초록 ▼

A hydroponic system for growing sweet potatoes and other root and tuber crops includes a growing channel incorporating a movable root contact/pressure plate assembly. The assembly consists of a flat, rigid PVC plate in which holes for inserting plants are drilled and a flexible vinyl film which is s

A hydroponic system for growing sweet potatoes and other root and tuber crops includes a growing channel incorporating a movable root contact/pressure plate assembly. The assembly consists of a flat, rigid PVC plate in which holes for inserting plants are drilled and a flexible vinyl film which is secured along the length of each side edge of the plate, by means of pressure fit connectors. The assembly is secured to the top edges of a growing channel, again by pressure fit connectors. The flexible film suspends the plate near and parallel to the bottom of the growing channel, with the flexibility of the film allowing upward movement of the plate within the channel as the plant roots grow. The assembly provides contact and pressure to the plant roots inside the growing channel thereby promoting enlargement of the roots. This enlargement causes the assembly to move upwardly, thereby maintaining the desired pressure conditions during growth. A suitable nutrient solution is suppplied in the growing channel.

대표청구항 ▼

A hydroponic system for growing root crops in the absence of an aggregate, and for stimulating the growth of storage roots by the application of continuous downward pressure to such roots, comprising: a growing channel having a bottom wall and side and end walls, and having an open top; movable root

A hydroponic system for growing root crops in the absence of an aggregate, and for stimulating the growth of storage roots by the application of continuous downward pressure to such roots, comprising: a growing channel having a bottom wall and side and end walls, and having an open top; movable root contact/pressure plate means within said growing channel and spaced above the bottom wall thereof to define a root zone, said contact/pressure plate means having a weight selected to provide a growth-stimulating pressure on storage roots within said root zone; plant support means in said plate means for receiving and supporting crop plants having storage roots with their storage roots extending below said plate into said root zone; flexible sheet means interconnecting said plate means with the side walls of the growing channel for substantially free vertical motion of said plate means within said channel, said plate means being positioned by said flexible sheet means to contact and continuously apply the weight of said contact/pressure plate means and thereby said growth-stimulating pressure on storage roots within said root zone to thereby promote storage root growth, said flexible sheet means permitting vertical motion of said plate means in response to storage root growth to accommodate root enlargement while retaining plate pressure on said storage roots; and means supplying liquid nutrient to said root zone in said growing channel to contact the roots of plants carried in said plant support means.