RU2761648C2 - Module for growing microgreens from plant seeds and method for growing microgreens from plant seeds - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agricultural technology.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of agricultural technology, to methods for growing microgreens from plant seeds. A module for growing microgreens from plant seeds contains a lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool and an upper covering layer of breathable paper with one-sided hydrophobic polyethylene coating on the side of the lower layer, attached to the lower hydrophilic layer to form closed pockets for plant seeds. The invention also concerns a method for growing microgreens from plant seeds using the specified module.EFFECT: simplification of the cultivation of microgreens from plant seeds in standard living conditions using water only at the initial stage of moistening substrate with plant seeds located on it.12 cl, 1 tbl, 15 dwg

Description

Technology area

The invention relates to the field of agricultural technology, to non-volatile and environmentally friendly means and methods for growing microgreens in standard living conditions, without the use of forced ventilation and special lighting, using water only at the initial stage of moistening the substrate with plant seeds located on it.

State of the art

Known for the traditional cultivation of plants in greenhouses and hydroponic systems for growing plants (aeroponic system, ebb and flow system) [G.A. Pavlov, G.F. Popov "Greenhouse Economy", 1986; S.F. Vaschenko, Z.I. Chekunova, N.I. Savinova, N.I. Gavrilov, G.G. Vendilo, I.T. Dudorov "Vegetable growing in protected soil", 1984]

Disadvantages of traditional greenhouse cultivation. is: the need to use soil as a substrate with the appropriate possibility of the presence of pathogens, fungi, helminth eggs, etc. in the soil, the use of herbicides, pesticides, the impossibility of sufficient moisture control and aeration of the root zone of plants, high costs of maintaining optimal moisture and sufficient oxygen concentration in the root zone of plants, low rates of germination and further growth of plants, high consumption of water and nutrients, the complexity of accurate dosing of nutrients, high costs of maintaining the microclimate during germination of seeds, high costs of replacing the soil when it is depleted, the resulting crop requires cleaning of soil particles.

The disadvantages of hydroponic growing systems are: high costs for arrangement, high operating costs, high costs for maintaining a microclimate, the complexity of growing microgreens in them.

Mikrozelen (English -. Microgreen) in plants called leaf cotyledon + 1-2 true leaves with a height of about 2-12 cm), including the stem, completely deployed cotyledonary leaves, and usually a pair of very small, partly developed true leaves that are cut slightly above the substrate line during harvesting.

The average time from sowing to harvesting for most types of microgreens (vegetation (from the Latin vegetatio excitement, revitalization) - growth, active life of plants, when there is a significant increase in the 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 protruding root, and also from mature greens with developed stems and leaves.

It is believed that microgreens first appeared in the early 1980s in San Francisco, where chefs of expensive restaurants began to add it to their dishes, and then spread throughout Southern California in the mid-1990s [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://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgreens].

The original set of microgreens was small: arugula, basil, beetroot, coriander, kale and a set called a rainbow mix .

Currently, either traditional greens are grown as microgreens: lettuce, herbs, onions, or less commonly used radishes, daikon, beets, or not previously used at all: cereals, amaranth, sunflowers, chickpeas, cabbage.

Compared to mature greens, microgreens have stronger flavors, contain more vitamins, and have a wide variety of leaf shapes, textures and colors.

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

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

Particularly fragrant microgreens (basil or coriander) contain, in particular, various essential oils that have a positive effect on 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.

Currently, the range of microgreens includes dozens of different crops, however, plants of the nightshade family, such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, are not recommended to be grown and consumed as microgreens, since nightshade plant sprouts are poisonous, as they contain toxic substances such as solanine ( from Latin Solanum - nightshade) and tropane. Solanine - a vegetable glycoside (alkaloid) is a poisonous organic compound, chemically related to steroids, which is found in plants of the Solanaceae family, belongs to the contaminants. The ingestion of a large amount of solanine into the body of humans and animals is accompanied by poisoning). Tropan is a tertiary amine, the tropane core is a part of the molecules of tropane plant alkaloids contained in plants of the families of nightshade, bindweed and erythroxyl. The most famous representatives of the tropane alkaloids are atropine in belladonna, scopolamine in the nightshade dope, and cocaine of the erythroxyl family, which can cause adverse symptoms in the digestive and nervous systems.

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

The main advantage of microgreening is its undemandingness to production conditions. Germinating micro-green seeds does not require a lot of space, light and heat.

An important advantage of microgreening is the fast turnover of the seed. Most plant diseases simply do not have time to develop in the time from sowing to harvest.

Although the life cycle of microgreens is very short and it simply does not have time to catch the infections typical of ordinary seedlings, the appearance of mold on the seeds or barely hatched sprouts is often observed, usually for the following reasons:

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

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

- an excess of 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 actively grows in the light and with an excess of moisture,

- contamination of the substrate or equipment,

- the use of contaminated seeds, which should not contain toxic traces of dressing, pesticides, herbicides, and so on.

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

Known devices for industrial germination of seeds in order to obtain seedlings for further growing transplanted plants ..

A device for growing plants from seeds and planting seedlings is known, consisting of a reservoir for a nutrient solution of arbitrary volume and a surface for placing seeds and seedlings of plants made by impregnating cotton cloth with paraffin and fixed on the neck of the reservoir for the nutrient solution. In the fabric soaked in paraffin, after it has hardened, holes are made for sowing seeds or plant seedlings. [Skazkin F.D., Lovchinovskaya E.I., Miller M.S., Anikeev V.V. Workshop on plant physiology. - M .: "Soviet Science", 1958 - S. 97].

The disadvantage of this device is the gradual sagging of the tissue impregnated with paraffin 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 containers.

A device for growing plants by the hydroponic method is known, consisting of a container filled with a nutrient solution. A 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 plant roots in contact with the nutrient solution [US 4034506 A01G31 / 00, publ / 07/12/1977].

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

A known module for growing plants in hydroponics, containing mounted on the supporting rows of vertically oriented panels with seats and a mechanism for providing nutrient fluid, characterized in that each of the panels is a sandwich-type layered structure, the front layer of which is made of a forming material - a substrate with seats in the form of pockets with holes like lodgements for seeds and / or plants, the back layer is in the form of a protective waterproof film, the intermediate space between the outer layers is a capillary surface. In the intermediate space between the outermost layers, there is a middle layer in the form of an inert material with a developed capillary surface. The mechanism for providing a nutrient fluid has a hydrochannel located on top in the body of the shaping panel, which has a beveled top towards the waterproof film and forms an angle with it directed downward, forming a solution receiver, and the lower edge of the shaping layer is beveled [RU 15255 A01G 31/00 Publ ... 10.10.2000 Bul. No. 28].

Known device for growing plants, containing a cultivation container, equipped in the lower part with a semicircular convex element, which contains a layer of organo-mineral root habitat and a layer of fine-grained water-conducting material, separated by a perforated partition, as well as a layer of coarse-grained material, placed under a layer of fine-grained material; in this case, the semicircular element is connected through a pipeline connected to the drain pipe, with a reservoir of nutrient solution, which is connected by means of a pipeline and a pump for a nutrient solution to a storage tank, and through pipelines, a pump for water and drainage pipes - with the surface of the perforated partition through a container for a washing water, and the perforated partition is made of polymeric material with capillary conical holes, which in the central part of the partition are made with tops towards the organo-mineral root environment, and in the peripheral parts of the partition - tops towards the fine-grained moisture-conducting material, characterized in that it includes an antimicrobial filter for rinsing water with silver nanoparticles [RU 67388 A01G31 / 00 Publ. 27.10.2007 Bul. No. 30].

Known device for growing plants on vertical surfaces, containing a system for supplying plants with water and nutrients, means for irrigation, which contains modular elements placed on a vertical metal frame with the possibility of their installation and removal, providing installation, maintenance of crops and plant renewal; the system for supplying plants with water and nutrients is made in the form of horizontally located irrigation pipes, contains a container for water and nutrients, a pump, an electrical control unit, a humidity sensor, connected by means of a hose to a distribution pipe. The device contains a stand for mounting the frame with holes for its fastening. 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 the planting material is planted and / or dived. A tank for storing water and nutrients in the device is located separately, and a waterproofing material is additionally attached to vertical surfaces [RU 87867 A01G31 / 00 Publ. 10/27/2009 Bul. No. 30].

Known substrate for growing plants, containing expanded clay, characterized in that the substrate contains two layers, the bottom layer is made of large particles of expanded clay 5 ÷ 10 mm in size, the top layer - from small particles of expanded clay 0.1 ÷ 5 mm, the ratio of 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 cube of polyethylene, in which drainage holes are made in the lower the side of the bag [RU 76775 A01G31 / 00]

There is a known device based on a Petri dish for growing plants, seeds and seedlings by hydroponic and aeroponics methods, in which reinforcement is made on the surface for placing seeds and seedlings, which prevents a change in the surface shape during plant growth and maintains a constant volume of the nutrient solution, which provides more favorable plant cultivation conditions [RU 173431 A01G 31/00 Publ. 28.08.2017 Bul. No. 25]

A known module for multi-level hydroponic agricultural farms with automatic irrigation, which for. increasing the efficiency of growing plants in a hydroponic is a hollow body, including the lower and upper parts, hermetically connected to each other, the upper part contains four holes for installing glasses in them, a body for attaching an adjusting valve and a body for attaching an inlet fitting, the lower part from the outside has a compartment for installing a lighting lamp, including an LED chip with a heat sink and a power supply, the outer side surface of the case includes an outlet fitting, inside the case there is a drip irrigation system, including hoses connected to each other by means of a connector and connected to the glasses, while each glass has a perforation over the entire surface and needles located on the inner side surface of the glass and communicating with the holes for connecting hoses, and the connector includes an adjusting valve and an inlet fitting [RU 172 613 A01G31 / 00 Publ. 07/14/2017 Bul. No. 20]

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

Mineral and stone wool is a fibrous material that is obtained from molten rocks of the gabbro-basalt group, as well as metallurgical slags and their mixtures, which, after the formation of a fibrous mat in order to ensure dimensional stability, is additionally treated with binders, usually based on phenol-formaldehyde resins. The melting temperature of the fibers exceeds 1000 ° C, which allows the use of mineral wool products in a wide range of operating temperatures.

For the first time, the use of stone wool as a hydroponic substrate was proposed in Denmark in 1969. For example, in the UK patent No. 1336426 (publ. 07.11.1973), a mineral wool substrate is described that 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 high 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 the cultivation of horticultural 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 a heat-insulating and sound-insulating material, for which it is usually treated with binder additives (most often formaldehyde) to maintain its shape, and with hydrophobic additives to reduce hygroscopicity.

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

Another serious problem identified in the study of the possibility of using mineral wool as a hydroponic material is the possible toxicity caused by the use of phenol-formaldehyde resins in the binders.

The use of these binders for heat and sound insulating materials is justified, since their components are inexpensive, have a low viscosity in the uncured state, and are capable of curing to form a hard thermosetting polymer, due to which the final product of the required shape with good physical and mechanical properties can be obtained.

However, the use of phenol-formaldehyde binders becomes undesirable due to the use and release in the process of production and use of chemicals that are polluting and 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 at special landfills for waste disposal.

Therefore, all over the world, 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, a problem also arises associated with a buffer reaction: when the substrate is filled with water, the pH sometimes increases towards an alkaline reaction, within 7, 5-9, which has a bad effect on plant development.

Thus, there is a need to find a material for a hydroponic substrate in which phenol-formaldehyde binders will not be used, but which provides a sufficient degree of hygroscopicity, which is necessary for plant growth, and a suitable acidity (pH) environment.

Known formaldehyde-free compositions used as binders in the production of mineral wool products (so-called non-phenol-formaldehyde binders).

Known substrate for growing plants, which contains mineral fibers with a diameter of 0.5 to 10.0 microns and a binder obtained by thermal curing of an aqueous composition containing polyvinyl alcohol, modified starch and an adhesion modifier silane, which allows. reduce the phytotoxicity of the substrate, increase its hydrophilicity and improve the wettability [RU 2636967 A01G31 / 00, C08J3 / 00, B82Y99 / 00, publ. 11/29/2017, Bul. No. 34].

Known mineral wool substrate for plants, including a bound matrix of mineral wool with 99.9 to 75 wt.% Mineral wool and 0.1 to 25 wt. % organic matter, preferably 99.5 to 95 wt.% mineral wool and 0.5 to 5 wt.% organic matter or clay to replace organic matter up to 50%, preferably up to 25%. Organic matter is biodegradable and includes sphagnum, pressed peat. Organic matter and clay are included in the matrix in the form of a granule, preferably in the form of a mixed granule [RU 98111156 A01G 31/00 Publ. 27.03.2000 PCT Application EP 96/04996 (11.11.1996), PCT publication WO 97/16961 (15.05.1997)].

Known methods of growing plants or germinating seeds by means of a growth substrate formed from artificial glassy fibers associated with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent, which is an alkyl ether sulfate. A method for growing plants includes: making at least one growth substrate formed from artificial glassy fibers associated with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent; placing one or more plants for cultivation in a growth substrate; and irrigation of the growth substrate; the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulfate. A method for manufacturing a growth substrate includes the following stages: 1. making artificial glassy fibers; 2. spraying artificial glassy fibers with a binder composition; 3. spraying artificial glassy 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 A01G24 / 18, A01G24 / 30, A01G24 / 35, A01G31 / 00, C09K17 / 00 Publ. 11/29/2018, Bul. No. 34].

Known mineral wool substrate for growing plants on a non-phenol-formaldehyde binder, which contains mineral fibers with a diameter of 0.5 to 10.0 microns, a binder obtained by thermal curing of an aqueous composition containing polyvinyl alcohol, modified starch and an adhesion modifier silane, which reduce the phytotoxicity of the substrate, increase its hydrophilicity and improve wettability [RU 2636967 A01G31 / 00, C08J3 / 00, B82Y99 / 00 Publ. 11/29/2017 Bul. No. 34].

The disadvantages of the above known compositions is the production of binders by means of chemical reactions, which makes the process more complicated and more expensive, and also does not exclude the presence of residual amounts of reagents in the resulting product. In this case, the use of an additional cross-linking agent in the composition of the binder can be an unfavorable factor from the point of view of ease of manufacture and the content of phytotoxic and non-ecological chemical components in the product.

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

The closest in technical essence and the achieved technical result (prototype) is a method of growing microgreens using quilted composite sheets (quilts) formed by two sheets of material with microgreen seeds in closed pockets glued together to form closed pockets. Quilted composite sheets are rolled into rolls during production and transportation, and when used in separate parts, they are placed either on coconut mats or on lattice spacers in trays with running water or in a hydroponic system that includes running water. [US 2018/0070528 A01C1 / 04, A01G9 / 10, A01G31 / 00 Publ 15.03.2018 (prototype)].

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

The quilted composite sheets of the US 2018/0070528 prototype include a top layer called "seed coat" and a bottom layer called "growing substrate", which are bonded at attachment points using glue, thermal bonding, an adhesive layer or any other suitable method. for materials. The seed coat is opaque to provide a better light level for seed germination than ambient light, such as daylight, and the growing substrate is configured to transfer a limited amount of moisture to the seed cells (seed pockets) from water placed at the bottom of the tray for cultivation or from the water supply system of hydroponic equipment.

A characteristic feature of the prototype US 2018/0070528 is the insignificant thickness and flexibility of the quilted composite sheets, allowing them to be rolled into rolls, which, in order to fix them in a horizontal position, necessitates the additional use of rigid lattice spacers or mats.

US 2018/0070528 Microgreen Seed Grow Kit, contains a growing tray with water level measurements, a grid spacer placed at the bottom of the tray with a coconut fiber mat and positioned on the mat or directly on the grid spacer a quilted composite sheet with seed cells (pockets with seeds).

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

A characteristic feature of using the kit for growing microgreens according to US 2018/0070528 is the need to constantly monitor the water level and periodically add water to the tray up to special marks on its walls.

The disadvantages of 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 (lattice spacer and / or coconut fiber mat) for normal plant growth, the need for constant moisture control and constant or periodic addition of water.

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

Task and technical result

The problem to be solved when using the patent is to provide the possibility of growing microgreens in standard living conditions at a normal temperature of 20-24 ° C and a humidity of 30-60%.

The technical result achieved with the use of patented objects is to simplify the cultivation of microgreens from plant seeds in standard living conditions by reducing the amount of water consumed, eliminating the need to use additional equipment, eliminating the need for constant control of humidity and water level, providing the possibility of growing microgreens without additional costs electricity, forced ventilation and special lighting.

The essence of the invention

The problem is solved, and the required technical result is achieved by the fact that the module for growing microgreens from plant seeds, according to the invention, contains

lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool and

attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool with the formation of closed pockets for plant seeds, an 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 is made of basalt mineral wool

with fibers oriented vertically and obliquely to the vertically,

thickness 10 - 30, mainly 20 mm.

with neutral pH,

free of binders and additives that reduce hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity,

with a volumetric moisture capacity of 70 - 95, mainly 80-90%, sufficient for the entire growing season of microgreen plants.

The upper covering layer in the module is made of breathable paper with a density with a one-sided hydrophobic polymer coating, by means of which the upper covering layer of paper with a one-sided polymer coating is attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool by linear heat sealing of the polymer covering of the covering layer and mineral basalt wool.

The upper covering layer in the module is made of breathable paper

density 50 - 100 g / m ² and with one-sided polyethylene coating in the amount of 10 - 35 g / m ² .

with a vapor permeability of at least 8 g / m2 in 24 hours and

with a light transmission of 30 - 80, mainly 50%.

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

The problem is solved, and the required technical result is also achieved by the fact that according to the proposed method for growing microgreens from plant seeds, a module is used containing a lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool and thermally attached to the lower hydrophilic layer with the formation of closed pockets with plant seeds, the upper covering layer of paper with a one-sided polymer coating on the side of the lower layer, which

moistened with water until saturation,

then remove excess water not absorbed into the module,

withstand the moistened module with the upper covering layer during the period of swelling and rooting of seeds, and

after the emergence of plant sprouts and an increase in the volume of the seed pockets, the upper covering layer is removed and natural or artificial illumination of the plant sprouts is provided until the end of the growing season of microgreen plants.

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

In this case, a module is used for growing microgreens from plant seeds of the structure described in detail above.

Brief Description of Drawings

The essence of the invention is illustrated by drawings, which show: 1 - lower hydrophilic layer of basalt wool; 2 - seed layer; 3-attached to the lower layer the upper covering layer of paper with a 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- assembled module; 7-roots of plants; 8-water, 9- plant sprouts, 10- grown microgreens, 11- tray (capacity for placing the module), 12- natural light.

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

FIG. 1 - 4 show drawings of sections of the proposed module at various stages of growing microgreens from plant seeds: at the initial stage (Fig. 1); at the stage of swelling, germination and rooting of seeds 2 with 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 microgreening plants (Figs. 3 and 4).

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

FIG. 6 shows the different shapes of the seed pockets.

FIG. 7 - 15 show photos of field experiments of growing microgreens by the proposed method using the proposed module.

Implementation of the invention

A characteristic design feature of the proposed module for growing microgreens from plant seeds is the presence of a lower hydrophilic layer of basalt wool and attached to the lower hydrophilic layer to form closed pockets for plant seeds of an air-permeable upper covering layer with a one-sided hydrophobic coating from the side of its attachment to the lower hydrophilic layer.

The lower hydrophilic layer is made with a thickness of 10 - 30, mainly 20 mm, from not containing binders and additives that reduce the hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity of basalt wool, with vertically and / or inclined to the vertically oriented fibers, with a neutral pH and moisture capacity sufficient for the entire growing season of plants microgreens without additional water addition.

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

- high hydrophilicity (from other - Greek. other hydrophobic binders);

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

- neutral pH, and in the case of cotton wool used in construction, the pH reaction is usually acidic;

- vertical or inclined to the vertical orientation of the fibers. While in the wool used in construction, the fibers are arranged randomly.

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

The specified properties of basalt wool determine the appropriateness of its use as a lower hydrophilic layer in the design of the proposed module.

To prove the effectiveness and feasibility of using it as a hydrophilic layer, experimental comparisons were made of the wettability at full immersion in water and the moisture capacity of basalt wool and coconut fiber mat used in the system according to the prototype US 2018/0070528. The results are shown in Table 1.

In this case, the moisture capacity (water capacity, water-holding force, capillarity of the material) was understood to mean the property of the material to receive and retain in its capillaries a certain amount of droplet-liquid water, preventing the latter from draining. The percentage ratio of the weight of water to the weight of the material or, accordingly, the absorbed water to the volume of the material, expressed as a percentage, was understood here as an indicator of the moisture capacity of the materials being compared.

Table # 1

Comparison of physical, mechanical and performance indicators of basalt wool and coconut fiber

Indicator / material Basalt wool Coconut fiber mat Size (mm) / volume (ml) 150 * 120 * 2/360 150 * 120 * 2/360 Dry weight, g 24.5 30.2 Weight when fully wetted, g 341.8 132 Full wetting time, sec 3 12 Water capacity gr ./% 317.3 / 1295 101.8 / 337

Comparative tests showed the presence of a pronounced capillarity in the used basalt wool, and a practical absence of capillarity in the coir mat.

It has been experimentally established that in a mat made of coconut fiber, water is retained only when it is strictly vertical, and when it is tilted, water is not retained and flows out of the mat.

An analysis of the results of comparative tests shows that a product made of basalt wool provides 3.12 times more water than a similar product based on coconut fiber.

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

It has been experimentally established that the porosity of the used basalt wool is about 80%, which provides excellent aeration of plant roots inside the layer of basalt wool.

The upper layer of a covering preferably made of an air-permeable paper weight of 50 - 100, preferably 80 g / m ² with a light transmission of 30 - 80, advantageously 50% and a one-way hydrophobic coating polymer material, preferably polyethylene in an amount of 10 - 35, preferably 12-15 g / m ² from the side of its attachment to the bottom layer of basalt wool.

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

In a predominantly embodiment, the upper hydrophobic and air-permeable cover layer of paper with a one-sided polymer coating is attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt wool by linear heat sealing of the polymer coating of the cover layer and basalt wool with the formation of closed pockets for seeds, which are distributed in closed pockets in one layer with intervals in relation to each other, sufficient for the swelling of the seeds 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 the rows of microgreening plants.

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

Mineral wool complies with the current sanitary and hygienic norms 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 wool in its structure is polycapillary-porous with capillaries of various flow cross-sections, which determines not only its hydrophilicity, due to the retention of moisture in microcapillaries, but also air permeability in macrocapillaries, which in total provides not only sufficient moisture for the vegetation of plants of microgreens and necessary aeration of seeds during germination and roots during plant growth.

The surface of the bottom layer of basalt wool should be flat enough to evenly distribute plant seeds in the closed pockets formed after the top cover layer is attached to the bottom layer.

As a covering layer, various breathable and partially opaque fabrics, paper, nonwovens, etc. can be used. materials with hydrophobicity from the side of seeds, which is important for seeds, which at the stage of germination and rooting must not only be protected from light, but also be provided with sufficient air and moisture for seed germination.

The junctions of the upper and lower layers must be strong enough to keep 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.

At the same time, the junctions of the upper and lower layers should ensure the possibility of separating the upper covering layer from the lower layer by plant shoots after germination and rooting of seeds.

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

The configuration of the closed pockets can 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 capable of providing and maintaining an optimal microclimate for seeds, roots and plant sprouts, promoting seed germination, rooting and microgreen growth in the shortest possible time.

The proposed design of the module and the method for growing microgreens with its use allow maintaining the required microclimate by means of natural physical processes in standard living conditions without additional control of the microgreening process at all stages of the vegetation of plants, without using additional equipment and without energy consumption.

The proposed module is manufactured as follows:

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

- cut to size paper with polymer (polyethylene) coating for the top covering layer,

- measure out the required amount of seeds with a dispenser for each pocket of the module.

- plant seeds are applied to the bottom layer of basalt wool according to the map of seed pockets,

- install above the bottom layer an upper covering layer made of polymer-coated paper from the side of the lower layer of basalt wool,

- carry out thermal welding of the bottom layer of cotton wool with a covering layer along the contours of the pockets for seeds,

- hermetically packed, marked and sent to the warehouse of finished modules.

The method of growing microgreens using the proposed module in standard living conditions is as follows:

A module or several modules are placed in a tray or tray of an appropriate size, in which water is poured until the lower hydrophilic layer of basalt wool is completely saturated with water.

Excess water that has not been absorbed into the module or modules is drained. Inside the lower layer, due to the hydrophilic properties of basalt wool, capillary forces in microcapillaries retain the amount of water required for the entire growing season of plants.

The tray with the humidified module is left for 3-4 days at a temperature of 20-24 ° C in places excluding direct sunlight.

At this stage, the seeds swell and take root in the moist lower layer of basalt wool and the emergence of plant sprouts.

After 3-4 days, the plant sprouts that have increased in volume separate the upper covering layer from the lower layer of cotton wool, after which the upper covering layer is removed, and the tray or pallet 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 freshly cut is consumed.

After cutting off all microgreening plants, the spent module in the form of a layer of cotton wool with the remnants of the root system is disposed of as household waste.

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

It has been established that the volume of water is 315-320 ml. for one proposed module with a size of 120x150x20 mm is enough for the entire growing season of microgreen plants at normal humidity in a living room in accordance with GOST 30494-2011 (for a warm period - 30-60%, for a cold season 40-45%, the maximum allowable humidity value is 60%.).

A covering layer of paper with a 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 capable of maintaining a microclimate that promotes germination of seeds of microgreen plants in the shortest possible time.

This method 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 the product according to the prototype US 2018/0070528 showed that the proposed module for growing microgreens and a method for growing microgreens using it 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 moisturize the module. In the case of using cartridges in conditions of low humidity (30% or less), it is enough to simply increase the thickness of the lower layer of basalt wool in the module;

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

- 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 microgreening;

- no need to regulate the humidity in the room.

Thus, the design features of the proposed module and the method of its use determine the causal relationship of the essential features of the proposed technical solutions with the technical result and prove the possibility of industrial implementation and achievement of the technical result, namely, the simplification of growing microgreens from plant seeds in standard living conditions due to reducing the amount of water consumed, eliminating the need to use additional equipment, eliminating the need for constant monitoring of humidity and water level, ensuring the possibility of growing microgreens without additional energy consumption, forced ventilation and special lighting.

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

The production of prototypes and the examples of tests shown above in real conditions have shown a confident achievement of the technical result.

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

Considering the novelty of the essential features, the technical solution to the problem, the inventive step and the materiality of all general and particular features of the invention, proven in the "Prior Art" and "Disclosure of the invention" section, proven in the "Implementation of the invention" section, the technical feasibility and industrial applicability of the invention, a successful solution of the set inventive problem and confident achievement of the required technical result in the implementation and use of the invention, in our opinion, the claimed invention meets all the requirements of patentability for inventions.

Claims (19)

1. Module for growing microgreens from plant seeds, characterized in that it contains bottom hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool with vertically and / or inclined to the vertically oriented fibers and neutral pH and attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool with the formation of closed pockets for plant seeds, an upper covering layer of breathable paper with a one-sided hydrophobic polyethylene coating on the side of the lower layer. 2. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower hydrophilic layer is made of mineral basalt wool with a thickness of 10-30, preferably 20 mm. 3. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower hydrophilic layer is made of mineral basalt wool with a volumetric moisture capacity of 70-95, mainly 80-90%, sufficient for the entire growing season of microgreening plants. 4. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer of breathable paper with one-sided polyethylene coating is attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool by linear heat sealing of the polymer coating of the upper covering layer and mineral basalt wool of the lower hydrophilic layer. 5. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer is made of air-permeable paper with a density of 50-100 g / m ² and with one-sided polyethylene coating in the amount of 10-35 g / m ² . 6. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer is made of air-permeable paper with a one-sided polymer coating and a vapor permeability of at least 8 g / m ² in 24 hours. 7. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper covering layer is made of air-permeable paper with a light transmittance of 30-80, preferably 50%. 8. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that plant seeds in closed pockets are distributed in one layer at intervals relative to each other sufficient for the seeds to swell during germination. 9. Module for growing microgreens according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed pockets for seeds are located in relation to each other with a gap of 8-30, mainly 20 mm with the possibility of passive ventilation in the gaps at all stages of the growing season of plants with an increase in the green mass of plants and thickening of plants. 10. A method of growing microgreens from plant seeds, characterized in that use a module for growing microgreens from plant seeds, which contains a lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool with vertically and / or obliquely to the vertical oriented fibers and neutral pH and attached to the lower hydrophilic layer of mineral basalt wool with the formation of closed pockets for plant seeds. a layer of breathable paper with a one-sided hydrophobic polymer coating with polyethylene on the side of the lower layer, moisten the module with water until saturation, remove excess water not absorbed into the module, withstand the moistened module with the upper covering layer during the period of swelling and rooting of seeds, and after the emergence of plant sprouts and an increase in the volume of the seed pockets, the upper covering layer is removed and natural or artificial illumination of the plant sprouts is provided until the end of the growing season of microgreen plants. 11. A method for growing microgreens from plant seeds according to claim 10, characterized in that at the end of the growing season, the microgreens are cut for consumption or the module with microgreens is kept at a reduced temperature of + (2-6) ° C. 12. A method of growing microgreens from plant seeds, characterized in that a module is used for growing microgreens from plant seeds according to any one of claims. 1-9.

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