RU197454U1 - Module for growing microgreens from plant seeds - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of agricultural technology, to non-volatile and environmentally friendly means and methods of growing microgreen from plant seeds in standard living conditions, without forced ventilation and special lighting, using water only at the initial stage of wetting the substrate with plant seeds located on it. To simplify the cultivation of microgreen from plant seeds under standard living conditions, the module for growing microgreen from plant seeds contains a lower hydrophilic layer of basalt agro with vertically and / or obliquely oriented fibers and attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of agro with the formation of closed pockets for plant seeds upper a covering layer of breathable material with a one-sided hydrophobic coating on the lower layer side. The upper covering layer of breathable paper with a one-sided polymer coating is attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt agrovata by linear heat sealing of the polymer coating of the covering layer and basalt agrovata. 11 s.p. crystals, 1 tab. 15 ill.

Description

Technical field

The utility model relates to the field of agricultural engineering, to non-volatile and environmentally friendly means and methods of growing microgreen in standard living conditions, without forced ventilation and special lighting, using water only at the initial stage of wetting the substrate with plant seeds located on it.

State of the art

Known are the traditional cultivation of plants in sheltered soil and hydroponic plant growing systems (aeroponic system, ebb-tide system) [G.A. Pavlov, G.F. Popov "Greenhouse", 1986; S.F. Vashchenko, Z.I. Chekunova, N.I. Savinova, N.I. Gavrilov, G.G. Wendilo, I.T. Dudorov “Vegetable growing of protected ground”, 1984].

The disadvantages of traditional cultivation in sheltered soil are: the need to use the soil as a substrate with the corresponding possibility of the presence of pathogens, fungi, helminth eggs, etc. in the soil, the use of herbicides, pesticides, the inability to sufficiently control the humidity and aeration of the root zone of plants, high costs to maintain optimal humidity and a sufficient concentration of oxygen in the root zone of plants, low rates of germination and further growth of plants are high th consumption of water and nutrients, the difficulty of accurate dosing of nutrients, the high costs of maintaining the microclimate in the process of seed germination, the high costs of replacing the soil when it is depleted, the resulting crop requires cleaning from soil particles.

The disadvantages of hydroponic growing systems are: high costs of arrangement, high cost of operation, high costs of maintaining the microclimate, the difficulty of growing microgreens in them.

Microgreens (English - Microgreen) are called plants in the phase of cotyledon leaves + 1-2 real leaves with a height of about 2-12 cm), including the stem, fully expanded cotyledon leaves and usually one pair of very small, partially developed real leaves that cut a little above the substrate line during harvesting.

The average time from sowing to harvesting for most types of microgreens (vegetation (from Latin vegetatio excitation, revitalization) - growth, active vital activity of plants, when there is a significant increase in green mass of plants and thickening of sprouts) is up to 10-14 days, some species after 4-7 days can be eaten.

Microgreens must be distinguished from seedlings, which usually have only a spine, and also from adult greens with developed stems and leaves.

It is believed that micro-greens first appeared in the early 1980s in San Francisco, where chefs of expensive restaurants began to add it to their dishes, and then in the mid-1990s spread throughout Southern California [Eric Franks, Jasmine Richardson - Microgreens: A Guide To Growing Nutrient-Packed Greens, 2009. Mark Braunstein - Microgreen Garden: Indoor Grower's Guide to Gourmet Greens, 2013. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgreen].

Initially, the microgreen set was small: arugula, basil, beets, coriander, kale, and a set called the “rainbow mix”.

As micro-greens, either traditional greens are currently grown: lettuce, herbs, onions, or less commonly used radishes, daikon, beets, or previously not used at all: cereals, amaranth, sunflower, chickpeas, cabbage.

Compared to adult herbs, microgreens have stronger aromas, contain more vitamins and have a wide selection of leaf shapes, textures and colors.

Microgreens contain high doses of vitamins C, E, K, minerals and antioxidants, and in much larger quantities than in ordinary herbs, therefore it is not recommended to cook or fry, since during the heat treatment most of the nutrients are lost.

Microgreens, taking into account the time of its short life, it is recommended to consume as fresh as possible, preferably immediately after its separation from the substrate, in connection with these methods of growing microgreens directly in the places of consumption and at home are relevant.

Especially aromatic microgreens (basil or coriander) in particular contain various essential oils that positively affect digestion and improve metabolism.

The highest concentrations of vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin K, and vitamin E are found in red cabbage, cilantro, pomegranate amaranth, and green daikon, respectively.

The microgreen assortment currently has dozens of different crops, however, nightshade plants, such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, are not recommended to be grown and consumed as microgreens, because the germs of the nightshade plants are poisonous because they contain toxic substances such as solanine ( from Lat.Solanum - nightshade) and tropan. Solanine - a plant glycoside (alkaloid) is a poisonous organic compound, chemically related to steroids, which is contained in plants of the nightshade family, is a contaminant. The intake of a large amount of solanine into the human and animal body is accompanied by poisoning). Tropan is a tertiary amine; the tropanic nucleus is part of the molecules of tropanic plant alkaloids contained in plants of the nightshade, bindweed, and erythroxyl families. The most famous representatives of tropane alkaloids are atropine, which is found in belladonna, scopolamine in the dope of the nightshade family and cocaine coca of the erythroxyl family, which can cause adverse symptoms in the digestive and nervous systems.

For growing microgreens, artificial lighting is not necessary, because it can grow under different lighting conditions, including indirect natural light, special artificial light for plants, or even in total darkness, however, different lighting conditions can change the taste of the plants grown. For example, corn microgreens will be sweet when grown in the dark, or bitter when exposed to light (as a result of photosynthesis processes occurring in germinating plants).

The main advantage of microgreen is the undemanding to production conditions. Germination of micro-seed does not require much space, light and heat.

An important advantage of microgreening is the quick turnaround of seed. Most plant diseases simply do not have time to develop during the time that passes from sowing to harvesting.

Although the microgreen life cycle is very short and it simply does not have time to catch the infections characteristic of ordinary seedlings, mold often appears on the seeds or barely hatching sprouts, usually for reasons:

excess humidity and lack of air when grown in mini-greenhouses, covered with a film or a lid,

sowing seeds in a thick layer or lumps when the seeds are too damp and too "stuffy"

excess light at the stage of seed germination and seedling formation, since most vegetable and green crops do not need light in order to sprout, and mold grows actively in the light and with excess moisture,

infection of the substrate or equipment,

use infected seeds that should not contain toxic traces of pickling, pesticides, herbicides and so on.

At home, microgreens are usually grown on cotton wool, gauze, dressing napkins, paper towels, loose burlap, in jars with nets on the lids or on the bottom or on a hydrogel, but all these methods require regular monitoring of humidity, constant monitoring, therefore they are not common and are used occasionally.

Known devices for industrial seed germination in order to obtain seedlings for further cultivation of transplanted plants.

A device for growing plants from seeds and planting plant seedlings is known, consisting of a reservoir for a nutrient solution of an arbitrary volume and surface for placing seeds and plant seedlings made by impregnating cotton fabric with paraffin and fixed to the neck of the reservoir for the nutrient solution. After paraffin hardening, holes are made in the fabric impregnated with paraffin for sowing seeds or seedlings of plants [Skazkin FD, Lovchinovskaya EI, Miller MS, Anikeev VV Workshop on plant physiology. - M .: "Soviet Science", 1958 - P.97].

The disadvantage of this device is the gradual sagging of paraffin-saturated tissue under the pressure of the plant mass, which leads to a change in the conditions for supplying oxygen to the bases of plant shoots and a decrease in the volume of the nutrient solution, which, in turn, is essential when using small-volume containers.

A device for growing plants by hydroponics is known, consisting of a container filled with a nutrient solution. The solid surface on which seeds or other planting material is placed is located directly on the nutrient solution, made of foamed polyethylene or polystyrene, has a thickness of 5 to 35 millimeters and through holes for contacting the roots of the plants with the nutrient solution [US 4034506 A01G31 / 00, publ. ./ 07/12/1977].

The disadvantage of this device is the difficulty of extracting plant roots from a porous material. Also, repeated use of porous material can contribute to the development of phytopathogens and algae, the presence of which will adversely affect the growth, development and productivity of plants.

A well-known module for growing plants on hydroponics, containing vertically oriented panels mounted on bearing rows with seats and a nutrient fluid supply mechanism, characterized in that each of the panels is a sandwich-like layered structure, the front layer of which is made of a forming material - a substrate with seats in the form of pockets with holes in the form of lodges for seeds and / or plants, the back layer - in the form of a protective waterproof film, intermediate the transference between the extreme layers is the capillary surface. In the intermediate space between the extreme layers, the middle layer is placed in the form of an inert material with a developed capillary surface. The mechanism for supplying the nutrient fluid has a hydrochannel located on top in the body of the forming panel, which has a bevel on the side towards the waterproof film and forms an angle with it pointing downward, forming a solution receptacle, and the lower edge of the forming layer is made beveled [RU 15255 A01G 31/00 Publ. . 10/10/2000 Bull. No. 28].

A device for growing plants containing a cultivation tank equipped with a semicircular convex element in the lower part, in which a layer of organic-mineral root-habitable medium and a layer of fine-grained water-conducting material separated by a perforated septum, as well as a layer of coarse-grained material placed under a layer of fine-grained material; wherein the semicircular element is connected through a pipeline connected to a drain pipe to a nutrient solution reservoir, which is connected by means of a pipeline and a nutrient solution pump to an accumulation reservoir, and by means of pipelines, a water pump and drain pipes, to the surface of the perforated partition through a washing tank water, and the perforated partition is made of a polymer material with capillary conical holes, which are made in the central part of the partition peaks in the direction of the organic-mineral root habitat, and in the peripheral parts of the septum - peaks in the direction of a fine-grained moisture-conducting material, characterized in that it includes an antimicrobial filter for washing water with silver nanoparticles [RU 67388 A01G 31/00 Publ. 10/27/2007 Bull. No. 30].

A device for growing plants on vertical surfaces is known, comprising a system for supplying plants with water and nutrients, an irrigation device that contains modular elements placed on a vertical metal frame with the possibility of their installation and extraction, providing installation, care of crops and updating of plants; the system for supplying plants with water and nutrients is made in the form of horizontally located irrigation tubes, contains a tank for water and nutrients, a pump, an electrical control unit, a humidity sensor connected by a hose to a distribution tube. The device comprises a stand for mounting a frame with holes for its fasteners. The modular elements are made of corrosion-resistant and impact-resistant material, contain a mineral wool substrate placed in a non-woven, non-flammable material, into which planting material is planted and / or dived. The tank for the accumulation of water and nutrients in the device is located separately, and on vertical surfaces an additional waterproofing material is attached [RU 87867 A01G 31/00 Publ. 10/27/2009 Bull. No. 30].

A known substrate for growing plants containing expanded clay, characterized in that the substrate contains two layers, the lower layer is made of large expanded clay particles of 5 ÷ 10 mm in size, the upper layer is made of small expanded clay particles of 0.1 ÷ 5 mm in size, the ratio of the layers in thickness 0.8 ÷ 1.2: 1. The upper and lower layers of expanded clay are placed in a flexible bag with dimensions (400 ÷ 500) × (350 ÷ 430) × 1 mm, equipped with drainage holes, while the total volume of the substrate in the bag is 5 ÷ 15 cubic meters of polyethylene, in which drainage holes are made in the lower the side of the bag [RU 76775 A01G 31/00 Publ. 10.10.2008 Bull. No. 28].

A device based on a Petri dish for growing plants, seeds and seedlings using hydroponics and aeroponics methods, in which reinforcement is made on the surface for placing seeds and seedlings, which prevents the surface shape from changing during plant growth and maintaining a constant volume of the nutrient solution, which provides more favorable cultivation conditions of plants [RU 173431 A01G 31/00 Publ. 08/28/2017 Bull. No. 25].

A known module for multi-level hydroponic agricultural farms with automatic irrigation, which to increase the efficiency of growing plants in hydroponic is a hollow body, including lower and upper parts, hermetically connected to each other, the upper part contains four holes for installing glasses in them, a housing for attaching an adjusting tap and housing for fixing the input fitting, the lower part on the outside has a compartment for installing a lighting lamp, including an LED chip with a heat sink and a power supply, outside The lateral side surface of the housing includes an outlet fitting, a drip irrigation system is placed inside the housing, including hoses interconnected by a connector and connected to the glasses, each glass having perforation over the entire surface and needles placed on the inner side surface of the glass and communicating with the holes for connecting hoses, and the connector includes a control valve and an inlet fitting [RU 172 613 A01G 31/00 Publ. 07/14/2017 Bull. No. 20].

It is known to use substrates based on mineral and stone wool in hydroponics.

Mineral and stone wool is a fibrous material that is obtained from rock melts of the gabbro-basalt group, as well as metallurgical slag and mixtures thereof, which, after the formation of a fibrous mat, is additionally treated with binders, usually based on phenol-formaldehyde resins. The melting point of the fibers exceeds 1000 ° C, which allows the use of mineral wool products over a wide range of operating temperatures.

The first use of rockwool as a hydroponic substrate was proposed in Denmark in 1969. For example, in British Patent No. 13346426 (publ. 07.11.1973), a mineral wool substrate is described which can be used in agriculture for growing plants.

The possibility of this application is due to the fact that mineral wool substrates retain their shape well due to the rigidity of the matrix of mineral fibers, and also have a large porosity, which makes it possible to retain moisture in a controlled and predictable manner. Therefore, by the mid-90s, many greenhouse farms around the world almost completely switched to growing garden crops in a low-volume hydroponic method using a mineral wool base and water circulation systems.

It is known that mineral wool is a highly effective heat and sound insulating material, therefore it is widely used as heat insulating and sound insulating material, for which it is usually treated with binder additives (most often formaldehyde) to maintain shape, and hydrophobic additives to reduce hygroscopicity.

At first, the hydrophobicity of mineral wool was considered the main problem of using mineral wool, since it poorly absorbed and retained the water necessary for plant growth. This problem was solved, in particular by the addition of wetting agents. However, with prolonged use for growing plants, wetting agents can be washed away, and the hydrophobicity of the substrate increases.

Another serious problem identified when studying the possibility of using mineral wool as a hydroponic material is the possible toxicity due to the use of phenol-formaldehyde resins in binders.

The use of these binders for heat and sound insulating materials is justified, since their components are inexpensive, have low viscosity in the uncured state and are able to cure with the formation of a rigid thermosetting polymer, due to which it is possible to obtain the final product of the desired shape with good physical and mechanical properties.

However, the use of phenol-formaldehyde binders becomes undesirable due to the use and release during the production and use of chemicals that pollute the environment and are phytotoxic: formaldehyde and phenol. This is especially important if mineral wool is used as a substrate for growing plants.

In addition, due to the use of phenol-formaldehyde binders, the spent substrate must be removed for disposal to special landfills for waste disposal.

Therefore, worldwide, work is underway to replace phenol-formaldehyde resin with environmentally friendly binders.

When using mineral wool with phenol-formaldehyde binders as a substrate for growing plants, there is also a problem associated with the buffer reaction: when filling the substrate with water, sometimes the pH increases towards the alkaline reaction, within 7, 5-9, which affects the development of plants poorly.

Thus, there is a need to look for a material for a hydroponic substrate in which phenol-formaldehyde binders will not be used, but providing a sufficient degree of hygroscopicity, which is necessary for growing plants, and a medium suitable for acidity (pH level).

Formaldehyde-free compositions are known that are used as binders in the manufacture of mineral wool products (so-called non-phenol-formaldehyde binders).

Known substrate for growing plants, which contains mineral fibers with a diameter of from 0.5 to 10.0 μm and a binder obtained by thermal curing of an aqueous composition containing polyvinyl alcohol, modified starch and a silane adhesion modifier, which reduces the phytotoxicity of the substrate, increase its hydrophilicity and improve wettability [RU 2636967 A01G 31/00, C08J 3/00, B82Y 99/00, publ. 11/29/2017, Bull. No. 34].

Known mineral wool substrate for plants, comprising a bonded matrix of mineral wool with 99.9-75 wt.% Mineral wool and 0.1-25 wt.% Organic matter, preferably 99.5 to 95 wt.% Mineral wool and 0 5-5 wt.% Organic matter or clay to replace organic matter up to 50%, preferably up to 25%. Organic matter is biodegradable, includes sphagnum, pressed peat. Organic matter and clay are included in the matrix in the form of granules, preferably in the form of a mixed granule [RU 98111156 A01G 31/00 Publ. 03/27/2000 PCT Application EP 96/04996 (11/11/1996), PCT Publication WO 97/16961 (05/15/1997)].

Known methods of growing plants or sprouting seeds by means of a growth substrate formed from artificial vitreous fibers associated with the cured binder composition and a wetting agent representing an alkyl ether sulfate. A method for growing plants includes: producing at least one growth substrate formed from artificial glassy fibers bonded to a cured binder composition and a wetting agent; placing one or more plants for growing in a growth substrate; and irrigation of the growth substrate; the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulfate. A method of manufacturing a growth substrate includes the steps of: 1. manufacturing artificial vitreous fibers; 2. spraying artificial vitreous fibers with a binder composition; 3. spraying artificial vitreous fibers with a wetting agent; 4. collecting and combining artificial vitreous fibers; and 5. curing the binder composition; and the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulfate, which improves wetting [RU 2673714 A01G 24/18, A01G 24/30, A01G 24/35, A01G 31/00, C09K 17/00 Publ. 11/29/2018, Bull. No. 34].

Known mineral wool substrate for growing plants on a non-phenol-formaldehyde binder, which contains mineral fibers with a diameter of from 0.5 to 10.0 μm, a binder obtained by thermal curing of an aqueous composition containing polyvinyl alcohol, modified starch and silane adhesion modifier, which reduce the phytotoxicity of the substrate, increase its hydrophilicity and improve wettability [RU 2636967 A01G 31/00, C08J 3/00, B82Y 99/00 Publ. 11/29/2017 Bull. No. 34].

The disadvantages of the above known compositions is the preparation of binders through chemical reactions, which leads to complication and cost of the process, and also does not exclude the presence of residual amounts of reagents in the resulting product. Moreover, the use of an additional crosslinking agent in the binder may be an unfavorable factor in terms of ease of manufacture and content of phytotoxic and non-environmentally friendly chemical components in the product.

At the same time, the possibility of using most of these and other known mineral wool compositions for the manufacture of a substrate for growing plants has not been thoroughly studied and studied, and none of them has been put into practice in industrial production.

The closest in technical essence and the achieved technical result (prototype) is a kit for growing microgreen using quilted composite sheets (quilted blankets) formed by two sheets of material glued with closed pockets to form microgreen seeds in closed pockets, which are placed either on coconut mats fibers or on trellised spacers in trays with running water or in a hydroponic system including running water. [US 2018/0070528 A01C 1/04, A01G 9/10, A01G 31/00 Publ. 03/15/2018 (prototype)].

The quilted composite sheets of the prototype US 2018/0070528 include at least two sheets of material representing different layers and bonded together in selected places to form many pockets between the sheets into which seeds are placed before gluing the sheets to achieve the desired seed distribution. The size of each of the pockets is selected so that the volume between the sheets can increase to the desired level during the germination of seeds.

The quilted composite sheets of the prototype US 2018/0070528 include a top layer called a “seed coat” and a bottom layer called a “growth substrate,” which are connected at attachment points using glue, thermal bonding, an adhesive layer, or any other method suitable for materials. The seed coat is opaque to create a better illumination level for seed germination compared to ambient lighting, for example, daylight, and the growth substrate is configured to transfer a limited amount of moisture to the seed cells (pockets with seeds) from the water placed at the bottom of the tray for growing or from the water supply system of hydroponic equipment.

A characteristic feature of the prototype US 2018/0070528 is the small thickness and flexibility of the quilted composite sheets that allow them to be rolled up, which for fixing them in a horizontal position necessitates the additional use of rigid lattice spacers or mats.

A set for growing microseeds from plant seeds according to US 2018/0070528, contains a tray for growing with water level measures, a trellised spacer with a coconut fiber mat placed on the bottom of the tray and located on the specified rug or directly on the trellised spacer a quilted composite sheet with seed cells (pockets with seeds).

The coconut fiber mat in this kit serves both for positioning the quilted composite sheet with seed cells (pockets with plant seeds) and for transporting water from the tray to the seeds in the quilted composite sheet

A characteristic feature of using the microgreen growing kit according to US 2018/0070528 is the need to constantly monitor the water level and periodically add water to the tray to special marks on its walls, since coconut fiber does not have capillary properties.

The disadvantages of the device according to the prototype US 2018/0070528 are also the mandatory presence of free (standing water) in the tray or the use of a hydroponic system with constant water circulation, the need to use additional equipment (trellised spacers and / or coconut fiber mat) for normal plant growth, the need for constant humidity control and constant or periodic addition of water.

In addition, mats based on coconut plant fiber are not completely inert, have an uncontrolled effect on the conditions of the root habitat, and may contain various herbicides and pathogenic microbranisms, spores and helmitte eggs.

Task and technical result

The problem to be solved when using the patented object is to provide the possibility of growing microgreen in standard living conditions at a temperature of 20-24 ° C, humidity 30-60% and normal lighting,

The technical result achieved by using the patented object is to simplify the cultivation of microgreen from plant seeds in standard living conditions by reducing the amount of water consumed, eliminating the need for additional equipment, eliminating the need for constant monitoring of humidity and water level, making it possible to grow microgreen without additional costs electricity, forced ventilation and special lighting.

Utility Model Essence

The problem is solved, and the required technical result is achieved in that the module for growing microgreen from plant seeds, according to the utility model, contains

the lower hydrophilic layer of aggro and

attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of aggro with the formation of closed pockets for seeds of plants, the upper covering layer of breathable material with a one-sided hydrophobic coating on the side of the lower layer, the lower hydrophilic layer in the module made of basalt mineral wool with vertically and / or obliquely oriented vertically oriented fibers , a thickness of 10-30, mainly 20 mm with a neutral pH, not containing binders and additives that reduce hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity, with volumetric moisture capacity 70-95, mainly 80-90%, sufficient for the entire vegetation period of microgreen plants, and the upper covering layer in the module is made of breathable material with a one-sided hydrophobic polymer coating, by which the upper covering layer is coated with a polymer coating to the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt mineral wool linear heat sealing of the polymer coating of the covering layer and basalt agrovata.

The upper covering layer in the module can be made of breathable paper with a density of 50-100 g / m ² and with one-sided polyethylene coating in an amount of 10-35 g / m ² with a vapor permeability of at least 8 g / m ² in 24 hours and with a light transmission of 30- 80, mainly 50%.

The seeds of the plants in closed pockets are distributed in one layer at intervals with respect to each other, sufficient to swell the seeds during germination, and closed pockets for seeds are arranged relative to each other with a gap of 8-30, mainly 20 mm, and with the possibility of passive ventilation on all stages of plant vegetation with a significant increase in green mass of plants and thickening of plants.

When using the module described in detail above, it is moistened with water until saturated,

then remove excess water not absorbed into the module,

maintain a moistened module with an upper covering layer during the period of swelling and rooting of seeds, and

after the appearance of plant sprouts and an increase in the volume of pockets for seeds, the upper covering layer is removed and natural or artificial illumination of the plant sprouts is provided until the end of the vegetation period of the microgreen plants.

At the end of the growing season, microgreen plants are cut for consumption or retain the module with microgreen at a low temperature of +2 - + 6 ° C.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The essence of the utility model is illustrated by drawings, which show: 1 - the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt mineral wool, then - basalt agrovata; 2 - seed layer; 3-the upper covering layer attached to the lower layer from paper with one-sided polyethylene coating from the side of attachment to the lower layer, 4 - closed pockets for plant seeds, 5 - lines of attachment of the upper covering layer to the lower layer with the formation of closed pockets for plant seeds; 6- module assembly; 7-roots of plants; 8-water, 9- plant sprouts, 10- grown microgreens, 11- tray (capacity for module placement), 12- natural light.

In FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the proposed module, containing the lower hydrophilic layer 1 of basalt agate and attached to the lower hydrophilic layer with the formation of closed pockets for plant seeds 2 breathable upper covering layer 3 with a one-sided hydrophobic coating on the side of its attachment to the lower hydrophilic layer.

In FIG. 1-4 shows sectional drawings of the proposed module at various stages of microgreen growing: at the initial stage (Fig. 1); at the stage of swelling, germination and rooting of seeds 2 with a partial separation of the upper covering layer 3 from the lower layer 1 (Fig. 2); at the stage of separation of the upper covering layer 3 from the lower layer 1 and the growth of microgreen plants (Figs. 3 and 4).

In FIG. 5 shows a top view of the proposed module assembly 6, which shows the location of the closed pockets for seeds of plants 4 and the line of attachment of the upper covering layer to the lower layer 5.

In FIG. 6 shows various forms of seed pockets.

In FIG. 7 - 15 are photos of field experiments on growing microgreens from plant seeds using the proposed module.

Utility Model Implementation

A characteristic design feature of the proposed module for growing microgreen from plant seeds is the presence of a lower hydrophilic layer of basalt agate and attached to the lower hydrophilic layer with the formation of closed pockets for plant seeds of a breathable upper covering layer with a one-sided hydrophobic coating on the side of its attachment to the lower hydrophilic layer.

The lower hydrophilic layer is made of a thickness of 10-30, mainly 20 mm, of non-containing binders and additives that reduce the hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity of basalt mineral wool (basalt agate), with vertically and / or obliquely oriented vertically oriented fibers, with a neutral pH and moisture capacity sufficient for the entire vegetation period of microgreen plants without additional addition of water.

Basalt agrovata (stone agrovata) is a type of basal mineral wool, the characteristic differences of which are used as a heater in the construction of mineral wool are:

«вода» +

«любовь» - характеристика интенсивности молекулярного взаимодействия вещества с водой, способность хорошо впитывать и удерживать воду), а в строительную вату добавляют вещества снижающие ее гидрофильность (например фенолформальдегидные смолы или иные гидрофобные связующие);high hydrophilicity (from other Greek

"Water" +

“Love” is a characteristic of the intensity of the molecular interaction of a substance with water, the ability to absorb and retain water well), and substances that reduce its hydrophilicity (for example, phenol-formaldehyde resins or other hydrophobic binders) are added to the building wool;

the high ability of the fibers to be wetted by water (high hygroscopicity), which determines the ability of microcapillaries to absorb and retain water;

neutral pH, and the pH used in the construction of wool is usually acidic;

vertical or directed at an angle to the vertical orientation of the fibers. While in cotton wool used in construction, the fibers are randomly arranged;

the absence of toxic impurities (additives and binders that reduce hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity).

These properties agrovata determine the feasibility of its use as the lower hydrophilic layer in the design of the proposed module.

To prove the effectiveness and feasibility of using a hydrophilic layer, we carried out experimental comparisons of wettability when completely immersed in water and the moisture capacity of basalt mineral wool, hereinafter referred to as “basalt agate”, and coconut fiber mat used in the system according to the prototype US 2018/0070528. The results are shown in table No. 1.

Moisture capacity (water capacity, water holding force, capillarity of the material) was understood as the property of the material to accept and retain in its capillaries a certain amount of droplet-liquid water, not allowing the latter to drain. The percentage of the weight of water to the weight of the material or, accordingly, absorbed water to the volume of the material, expressed as a percentage, was understood as an indicator of the moisture capacity of the compared materials.

Comparison of physico-mechanical and operational indicators of basalt agrovata and coconut fiber Table No. 1

Indicator / material Basalt Agrovata Coconut fiber mat Size (mm) / Volume (ml) 150 × 120 × 2/360 150 × 120 × 2/360 Dry weight, g 24.5 30,2 Weight with full wetting, g 341.8 132 Full wetting time, sec 3 12 Moisture absorption gr./% 317.3 / 1295 101.8 / 337

Comparative tests showed the presence of pronounced capillarity in the basalt agroate used according to the utility model and the practical absence of capillarity in the coconut fiber mat according to the prototype,

It was experimentally established that in a coconut fiber mat according to the prototype, water is retained only when its vertical position is strictly vertical, and when tilted, water is not retained and flows from the upper parts of the mat to the lower ones due to the lack of capillary properties of coconut fiber, while in basalt agro According to a utility model, water is retained at any tilt due to capillary properties.

Analysis of the results of comparative tests shows that the product from basalt agrovata provides a water supply of 3.12 times more than a similar product based on coconut fiber according to the prototype.

It was found that the water in the basalt agrovate is more evenly distributed over the thickness of the material, while due to the lack of capillarity properties, water in the coconut fiber mat accumulates only in the lower layers, and the upper layers are poorly moistened, which negatively affects the swelling and germination of seeds plants on a coconut fiber mat and requires constant monitoring and regulation of the liquid level in the coconut fiber mat.

It was experimentally established that the porosity of the used basalt agrovata is about 80%, which provides excellent aeration of the roots of plants inside the layer of basalt agrovata.

The upper covering layer is mainly made of breathable paper with a density of 50 - 100, mainly 80 g / m ² with a light transmission of 30 - 80, mainly 50% and with a one-sided hydrophobic coating with polymeric material, mainly polyethylene in an amount of 10 - 35, mainly 12-15 g / m ² from the side of its attachment to the lower layer of basalt agrovata.

The upper covering layer can be made of paper with a one-sided polymer coating and vapor permeability of at least 8 g / m ² in 24 hours.

In an advantageous embodiment, the upper hydrophobic and breathable covering layer of paper with a single-sided polymer coating is attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt aggro by linear heat sealing of the polymer coating of the covering layer and basalt agro with the formation of closed pockets for seeds, which are distributed in closed pockets into one layer with intervals in relation to each other, sufficient for seed swelling during germination.

Closed pockets for seeds are located at a distance of 10-30, mainly 20 mm from each other, which makes it possible for passive ventilation of air between rows of microgreen plants.

The mineral (basalt) agrovata used in the construction of the module has unique properties, including fire resistance, biological and chemical resistance to various aggressive substances, and immunity to fungi and decay.

Mineral basalt wool (basalt agrovata) complies with current sanitary and hygienic and quality standards, is characterized by stability of volume and shape in any conditions, low thermal conductivity, sufficiently high strength (the more vertically oriented fibers in the material, the higher its strength), chemical inertness.

The bottom layer of basalt agate is polycapillary-porous in structure with capillaries of various flow areas, which determines not only its hydrophilicity due to moisture retention in microcapillaries, but also air permeability in macrocapillaries. This together provides not only sufficient hydration for the vegetation of microgreen plants, but also the necessary aeration of the seeds during germination and roots during plant growth.

The surface of the lower layer of basalt agate should be even enough to evenly distribute the seeds of the plants in closed pockets, formed after attaching the upper covering layer to the lower layer.

Various breathable and partially opaque fabric, paper, non-woven and the like can be used as a covering layer. materials with hydrophobicity on the part of the seeds, which is important for seeds, which at the stage of germination and rooting must not only be protected from light, but also be sufficient to germinate the seeds with air and moisture.

The junction of the upper and lower layers should be strong enough to hold the seeds in closed pockets during transportation and directly during the germination of plants when they are affected by water and physical deformation due to an increase in the volume of germinating seeds.

However, the junction of the upper and lower layers should provide the ability to separate the upper covering layer from the lower layer by plant sprouts after germination and rooting of seeds.

Closed pockets for seeds between the upper and lower layers (Fig. 5) are located at some distance from each other to provide natural passive ventilation of the rows of plant sprouts in conditions of low air movement.

The configuration of the closed pockets may be different, as shown in FIG. 6.

The proposed combination of specially selected materials of the lower and upper covering layers of the module with the required properties and their special placement and connection creates a system that can provide and maintain an optimal microclimate for seeds, roots and plant sprouts, optimally promoting seed germination, rooting and microgreen growth in the shortest possible time.

The proposed design of the module for growing microgreen when it is used allows you to maintain the desired microclimate through natural physical processes in standard living conditions without additional control of the process of growing microgreen at all stages of plant vegetation, without the use of additional equipment and energy consumption.

The proposed module is manufactured as follows:

preforms of the lower layer of the required size are made of basalt agro-wool with a predominantly vertical orientation of the fibers,

cut into size paper with a polymer (polyethylene) coating for the upper covering layer,

measure the right amount of seeds for each pocket of the module with a dispenser,

apply the seeds of plants to the bottom layer of basalt agrovata according to the map of pockets for seeds,

set above the lower layer of the upper covering layer of paper with a polymer coating on the side of the lower layer of basalt agrovata,

carry out thermal welding of the lower layer of aggro with a covering layer along the contours of pockets for seeds,

hermetically packaged, labeled and sent to the finished modules warehouse.

Microgreen cultivation using the proposed module in standard living conditions is as follows:

A module or several modules are placed in an appropriate-sized tray or in a tray in which water is poured until the lower hydrophilic layer from basalt aggro is completely saturated with water.

Excess water not absorbed into the module or into the modules is drained. Due to the hydrophilic properties, the water required for the entire vegetation period of the plants is retained in the microcapillaries due to hydrophilic properties.

A tray with a moistened module is left for 3-4 days at a temperature of 20-24 ° C in places that exclude direct sunlight.

At this stage, seed swelling and rooting in the moistened lower layer of aggroate and the emergence of plant sprouts occur.

After 3-4 days, plant sprouts that have increased in volume separate the upper covering layer from the lower layer from aggro, after which the upper covering layer is removed, and a tray or tray with a module or with several modules is placed in a place with natural sunlight or artificial lighting.

On average, after 7-10 days from the beginning of germination, the microgreen is ready for use, in the right amount it is cut with scissors and consumed freshly cut.

After cutting off all microgreen plants, the spent module, in the form of a layer, is discarded with the remains of the root system as household waste.

In the manufacture of the module, it is advisable to use agro-wool with a predominantly vertical orientation of the fibers, which ensures uniform wetting of the entire agro-layer and maximum water retention.

It was found that the volume of water is 315-320 ml. for one proposed module 120 × 150 × 20 mm in size is enough for the entire vegetation cycle of microgreen plants at normal humidity in a residential building in accordance with GOST 30494-2011 (for the warm period - 30-60%, for the cold season 40-45%, maximum permissible humidity value is 60%.).

A paper covering layer with one-sided polyethylene coating and limited light transmission ensures the maintenance of the necessary microclimate for seed germination.

The combination of specially selected materials with the required properties and their special placement and connection creates a system that can maintain a microclimate that promotes the germination of seeds of microgreen plants in the shortest possible time.

The proposed original design of the module allows you to maintain a microclimate using natural physical processes and does not require (under standard living conditions) the use of additional systems and mechanisms and does not have its own energy consumption.

Comparative practical tests of the proposed module and product according to the prototype US 2018/0070528 showed that the proposed module for growing microgreen and a method of growing microgreen with its use can provide:

significant water savings, since under standard living conditions (temperature 20-24 ° C and humidity more than 55%), water when using the proposed module is required only at the first stage of germination to moisten the module. In the case of using cartridges in conditions of low humidity (30% or less), it is enough in the module to simply increase the thickness of the lower layer from basalt aggro;

non-volatility, because when using the proposed module in a residential environment does not require additional electricity for water supply and lighting;

there is no need for forced ventilation, since plant seeds in the module are placed in such a way that provides natural ventilation at all stages of microgreen vegetation;

lack of need for regulation of humidity in the room.

Thus, the features of the original design of the proposed module determines the causal relationship of the essential features of the proposed technical solutions with the technical result and proves the feasibility of industrial implementation and achievement of the technical result, namely, simplification of growing microgreen from plant seeds in standard living conditions by reducing the amount of consumed water, eliminating the need to use additional equipment, eliminating the need for permanent monitoring of humidity and water level, providing the possibility of growing microgreens without additional energy costs, forced ventilation and special lighting.

Specific dimensions, materials, design features and manufacturing technologies of the modules are selected in the usual way with respect to the specific conditions of their operation.

The manufacture of prototypes and the above examples of tests in real conditions showed confident achievement of the technical result.

The analysis also shows that all the general and particular features of the utility model are essential, since each of them is necessary, and together they are not only sufficient to achieve the goal of the utility model, but also allow the utility model to be implemented in an industrial way.

Given the novelty of the essential features, the technical solution of the task, the materiality of all general and particular features of the utility model, the proven feasibility and industrial applicability of the utility model, the successful solution of the problem and the confident achievement of the required technical result when implementing the utility model, the claimed utility model satisfies all the requirements of protection, presented to utility models.

Claims (12)

1. A module for growing microgreen from plant seeds, characterized in that it contains a lower hydrophilic layer of basalt mineral wool with vertically and / or obliquely oriented fibers and attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt mineral wool with the formation of closed pockets for seeds of plants upper covering layer from a breathable material with a one-sided hydrophobic coating on the side of the lower layer. 2. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower hydrophilic layer is made of basalt mineral wool with a thickness of 10-30, mainly 20 mm. 3. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower hydrophilic layer is made of basalt mineral wool with a neutral pH. 4. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower hydrophilic layer is made of basalt mineral wool that does not contain binders and additives that reduce hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity. 5. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower hydrophilic layer is made of basalt mineral wool with a bulk moisture capacity of 70-95, mainly 80-90%, sufficient for the entire vegetation period of microgreen plants. 6. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer is made of breathable paper with a one-sided polymer coating. 7. The module according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper covering layer of breathable paper with a one-sided polymer coating is attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt mineral wool by linear heat sealing of the polymer coating of the covering layer and basalt mineral wool. 8. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer is made of breathable paper with a density of 50-100 g / m ² and with one-sided polyethylene coating in an amount of 10-35 g / m ² . 9. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer is made of breathable paper with a one-sided polymer coating and vapor permeability of at least 8 g / m ² for 24 hours. 10. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer is made of paper with a light transmission of 30-80, preferably 50%. 11. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the seeds of the plants in closed pockets are distributed in one layer at intervals with respect to each other, sufficient to swell the seeds during germination. 12. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed pockets for seeds are located relative to each other with a gap of 8-30, mainly 20 mm, with the possibility of passive ventilation at all stages of plant vegetation with a significant increase in green mass of plants and thickening of plants .

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