JP7761899B2 - Fruit tree cultivation device and fruit harvesting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fruit tree cultivation device and a fruit harvesting method using the fruit tree cultivation device, and in particular to a fruit tree cultivation device that allows for easy fruit harvesting.

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology is developing an "Advanced Plant Factory Research Facility" for fruit trees, aiming to shorten the fruit tree life cycle and achieve high yields and year-round production.

For example, International Publication No. 2014/156939 (Patent Document 1) describes a method for cultivating a plant, which includes providing the plant with a first environmental stimulus to control flower bud differentiation, leaf bud differentiation, or both; providing the plant with a second environmental stimulus to control the timing of germination of flower buds, leaf buds, or both; and providing the plant with a third environmental stimulus by placing the plant in an environment suitable for leaf bud germination, flower bud sprouting, stem and leaf development, flowering, and fruiting. The invention described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to appropriately control factors involved in differentiation into flower buds and leaf buds, flowering and fruiting, leaf bud germination, shoot growth, etc., and describes that in a preferred embodiment, leaf buds germinate in tandem with flower buds, and flowering and fruiting are repeated on new stems and leaves, enabling continuous fruit production without a decline in tree vigor.

JP 2017-60464 A (Patent Document 2) describes a plant cultivation method that includes the steps of growing a plant under first photoperiod conditions in which the plant is irradiated with blue light until flower bud differentiation, and then growing the plant under second photoperiod conditions in which the plant is irradiated with red light or a mixture of red and blue light until at least flowering. According to the invention described in Patent Document 2, a plant is grown using blue light until flower bud differentiation occurs, and after flower bud differentiation, the plant is irradiated with red light or a mixture of red and blue light instead of blue light to induce flowering, thereby providing a plant cultivation method that can accelerate flowering and increase the number of flowers. In particular, when plants are irradiated with a mixture of red and blue light, it is described that not only can flowering be accelerated and the number of flowers increased, but the continuous production period can also be extended.

JP 2019-44 A (Patent Document 3) describes a plant cultivation method that includes a first step of placing a plant under first environmental conditions to induce flower buds, a second step of placing the plant under second environmental conditions to induce flowering, and a third step of placing the plant under third environmental conditions to ripen fruit. Patent Document 3 describes how fruit can be formed at a time different from the time of fruiting under natural conditions, and how large fruit and flowers (buds) can be formed on the same branch, potentially leading to the realization of a cultivation method that allows for two-season harvesting and year-round shipping.

International Publication No. 2014/156939 JP 2017-60464 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-44

As mentioned above, while the inventor aims to achieve high yields and year-round production in fruit cultivation, he is also conducting research into the realization of large-scale and automated fruit cultivation. The biggest obstacle to large-scale fruit cultivation is the labor required for harvesting, and the development of automated harvesting is a top priority. For example, when hand-picking blueberries, it is said that one person can only harvest approximately 20 kg per day, and in large-scale production where more than 200 kg is harvested daily, the labor costs associated with harvesting labor become enormous.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fruit tree cultivation device that allows for easy fruit harvesting. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fruit harvesting method using such a fruit tree cultivation device.

As a result of extensive research into achieving the above objectives, the inventor discovered that if fruit trees are grown in pots using a cultivation bed in which the height of one side of a pair of walls is lowered, it becomes possible to harvest fruit by tilting the cultivation pot and shaking the fruit trees, thereby reducing the labor required for fruit harvesting, and thus completed the present invention.

Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention is a fruit tree cultivation device comprising at least one cultivation bed having an open top, a bottom, and a pair of walls, and at least one cultivation pot for planting and cultivating a fruit tree, the cultivation bed being arranged between the pair of walls and on top of the bottom, wherein the height of one of the pair of walls is lower than the height of the other wall, and the cultivation pot is configured so that it can be tilted toward the one wall of the cultivation bed.

A preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention further includes a band or net that is stretched so as to support the cultivation pot or the fruit tree planted in the cultivation pot when the cultivation pot is tilted toward one wall of the cultivation bed.

In another preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention, the upper end of one of the walls is located lower than 1/3 of the height of the cultivation pot, and the upper end of the other wall is located higher than 1/2 of the height of the cultivation pot.

In a preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention, the band or net is stretched on the side of the one wall, at a position between the upper end of the one wall and the top surface of the cultivation pot.

In another preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention, when a plurality of the cultivation beds are provided and the plurality of cultivation beds are arranged along the width direction of the cultivation beds, the plurality of cultivation beds are arranged so that the spacing between adjacent cultivation beds alternates between a first spacing of 85 to 125 cm and a second spacing of 45 to 65 cm that is narrower than the first spacing.

In another preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention, a plurality of the cultivation pots are arranged in the cultivation bed, and the plurality of cultivation pots are arranged with a distance of 10 to 90 cm between adjacent cultivation pots in the cultivation bed.

In another preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention, a cultivation bench for installing the cultivation bed is further provided, and the cultivation pot is installed at a height of 60 to 80 cm from the installation surface of the fruit tree cultivation device.

Another preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention further comprises an insulating sheet covering the cultivation pot.

Another preferred embodiment of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention further includes an air supply device for supplying air into the cultivation pot.

A second aspect of the present invention is a fruit harvesting method using the fruit tree cultivation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the fruit is harvested from the fruit tree by tilting the cultivation pot toward one wall of the cultivation bed and shaking or manually picking the fruit planted in the cultivation pot.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fruit tree cultivation device that allows for easy fruit harvesting can be provided. Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a fruit harvesting method using such a fruit tree cultivation device can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a cultivation bed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example in which two growing beds are arranged in a line along the length of the growing bed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example in which six cultivation beds are arranged along the width direction of the cultivation bed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of cultivation pots arranged in a cultivation bed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example in which multiple growing pots are arranged in a row on the bottom of a growing bed along the length of the growing bed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example in which a cultivation bed is installed on a cultivation bench. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a cultivation bed with a drainage member laid at the bottom. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of cultivating fruit trees using an embodiment of the cultivation device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of cultivating fruit trees using an embodiment of the cultivation device of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the fruit harvesting method of the present invention. 1 is a photograph showing fruits harvested in the hand-picked area of Experiment 1. 1 is a photograph showing fruit harvested in the shaking area of Experiment 1.

The present invention is described in detail below. In this specification, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

One aspect of the present invention is a fruit tree cultivation device comprising at least one cultivation bed and at least one cultivation pot placed in the cultivation bed. In this specification, this fruit tree cultivation device is also referred to as the "fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention" or the "cultivation device of the present invention."

The cultivation device of the present invention comprises at least one cultivation bed. A cultivation bed is a device for placing cultivation pots in which fruit trees are planted. There may be one or more cultivation beds, but from the perspective of large-scale fruit tree cultivation, it is preferable that the cultivation device of the present invention comprises multiple cultivation beds. There may be one or more cultivation pots placed in the cultivation bed (or in each cultivation bed, if there are multiple cultivation beds), but from the perspective of dense planting and high yields in fruit tree cultivation, it is preferable that the cultivation device of the present invention comprises multiple cultivation pots placed in the cultivation bed (or in each cultivation bed, if there are multiple cultivation beds).

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a cultivation bed. As shown in Figure 1, the cultivation bed has an open top, a bottom 1 located on the bottom, and a pair of walls 2a and 2b. The bottom 1 is preferably rectangular, and more preferably a rectangular plate-like bottom extending in one direction. The length of the bottom 1 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 120 to 125 cm, for example. The walls 2a and 2b are opposite each other, and each extends along the entire length of the bottom 1 in the longitudinal direction. The height of one of the pair of walls, 2b, is lower than the height of the other wall 2a. The distance between the walls 2a and 2b needs only to be sufficient to accommodate one cultivation pot; for example, an internal dimension of 30 to 35 cm is preferred. The cultivation bed may be surrounded by walls on all four sides, but it is sufficient as long as it has a pair of walls 2a and 2b. Preferably, the cultivation bed has only the pair of walls 2a and 2b as its walls.

Grow beds can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, terracotta, pottery, ceramic, plastic (including foam plastics such as Styrofoam), or a combination of these materials, but plastic grow beds are preferred.

When the cultivation device of the present invention is equipped with multiple cultivation beds, the multiple cultivation beds may be arranged in a line along the length of the cultivation beds, or along a direction perpendicular to the length, or a combination of these arrangements. In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the length is also referred to as the "width direction."

In the cultivation device of the present invention, when multiple cultivation beds are arranged in a line along the length of the cultivation beds, it is preferable that adjacent cultivation beds be arranged in a line without any gaps between them from the perspective of dense planting and high yield. However, if a walkway for people is to be provided, adjacent cultivation beds may be spaced apart. When adjacent cultivation beds are arranged in a line without any gaps between them, it is also possible to secure the adjacent cultivation beds by overlapping them by, for example, about 5 cm or less. In this specification, when multiple cultivation beds are arranged in a line along their length, the gap between adjacent cultivation beds refers to the shortest distance along the length of the cultivation beds. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example in which two cultivation beds are arranged in a line along the length of the cultivation beds, where S1 is the gap between adjacent cultivation beds.

In the cultivation device of the present invention, when multiple cultivation beds are arranged in a row along their length, it is preferable that adjacent cultivation beds are arranged in the same direction, with their respective wall portions 2a and 2b located on the same side, as shown in Figure 2.

In the cultivation device of the present invention, when multiple cultivation beds are arranged along the width direction of the cultivation bed, the spacing between adjacent cultivation beds is preferably arranged in a cycle where a first spacing of 85 to 125 cm and a second spacing of 45 to 65 cm, which is narrower than the first spacing, alternate. Here, the first spacing is set wide to provide a passageway for carts and harvesting equipment, and is preferably 85 to 125 cm, and more preferably 95 to 115 cm. The second spacing is set to ensure sufficient distance between fruit tree stumps, and is preferably 45 to 65 cm, and more preferably 50 to 60 cm. In this specification, when multiple cultivation beds are arranged along the width direction, the spacing between adjacent cultivation beds refers to the shortest distance along the width direction of the cultivation bed. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example in which six cultivation beds are arranged along the width direction of the cultivation bed, where S2 is the first spacing, S3 is the second spacing, and the cultivation beds are arranged in a cycle where S2 and S3 alternate. The cultivation bed shown in Figure 3 is equipped with drainage members, which will be explained in detail later.

In the cultivation device of the present invention, when multiple cultivation beds are arranged along the width direction, it is preferable that adjacent cultivation beds are arranged so that their lower wall portions 2b face each other at a first distance S2, and their higher wall portions 2a face each other at a second distance S3, as shown in Figure 3.

The cultivation device of the present invention includes at least one cultivation pot. A cultivation pot is a container for planting and cultivating fruit trees. In the present invention, it is preferable to cultivate fruit trees in soil, and the fruit trees are preferably planted and cultivated in soil within the cultivation pot. It is preferable that one fruit tree is cultivated in one cultivation pot. There may be one or more cultivation pots, but from the perspective of large-scale fruit tree cultivation, it is preferable that the cultivation device of the present invention includes multiple cultivation pots. There may be one or more cultivation pots placed in the cultivation bed (or in each cultivation bed, if multiple cultivation pots are used), but from the perspective of dense planting and high yields in fruit tree cultivation, it is preferable that the cultivation device of the present invention includes multiple cultivation pots placed in the cultivation bed (or in each cultivation bed, if multiple cultivation pots are used). For example, it is preferable that one to four cultivation pots are placed in one cultivation bed.

Cultivation pots are containers with an open top, and are known in various shapes, including bucket-shaped, cylindrical, box-shaped, and inverted truncated cone-shaped. Cultivation pots generally have drainage holes in the bottom. The top and bottom shapes of cultivation pots include, for example, circles, rectangles, and other polygonal shapes. Cultivation pot sizes are classified, for example, by the diameter (internal dimension) of the top edge of the cultivation pot. Here, if the top surface of the cultivation pot is polygonal, the diameter (internal dimension) of the top edge is the diameter of the circle circumscribing the polygon. The size of the cultivation pot is selected appropriately depending on the size of the fruit tree. For example, in the case of mature blueberries, the diameter (internal dimension) of the top edge of the cultivation pot can be 20 to 40 cm. Similarly, the height of the cultivation pot can be selected appropriately. For example, in the case of mature blueberries, the height of the cultivation pot can be 20 to 40 cm.

Growth pots can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, terracotta, pottery, ceramic, fabric, plastic, etc., or a combination of these materials, but plastic growth pots are preferred.

In the cultivation device of the present invention, the cultivation pot is placed in the cultivation bed, specifically between a pair of walls of the cultivation bed and on the bottom of the cultivation bed. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a cultivation pot placed in the cultivation bed. In Figure 4, the cultivation pot 3 is placed between a pair of walls 2a, 2b of the cultivation bed and on the bottom 1 of the cultivation bed, but because a draining member is installed on the bottom 1 of the cultivation bed, the cultivation pot 3 is placed on the draining member. In this way, the cultivation pot is placed on the bottom of the cultivation bed, but it does not need to be placed in contact with the bottom of the cultivation bed, and a draining member or the like can be placed between the cultivation pot and the bottom of the cultivation bed.

In the cultivation device of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, the height of one wall 2b of the cultivation bed is lower than the height of the other wall 2a, and the cultivation pot 3 is configured to be tilted toward one wall 2b of the cultivation bed. Tilting the cultivation pot 3 toward wall 2b makes it easy to harvest fruit, thereby reducing the labor required for harvesting. While it is possible to shake the fruit trees to drop the fruit without tilting the cultivation pot, this method makes the fruit susceptible to damage when dropped. Therefore, it is preferable to shake the fruit trees while tilting the cultivation pot 3 toward wall 2b, or to harvest the fruit by hand.

In the cultivation device of the present invention, the position of the upper end of the higher of the pair of walls (in Figure 4, the position of the upper end 4 of wall 2a) is preferably higher than position P1, which is half the height H1 of the cultivation pot 3. Furthermore, although not shown, the position of upper end 4 of wall 2a may be higher than the upper surface 5 of the cultivation pot, and the position of upper end 4 of wall 2a may be, for example, 0 to 15 cm higher than the upper surface 5 of the cultivation pot.

In the cultivation device of the present invention, the position of the upper end of the lower of the pair of walls (in Figure 4, the position of the upper end 6 of wall 2b) is preferably lower than position P2, which is 1/3 of the height H1 of the cultivation pot 3. Furthermore, the position of the upper end 6 of wall 2b is preferably higher than the bottom surface 7 of the cultivation pot 3, and the position of the upper end 6 of wall 2b is preferably 5 to 10 cm higher than the bottom surface 7 of the cultivation pot 3, for example.

As shown in Figure 4, in the cultivation device of the present invention, it is preferable that the upper end 4 of one of the pair of wall portions 2a, 2b, 2a, is positioned higher than position P1, which is half the height H1 of the cultivation pot 3, and the upper end 6 of the other of the pair of wall portions 2a, 2b, 2b, 2b, is positioned lower than position P2, which is one-third the height H1 of the cultivation pot 3.

When multiple cultivation pots are arranged in a cultivation bed in the cultivation device of the present invention, from the viewpoint of dense planting and high yields in fruit tree cultivation, the multiple cultivation pots are preferably arranged with a spacing of 10 to 90 cm between adjacent cultivation pots in the cultivation bed, and more preferably with a spacing of 30 to 50 cm. In this specification, the spacing between adjacent cultivation pots refers to the shortest distance between the edge of one cultivation pot and the edge of the adjacent cultivation pot. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an example in which two cultivation pots 3a and 3b are arranged in a row on the bottom 1 of the cultivation bed along the length of the bed. Here, the distance between cultivation pot 3a and cultivation pot 3b is the spacing S4 between adjacent cultivation pots.

Figure 5 illustrates a case where multiple cultivation pots are arranged in one cultivation bed, but the same applies to a cultivation device of the present invention that includes multiple cultivation beds, as long as the multiple cultivation pots are arranged in a line along the length of the cultivation bed. For example, in one embodiment of the cultivation device of the present invention in which multiple cultivation beds are arranged in a line along the length of the cultivation bed, if multiple cultivation pots are arranged in these multiple cultivation beds, the spacing between adjacent cultivation pots along the length of the cultivation bed is preferably 10 to 90 cm, and more preferably 30 to 50 cm.

The above-mentioned preferred range for the spacing between adjacent cultivation pots within or along the length of a cultivation bed describes the spacing between cultivation pots planted with fruit trees whose fruit will be harvested at harvest time. If the fruit trees are young and have not yet borne fruit, the spacing between adjacent cultivation pots within or along the length of the cultivation bed can be set even narrower. From the perspective of dense planting and high yields in fruit tree cultivation, it is preferable that the spacing between adjacent cultivation pots within or along the length of the cultivation bed be 10 to 90 cm.

In the present invention, it is effective for tilting the cultivation pot if the cultivation pot is located at a relatively high position. For example, considering that the work will be performed by a person 150 cm or taller, and from the perspective of facilitating fruit harvesting, the position at which the cultivation pot is installed in the cultivation device of the present invention is preferably 60 to 80 cm high from the installation surface of the cultivation device of the present invention, and more preferably 65 to 75 cm high from the installation surface of the cultivation device of the present invention. Here, the installation surface of the cultivation device may be, for example, the ground if outdoors, or a floor if indoors. Furthermore, with regard to the position at which the cultivation pot is installed, the height from the installation surface of the cultivation device refers to the height from the installation surface of the cultivation device to the bottom of the cultivation pot.

It is preferable that the cultivation device of the present invention further includes a cultivation bench for setting up the cultivation bed. In the present invention, since it is effective for tilting the cultivation pots if the cultivation pots are at a relatively high position, it is preferable to use the cultivation bench to set up the cultivation bed with the cultivation pots placed at a relatively high position. In the cultivation device of the present invention, when the cultivation bed with the cultivation pots placed is placed on the cultivation bench, the installation surface of the cultivation device is the surface on which the cultivation bench is installed, and for example, this may be the ground if outdoors, or the floor if indoors.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cultivation bench comprises a base for placing the cultivation bed and legs for supporting the base. The base of the cultivation bench is not particularly limited and may be a variety of tabletops, including mesh plates, or a base formed by arranging multiple rod-shaped members such as pipes.

Grow benches can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of these materials, but metal grow benches are preferred.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of a cultivation bed 8 installed on a cultivation bench 9. Figure 6(a) is a side view, and Figure 6(b) is a front view. In Figure 6, the cultivation bench 9 is assembled from multiple pipes, and the base of the cultivation bench 9 is formed by arranging four pipes 10 side by side. The cultivation bench 9 is supported by four legs 11, and two of the four legs 11 on the same side are fixed by a connecting pipe 12 spanning the width of the cultivation bed 8. The four legs 11 may be embedded in the installation surface of the cultivation bed, thereby fixing the cultivation bench to the installation surface. The four pipes 10 forming the base of the cultivation bench 9 are fixed on another connecting pipe 13 spanning the width of the cultivation bed 8. Two cultivation pots 3 are arranged in a row on the bottom 1 of the cultivation bed 8 along the length of the cultivation bed. A draining member is installed on the bottom 1 of the cultivation bed, and the cultivation pot 3 is placed on the draining member. Also, in Figure 6, a band 14 is stretched on the wall 2b side, between the upper end 6 of the wall 2b and the upper surface 5 of the cultivation pot 3, using the pipes used for the legs 11. This makes it difficult for the cultivation pot 3 to tip over when tilted, and also makes it easier and quicker to tilt and stand up the cultivation pot 3. Note that in Figure 6, the height H2 from the installation surface of the cultivation device to the bottom surface of the cultivation pot 3 refers to the height from the surface 15 on which the cultivation bench 9 is installed to the bottom surface 7 of the cultivation pot 3. The installation surface 15 of the cultivation bench 9 in Figure 6 is the ground.

The cultivation device of the present invention further includes a band or net, which is preferably stretched so as to support the cultivation pot or the fruit tree planted in the cultivation pot when the cultivation pot is tilted toward the lower of the pair of walls of the cultivation bed. The use of the band or net prevents the cultivation pot from tipping over when tilted, and allows the cultivation pot to be easily and quickly erected. Bands and nets can be made of rubber or resin, and examples include car lines. In the cultivation device of the present invention, the band or net is preferably stretched on the lower of the pair of walls of the cultivation bed, between the upper end of the lower wall and the top surface of the cultivation pot. While Figure 6 shows a band 14 stretched, a net can also be used instead. Furthermore, in Figure 6, the upper ends of the legs 11 of the cultivation bench 9 are higher than the upper end 6 of the wall 2b of the cultivation bed 8, so the band 14 is stretched using the two legs 11 of the cultivation bench 9 located on the wall 2b side of the cultivation bed 8. However, the method of stretching the band or net is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to stretch the band or net using two pipes (band pipes) separate from the pipes used for the legs 11. Preferably, the band pipes are made detachable from the pipes used for the legs of the cultivation bench by, for example, swaging. In the cultivation device of the present invention, the distance from the cultivation pot to the band or net is preferably, for example, 1 to 3 cm. In this specification, the distance from the cultivation pot to the band or net means the shortest distance from the edge of the cultivation pot to the band or net, as defined above.

The cultivation device of the present invention preferably further comprises a draining member disposed between the bottom of the cultivation bed and the cultivation pot. The draining member is preferably a slat-like plate member, preferably a rectangular plate member extending in one direction to fit the bottom of the cultivation bed. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of a cultivation bed with a draining member laid on the bottom, showing the draining member 21 installed on the cultivation bed 20 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 7, the draining member preferably has a groove 22 formed on its top surface, i.e., the surface on which the cultivation pot is placed, preferably along the length of the cultivation bed, and a groove 23 formed on its bottom surface, i.e., the surface on the bottom side of the cultivation bed, preferably along the length of the cultivation bed. The groove formed on the top surface of the draining member and the groove formed on the bottom surface of the draining member may each be one or more.

Draining members can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood or plastic, or a combination of these materials, but plastic draining members are preferred.

The cultivation device of the present invention preferably further comprises an insulating sheet that covers the cultivation pot. Covering the cultivation pot with an insulating sheet makes it possible to control the environment inside the cultivation pot, and in particular prevents the temperature inside the cultivation pot from rising. The insulating sheet preferably covers not only the sides of the cultivation pot but also the top surface of the cultivation pot as much as possible. For example, the insulating sheet can be used to cover not only the cultivation pot but also the cultivation bed and cultivation bench. The insulating sheet can be an insulating sheet commonly used in agriculture and horticulture. The insulating sheet is sometimes called a heat-shielding sheet. It is also preferable that the insulating sheet has light-blocking properties.

The cultivation device of the present invention preferably further comprises an air supply device for supplying air into the cultivation pot. In particular, when the cultivation device of the present invention is equipped with a heat insulating sheet, it is preferable to provide an air supply device. For example, by supplying cooled air in the summer and heated air in the winter into the cultivation pot, it is possible to maintain the temperature of the area in the soil where the fruit tree roots will be at an appropriate temperature (13-20°C).

An air supply device is, for example, a device that includes an injection tube that injects air into the cultivation pot, and a compressor (e.g., a compressor) that sends air from an air source (such as the ambient environment) through a conduit to the injection tube.

The cultivation device of the present invention preferably further includes an irrigation device for irrigating fruit trees. The irrigation may be normal irrigation, but is preferably irrigation using a nutrient solution. The irrigation device is preferably a device suitable for drip irrigation. The irrigation device is, for example, a device including a nutrient solution supply source (such as a nutrient solution tank), an injection pipe for injecting the nutrient solution into the cultivation pot, a conduit connecting the nutrient solution supply source and the injection pipe, and a pressure pump (such as a compressor) for sending the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution supply source through the conduit to the injection pipe.

In the present invention, the target fruit trees are not particularly limited, but suitable examples include blueberries, raspberries, citrus fruits such as mandarins and lemons, cherries, apples, pears, loquats, grapes, mangoes, papayas, dragon fruit, bananas, olives, jack apples, chestnuts, and kumquats.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an example of fruit tree cultivation using one embodiment of the cultivation device of the present invention. The fruit tree cultivation device shown in Figure 8 comprises a cultivation bed 30, a cultivation pot 31 placed in the cultivation bed 30, and a cultivation bench 32 for placing the cultivation bed 30. A drainage member 33 is placed between the bottom of the cultivation bed 30 and the cultivation pot 31, and a band 34 is stretched on the lower wall of the cultivation bed 30, from its upper end to the top surface of the cultivation pot 31. A fruit tree is planted in the cultivation pot 31 and cultivated.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an example of fruit tree cultivation using one embodiment of the cultivation device of the present invention. The fruit tree cultivation device shown in Figure 9 comprises a cultivation bed 30, a cultivation pot 31 placed in the cultivation bed 30, a cultivation bench 32 for installing the cultivation bed 30, and an insulating sheet 35 for covering the cultivation bed 30, the cultivation pot 31, and the cultivation bench 32. A drainage member 33 is placed between the bottom of the cultivation bed 30 and the cultivation pot 31, and a band 34 is stretched on the lower wall of the cultivation bed 30, from its upper end to the top surface of the cultivation pot 31. A fruit tree is planted in the cultivation pot 31 and cultivated.

Another aspect of the present invention is a fruit harvesting method using the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention described above, characterized in that the cultivation pot of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention is tilted toward the lower wall of the cultivation bed, and the fruit planted in the cultivation pot is shaken or manually picked to harvest fruit from the fruit tree. In this specification, this fruit harvesting method is also referred to as the "fruit harvesting method of the present invention" or "harvesting method of the present invention."

The harvesting method of the present invention allows fruit to be easily harvested by tilting the fruit trees, reducing the labor required for harvesting. Furthermore, compared to methods in which fruit is dropped by shaking the fruit trees without tilting the cultivation pots, fruit collection is easier and there is less chance of the fruit being damaged by hitting the branches of the fruit trees when they fall. The harvesting method of the present invention preferably involves tilting the cultivation pots of the fruit tree cultivation device of the present invention toward the lower wall of the cultivation bed while shaking the fruit trees planted in the cultivation pots to harvest fruit from the trees.

In the harvesting method of the present invention, tilting the cultivation pots allows the fruit to fall outside the cultivation bed. Therefore, when harvesting the fruit, shock-absorbing material (such as a sheet) can be spread in the gaps between adjacent cultivation beds arranged along the width of the cultivation beds, which are set to provide a path for carts and harvesting equipment to pass through, and the fruit can be dropped onto the shock-absorbing material. This makes it possible to harvest fully ripe fruit without damaging them.

In addition, with the harvesting method of the present invention, tilting the cultivation pots allows the fruit to fall outside the cultivation bed, which means that when harvesting, the fruit can be dropped directly onto the harvesting device, for example, making fruit harvesting more efficient. Furthermore, by providing shock absorbing material at the point where the fruit falls on the harvesting device, it is possible to harvest fully ripe fruit without damaging it.

To tilt the cultivation pot, for example, there are methods such as tilting the cultivation pot manually or tilting the cultivation pot automatically by providing a tilting mechanism on the cultivation bed, etc. The tilt angle of the cultivation pot is preferably 30 to 60 degrees. In this specification, the tilt angle of the cultivation pot refers to the tilt angle of the central axis of the cultivation pot.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the fruit harvesting method of the present invention. The fruit tree cultivation device shown in Figure 10 includes a cultivation bed 30, a cultivation pot 31 placed in the cultivation bed 30, and a cultivation bench 32 for supporting the cultivation bed 30. A drainage member 33 is placed between the bottom of the cultivation bed 30 and the cultivation pot 31. A band 34 is stretched on the lower wall of the cultivation bed 30, from its upper end to the top surface of the cultivation pot 31. A fruit tree is planted in the cultivation pot 31 and cultivated. In Figure 10, the cultivation pot 31 is tilted at an angle α with respect to the central axis of the cultivation pot. In this state, fruit can be harvested from the fruit tree by shaking or picking it by hand. Furthermore, by placing the band 34 on the side where the cultivation pot 31 is tilted, the cultivation pot 31 can be supported when tilted.

There are several ways to shake fruit trees, such as manually shaking them or automatically using ultrasonic vibrations. While it is possible to shake fruit trees directly, it is also possible to shake fruit trees indirectly by shaking the cultivation pots.

The fruit tree cultivation device and fruit harvesting method of the present invention can be used for cultivating ordinary fruit trees. For example, the fruit tree cultivation device and fruit harvesting method of the present invention can be suitably used in cultivation methods described in patent documents filed by Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, such as International Publication No. 2014/156939, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-60464, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-44, as well as academic papers published by the inventors.

In fruit tree cultivation methods, it is preferable to adjust various parameters such as day length, light intensity, irrigation amount, relative humidity, _CO2 concentration, soil pH, and soil EC (electric conductivity; fertilizer concentration can be estimated) to ranges suitable for fruit tree growth. Furthermore, these parameters can be achieved by using various devices, such as light sources, heaters, air conditioners, fans, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, ventilation fans, dry mist, and blackout curtains, either alone or in combination. For this purpose, closed rooms incorporating these devices and utilizing artificial light, or greenhouses utilizing ordinary sunlight and equipped with these devices, can be used.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below using examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples in any way.

<Experiment 1>
1) Materials and Methods/Objective: To compare blueberry harvesting by hand picking and shaking.
Cultivation apparatus: Blueberries were harvested using the cultivation apparatus shown in Figure 8. The cultivation bed was made of polystyrene foam and had a pair of walls and a rectangular, plate-shaped bottom extending in one direction. The length of the cultivation bed was 122 cm, the height of the lower wall was 16 cm, the height of the higher wall was 25 cm, and the distance between the walls (internal dimensions) was 32.5 cm. The cultivation pot was a plastic inverted truncated cone-shaped cultivation pot with a top edge diameter (internal dimensions) of 30.5 cm and a height of 30 cm. The upper end of the higher wall of the pair of walls of the cultivation bed was located higher than half the height of the cultivation pot, and the upper end of the lower wall was located lower than one-third the height of the cultivation pot. The height from the installation surface of the cultivation apparatus to the bottom of the cultivation pot was 71 cm. For detailed structure of the cultivation bench, see Figure 6. A mica wire was used as the band, and the distance from the edge of the cultivation pot to the band was 2 cm.
Harvested variety: Southern highbush blueberry 'Misty' (tree height: approximately 155 cm)
- Treatment area: Control area → Fruits were harvested by hand.
Sloping areas: Shake the trees to let the fruit fall and harvest.

2) Harvesting
Control area (pot not tilted)
-Harvesting was carried out without tilting the cultivation pot.
- Blueberries were harvested while judging their degree of ripeness, but residues such as leaves and flowers that fell during harvesting were also collected along with the fruit and investigated.
- The fruits at the top of the tree were difficult to reach, so we had to stand on a platform to harvest them.
- Figure 11 shows a photograph of the harvested fruit and the residue that fell at that time.
Inclined area (tilted pot)
As shown in Figure 10, the cultivation pot was tilted at an angle to shake the fruit trees (branches) and harvest the fruits (tilt angle of the cultivation pot: 45 degrees).
-Harvesting was carried out by laying a sheet on a cart (length 65 cm x width 100 cm x height 50 cm).
After shaking, the fruits and residues collected on the sheet were sorted.
- Figure 12 shows a photograph of the harvested fruit and the residue that fell at that time.

3) Comparison of number of harvested fruits and harvesting time Data on the harvested fruits and harvesting time are shown in Table 1.
- The sloped plot had more immature fruits and fewer fruits with broken skin than the control plot.
- In the sloping plot, 19 fruits did not fall off and remained on the tree.
- The sloping plot allowed for harvesting to be completed in a shorter time than the control plot. However, there was almost no difference in the subsequent fruit sorting time.
- The sloping plot allowed for harvesting in approximately one-third the time it took in the control plot.

4) Comparison of harvest rate: The normal fruit harvest rate was approximately 75% in the control area and the slope area, so there was no difference in the normal fruit harvest rate between the two areas.

5) Sugar content and acidity of normal fruit There was no difference in sugar content and acidity of normal fruit harvested from both treatments. The results are shown in Table 2.

6) Fruit one week after harvest Normal fruit from the control and tilted plots were placed in perforated plastic bags and stored for one week at room temperature (25°C) and in a refrigerator (5°C). There was no effect on the appearance quality of either treatment plot.

7) Conclusion: The harvest time is shorter in the sloped plot than in the control plot. For example, it takes 25.8 days to harvest 6,000 plants in the control plot, but only 9.3 days in the sloped plot.
- In the tilted area, there is no need to determine the degree of ripeness, and harvesting can be carried out more simply than in the control area.
- In the control area, workers had to look up and lift their arms when harvesting from the top of the trees, but in the sloping area, they were able to harvest without having to assume an awkward position.

<Experiment 2>
1) Materials and methods/purpose: To clarify the effect of the tilt angle of the cultivation pot on shaking harvesting and the differences between varieties due to shaking harvesting.
Cultivation equipment: The same cultivation equipment as in Experiment 1 was used to harvest blueberries.
Harvested varieties: Southern highbush blueberry 'Misty', 'Sharp Blue'
Treatment area: Control area → Fruits were harvested by hand (the cultivation pots were not tilted).
60 degree tilt zone: The plants are tilted sharply and shaken for harvesting (tilt angle of cultivation pot: approximately 60 degrees). See Figure 10.
40 degree tilt zone: The plants are tilted slightly and shaken for harvesting (tilt angle of the cultivation pot: approximately 40 degrees). See Figure 10.
-Harvesting method: Control area -> Harvest by hand while rotating the pots as needed.
Inclined section: Tilt the pot at 60 or 40 degrees to shake the branches and collect the fruit that falls onto the harvest sheet.
- Cart used for harvesting: A sheet was laid on top of a cart measuring 65cm long x 100cm wide x 80cm high, and harvesting was carried out using this cart.
・Measurement items:
Harvesting time: The control group was measured in seconds for hand-picking.
The tilt section is the number of seconds it takes to shake the branch and cause the fruit to fall.
Number of harvested fruits → Number of each fruit when distinguished between mature (colored) and immature (green) fruits.

2) Harvesting behavior: In the sloping plots, the trees were closer to the harvest sheet when the pot was tilted at 60 degrees than when it was tilted at 40 degrees.
- The angle of the slope in the sloped section was adjusted by directing the car line to the base of the plant at 60 degrees and to the pot at 40 degrees.

3) Results: Number of fruits harvested, harvest time The results are shown in Table 3.
- For both Misty and Sharp Blue, the harvest time was shorter in the slope plot than in the control plot.
- When comparing the shaking harvesting of each variety depending on the tilt angle of the pot, no significant differences were observed between the two slope areas, and within the experimental range, short-term harvesting was possible at tilt angles of 40 to 60 degrees.
- Sharp Blue took almost half the time to shake and harvest compared to Misty, so it was shorter.

5) Summary
Effect of tilt angle of cultivation pot on shaking harvest
- Since there was no significant difference in harvest time or yield depending on the tilt angle of the cultivation pot, a tilt angle of 40 to 60 degrees was appropriate within the scope of this experiment.
Varietal differences due to shaking harvesting
- For both varieties, harvest time was shorter in the sloped plot than in the control plot.
- Misty took less time to harvest than Sharp Blue.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Bottom of cultivation bed 2a, 2b Wall of cultivation bed 3, 3a, 3b Cultivation pot 4 Upper end of wall 2a 5 Upper surface of cultivation pot 6 Upper end of wall 2b 7 Bottom surface of cultivation pot 8 Cultivation bed 9 Cultivation bench 10 Pipe 11 Legs 12, 13 Connecting pipe 14 Band 15 Installation surface 20 Cultivation bed 21 Drainage member 22, 23 Groove 30 Cultivation bed 31 Cultivation pot 32 Cultivation bench 33 Drainage member 34 Band 35 Heat insulating sheet H1 Height of cultivation pot H2 Height from installation surface of cultivation device to bottom surface of cultivation pot P1 Position at 1/2 of height of cultivation pot P2 Position at 1/3 of height of cultivation pot S1 Spacing between adjacent cultivation beds S2 First spacing S3 Second spacing S4 Spacing between adjacent cultivation pots α Inclination angle of the cultivation pot

Claims (8)

A fruit tree cultivation device comprising: at least one cultivation bed having an open top, a bottom, and a pair of wall portions; and at least one cultivation pot for planting and cultivating a fruit tree, the cultivation pot being disposed between the pair of wall portions and on the bottom portion,
The cultivation bed is a fruit tree cultivation device characterized in that the upper end of one of the pair of walls is located at a position lower than 1/3 of the height of the cultivation pot, and the upper end of the other wall is located at a position higher than 1/2 of the height of the cultivation pot . The fruit tree cultivation device according to claim 1, further comprising a band or net, the band or net being stretched on the side of the one wall at a position between the upper end of the one wall and the upper surface of the cultivation pot . The fruit tree cultivation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the cultivation beds are provided in a plurality of types and the plurality of cultivation beds are arranged along the width direction of the cultivation beds , the plurality of cultivation beds are arranged such that the intervals between adjacent cultivation beds alternate between a first interval of 85 to 125 cm and a second interval of 45 to 65 cm that is narrower than the first interval. The fruit tree cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of the cultivation pots are arranged in the cultivation bed, and the plurality of cultivation pots are arranged with an interval of 10 to 90 cm between adjacent cultivation pots in the cultivation bed. The fruit tree cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cultivation bench for installing the cultivation bed, and the position at which the cultivation pot is installed is 60 to 80 cm high from the installation surface of the fruit tree cultivation device. The fruit tree cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a heat insulating sheet covering the cultivation pot. The fruit tree cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising an air supply device for supplying air into the cultivation pot. A fruit harvesting method using the fruit tree cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , comprising:
A fruit harvesting method characterized by harvesting fruit from a fruit tree by tilting the cultivation pot toward one wall of the cultivation bed and shaking or manually picking the fruit planted in the cultivation pot.