor sunlight and ventilation.

In addition, by growing multiple branches from an eggplant plant, more training branches can be grown with fewer plants, making eggplant cultivation more efficient.

In addition, the lower training wire is supported by the support and is maintained at a position a specified distance higher than the branching position of the eggplant plant's branches, so the eggplant plant's branches can be aligned with the lower training wire without being forced to bend, reducing the stress that the eggplant plant receives from training and preventing the weakening of the plant's vigor.

1 is an external perspective view of eggplant cultivation rows in a cultivation facility in which one embodiment of the eggplant vine cultivation method of the present invention is carried out. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing one section of the eggplant cultivation row of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of an attraction member used in vine cultivation of eggplant. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the state of eggplant plants immediately after they have been planted in a furrow. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the state of eggplant plants about two weeks after planting. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the state of eggplant plants about 4 weeks after planting. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the training directions of each training branch of each eggplant plant planted in a row at the growth stage shown in FIG. 6. This is a side view showing the process of the initial training and vine cutting of the main branches of eggplant plants. This is a side view showing the process of training and vine cutting of the main branches of eggplant plants from the second time onwards. This is a side view showing the state after training and vine cutting work has been performed on the second branch of an eggplant plant. This is a side view showing the state after training and vine cutting work has been carried out on the first branch of an eggplant plant. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the process of adjusting the height of eggplant plants after training and vine cutting. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of eggplant plants planted in a row being shifted by training and vine cutting work. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of the training state of eggplant plant branches at the end of a row of cultivation beds. 1 is a flowchart showing the assembly of each step in the vine cultivation method for eggplant of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the training direction of each training branch of an eggplant plant in another embodiment of the vine cultivation method of eggplant of the present invention.

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of eggplant cultivation rows 12 in a cultivation facility 11 in which an embodiment of the eggplant vine cultivation method of the present invention is carried out. Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing one section of the eggplant cultivation rows 12 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view showing the structure of an attractant member 20 used in vine cultivation of eggplant.

In the cultivation facility 11, both sides of the eggplant cultivation rows 12 are pathways (not shown) that people can walk through and work on. In reality, multiple similar eggplant cultivation rows 12 are set up on either side of the pathway, but these have been omitted for ease of viewing.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, multiple cultivation beds 13 are laid out in a row in the eggplant cultivation rows 12 in the cultivation facility 11. On each cultivation bed 13, a ridge 14 is installed, which is an isolation medium wrapped in a sheet and formed into a block shape. For example, rock wool, coconut shell, isolated soil, etc. are used as the isolation medium.

On the upper surface of the ridges 14, a number of planting holes 14a (six in the figure) are provided in a row at equal intervals, with the soil surface piled up in a rectangular shape. An eggplant plant 15 is planted in each of the planting holes 14a. The spacing between the planting holes 14a is set so that the eggplant plants 15 are spaced apart at a predetermined distance D, which in this embodiment is set to approximately 33 cm.

Eggplant plant 15 has a preset number of training branches, that is, branches used for vine cutting, that are selected and extended. In this embodiment, it is trained to have three branches, a main branch 15a, a first branch 15b, and a second branch 15c, which are extended.

The main branch 15a is the branch that produced the first flower before planting, and the first branch 15b is the branch that branches off from the main branch 15a and produces the second flower. The second branch 15c is the branch that branches off from the main branch 15a at a position further away than the branching position of the first branch 15b.

The eggplant plant 15 is planted in a state where it is grafted onto a rootstock 16 that can grow by strengthening the vigor of the scion. In this embodiment, a vigorous tomato rootstock, such as Emperador, is used as the rootstock 16.

In addition, in the eggplant cultivation row 12, two lower guidance wires 17 (17a, 17b) made of guidance wires are extended at a predetermined width W along both sides of the cultivation beds 13 and the row of ridges 14. The lower guidance wires 17 (17a, 17b) are fastened under tension to a plurality of supports 18 (18a, 18b) erected at a predetermined interval (for example, about 3 m) along both sides of the cultivation beds 13 and the row of ridges 14, and are supported to maintain a constant width W and height _H1 .

The width W between the two lower guide lines 17a, 17b is set to a length that takes into consideration the ease of taking down the vine and the resistance to branch breakage, and in this embodiment is set to approximately 45 cm.

In addition, the height _H1 of the lower guidance line 17 (17a, 17b) is set to a position that is a predetermined distance higher than the branching position of the branch (first branch 15b or second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant 15 when it has grown sufficiently to allow the guidance and vine removal work described below, for example, a position that is a distance L (approximately 10 cm) higher than the branching position of the first branch 15b, and in this embodiment, it is set to a height of approximately 70 cm from the ground.

In addition, in the eggplant cultivation row 12, an upper limit growth length H2 is set which determines the upper limit of the height at which each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant ₁₅ can be grown during vine cultivation.

When the height of each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of each eggplant plant 15 exceeds the upper limit growth length _H2 , training and vine cutting work described below is carried out to maintain the height of each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant 15 below the upper limit growth length _H2 . In this embodiment, the upper limit growth length _H2 is set to a height of about 280 cm from the ground.

Above the eggplant cultivation row 12, two upper guide lines 19 (19a, 19b) are stretched parallel to the two lower guide lines 17 (17a, 17b) so as to be located directly above each of them. The height _H3 at which the upper guide lines 19 are stretched is set to a height exceeding the upper growth height limit _H2 of the eggplant plants 15. In this embodiment, the height is set to about 380 cm from the ground.

Each of the two upper attracting wires 19 (19a, 19b) has an attracting member 20 suspended movably along the upper attracting wires 19 (19a, 19b) for attracting each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant 15 to the upper attracting wires 19 (19a, 19b).

The number of attraction members 20 corresponds to the number of training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of each eggplant plant 15, and they are hung at a predetermined interval from the upper attraction wire 19 (19a, 19b) with each branch being attracted.

The attraction member 20 is composed of a hanging hook 20a with a hook that can be hung on the upper attraction wire 19, an attraction string 20b attached to the hanging hook 20a and hanging down a predetermined length, and a clip 21, which is a removable fastener that can clamp the attraction string 20b together with the branches of the eggplant plant 15.

The hanging hook 20a is formed by bending a metal shaft, with the end of the shaft shaped like a hook. The shaft is folded back twice, creating two convex parts in the middle of the shaft, forming a winding section 20c, around which a string can be hung. A part of the attraction string 20b is attached so that it wraps around the winding section 20c, and the remaining part of the attraction string 20b is stretched out from the hanging hook 20a and hangs down.

The attractant string 20b, which is pulled out from the wrapping portion 20c and hung down, is placed along the corresponding branch of the eggplant plant 15 and is lowered down to near the base. The attractant string 20b placed along the branch of the eggplant plant 15 is clamped together with the branch of the eggplant plant 15 at multiple points by multiple clips 21.

By connecting the attractant member 20 suspended from the upper attractant wire 19 to the branches of the eggplant plant 15, it is possible to attract the branches of the eggplant plant 15 to grow toward the position where the attractant member 20 is suspended from the upper attractant wire 19. Also, by moving the attractant member 20 in this state, it is possible to attract the branches of the eggplant plant 15 connected to the attractant member 20 to the moved position.

The length of the hanging attractant string 20b can be freely adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of turns of the attractant string 20b wound around the winding portion 20c of the hanging hook 20a. Also, by attaching and detaching the clip 21, the position at which the branch of the eggplant plant 15 and the attractant string 20b are clamped can be freely changed.

Therefore, the attraction member 20 can arbitrarily change the position where the branches of the eggplant plant 15 are attracted along the upper attraction line 19.

The clip 21 is also attached to the lower attracting wire 17, and the branch of the eggplant plant 15 that is brought close to the lower attracting wire 17 is clamped together with the lower attracting wire 17 by the clip 21, and the middle part of the branch of the eggplant plant 15 is connected so that it is aligned with the lower attracting wire 17.

At the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12, a triangular support 22 is provided, which is formed by connecting the tops of two pipes or rods tilted toward each other with a string. The triangular support 22 is formed so as to be at least higher than the support 18.

In addition, lower guide wires 17a, 17b extended from supports 18a, 18b near the ends of the eggplant cultivation row 12 are tightly fastened to the lower part of the triangular support 22, and a lower guide wire 17c connecting the lower parts of the two pipes or rods of the triangular support 22 is stretched at a height _H1 .

In addition, a mowing height _H4 is preset for the eggplant cultivation rows 12, which determines the lower limit of a fruit-bearing range ₂₃ , which is the height range in which the eggplant plants 15 are allowed to bear fruit. In order to limit the fruit-bearing position of the eggplant plants 15 and to prevent overgrowth, flowers (or buds), leaves, and side branches growing below the mowing height H4 are mowed down. In this embodiment, the mowing height _H4 is set to a height of about 160 cm from the ground.

Figure 4 is a front view showing the state of eggplant plants 15 immediately after planting in ridges 14. Figure 5 is a front view showing the state of eggplant plants 15 about two weeks after planting. Figure 6 is a front view showing the state of eggplant plants 15 about four weeks after planting.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, in preparation for the vine-pulling work, the planting work involves planting eggplant seedlings 15 in the furrows 14, and then growing the planted seedlings to a certain extent. At the pre-harvest growth stage, the planted seedlings are then connected to the training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) and the attractant members 20 to enable them to be attracted.

When planting in the furrows 14, the eggplant plants 15 have a main branch 15a from which a first branch 15b branches, and flower buds have appeared on the main branch 15a. The recommended height of the main branch 15a at this time is about 25 cm from the base.

Approximately two weeks after planting, the eggplant plants 15 start to produce second flowers, and the main branch 15a reaches a height of approximately 30 cm from the base, and the height to the branching position of the first branch 15b reaches approximately 25 cm. When the eggplant plants 15 have grown to this extent, the main branch 15a and the first branch 15b are tied together, and the main branch 15a and the first branch 15b are tied to the attractant string 20b by clips 21.

Also, about four weeks after planting, flowers will start to bloom from the second branch 15c, and at that stage the second branch 15c is also tethered and secured to the attractant string 20b with a clip 21.

For each of the attracting members 20, the attracting string 20b is pulled out from the hanging hook 20a and stretched to near the base of the eggplant plant 15, and is attached at multiple points to each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) by clips 21.

For the main branch 15a and the first branch 15b, the clip 21 of the attracting string 20b is attached in a range from near the tip of the main branch 15a or the first branch 15b to near the branching position of the first branch 15b.

In the second branch 15c, the clip 21 of the attracting string 20b is attached in a range from near the tip of the second branch 15c to near the branching position of the second branch 15c.

As the eggplant plants 15 grow, the branches will grow, so you can increase the number of clips 21 in line with the growth, or change the position where the clips 21 are attached, so that the attractant strings 20b are properly attached along each training branch.

Here, which side of the two upper attracting wires 19 (19a, 19b) each training branch of the eggplant plant 15 is attracted to is determined relatively. That is, when the main branch 15a is attracted by an attracting member 20 hung from one of the upper attracting wires 19a, the first branch 15b is attracted by an attracting member 20 hung from the other upper attracting wire 19b, and the second branch 15c is attracted by an attracting member 20 hung from the upper attracting wire 19a on the same side as the main branch 15a.

The leaves of the eggplant plant 15 that grow below the branching position of the first branch 15b are pruned appropriately at each growth stage shown in Figures 4 to 6 to prevent overgrowth.

Figure 7 is a plan view that shows a schematic diagram of the training directions of each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of each eggplant plant 15 planted in a row at the growth stage shown in Figure 6.

As shown in Figure 7, during planting, each eggplant plant 15 is planted in a row with a plant-to-plant distance D (approximately 33 cm) so that the main branch 15a faces one of the two upper guide lines 19 (19a, 19b).

In addition, adjacent eggplant plants 15 are planted so that the positions of the training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) are staggered, and in particular, the main branches 15a grow in opposite directions with the row of ridges 14 as the boundary.

Furthermore, in the connecting work of Figures 5 and 6, each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of each eggplant plant 15 is guided to grow toward the hanging position by hanging the attracting member 20 (hanging hook 20a and attracting string 20b) connected to each branch from one of the two upper attracting wires 19 (19a, 19b).

At this time, the planar orientation of each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) is oriented in a direction that intersects obliquely with the upper guide line 19 (19a or 19b) when each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) is extended.

When the main branch 15a of each eggplant plant 15 is guided to one of the upper guide lines 19a (or 19b), the first branch 15b of the same plant is guided in the opposite direction to the main branch 15a, toward the upper guide line 19b (or 19a) on the opposite side of the row of ridges 14. The second branch 15c is guided to the upper guide line 19a (or 19b) on the same side as the main branch 15a, but is guided to a position about 2/3 of the plant (2D/3 = about 22 cm) away from the main branch 15a on the upper guide line 19a (or 19b) so as not to overlap with the main branch 15a.

Furthermore, when the main branch 15a of each eggplant plant 15 is guided to one of the upper guide wires 19a (or 19b), the main branch 15a of the eggplant plant 15 adjacent to that plant 15 is guided to the other upper guide wire 19b (or 19a).

Similarly, when the first branch 15b of each eggplant plant 15 is attracted to one upper attraction line 19a (or 19b), the first branch 15b of the eggplant plant 15 adjacent to that plant 15 is attracted to the other upper attraction line 19b (or 19a), and when the second branch 15c of each eggplant plant 15 is attracted to one upper attraction line 19a (or 19b), the second branch 15c of the eggplant plant 15 adjacent to that plant 15 is attracted to the other upper attraction line 19b (or 19a).

Figure 8 is a side view showing the process of training and slicing eggplant plants 15 for the first time, and Figure 9 is a side view showing the process of training and slicing eggplant plants 15 for the second or subsequent times.

For ease of understanding, in Figures 8 and 9, only one eggplant plant 15 is depicted, and the other plants are omitted. In addition, even in the depicted eggplant plant 15, only the main branch 15a that is attracted to the upper attraction line 19a is depicted, and the first branch 15b and second branch 15c are omitted.

As shown in Figure 8, the main branch 15a of the eggplant plant 15 in Figure 6 is guided upward by an attracting member 20 suspended from an upper attracting line 19a until it exceeds the upper growth length _H2 , and the extended branch tip is attached to the attracting string 20b of the attracting member 20 with a clip 21 each time according to the growth so as to prevent it from falling over.

The initial training and vine cutting work is carried out as follows when the eggplant plant 15 in FIG. 6 has grown to exceed the upper limit of growth height _H2 .

First, using the plant-to-plant distance D (approximately 33 cm) as a reference, the position of the hanging hook 20a of the attraction member 20 connected to the main branch 15a is shifted horizontally along the upper attraction line 19 to a position approximately 4/3 of the plant (4D/3 = approximately 44 cm) away from the planting position.

Next, the clip 21 that connects the attractant string 20b to the main branch 15a is temporarily removed to allow the main branch 15a to move. Then, the tip of the main branch 15a is lowered to a position about 2/3 of the desired shift width (8D/9 = approximately 30 cm), and the attractant string 20b is once again connected to the clip 21 along the main branch 15a of the lowered eggplant plant 15.

At this time, the tip of the main branch 15a is shifted and lowered, causing it to tilt and be guided obliquely toward the upper guide line 19. Then, the middle part of the main branch 15a below the cutting height _H4 is pulled to the lower guide line 17a and secured together with the guide string 20b by multiple clips 21 (two in the figure) so that it runs along the lower guide line 17a.

At least one of the clips 21 that fasten the middle part of the main branch 15a along the lower guide line 17a is adjusted so that the horizontal position of the middle part is brought closer to the destination of the main branch 15a, and the part of the lowered main branch 15a that falls within the fruit-bearing range 23 is guided vertically. The horizontal proximity at this time is the distance at which the main branch 15a is bent to a degree that does not cause it to break.

As shown in Figure 9, the second and subsequent training and vine taking work is carried out as follows when a predetermined period of time has passed since the first training and vine taking work and the eggplant plants 15 have grown to exceed the upper limit of growth height _H2 again. Note that the work content itself is the same as the first time, but the shifting width and the lowering width are different from the first time.

First, the position of the hanging hook 20a of the attraction member 20 connected to the main branch 15a is shifted horizontally along the upper attraction line 19 by about 2/3 of the plant (2D/3 = approximately 22 cm) based on the plant-to-plant distance D.

Next, the clip 21 that connects the attractant string 20b to the main branch 15a is temporarily removed to allow the main branch 15a to move. Then, the tip of the main branch 15a is lowered to a position about 2/3 of the desired shift width (4D/9 = about 15 cm), and the attractant string 20b is again connected to the clip 21 along the main branch 15a of the lowered eggplant plant 15.

At this time, the tip of the main branch 15a is shifted and lowered, causing it to tilt and be guided obliquely toward the upper guide line 19. Then, the middle part of the main branch 15a below the cutting height _H4 is pulled to the lower guide line 17a and secured together with the guide string 20b by multiple clips 21 (two in the figure) so that it runs along the lower guide line 17a.

At least one of the clips 21 that fasten the middle part of the main branch 15a along the lower guide line 17a is adjusted so that the horizontal position of the middle part is brought closer to the destination of the main branch 15a, and the part of the lowered main branch 15a that falls within the fruit-bearing range 23 is guided vertically. The horizontal proximity at this time is the distance at which the main branch 15a is bent to a degree that does not cause it to break.

Furthermore, after each training and vine taking operation, the leaves, side branches, and flowers (or buds) growing from the main branch 15a that are in the fruit-bearing range 23 are left, and those growing from the part below the mowing height _H4 are mowed down.

Figure 10 is a side view showing the state where training and vine-pulling work has been performed on the second branch 15c of the eggplant plant 15, and Figure 11 is a side view showing the state where training and vine-pulling work has been performed on the first branch 15b of the eggplant plant 15.

For ease of understanding, Figure 10 depicts only the main branch 15a and second branch 15c of one eggplant plant 15, and omits depiction of other plants and branches. Also, for ease of understanding, Figure 11 depicts only the first branch 15b of one eggplant plant 15 and the main branch 15a of the adjacent eggplant plant 15, and omits depiction of other plants and branches.

As shown in Figure 10, the second branch 15c is also guided and lowered in the same manner as the main branch 15a in Figures 8 and 9. In this case, the second branch 15c is guided by the upper guide line 19 on the same side as the main branch 15a, and is shifted in the same direction as the guide direction of the main branch 15a.

That is, the tip of the second branch 15c, which has grown beyond the upper limit growth length _H2, is lowered a specified width, shifted horizontally a specified width along the upper guide line 19a, and the middle part of the shifted branch below the pruning height _H4 is secured with a clip 21 so as to be aligned with the lower guide line 17.

The second branch 15c is shifted to a position about 2/3 of the plant (2D/3 = about 22 cm) away from the main branch 15a so that it does not overlap with the main branch 15a, whether during the first or subsequent training and vine-pulling operations.

In addition, whether it is the first or subsequent training/lowering operation, the middle part of the branch of the second branch 15c is connected by a clip 21 to the lower training line 17a on the same side as the main branch 15a.

At least one of the clips 21 that connects the middle part of the second branch 15c along the lower guide line 17a is adjusted so that the horizontal position of the middle part is brought closer to the destination of the second branch 15c, and the part of the lowered second branch 15c that falls within the fruit-bearing range 23 is vertically guided. The horizontal proximity at this time is the distance at which the second branch 15c is bent to a degree that does not break.

As shown in Figure 11, the first branch 15b is also guided and vine-drawn in the same manner as the main branch 15a in Figures 8 and 9. In this case, the first branch 15b is guided by an attracting member 20 suspended from an upper attracting line 19b on the opposite side of the row of ridges 14 relative to the position of the main branch 15a, and is shifted in the opposite direction to the guide direction of the main branch 15a.

That is, the tip of the second branch 15c, which has grown beyond the upper limit growth length _H2 , is lowered to a position lower than the upper limit growth length _H2 , shifted horizontally by a specified width along the upper guide line 19b, and then the middle part of the shifted branch below the pruning height _H4 is secured with a clip 21 so as to be aligned with the lower guide line 17b.

The shifted position of the first branch 15b is in the opposite direction to the main branch 15a of the same eggplant plant 15, and is set at a position about 2/3 of a plant (2D/3 = about 22 cm) away from the main branch 15a of the adjacent eggplant plant 15 so that it does not overlap with the main branch 15a of the adjacent eggplant plant 15 during the first or subsequent training and vine-pulling operations.

In addition, whether it is the first or subsequent training/downing operation, the middle part of the first branch 15b is connected by a clip 21 to the lower training wire 17 on the opposite side of the lower training wire 17 to which the main branch 15a of the same eggplant plant 15 is connected, with the row of ridges 14 as the boundary.

At least one of the clips 21 that connects the middle part of the first branch 15b along the lower guide line 17a is adjusted so that the horizontal position of the middle part is brought closer to the destination of the first branch 15b, and the part of the lowered first branch 15b that falls within the fruit-bearing range 23 is vertically guided. The horizontal proximity at this time is the distance at which the first branch 15b is bent to a degree that does not break.

Furthermore, after each training and vine taking operation, the leaves, side branches, and flowers (or buds) growing from the first branch 15b and the second branch 15c that are in the fruit-bearing range 23 are left, and those growing from the part below the mowing height _H4 are mowed down.

Figure 12 is a side view showing the process of adjusting the height of eggplant plants 15 after training and vine removal. For ease of understanding, Figure 12 omits depiction of adjacent eggplant plants 15, except for the training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) that are trained to the same upper training line 19a. Also, some of the clips 21 are omitted.

As shown in Figure 12, eggplant plants 15 grow differently from plant to plant, so the height of the growing point, i.e., the height of the branch tips, can be uneven. In this case, the lowering width is constant during the vine lowering work, so the height of the branch tips also remains uneven.

Therefore, after the first or second or subsequent training and vine-removal work shown in Figures 8 to 11 has been performed, height adjustment work is performed to make the heights of the training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the vine-removed eggplant plant 15 uniform.

Specifically, one plant is selected from the multiple eggplant plants 15, and one training branch (either the main branch 15a, the first branch 15b, or the second branch 15c) is selected as the standard height for the selected eggplant plant 15. The height of the selected training branch (main branch 15a in the figure) is set as the standard height.

For the other training branches (first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the same eggplant plant 15, and each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the other eggplant plants 15, the clips 21 are temporarily removed, and the branches are raised and lowered to the standard height, and the branch tips are aligned to the standard height, and then the clips 21 are used to reconnect them to the guide string 20b.

At this time, fine adjustments are also made as necessary, such as removing overlapping leaves on adjacent training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) and eliminating slack in the attractant string 20b.

Figure 13 is a plan view that shows the state in which each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of eggplant plants 15 planted in a row is shifted by training and vine pulling work.

As shown in FIG. 13, the attraction members 20 connected to each main branch 15a and suspended from the upper attraction lines 19 are guided toward the upper attraction line 19 (19a or 19b) at the end of the upper attraction lines 19 (19a, 19b) that extend on both sides of the ridge 14, and are shifted in a certain direction each time the attraction and vine downing work is performed.

Here, the direction A in which the attraction member 20 suspended from one upper attraction line 19a is shifted is opposite to the direction B in which the attraction member 20 suspended from the other upper attraction line 19b is shifted.

That is, when the main branch 15a of a certain eggplant plant 15 is attracted to and shifted in direction A by the attractant 20 hanging from one upper attractant wire 19a, the main branch 15a of the eggplant plant 15 adjacent to that plant 15 is attracted to and shifted in direction B by the attractant 20 hanging from the other upper attractant wire 19b.

In the same eggplant plant 15, the second branch 15c is guided to the same side as the upper guide line 19 (19a or 19b) to which the main branch 15a is guided. In contrast, the first branch 15b is guided to the other upper guide line 19 (19b or 19a) opposite to the side to which the main branch 15a is guided.

For example, if the main branch 15a is shifted in direction A by about two plants (2D = about 66 cm) from the planting position by one of the upper training lines 19a through training and vine-down work, the position to which the second branch 15c is trained is a position on the same upper training line 19a as the main branch 15a, in the same direction A as the main branch 15a, and about 2/3 plants (2D/3 = about 22 cm) shorter than the distance to which the main branch 15a is shifted, as shown in Figure 10.

In this case, the position to which the first branch 15b is guided is a position that is about 2/3 of the plant (2D/3 = about 22 cm) shorter than the distance by which the main branch 15a of the adjacent eggplant plant 15 is shifted, as shown in Figure 11. In other words, it is located about 4/3 of the plant (4D/3 = about 44 cm) away from the planting position, in the opposite direction B, on the opposite upper guidance line 19b to the main branch 15a of the same eggplant plant 15, with the row of ridges 14 as the boundary.

Therefore, the spacing between the attracting members 20 that attract each training branch of the eggplant plant 15 is equal, about 2/3 of the plant (2D/3 = approximately 22 cm), on both upper attracting lines 19a and 19b.

Furthermore, when training and vine taking work is performed for the second or subsequent times, the main branch 15a and second branch 15c of a certain eggplant plant 15 and the first branch 15b of the eggplant plant 15 adjacent to that plant are shifted by 2/3 of the plant (2D/3 = approximately 22 cm) in the same direction A on the same upper training line 19 (19a or 19b), so the spacing between each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) on the upper training line 19 (19a or 19b) is maintained.

Figure 14 is an external perspective view showing an example of the training state of the main branch 15a of an eggplant plant 15 at the end of an eggplant cultivation row 12. For ease of understanding, only one eggplant plant 15 is depicted in Figure 14, and the other plants are omitted. In addition, in the depicted eggplant plant 15, only the main branch 15a connected to the training member 20 suspended from the upper training line 19a is depicted, and the first branch 15b and second branch 15c are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the attractant 20 attached to the main branch 15a of the eggplant plant 15 continues to grow and elongate. When the attractant 20 is shifted along the upper attractant line 19a by the attractant/vine pulling operation and reaches the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12, and moves a predetermined distance (e.g., 1 m or more) along the upper attractant line 19a outside the eggplant cultivation row 12, a folding attractant operation is performed in which the main branch 15a is folded back and attracted to the upper attractant line 19b.

In the turn-back induction work, the induction member 20 connected to the main branch 15a is turned back at the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12 and hung on the upper induction line 19b on the opposite side, with the row of ridges 14 as the boundary, and the position of the tip of the main branch 15a is also moved to a position along the upper induction line 19b on the opposite side. At this time, the position where the induction member 20 connected to the main branch 15a is hung on the upper induction line 19b on the opposite side is about 1 m away from the triangular support 22.

The middle part of the main branch 15a, which extends beyond the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12 along the lower guide wire 17a, is bent at a gentle angle along the lower guide wire 17c stretched across the triangular support 22 while wrapping around the triangular support 22, and is wound around the row of ridges 14 as a boundary to the other side. The middle part of the branch at the end of the winding is attached to the lower guide wire 17b with a clip 21.

When the main branch 15a has been guided back, in the subsequent vine-lowering work, the wrapped main branch 15a is shifted in the opposite direction to the initial upper guide line 19b on the opposite side of the upper guide line 19a that was originally guided.

Although not shown, when the first branch 15b or the second branch 15c reaches the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12 and extends a predetermined distance along the upper guidance line 19 outside the eggplant cultivation row 12, the branch is guided back in the same way as the main branch 15a.

Although not shown, a similar turn-back training operation is also performed at the opposite end of the eggplant cultivation row 12. In this case, the training members 20 attached to each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plants 15 are shifted along the upper training line 19b by the training and vine-down operation to reach the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12, and when they move a predetermined distance (e.g., 1 m or more) along the upper training line 19b and out of the eggplant cultivation row 12, a turn-back training operation is performed in which the main branch 15a is folded back to train it to the upper training line 19a.

Figure 15 is a flow chart showing the assembly of each step in the eggplant vine cultivation method of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the eggplant vine cultivation method, after planting work is performed to plant eggplant plants 15 in ridges 14 (step S1), each training branch of the eggplant plant 15 (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) is allowed to grow, and then a connecting work is performed to connect attractant members 20 to each of the main branch 15a, first branch 15b, and second branch 15c (step S2).

When each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant 15 exceeds the upper limit growth length _H2 , the first training and vine cutting work is carried out (step S3). After that, the height adjustment work is carried out to make the height of each training branch of the eggplant plant 15 uniform (step S4).

After the height adjustment work is completed, the eggplants are harvested multiple times (N times) (step S5). After the harvest work is completed, the eggplant plant 15 is pinched or pruned as necessary to adjust the number of fruits to be produced in the next harvest (step S6).

Thereafter, when each training branch of the eggplant plant 15 exceeds the upper limit growth length _H2 , the second and subsequent training and vine cutting operations are carried out (step S7). If the preset cultivation period has not ended (step S8), the height adjustment, harvesting, and top pinching and cutting back operations are repeated again.

Here, the pinching/cutting back work and the second and subsequent training/downing work are carried out at intervals of, for example, once every 7 to 10 days, and the harvesting work is carried out at intervals of, for example, once every 2 days. In this case, N = 3 to 5 in step S5.

In the eggplant vine cultivation method of the present invention, the yield per unit area can be calculated using the following formula: [yield/unit area] = [cultivation period x flowering rate of main branch 15a x number of harvested fruits per node x expected harvest value x weight of harvested fruits x number of planted plants per unit area].

For example, if the cultivation period is 48 weeks, the flowering rate of the main branch 15a is 0.7 nodes per week, the number of harvested fruits per node is adjusted to 3 fruits by pinching and cutting back the side branches, the expected harvest value is 70%, the load of the harvested fruits is 100g, and the number of planted plants per unit area is 4.95 plants/ ^m2 , then 48 weeks x 0.7 nodes/week x 3 fruits x 70% x 100g x 4.95 plants/ ^m2 = 34,927.2g/ ^m2 , and a yield of approximately 35t/10a is expected.

Figure 16 is a plan view showing the training directions of each training branch when eggplant plant 25 is trained to have two branches in another embodiment of the eggplant vine cultivation method of the present invention. In this embodiment, eggplant plant 25 has two training branches, main branch 25a and first branch 25b. In addition, the components other than eggplant plant 25 are the same as those in the embodiment when trained to have three branches, and are assigned the same reference numerals.

For each training branch (main branch 25a, first branch 25b) of eggplant plant 25, the operations shown in FIG. 15 (planting, tying, initial training and vine taking, height adjustment, harvesting, top pinching and pruning, second and subsequent training and vine taking, height adjustment, etc.) are performed until the end of the cultivation period, just as in the case of three-stalk training.

As shown in Figure 16, when planting eggplant plants 25, each eggplant plant 25 is planted in a row with a plant-to-plant distance D (approximately 33 cm) such that the positions of the training branches (main branches 25a, first branches 25b) of adjacent eggplant plants 25 are staggered, and in particular, the main branches 25a extend in opposite directions relative to each other, with the row of ridges 14 as the boundary.

When connecting the eggplant plants 25, each training branch (main branch 25a, first branch 25b) of each eggplant plant 25 is guided to grow toward the hanging position by hanging the attracting members 20 (hanging hook 20a and attracting string 20b) connected to each branch from one of the two upper attracting wires 19 (19a, 19b).

At this time, the planar orientation of each training branch (main branch 25a, first branch 25b) is oriented in a direction that intersects obliquely with the upper guide line 19 (19a or 19b) when each training branch (main branch 25a, first branch 25b) is extended.

In addition, for each eggplant plant 25, when the main branch 25a is guided to one of the upper guide lines 19a (or 19b), the first branch 25b of the same plant is guided to the upper guide line 19a (or 19b) on the same side as the main branch 25a, but is guided to a position on the upper guide line 19a (or 19b) about one plant away from the main branch 15a (D = about 33 cm) so as not to overlap with the main branch 25a.

Furthermore, when the main branch 25a and first branch 25b of each eggplant plant 25 are guided to one upper guide wire 19a (or 19b), the main branch 25a and first branch 25b of the eggplant plant 25 adjacent to that eggplant plant 25 are guided to the other upper guide wire 19b (or 19a).

In this way, according to the eggplant vine cultivation method of the present invention, a plurality of eggplant plants 15 are planted in the ridges 14 arranged in a row in the eggplant cultivation row 12, and each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the planted eggplant plants 15 is connected with a clip 21 to an attracting cord 20b drawn from an attracting member 20 suspended from an upper attracting wire 19 (19a or 19b) extended along both sides of the ridge 14 to a position higher than the upper limit growth length _H2 , and the trained branches are then connected with a clip 21 to a lower attracting wire 17 (17a or 17b) extended along both sides of the ridge 14 to a height H1 that exceeds the branching position of the first branch 15b, so that the branch tips are connected with a clip 21 to a lower attracting wire 17 (17a or 17b) extended along both sides of the ridge 14 to a height _{H1 that exceeds the branching position of the first branch 15b, and the trained branches are then connected with a clip 21 to a lower attracting wire 17 (17a or 17b) extended along both sides of the ridge 14 to a height H1 that exceeds the branching position of the first branch 15b, so that the trained branches are connected with a clip 21 to a lower attracting wire 17 (17a or 17b) extended along both sides of the ridge 14} to a height H1 that exceeds the branching position of the first branch 15b, and the trained branches are then ... Every time the number exceeds ₂ , the training position is shifted, the fixing position is changed and the branch tip is lowered, so that growth and harvesting can be repeated while maintaining the growth point of each training branch of the eggplant plant 15, thereby enabling continuous vine-down cultivation while maintaining the tree vigor with simple work.

In addition, by adjusting the position where the lower training line 17 (17a or 17b) is connected to the middle part of the trained training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b or second branch 15c) so that the part of the training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b or second branch 15c) that falls within the fruit-bearing range 23 extends vertically, the part that falls within the fruit-bearing range 23 does not tilt excessively, and the spacing between each of the trained training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) can be narrowed while avoiding dense planting, making it possible to efficiently cultivate eggplants by making effective use of the cultivation space.

In addition, each eggplant plant 15 planted in a row is staggered with respect to the adjacent eggplant plants 15, which makes it possible to effectively utilize the cultivation space while avoiding over-cropping. Even if an odd number of training branches are used, the training ends of each training branch can be evenly allocated to the two upper training lines 19 (19a, 19b), eliminating bias in the cultivation space and enabling efficient cultivation.

In addition, by training and lowering the vines, each training branch of the eggplant plant 15 is lowered when it exceeds a certain height, and the fruit-bearing range of each training branch is maintained vertically while the eggplants continue to grow. This allows the eggplants to always be in a state where they can bear fruit, and since eggplants can be harvested continuously during the cultivation period and a constant yield can be expected, efficient and stable eggplant harvesting is possible.

In addition, by using the training and vine pulling work, each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) connected to the training member 20 suspended from the same upper training line 19 can be trained so that the branch tips are equally spaced apart, maintaining a width (=22 cm) that is 2/3 of the plant-to-plant distance D (=33 cm). This allows the work to be done uniformly, making it easier to manage the growth of the eggplant plants 15. In addition, since the work does not require advanced skills, it is easy to secure workers.

In addition, by training and vine cutting, the part of each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) located in the fruit-bearing range 23 is trained to grow vertically, which prevents the loss of sunlight and ventilation caused by dense planting and prevents empty spaces, ensuring sufficient cultivation space even in a limited area.

In addition, the training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of adjacent eggplant plants 15 are of the same species and are guided to different upper guide lines 19 (19a, 19b). This prevents overcrowding and eliminates unevenness in the cultivation space, allowing for effective use of the cultivation space in the eggplant cultivation row 12 and enabling efficient cultivation.

In addition, by setting the width by which the branch tips are shifted and lowered during training and vine-lowering work shorter than the plant-to-plant distance D (= 33 cm) and less than 2D/3 (= 22 cm), the stress placed on the eggplant plants 15 each time training and vine-lowering work is performed can be reduced, and weakening of the eggplant plants 15 and flower drop can be suppressed, making it easier to continue vine-lowering cultivation while maintaining plant vigor.

In addition, during training and vine-down work, the width by which the tips of each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant 15 are lowered is set to 2/3 of the width by which they are shifted, and the width by which they are lowered is shorter than the width by which they are shifted. This allows the trained branches to have enough room to grow vertically without overhanging the walkway, and also prevents the tips of the branches from having height differences after vine-down, allowing for proper vine-down work and more efficient and stable eggplant harvesting.

In addition, by adjusting the height, the height of the growth point of each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of each eggplant plant 15 can be made uniform after training and vine cutting, which makes it possible to equalize the amount of light received by the eggplant plants 15 and reduce differences in growth among the eggplant plants 15. This eliminates bias from one location to another and stabilizes the yield across the entire eggplant cultivation row 12.

In addition, by cutting back the leaves and side branches of the eggplant stalks 15 that are lower than the cutting height _H4 after the training and vine cutting work, the fruit-bearing range of each training branch is kept within a certain range through the training and vine cutting work and the height adjustment work, and the working range during harvesting is limited, thereby reducing the labor required for harvesting.

In addition, by preventing overgrowth and maintaining good ventilation, diseases such as black blight can be suppressed, allowing for a more efficient and stable eggplant harvest.

In addition, as the training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plants 15 continue to be trained and lowered, they move toward the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12 along the upper training line 19, so that on one side of the eggplant cultivation row 12, the cultivation space on one end of the row becomes clogged and the cultivation space on the other end becomes empty.

In contrast, the directions in which the attracting members 20 are shifted during the training and vine-pulling work are opposite on one side of the two upper training lines 19 (19a, 19b), and when each training branch of the eggplant plants 15 reaches the end of the eggplant cultivation row 12, a turn-around training work is performed. As a result, the branches that have been trained to reach the end of the row on one side of the eggplant cultivation row 12 can be turned to the upper training line 19 on the opposite side, using the row of ridges 14 as the boundary, and moved to the cultivation space vacated by training on the opposite side. This means that each training branch of the eggplant plants 15 can be contained within the cultivation space of the eggplant cultivation row 12 regardless of how long it has grown, making it possible to carry out continuous vine-pulling work in a space-saving manner and without time constraints.

In addition, by performing the folding back training work for each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant 15 after it has been folded back a specified distance (e.g., 1 m or more) along the upper training line 19 (19a, 19b) and outside the eggplant cultivation row 12, it is possible to prevent the training branch from being bent unreasonably due to sudden folding back, reduce the stress that the eggplant plant 15 receives from folding back, and prevent the weakening of the plant's vigor.

In addition, the lower guide wire 17 is supported by the support 18 and maintained at a lower guide height _H1 that is a predetermined distance L higher than the branching position of the first branch 15b of the eggplant plant 15. Therefore, each training branch of the eggplant plant 15 (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) can be aligned with the lower guide wire 17 without being forcibly bent, thereby reducing the stress that the eggplant plant 15 receives from training and preventing the weakening of the tree's vigor.

In addition, the lower guide wire 17 is tightly fastened to each support 18 so that tension is applied to the lower guide wire 17, so that when the middle part of the branch of the eggplant plant 15 is connected to the lower guide wire 17 with a clip 21, the connected part is less likely to sag, making it easier to guide and take down the vines.

In addition, by using a vigorous rootstock as the rootstock 16 for the eggplant plant 15, the eggplant plant 15 itself can be made stronger to maintain its vigor, and by using the ridges 14 as an isolation medium, the adverse effects of soil-based diseases on the rootstock 16 can be suppressed, and soil management such as irrigation and fertilization can be facilitated, making it easier to maintain the vigor of the plant.

Also, since adjacent eggplant plants 15 are planted in advance so that the main branches 15a of each plant grow in opposite directions, it becomes easy to guide the main branches 15a of adjacent eggplant plants 15 to the upper guide lines 19 (19a, 19b) on the other side of the plant, reducing the stress that the eggplant plants 15 receive from the guide and preventing the weakening of the plant vigor.

In addition, by performing the tying work at the growth stage before harvest, the guide strings 20b are tying each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) of the eggplant plant 15 before it grows, so the tying branches can grow upward and will not fall over under their own weight even if they grow.

In addition, by training each training branch (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) so that it extends diagonally in a plan view relative to the upper training line 19 (19a or 19b), the training member 20 that has trained the training branches (main branch 15a, first branch 15b, second branch 15c) can be easily shifted along the upper training line 19 (19a or 19b) during training and vine taking work, which reduces the stress that the eggplant plant 15 receives due to training and prevents the weakening of the tree's vigor.

In addition, in the case of a three-trunked eggplant plant 15, the main branch 15a and the second branch 15c can be trained to the same upper training line 19 (19a or 19b) and the first branch 15b can be trained to the opposite upper training line 19 (19b or 19a), preventing the training branches from being spaced too closely together, which could result in poor sunlight and ventilation.

In addition, by extending multiple branches of the eggplant plant 15, such as the first branch 15b and the second branch 15c, it is possible to cultivate many training branches with a small number of plants, making it possible to cultivate eggplants more efficiently.

In addition, in the case of a two-stalk eggplant plant 25, by training the main branch 25a and the first branch 25c to the same upper training line 19 (19a or 19b), there is less bending between the main branch 25a and the first branch 25c, which reduces the stress on the eggplant plant 25 and makes it easier to maintain the plant's vigor.

In addition, when training the training branches (main branch 25a, first branch 25c) of the same plant to the same upper training line, the training branches (main branch 25a, first branch 25c) for each eggplant plant can be trained together, making it easier to work on each eggplant plant 25.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, the attraction member is composed of a hanging hook with a winding portion, an attraction string wrapped around the winding portion, and a clip that can be attached and detached, but it is not necessary to configure it in this way. Any configuration is sufficient as long as it can attract the training branches of eggplant plants to the upper attraction wire, can move along the upper attraction wire in the attracted state, and can adjust the height of the training branches to be attracted.

As a specific example, the attractant member may be composed of a guide wire made of wire material stretched in a straight line with one end bent into a hook shape, and a small clip that is slidably attached to the guide wire while clamping a plant branch.

In addition, in this embodiment, a clip of the attracting member is used as a fastening device to fasten the middle part of the training branch along the lower attracting wire during the training and lowering work, but this fastening device is sufficient as long as it can fasten the middle part of the training branch along the lower attracting wire. Fastening devices other than the clip of the attracting member may also be used.

In addition, in this embodiment, the plant-to-plant distance D (approximately 33 cm) is used as the standard for the guideline and vine-lowering work, and the shift width the first time is 4D/3 (approximately 44 cm), the lowering width is 8D/9 (approximately 30 cm), and the shift width from the second time onwards is 2D/3 (approximately 22 cm), and the lowering width is 4D/9 (approximately 15 cm). However, the shift width and lowering width in each guideline and vine-lowering work are not limited to these values, and it is sufficient that the lowering width is shorter than the guideline width.

The spacing between planted eggplant plants does not necessarily have to be approximately 33 cm, and may be changed depending on the area of the cultivation facility plot and the number of eggplant plants planted in the eggplant cultivation row.

In addition, in this embodiment, the upper limit growth length is set to a height of approximately 280 cm from the ground, and the mowing height is set to a height of approximately 160 cm from the ground, but the upper limit growth length and mowing height do not necessarily have to be set to these values, and may be changed depending on the desired workability and fruit set.

In particular, the upper limit of growth length does not have to be set at a height significantly higher than a person's height. The upper limit of growth length can be set at a height that a short worker (e.g., about 150 cm) can reach, and the cutting height can be lowered accordingly.

In addition, in this embodiment, the training branches of eggplant plants are given as three-branch training (main branch, first branch, and second branch) and two-branch training (main branch and first branch), but the number of training branches is not limited to these and may be changed depending on the number of eggplant plants planted and the distance between the plants, and training and vine-cutting work may be performed on four or more training branches.

In addition, in this embodiment, when training the plant in three branches, the first branch is guided to an upper guide line on a different side from the main branch of the same plant, but this is not necessary, and the first branch may be guided to an upper guide line on the same side as the main branch.

Furthermore, when there are four or more training branches, the odd-numbered branches (first branch, third branch, ...) can be guided to an upper training line on a different side from the main branch of the same plant, or they can be guided to an upper training line on the same side as the main branch.

11...Cultivation facility, 12...Eggplant cultivation row, 13...Cultivation bed, 14...Ridge, 14a...Planting hole, 15...Eggplant plant, 15a...Main branch, 15b...First branch, 15c...Second branch, 16...Rootstock, 17 (17a, 17b)...Lower guide wire, 18 (18a, 18b)...Support, 19 (19a, 19b)...Upper guide wire, 20...Guiding member, 20a...Hanging hook, 20b...Guiding string, 20c...Wrapping part, 21...Clip, 22...Triangular support, 23...Fruiting area, 25...Eggplant plant, 25a...Main branch, 25b...First branch

Claims (13)

A method for cultivating eggplant by vine-down cultivation in an eggplant cultivation row having ridges in which a plurality of eggplant plants having training branches extended for vine-down cultivation are planted in a row at a predetermined plant-to-plant distance,
The training branch includes a main branch and a branch extending from the main branch,
The eggplant cultivation row is
An upper limit growth length is set to determine the upper limit of the height at which the training branches of the eggplant plants are grown, and a cutting height is set to determine the lower limit of a fruit-bearing range, which is a height range at which the eggplant plants are allowed to bear fruit.
Two lower guide lines extending along both sides of the ridge;
two upper induction lines located above the two lower induction lines, respectively, and stretched along both sides of the ridge at a height exceeding an upper limit growth length that defines an upper limit of the height at which the eggplant plants are grown;
Each of the two upper induction lines is provided with an induction member that is movably hung along the upper induction line and can induce the training branch of the eggplant plant to the suspended position,
The attracting members are configured to be able to be attached to the training branches of the eggplant plants by fasteners that can be attached and detached, and are hung at predetermined intervals from the upper attracting wire in a state where each training branch is attracted,
The main branches of adjacent eggplant plants are guided to the upper guide lines on opposite sides of each other,
When the height of each training branch of the plurality of eggplant plants exceeds the upper limit growth length,
The attracting member for attracting the training branch is shifted by a predetermined width in a certain direction, and the height of the branch tip of the training branch connected to the attracting member is lowered by a predetermined width so that it is below the upper limit growth length,
A guideline and vine-down operation is performed in which the intermediate portion of the training branch, which is located below the cutting height, is fastened to the lower guideline on the same side as the upper guideline of the guided branch by a removable fastener;
This method for cultivating eggplant by vine pulling is characterized in that the directions in which the attracting members are shifted during the attracting and vine pulling work are opposite between one of the two upper attracting lines and the other. The eggplant vine-drawing cultivation method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the training branch is shifted by the training and vine-drawing work and goes outside the eggplant cultivation row by a predetermined distance along one of the upper training lines, a turn-around training work is performed in which the training member that trains the training branch is folded back to the opposite side at the boundary of the row of ridges and hung on the other upper training line. The eggplant vine-cutting cultivation method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after the training and vine-cutting work, the leaves and side branches of the eggplant plant that grow below the cut height of the training branches are cut off. The method for cultivating eggplant by vine-down as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the training and vine-down work, the position where the middle part of the training branch is connected to the lower training line is adjusted to a position where the part of the training branch that falls within the fruit-bearing range is trained vertically. The method for cultivating eggplant by vine-down according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that after the training and vine-down work, a height adjustment work is carried out to set the height of one of the training branches of one of the eggplant plants as a reference height and align the heights of the training branches of the multiple eggplant plants to the reference height. The eggplant vine-down cultivation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the width by which the tips of the training branches are lowered during the training and vine-down work is set shorter than the width by which the training members are shifted. The eggplant plant is grafted onto a vigorous rootstock that enhances tree vigor and planted in the furrow,
7. The method for cultivating eggplant by vine downing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ridges are an isolation medium. The method for cultivating eggplants by vine-down method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower guide wire is tightly fastened and supported under tension by a plurality of supports erected at a predetermined interval along both sides of the ridge. The adjacent eggplant plants are planted so that the main branches of each of the adjacent eggplant plants extend in opposite directions to each other,
A method for cultivating eggplant by vine-graining as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the training branches are trained to extend diagonally in a planar view to one side of the upper training lines during the growth stage before harvesting of the eggplant plants. The method for cultivating eggplants by vine-down as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the main branch and the branch of the same plant are both guided to the upper guide wire on the same side. The branch comprises one first branch,
10. The method for cultivating eggplant by vine down according to claim 1, wherein the main branch and the first branch of the same plant are both guided to the upper guide wire on the same side. The branch includes a first branch and a second branch branched from the main branch at a position above the first branch,
The main branch and the first branch of the same plant are guided to different upper guide lines,
10. The method for cultivating eggplant by vine down according to claim 1, wherein the main branch and the secondary branch of the same plant are both guided to the upper guide wire on the same side. The eggplant vine cultivation method according to claim 12, characterized in that the lower guide wire is extended to a position a predetermined distance higher than the branching position of the branch.

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