NEW SUBSTRATE FOR HYDROPONIC OR SOILLESS CULTIVATION

Abstract

This invention is related to a new substrate (6) for soilless cultivation consisting of a three-dimensional reticular structure which is elastically compressible, with empty cells bounded by threads made of polymer or any other material which are chemically inert, hydro-phobic or weakly hydrophilic. For example, the substrate which consists of a lattice made of threads in polyethylene (6) compressed into a container (4) equipped with an irrigation system (3) and with a support (2) where the plants have been inserted (5). The system is a closed cycle wherein the stored solution (1) is recirculated.

Claims

1. Substrate for soilless or hydroponic cultivation, characterized by a three-dimensional reticular structure, with empty cells, bounded by threads made of polymers or other materials that are hydrophobic or weakly hydrophilic.

2. Three-dimensional reticular structure, referred to in point 1, consisting of cells bounded by threads made of polymers or materials, including those with low elastic modulus.

3. Three-dimensional reticular structure, referred to in point 1, consisting of cells bounded by threads made of polymers or materials, including those chemically inert.

4. Three-dimensional reticular structure, referred to in point 1, consisting of threads made of hydrophobic or weakly hydrophilic materials, including polyethylene.

5. Substrate, referred to in point 1, usable in containers of different shapes.

6. Substrate, in point 1, for use with density defined by the needs of the species grown.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The features of the present invention are shown in one form of practical realization illustrated by way of example, not limitative, in the annexed drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows the substrate (6) inserted in a container (4), suspended on a support (2), in which have been carried out some holes (5) to receive the plants irrigated by a dripper system (3) in closed cycle, wherein solution is collected in the container (1).

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a particular of the plant's housing (5) and the substrate's threads (6).

[0019] FIG. 3 a detail of the lattice structure of the substrate is enlarged (6).

[0020] FIG. 4 a particular of the housing (5) and grown plant is zoomed.

REALIZATION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an example of the invention: a lattice of threads made of polyethylene with a diameter of 0.25 mm was used (6) and compressed inside a pipe of 100 mm diameter (4), with a density of approximately 125 Kg/mc. A drip irrigation system, (3) with a dripper positioned close to each plant, had distributed a daytime fertigation of 400 ml, for each plant, every two hours and only once in the night with a quantity of 400 ml, for a total duration of operation of the circulation pump of 2 hours every 24 hours. The cultivation was, in the spring, outdoors under a shed. The temperatures were respectively 8 C. Min. and 22 C. Max. The pipe positioned on a support (2) was tilted to 2% to drain the recirculating solution collected in the container (1). The Gentilina salad was planted at the distance of 20 cm, each other, along the tube inside the holes of 10 cm diameter (5) after the cleaning the roots from the whole ground remained. The system was used in a closed cycle with a nutrient solution chosen according to the literature, that came periodically added and rebalanced in salinity and pH by adding nutrients. At the end of the cycle the salad was collected and the solution was stored and rebalanced for the next cycle.