JPH10150848A - Vegetable fiber structure - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To have good water retention, moderate drainage, adequate space for plant growth, to reduce the accumulation of salt contained in feed water, and to easily remove accumulated salt. An object of the present invention is to provide a vegetation material, and to provide a method capable of satisfactorily growing plants using the vegetation material without causing water shortage, root rot, salt damage and the like. An organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more contains 5% by weight or more, and has an apparent density under pressure of 20 g / cm ² of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ and 1.5 mm. A water-absorbing fibrous structure having the above thickness, in particular, a water-absorbing polymer and a polymer for a binder are attached thereto, and the water absorption per unit volume is 0.02 to 10 g water / c.
The above object is achieved by the fiber structure for vegetation of the present invention comprising the above fiber structure having m ³ .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a fibrous structure for vegetation and a method for growing a plant using the fibrous structure. More specifically, the present invention requires a great deal of effort and time to supply low rainfall areas such as deserts and plants such as golf courses, soccer fields, baseball fields, and median strips on roads. A vegetation fiber structure that can be effectively used to grow plants in places where rainwater is difficult to be held on the ground, such as slopes in mountains or residential lands, and the like, and a vegetation fiber structure using the vegetation fiber structure To grow plants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Areas such as deserts where the amount of rainfall is small and plants do not grow, places such as bedrock where plants are difficult to grow, golf courses, soccer fields, baseball fields, and median strips on roads. In places where it takes a lot of labor and time to supply water to plants, such as in plants, it is required to improve the water retention of the soil, reduce the time and effort required to supply water to the plants, and the like.

Conventional techniques for improving the water retention of soil include a greening sheet in which a water-absorbing polymer is fixed to a porous sheet such as a net or a woven fabric (JP-A-2-16216). Woven and knitted mesh sheets composed of fibers (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-247777), and water-absorbent textiles provided with a water-absorbing polymer in a textile structure (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-218275)
No. 1). However, these conventional greening sheets and woven / knitted mesh sheets are generally too thin to have a thickness of 1 mm or less, so that they cannot hold an amount of water necessary for growing plants, or because the fibers constituting the sheets are thin, the soil is too thin. Due to the pressure in the sheet, the sheet is compressed and deformed, the water retention, moderate drainage and the space necessary for root growth are lost, the plant withers due to lack of water, root rot due to excess water,
The salt damage of the plant due to the accumulation of salt and the poor growth due to the dense roots occur. Moreover, in these conventional techniques, no particular study has been made on the water absorption capacity (water absorption) required for healthy growth of plants.

[0004] In areas where rainfall is extremely low, such as deserts, water obtained by desalinating seawater is used as water for sprinkling. However, some salt still remains in the desalinated water. ing. Therefore, when growing plants in such an environment, the water-absorbing material has a high water-absorbing ability, that residual salt in water is unlikely to accumulate in the water-absorbing material,
When the salt accumulates, it is necessary to wash the salt from the water-absorbing material. However, the above-mentioned conventional greening sheet and water-absorbent fabric do not take such a consideration at all. Furthermore, in the water-absorbing material used for the purpose of greening, in addition to the above-described good water-absorbing ability, and the properties of preventing accumulation of salt and easy washing of salt,
It is important to have proper drainage from the viewpoint of preventing root rot due to excess water. Further, the greening sheet needs to have a space in which the roots of the plant can be favorably grown. However, these points are not sufficiently considered in the conventional greening sheet and the water-absorbent fabric described above.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a water-repellent area having an adequate drainage capacity and a space for growing plant roots, and having a very small amount of rainfall such as a desert. A place where it is difficult to keep water on the ground even if it rains, such as a slope, a place that requires great effort and time to supply water to plants, such as a golf course, a soccer field, a baseball field, and a median strip on the road When used for such purposes, it is possible to grow plants without dying of plants due to water shortage due to good water retention in the soil, and furthermore, root rot due to excess water, salt damage due to accumulation of salt, plant roots An object of the present invention is to provide a vegetation material capable of satisfactorily growing plants without causing problems such as growth inhibition. And the present invention is to provide a method for growing a plant using the vegetation material as described above.

[0006]

The present inventors have made various studies in order to achieve the above object. As a result, the vegetation material contains an organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more at a predetermined ratio or more, and has an apparent density under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ . When formed from a water-absorbing fiber structure having a thickness of 1.5 mm or more, especially when the fiber structure is adjusted to a specific water-absorbing ability provided with a water-absorbing polymer, the vegetation fiber The structure has appropriate rigidity, and even if it is laid in the soil, it does not completely collapse due to the weight of the soil, and can maintain an appropriate void and / or fiber structure form in the fiber structure in the soil. It has good water retention and moderate drainage, and good water supply to the plant, which can cause plant death due to lack of water, root rot due to excess water, salt damage to the plant due to accumulation of salt, etc. No more outbreaks, good plants The present invention has been completed by finding that the present invention grows.

That is, the present invention provides an organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more of 5% by weight or more.
g / cm ² under apparent pressure of 0.001 to
A vegetation fiber structure comprising a water-absorbing fiber structure having a thickness of 0.3 g / cm ³ and a thickness of 1.5 mm or more. Particularly preferably, the present invention includes an organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more, 5% by weight or more, an apparent density under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ , A fibrous structure for vegetation having a thickness of 1.5 mm or more, wherein a fiber constituting the fibrous structure has a water-absorbing polymer and a polymer for a binder attached thereto, and has a unit volume of the fibrous structure. It is a fibrous structure for vegetation, characterized in that the water absorption per unit is 0.02 to 10 g water / cm ³ . And this invention is a method of growing a plant using said fiber structure for vegetation.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail. First, the fiber structure for vegetation of the present invention is based on an organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more based on the total weight of the fibers constituting the fiber structure for vegetation (hereinafter referred to as “fiber fineness organic polymer”). (Which may be referred to as "fiber") in an amount of 5% by weight or more, preferably 20% by weight or more, and more preferably 50 to 100% by weight. Is more preferred. In the fibrous structure for vegetation, when the content ratio of the organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more is less than 5% by weight, the vegetative fiber structure is laid by soil pressure when the vegetative fiber structure is laid in the soil. The structure is compressed and deformed, and its water retention, moderate drainage, and space necessary for root growth are lost, plant shortage due to lack of water, root rot due to excess water, salt content in fiber structure This causes salt damage to plants due to accumulation and poor growth due to dense roots.

[0009] The single fiber fineness of the large-sized organic polymer fiber used in the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is 30 denier or more, but the single fiber fineness is 50 denier or more, more preferably 100 denier or more. It is preferable that the fibers contain 5% by weight or more of a large fineness organic polymer fiber, so that the fiber structure for vegetation can be imparted with higher compression resistance and can be subjected to earth pressure when laid in the soil. Collapse can be reduced. Although it depends on the type of the organic polymer fiber, etc., in general, the larger the single fiber fineness of the organic polymer fiber becomes, and the larger the content of the organic polymer fiber becomes, the higher the rigidity of the vegetation fiber structure becomes. And collapse due to earth pressure is further reduced. The upper limit of the single fiber fineness of the organic polymer fiber is not particularly limited, but if the thickness of the organic polymer fiber is too large, it becomes difficult to produce a fibrous structure such as a nonwoven fabric or a knitted fabric. The fineness is preferably 300 denier or less. In addition, the single-filament organic polymer fiber having a single-fiber fineness of 30 denier or more contained in the fiber structure for vegetation of the present invention may be one type or two or more types. Furthermore, the types of fibers other than the large fineness organic polymer fibers constituting the vegetation fiber structure of the present invention and the single fiber fineness thereof are not particularly limited. The inter-fiber voids in the structure are reduced, and moderate drainage is impaired, or the roots grow densely and the healthy growth of plants is easily impaired. In the case where it is lower than that, it is preferable to use a fiber having a single fiber fineness of 15 denier or more, particularly 20 denier or more as other fibers.

Furthermore, the fibrous structure for vegetation according to the present invention comprises
The apparent density under pressure of 0 g / cm ² is 0.001
０．３0.3 g / cm ³ . If the apparent density is less than 0.001 g / cm ^3, it is not possible to secure a sufficient water retention capacity necessary for growing plants. On the other hand, when the apparent density exceeds 0.3 g / cm ³ , the water retention capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation becomes excessive and root rot of the plant occurs,
In addition, the space necessary for the growth of the root of the plant is not secured, and the plant grows too densely, thereby inhibiting the healthy growth of the plant. In the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention, the apparent density under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² is 0.002 to 0.2 g from the viewpoints of water retention capacity, moderate drainage, healthy growth of roots, and prevention of salt damage. / Cm ³
Is more preferable. Here, “20” in the present invention is used.
The "apparent density of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of g / cm < ² >" means that the fibrous structure for vegetation is 20 g from the upper part (i.e., the upper surface on which the soil is placed when laid in the soil).
/ Cm ² means the apparent weight (g) per unit volume (cm ³ ) of the fibrous structure for vegetation when compressed under pressure, and details thereof are as described in the section of Examples below. is there.

[0011] Vegetation fiber structure of the present invention with an apparent density under pressure of 20 g / cm ² is at 0.001~0.3g / cm ^3, for example laid in soil depth 10 cm (embedded) to When used, the above 0.0 in soil
It can maintain an apparent density as high as or close to 01 to 0.3 g / cm ³ , thereby maintaining good water retention and moderate drainage, further preventing and accumulating salt. The space required for the discharge of salt and the growth of the roots is maintained well, and the plants can grow healthy.

The fibrous structure for vegetation according to the present invention is 20
It is necessary that the thickness is 1.5 mm or more under the pressure of g / cm ² , and preferably 2 mm or more. When the thickness of the vegetation fiber structure is less than 1.5 mm, it is not possible to provide the vegetation fiber structure with a sufficient water retaining ability. Moreover, if the thickness is less than 1.5 mm, the vegetation fiber structure becomes closer to a planar structure (two-dimensional structure) rather than a three-dimensional structure (three-dimensional structure). There is only one surface contact with the plant roots (ie, the plant roots do not contact the vegetation fiber structure both in the surface direction and in the depth direction), and sufficient water supply to the roots is achieved. Disappears. In this respect, the fiber structure for vegetation of the present invention generally has a thickness of 1%.
mm or less as compared with the water-absorbent fabric described in JP-A-8-218275 or the greening sheet described in JP-A-2-162216, which has an excellent effect on promoting plant growth. it can. The upper limit of the thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under the above-mentioned pressure can be adjusted according to the place and environment where the fibrous structure for vegetation is laid, the type of plant to be vegetated, etc. The vegetation fiber structure preferably has a thickness of 50 mm or less.
mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less. Further, the thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention under no pressure is preferably 2.0 mm or more, more preferably 2.5 mm or more.

Furthermore, the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention needs to have a predetermined water absorbency. As a mode for making the vegetation fiber structure water-absorbable, the vegetation fiber structure contains an organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more at a ratio of 5% by weight or more, and is used for vegetation after water absorption. Water absorption such that the apparent density of the fibrous structure can maintain the value of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ under the above-mentioned pressurization of 20 g / cm ² and can maintain the thickness of 2 mm or more. Is preferably adopted.

As typical examples of the mode of making the fiber structure water-absorbing, (i) an organic polymer fiber constituting the fiber structure with a water-absorbing polymer attached thereto; (ii) a fiber structure forming the fiber structure Wherein at least a part of the organic polymer fiber is made of a water-absorbing organic polymer fiber; in the present invention, the organic polymer fiber constituting the fibrous structure is made of a water-absorbing polymer. The attached fiber structure of the above (i) is preferably employed because the apparent density and the thickness of the fiber structure can be favorably maintained at the above-mentioned values. In this case, it is particularly preferable to attach the water-absorbing polymer to the organic polymer fiber constituting the fiber structure together with the binder polymer.

In the above-mentioned fibrous structure of the present invention having a water-absorbing polymer and a binder polymer adhered thereto, the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer are dissolved or dispersed in water or an organic solvent, and the resulting mixture is dispersed. A method of spraying the fiber structure; a method of immersing the fiber structure in the solution or dispersion; a water-absorbing polymer and a binder polymer previously coated on the surface of the organic polymer fiber using the solution or dispersion. A method for producing a vegetation fiber structure using the organic polymer fiber after adhering; a vegetation fiber structure in which a water-absorbing polymer and a binder polymer are attached to the organic polymer fiber. However, when the fiber structure is formed after the water-absorbing polymer is applied to the organic polymer fiber, the water-absorbing polymer attached to the fiber surface may drop off during the manufacturing process of the structure. Since, preferably, it is desirable to deposit a water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer for the manufacture of the fiber structure.

In order to further strengthen the adhesion of the water-absorbing polymer to the organic polymer fibers, and to prevent the water-absorbing polymer attached to the organic polymer fibers from being dissolved in water, If necessary, crosslinking treatment such as radiation crosslinking, heat crosslinking, and chemical crosslinking may be performed.

As the organic polymer fiber constituting the fibrous structure for vegetation, any organic polymer fiber containing an organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more in a proportion of 5% by weight or more can be used. Polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate; polyamide fibers such as nylon 6 and nylon 66; polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; acrylic fibers; polyvinyl alcohol fibers; Polymer fibers; vinylidene chloride-based polymer fibers; cellulosic fibers such as viscose rayon, polynosic rayon, cupra rayon, and solvent-spun rayon; polysulfone-based fibers; Body fibers also may be used alone or two
More than one species may be used. In particular, in the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention, as the organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more constituting the fibrous structure, a fiber that does not swell or has a small degree of swelling (hydrophobic fiber) is used. It is preferable to use it. In this case, even if the vegetation fiber structure is left in the ground for a long period of time, the vegetation fiber structure is less likely to be deformed or collapsed, and an appropriate gap is formed in the fiber structure. Can be kept good over a long period of time. Further, the above-mentioned organic polymer fiber may have a circular cross section or an irregular cross section.

As the water-absorbing polymer used in the present invention, a water-absorbing polymer having a water-absorbing ability of 100 to 1000 times its own weight before being attached to an organic polymer fiber is preferably used. As such a water-absorbing polymer, for example, a polyacrylic acid-based polymer, a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer,
Isobutylene-maleic anhydride-based copolymer, polyethylene oxide-based polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone-based polymer, ethylcellulose-based polymer, polyacrylamide,
Examples thereof include polystyrene sulfonic acid polymers, and one or more of these water absorbing polymers can be used.

In the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention, the water-absorbing polymer attached to the organic polymer fiber satisfies the following formula (1) by coexisting with the binder polymer. As described above, it is preferable that the water absorption capacity (Q ₁ ) is apparently reduced, whereby the fiber structure can be given good water retention and moderate drainage, and the plant can grow well.

[0020]

[Formula 2] 0.01Q ₀ ≦ Q ₁ ≦ 0.5Q ₀ (1) [wherein Q ₀ = water absorption capacity (weight times) originally possessed by the water-absorbing polymer before being attached to the organic polymer fiber, Q ₁ = Apparent water absorption capacity (by weight) of the water-absorbing polymer after being attached to the organic polymer fiber. ]

However, Q ₀ and Q ₁ in the above equation (1) are obtained from the following equations (2) and (3).

[0022]

Q ₀ (weight times) = Wp ₁ / Wp ₀ (2) where Wp ₀ = dry weight of the water-absorbing polymer (g), Wp ₁
= The weight (g) when the water-absorbent polymer is immersed in water at 25 ° C for 1 hour, taken out and left on a net for 5 minutes to drop excess water. ]

[0023]

Q ₁ (weight times) = (Wa−We ₀ ) / (We ₁ −We ₀ ) (3) [wherein, We ₀ = fiber before adhering the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer. Weight of structure (g), We ₁ =
Dry weight (g) of the fibrous structure to which the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer are attached, Wa = the fiber structure to which the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer are attached at a temperature of 2
The weight (g) of the fibrous structure when the fiber structure was taken out after being immersed in water at 5 ° C. for 1 hour and left on a net for 5 minutes to drop excess water is shown. ]

If the water absorbing capacity (Q ₁ ) of the water-absorbing polymer after being attached to the organic polymer fiber is smaller than 0.01 Q ₀ , the water retention of the vegetation fiber structure is insufficient, and the plant may not grow. It may be easy to wither due to lack of water. On the other hand, if the above water absorption capacity (Q ₁ ) is larger than 0.5Q ₀ , the water absorption capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation becomes too high than the water absorption capacity of the roots of the plants, and water is taken up from the roots of the plants. And it is difficult for plants to grow healthy. Since the vegetation fiber structure of the present invention is used under extremely severe weather conditions such as desert, as a water-absorbing polymer to be attached to the organic polymer fiber, it has a high water absorbing performance by itself. Polymers are selected and used, but such polymers with high water absorbency may deprive the roots of water when they directly touch the roots of plants, and the high water absorbency backfires Sometimes. Therefore, in the fibrous structure of the present invention, the water-absorbing polymer is coexistent with the binder polymer, so that the binder polymer partially covers the water-absorbing polymer and the water-absorbing ability thereof is appropriately controlled. ing. In the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention in such a state, in a state where the water-absorbing polymer is attached to the organic polymer fiber, the water-absorbing polymer finally has a water absorbing ability of 5 to 100 times its own weight. It is preferred from the viewpoint of healthy growth of the plant, and more preferably from 10 to 50 times the water absorption capacity.

Further, as the polymer for a binder used in the present invention, the original high water absorbing ability of the water-absorbing polymer can be appropriately controlled, and the water-absorbing polymer can be favorably added to the organic polymer fiber. Any polymer can be used as long as it can be attached, and it can be appropriately selected according to the type of the organic polymer fiber, the type of the water-absorbing polymer, and, for example, a urethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, Examples include polyester-based resins. In order for the water-absorbing polymer to adhere to the organic polymer fiber so as to satisfy the above formula (1), the water-absorbing polymer: the polymer for the binder = 1: 3 to 10: It is preferred that the water-absorbing polymer be attached to the organic polymer fibers using both polymers in a weight ratio of 1. The adhesion state of the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer in the fibrous structure can be confirmed, for example, by coloring only one polymer and observing it with an optical microscope or the like.

It is particularly preferable that the water-absorbing ability of the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention is 0.02 to 10 g water per 1 cm ³ thereof. If the water absorption capacity of the vegetation fiber structure is in the above range, withering due to insufficient water supply to the plants,
Problems such as root rot due to excess water are less likely to occur, and the plant can grow healthy. Here, the water absorption capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation is determined by the following equation (4).

[0027]

The water absorption capacity (g / cm ³ ) of the fiber structure for vegetation (g / cm ³ ) = (Waq−Wdr) / V (4) [where V = 20 g / cm ² for vegetation when compressed under pressure. Apparent volume of fiber structure (cm ³ ), Wdr
= Dry weight of the vegetation for the fiber structure of the volume ^{V (cm 3) (g)} , Waq = volume V (cm ³⁾ of the vegetation fiber structure removed after immersion for 1 hour in water at a temperature 25 ° C. on a network (G) when left for 5 minutes to drop excess water
Is shown. ]

The fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention is preferably a nonwoven fabric or a knitted fabric, or a composite form of two or more of them, and the nonwoven fabric form is more preferable from the viewpoint of cost and the like. preferable. Although the present invention does not exclude a woven fabric, it is difficult to obtain a vegetation fiber structure having a thickness of 2 mm or more as a general woven fabric. And
In the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention comprising a nonwoven fabric and / or a knitted fabric, the whole structure is made into a coarse structure, or a hole penetrating from one surface of the fibrous structure for vegetation to another surface. By providing a structure having a large number of (holes penetrating in the thickness direction of the vegetation fiber structure), the vegetation fiber structure can be given good water retention and appropriate drainage, and moreover, the root of the plant can be obtained. Voids that can grow satisfactorily are present in the fibrous structure for vegetation, withering due to lack of water and root rot due to excess water are prevented, and the roots grow well without excessively dense growth, Plants can be grown healthy.

In particular, when the vegetation fiber structure is made of a non-woven fabric, (a) the entire non-woven fabric has a coarse non-woven structure as shown in FIG. And a through hole having an opening area of about 0.5 to 50 mm ² when viewed from one surface of the nonwoven fabric (an irregular fiber penetrating in the thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric). (B) a structure in which many interspaces 2 exist;
As illustrated in FIG. 2, assuming that the nonwoven fabric 1 has a nonwoven structure in which the nonwoven fabric is clogged (FIG. 2 is a diagram of the nonwoven fabric viewed from one surface), the through hole 3 having an opening area of about 0.5 to 750 mm ² is formed. A structure in which a large number of perforations are formed in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the nonwoven fabric after or during the production of the nonwoven fabric; it is possible to give the vegetation fibrous structure an appropriate drainage while maintaining good water retention, and Voids and spaces that promote the growth of plant roots can be present in the vegetation fibrous structure. Also,
In some cases, (c) a structure in which a through-hole 3 is further formed in the vegetation fiber structure made of a coarse nonwoven fabric as in (a) as in (b) above.

In the vegetation fiber structures (b) and (c), the through holes 3 are provided regularly and / or irregularly throughout the nonwoven fabric at intervals of about 2 to 100 mm. Preferably, the shape of the through hole 3 may be circular, square, triangular, polygonal, or any other shape. In any of the cases (a) to (c), when viewed from one surface of the nonwoven fabric, the total area occupied by the openings of the through holes 2 or 3 is approximately equal to the area of the one surface of the nonwoven fabric. It is preferable to set it to about 8 to 90%.

In a fibrous structure for vegetation made of nonwoven fabric,
FIG as shown in 3, the point at which one of the fibers A intersects with other fibers B and X _1, the point X ₁ X ₂ a point fiber A that is adjacent to further crosses another fiber C to and then, when the the point X ₁ and / or X ₂ and fibers B and fibers C and X ₃ the point of intersection is adjacent to determine the point of intersection of the fibers in the same manner, the points X ₁ and the point linear distance X ₁ -X _2, linear distance X ₃ -X between linear distance X ₂ -X _3, points X ₃ and the point X ₁ between the point X ₂ and the point X ₃ between X _{2 Use of} a nonwoven fabric having an average value of ₁ ... (Hereinafter referred to as “average inter-fiber crossing distance”) of about 0.2 to 4 mm provides good water retention, moderate drainage, and root growth. Can be provided.

When the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention is formed from a knitted fabric, for example, as shown in FIG. Has a large number of through holes 5 in the thickness direction (up and down direction), and a peripheral wall portion 6 surrounding the through hole 5 is formed by bunching of single fibers, and a minute space is formed between the single fibers of the peripheral wall portion 6. It has a structure that has a suitable void, imparts good water retention to the fibrous structure for vegetation and also imparts appropriate drainage, and there is a space that promotes the growth of plant roots,
Plants can be satisfactorily grown. In this case, the opening area of one through hole 5 is set to 10 to 750.
mm ^2, and the total area occupied by the through-holes 5 when viewed on one surface of the fibrous structure (knitted fabric) 4 is about 8 to about the area of the one surface of the fibrous structure (knitted fabric) 4. It is preferable to make it about 90%. In addition, the shape of the through hole 5 can be a square, a rhombus, a polygon (for example, a hexagon), or any other shape. Further, the height h of the peripheral wall portion 6 surrounding one through hole 5 is about 2 to 10
It is preferably about mm from the viewpoints of easiness of production of a knitted fabric, water retention, appropriate drainage, ease of construction and transportation, and the like.

Further, the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention may have a single-layer structure composed of one of the above-described nonwoven fabric and knitted fabric, or a laminated structure composed of two or more. When a plurality of layers are formed, the same layers may be stacked or different layers may be stacked. Further, the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention may be used to improve the strength and rigidity of the fibrous structure for vegetation, if necessary, and / or
Alternatively, it may be laminated with another material in order to favorably maintain or impart the above-mentioned property of an apparent density of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² .

In using the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention for vegetation, the region, place, environment and the like in which the fibrous structure is used can be appropriately selected. In particular, deserts, golf courses, soccer fields, baseball fields, and road median strips. It is preferably used in places and areas such as land, slopes and the like. However, the place where the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention is used is not limited to the above. For example, the fibrous structure for vegetation may be used in other environments or places where plants grow, such as gardens, parks, fields, orchards, flower beds, river banks, and the like. It can be used for potted plants in some cases. In addition, the kind of plants grown at that time is not particularly limited, for example, turfgrass, vegetables, wheat and other cereal plants, flowers, trees, ornamental plants, ground slip prevention plants, etc. Can be.

In growing a plant using the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention, the fibrous structure for vegetation is buried in the soil at a depth of about 3 to 20 cm, preferably about 5 to 15 cm. To perform vegetation, or lay the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention and have a height of about 3 to 20 cm,
It is preferable that the plant is grown by performing embankment at a height of preferably about 5 to 15 cm. In this case, since the degree of compression of the vegetation fiber structure by the weight of the soil is extremely small, the apparent density of the vegetation fiber structure is in the range of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ or It can be maintained at a value close to that, and the thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation can be maintained at a thickness of 2 mm or more or close to it, so that the fibrous structure for vegetation retains good water retention and moderate drainage. In addition, it is possible to smoothly prevent the accumulation of salt in the fiber structure and to eliminate the accumulated salt from the fiber structure for vegetation, and furthermore, a space (void) suitable for root growth is provided in the fiber structure for vegetation. Since it can be kept in a thing, the plant can grow smoothly. At this time, the method of sowing the plant, the method of transplanting, the method of supplying water to the plant, and the like may be appropriately performed according to the type and environment of the plant.

[0036]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples and the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following examples, the water-absorbing ability of the water-absorbing polymer before and after being attached to the organic polymer fiber constituting the vegetation fiber structure, and the water absorption capacity per unit volume of the vegetation fiber structure are as described above. It was measured by the following method. The apparent density of the vegetation fiber structure under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² , the opening area of the through hole in the vegetation fiber structure, the average inter-fiber crossing distance in the nonwoven fabric vegetation fiber structure, and the knitted fabric The height of the surrounding wall surrounding the through hole in the fibrous structure for vegetation was measured as follows.

[Apparent Density of Vegetation Fiber Structure Under Pressure of 20 g / cm ² ] (1) Cut Vegetation Fiber Structure to 50 cm × 50 c
A square test piece of m is prepared and its weight (W) (g) is measured. (2) Next, a transparent plastic plate is placed on the test piece, and the test piece is compressed under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² (including the weight of the plastic plate) from above the plastic plate. Is measured, and the apparent density of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² is determined from the following equation.

[0038]

## EQU6 ## The apparent density (g / cm ³ ) of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² = W / (50 × 50 ×
d)

[Opening Area of Through Hole in Vegetation Fiber Structure] In a vegetation fiber structure having a large through hole such as a drilled through hole or a knitted fabric, a through hole (calipers) is used to measure the through hole. The length or diameter of one side of the opening is measured to determine the opening area of the through hole. In the case of a nonwoven fabric vegetation fiber structure in which a through hole is formed by the nonwoven fabric itself, the surface of the vegetation fiber structure is magnified 50 times with a scanning electron microscope and a photograph is taken. Then, the length or diameter of one side of the opening of the through hole is measured from the enlarged photograph, and the opening area of the through hole in the fibrous structure for vegetation is determined.

[Distance Between Fiber Crossovers in Nonwoven Fabric Vegetable Fiber Structure] The surface of the nonwoven fabric vegetation fiber structure was magnified 50 times with a scanning electron microscope, and a photograph was taken. Was measured and the average value was taken.

[Height of Peripheral Wall Surrounding Through-hole in Knitted Fabric Vegetable Structure] The actual height of the peripheral wall was measured using a ruler (calipers).

Example 1 (1) Single fiber fineness 100 denier (diameter 100 μm)
m), using a polyester fiber having a fiber length of 70 mm,
The non-woven fabric is formed according to the standard method by the needle punching method.
Acrylic resin to increase the strength of the non-woven fabric
("Diknal E-" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
7500 ”) at 5% by weight of the fiber weight
Let it be 130 g / m^TwoAcrylic resin treated non-woven
Fabric was manufactured. (2) Sodium polyacrylate (water-absorbing polymer)
(Acryhope HG- manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Chemical Co., Ltd.
1 "; water absorption capacity Q₀= 140 times the dry weight) 40 parts by weight,
Urethane polymer (polymer for binder) (Dainippon Ink
"Chrisbon 3314" manufactured by Chemical Industry Co., Ltd .; solid content 2
0% by weight) 100 parts by weight and isopropyl alcohol
300 parts by weight were mixed to prepare a water-absorbing polymer solution.
Acrylic resin produced in (1) above in a water-absorbing polymer liquid
After immersing the treated nonwoven fabric, take it out and draw it out.
/ Cm^TwoTo remove excess water-absorbing polymer solution.
Dry at 0 ° C and have a basis weight of 300 g / m^Two(Water-absorbing polymerization
170g / total adhering amount of polymer and binder polymer
m^Two)) Producing nonwoven fabrics for water-absorbing vegetation
Was. The thickness of the vegetation fiber structure was 4.2 mm.
Was. (3) Water-absorbent vegetation made of the nonwoven fabric obtained in (2) above
20g / cm of fiber structure^TwoApparent density under pressure
When the degree was measured by the method described above, it was 0.081 g / cm.
^ThreeAnd 20 g / cm^TwoFor vegetation under pressure
The thickness of the fiber structure was 3.7 mm. Also this vegetation
Absorbency of fiber structure for garment is 1.4g water / cm ^ThreeMet.
Furthermore, the water absorption capacity Q of the water-absorbing polymer after adhering to the fiber₁On
According to the method described, 0.05Q₀And then
The opening area of the through hole based on the non-woven structure is about 0.8 to
6.3mm^TwoAnd the average fiber crossover distance is
1.2 mm.

Example 2 (1) Single fiber fineness 100 denier (diameter 100 μm)
70% by weight of a polyester fiber having a fiber length of 64 mm, and a fiber length of 64 m with a single fiber fineness of 20 denier (diameter: 45 μm)
After mixing 30 parts by weight of the polyester fiber of m, a nonwoven fabric was formed by a needle punching method according to a conventional method. Next, the same acrylic resin as that used in Example 1 was applied at a ratio of 5% by weight to the fiber weight to increase the strength of the nonwoven fabric, thereby producing an acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 150 g / m ² . (2) 50 parts by weight of a polyacrylic acid resin (a water-absorbing polymer) (“Sunwet IM-1000” manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd .; water absorption capacity Q ₀ = about 286 times the dry weight) and a urethane polymer (weight for binder) Combination) ("Chrisbon 3314" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc .; solid content 20% by weight) was mixed with 250 parts by weight to prepare a water-absorbing polymer liquid.
This water-absorbing polymer liquid is sprayed onto the acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric produced in the above (1) by a spray method to adhere thereto.
After drying at 20 ° C., the basis weight was 300 g / m ² (total adhesion amount of the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer was 150 g / m 2
² ) A nonwoven fabric made of a nonwoven fabric for water-absorbing vegetation was produced.
The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 3.0 mm. (3) 25 holes / 100c of through-holes (holes) having a diameter of 10 mm (opening area = approximately 79 mm ² ) were formed in the non-woven fabric for water-absorbing vegetation obtained in the above (2) using a punch.
drilled at a rate of m ² (total of the through-hole open area ratio = 20
%, Shortest distance between adjacent through holes = 5 mm) to produce a fibrous structure for vegetation. (4) 20 of the fibrous structure for vegetation obtained in (3) above
The apparent density under a pressure of g / cm ² was 0.12 g / cm ^{3 as} measured by the method described above.
The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of g / cm ² was 2.5 mm. The water-absorbing capacity of the vegetation fiber structure was 2.0 g water / cm ³ , and the water-absorbing capacity Q ₁ of the water-absorbing resin after adhering to the fibers was 0.08 Q _{0 as} determined by the method described above. , And the average inter-fiber crossing distance is 0.
3 mm.

Example 3 (1) 50 parts by weight of a polyester fiber having a single fiber fineness of 35 denier (diameter: 60 μm) and a fiber length of 64 mm, and 50 weight parts of a polyester fiber having a single fiber fineness of 25 denier (diameter: 51 μm) and a fiber length of 64 mm After mixing the portions, a nonwoven fabric was formed by a needle punching method according to a conventional method. Then, the same acrylic resin as used in Example 1 was used for increasing the strength of the nonwoven fabric by 3% by weight with respect to the fiber weight.
To produce an acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 100 g / m ² . (2) Next, the water-absorbing polymer liquid used in Example 2 was sprayed and adhered to the acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric produced in (1) above, followed by drying at 120 ° C. to give a basis weight of 150 g / A water-absorbing vegetation fiber structure made of nonwoven fabric having an m ² (total adhesion amount of the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer of 50 g / m ² ) was produced. The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 8 mm. (3) 25 holes / 100 c of through-holes (holes) having a diameter of 8 mm (opening area = about 51 mm ² ) were formed on the non-woven fabric for water-absorbing vegetation obtained in (2) using a punch.
drilled at a rate of m ² (total open area ratio of the through-hole = 1
2.5%, shortest distance between adjacent through holes = 10 mm),
A vegetation fiber structure was manufactured. (4) 20 of the fibrous structure for vegetation obtained in (3) above
The apparent density under a pressure of g / cm ² was 0.03 g / cm ^{3 as} measured by the method described above.
The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of g / cm ² was 5 mm. The water absorbing capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 0.5 g water / cm ³ , and the water absorbing capacity Q ₁ of the water absorbing resin after adhering to the fibers was 0.35 Q _{0 as} determined by the above method. And the average inter-fiber crossing distance is 3.5
mm.

Example 4 (1) Single fiber fineness 200 denier (143 μm in diameter)
20% by weight of a polyester fiber having a fiber length of 64 mm and a fiber length of 64 m with a single fiber fineness of 25 denier (51 μm in diameter)
After mixing 80 parts by weight of a polyester fiber of m, a nonwoven fabric was formed by a needle punching method according to a conventional method. Next, the same acrylic resin used in Example 1 was applied at a ratio of 5% by weight based on the fiber weight to increase the strength of the nonwoven fabric, thereby producing an acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 200 g / m ² . (2) Next, the water-absorbing polymer liquid used in Example 2 was sprayed and adhered to the acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric produced in (1) above, followed by drying at 120 ° C. to give a basis weight of 600 g / A water-absorbing vegetation fiber structure made of nonwoven fabric having an m ² (total adhesion of the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer of 400 g / m ² ) was produced. The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 2.5 mm. (3) The fibrous structure for water-absorbing vegetation made of nonwoven fabric obtained in the above (2) was punched with 16 through-holes (holes) having a diameter of 15 mm (opening area = about 177 mm ² ) using a punch.
cm ² (total opening area ratio of through holes = 2
8%, the shortest distance between adjacent through holes = 8 mm) to produce a fibrous structure for vegetation. (4) 20 of the fibrous structure for vegetation obtained in (3) above
The apparent density under a pressure of g / cm ² was measured by the method described above to be 0.3 g / cm ³ , and 20 g
The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of ² cm / cm ² is 2
mm. The water-absorbing capacity of the vegetation fiber structure was 0.49 g water / cm ³ , and the water-absorbing capacity Q ₁ of the water-absorbing resin after adhering to the fibers was 0.017 Q _{0 as} determined by the method described above. , And the average inter-fiber crossing distance is 0.
2 mm.

Example 5 (1) Single fiber fineness 200 denier (143 μm in diameter)
Using the polyester filament yarn of (1), the fabric having a knitted fabric structure shown in FIG.
A knit of 0 g / m ² was produced. (2) Vinyl alcohol-sodium acrylate copolymer (water-absorbing polymer) (“Igetagel P” manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd .; water absorption capacity Q ₀ = about 367 times the dry weight) 10
0 parts by weight and urethane polymer (polymer for binder)
(Crisbon 630 manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
6B "; solid content 30% by weight) to prepare a water-absorbing polymer solution, and immerse the knitted fabric produced in the above (1) in the water-absorbing polymer solution. The excess water-absorbing polymer solution was removed by squeezing at 0.2 kg · f / cm ² and dried at 120 ° C. to give a basis weight of 300 g / m 2.
² (a total amount of attached water-absorbing polymer and binder polymer of 110 g / m ² ) was used to produce a knitted fabric water-absorbing vegetation fiber structure. The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 5.3 mm. (3) The apparent density of the knitted fabric for water-absorbent vegetation obtained in the above (2) under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was measured by the above-mentioned method, and it was 0.065 g / cm ³ . The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was 4.6 mm. The water absorbing capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 1.0 g water / cm ³ . Furthermore, the opening area of the through holes of the square formed by the knitting structure of the vegetation fiber structure is 64 mm ^2, and the water absorption capacity to Q ₁ water-absorbing polymer after deposition was determined by the method described above the fiber where 0.07Q _0, the height of the peripheral wall portion surrounding the through-hole was 5.3 mm.

Example 6 (1) Single fiber fineness of 200 denier (143 μm in diameter)
Using the polyester filament yarn of No. 21 by the double Russell method, the basis weight having the knitted fabric structure shown in FIG.
A knit of 5 g / m ² was produced. (2) Vinyl alcohol-sodium acrylate copolymer (water-absorbing polymer) (“Igetagel P” manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd .; water absorption capacity Q ₀ = about 367 times the dry weight) 10
0 parts by weight and urethane polymer (polymer for binder)
(Crisbon 630 manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
6B "; solid content: 30% by weight) to prepare a water-absorbing polymer solution, and immerse the knitted fabric produced in the above (1) in the water-absorbing polymer solution. The excess water-absorbing polymer solution was removed by squeezing at 0.2 kg · f / cm ² and dried at 120 ° C. to give a basis weight of 300 g / m 2.
² was produced knitted made of the water-absorbing vegetation fiber structure (absorbent polymer and the total deposition amount 85 g / m ² of the binder polymer for). The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 5.3 mm. (3) The apparent density of the knitted fabric for water-absorbent vegetation obtained in the above (2) under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was measured by the above-mentioned method, and it was 0.065 g / cm ³ . The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was 4.6 mm. The water absorption capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 0.04 g water / cm ³ .
Furthermore, the opening area of the through holes of the square formed by the knitting structure of the vegetation fiber structure is 64 mm ^2, and the water absorption capacity to Q ₁ water-absorbing polymer after deposition was determined by the method described above the fiber However, the height was 0.02Q ₀ , and the height of the peripheral wall surrounding the through hole was 5.3 mm.

Example 7 (1) Single fiber fineness 200 denier (143 μm in diameter)
4 having a knitted fabric structure shown in FIG.
A knit of 0 g / m ² was produced. (2) polyacrylic acid resins (water-absorbing polymer) (Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd. "Arasopu G"; about 650 times the absorption capacity Q ₀ = dry weight) 200 parts by weight polyurethane polymer (binder polymer for) ("Chrisbon 6306B" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc .; solid content 30% by weight)
The water-absorbent polymer solution was prepared by mixing the water-absorbent polymer solution, and the knitted fabric produced in the above (1) was immersed in the water-absorbent polymer solution, taken out, and squeezed at a squeezing pressure of 1.2 kg · f / cm ² . Remove the excess water-absorbing polymer solution, and dry at 120 ° C.
A water-absorbing vegetation fiber structure made of a knitted fabric having a basis weight of 300 g / m ² (total adhesion amount of a water-absorbing polymer and a binder polymer of 180 g / m ² ) was produced. The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 5.3 mm. (3) The apparent density of the knitted fabric for water-absorbent vegetation obtained in the above (2) under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was measured by the method described above, and was 0.2 g / cm ³ , The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was 4.6 mm. The water absorption capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 8.3 g water / cm ³ . Furthermore, the opening area of the through holes of the square formed by the knitting structure of the vegetation fiber structure is 64 mm ^2, and the water absorption capacity to Q ₁ water-absorbing polymer after deposition was determined by the method described above the fiber where 0.37Q _0, the height of the peripheral wall portion surrounding the through-hole was 5.3 mm.

Comparative Example 1 (1) Using a polyester fiber having a single fiber fineness of 20 denier (diameter: 45 μm), a nonwoven fabric was formed by a needle punching method according to a conventional method, and then an acrylic resin was used to increase the strength of the nonwoven fabric. ("Diknal E-8290" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.) at a ratio of 5% by weight to the fiber weight, and a basis weight of 480 g / m2.
Acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric No. ² was produced. (2) The same water-absorbing polymer solution as used in (2) of Example 2 was sprayed onto the acrylic resin-treated nonwoven fabric produced in (1) and adhered thereto, followed by drying at 120 ° C. Thus, a water-absorbing vegetation fiber structure made of nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 630 g / m ² (total adhesion amount of the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer of 150 g / m ² ) was produced. The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 1.6 mm. (3) The apparent density of the non-woven fabric for water-absorbent vegetation obtained in the above (2) under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was measured by the above-mentioned method to be 0.45 g / cm ^3.
The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was 1.4 mm. Further, the water absorbing capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation was 4.3 g water / cm ³ . Further, when the water absorption capacity to Q ₁ water-absorbent resin after adhering to the fibers in the vegetation fiber structure was determined by the method described above,
0.09Q ₀ and the opening area of the through-holes based on the non-woven tissue is in the range of about 0.0004～0.01Mm ^2, further average fiber cross distance was 0.06 mm.

Comparative Example 2 (1) Using a polyester filament yarn having the same single fiber fineness of 200 denier (diameter: 143 μm) as used in Example 5, a plain woven fabric having a basis weight of 100 g / m ² was obtained by a conventional method. Manufactured. (2) After immersing the woven fabric produced in the above (1) in the same water-absorbing polymer liquid as used in (2) of Example 5, the fabric was taken out, squeezed at a squeezing pressure of 2 kg · f / cm ² , and squeezed out. The water-absorbing polymer solution was removed and dried at 120 ° C.
A woven fabric for water-absorbing vegetation having a weight of 0 g / m ² (total adhesion amount of the water-absorbing polymer and the binder polymer of 50 g / m ² ) was produced. The thickness of the fibrous structure for vegetation is 0.7
mm. (3) Five pieces of 50 cm × 50 cm test pieces of the textile fabric for water-absorbent vegetation obtained in the above (2) were piled up on one another (since the thickness of one piece of fabric was thin, it was piled up and tested. ) 2
The apparent density under a pressure of 0 g / cm ² was measured by the above-mentioned method and found to be 0.21 g / cm ³ . The water absorption capacity of the fibrous structure for vegetation is 8.5 g water / cm.
Is ^3, and the water absorption capacity to Q ₁ water-absorbent resin after deposition was 0.42Q ₀ was determined by the method described above in the fibers in the raw fiber structure.

Comparative Example 3 A modified acrylic fiber (water-absorbing fiber) which expands and absorbs water and cotton were mixed to produce a modified acrylic fiber / cotton mixture of 7.5: 1.
Using a yarn equivalent to 000 denier, a mesh sheet with a basis weight of 75 g / m ² having the properties shown in Table 3 below was knitted.

<< Growth test of turfgrass and watermelon >> (1) Each of the fibrous structures for vegetation obtained in the above Examples and Comparative Examples was cut into a size of 100 cm × 100 cm, which was cut to a depth of 30 cm. After laying on the soil and further covering the fibrous structure for vegetation with a thickness of 10 cm, samples were prepared in which turfgrass seeds were sown almost uniformly at a rate of 30 g / m ² . Further, in the same manner as above laying the seeds Watermelon on vegetation fiber structure 1 m ² per 4 tablets, each has an evaluation sample of the breeding conditions were seeded so that the 50cm intervals. Further, a similar sample was prepared without using any vegetation fiber structure for reference. (2) Put the sample prepared in the above (1) in a test room at a temperature of 45 ° C. and a humidity of 10%, and germinate one at a time until germination.
Water is supplied at a rate of 0 liter / m ² three times a day every 8 hours, and after germination, water is supplied at a rate of once a day at a rate of 20 liters / m ² per day (once). When the growth status was evaluated according to the evaluation criteria shown in Table 1 below, the results were as shown in Tables 2 and 3 below. Also, in this test, salt water of 3000 pp was assumed on the assumption that desalinated seawater was used as water for water supply.
m dissolved in water was used.

[0053]

[Table 1] [Evaluation criteria for the growth of turfgrass or watermelon] Level: Growth status 1: It is lush, has no withering or withering, and is in an extremely good growth state. 2: Slightly relaxed, but almost lush and in almost favorable growth condition. 3: There is no withering, but there is a little wilting, lack of energy, and somewhat poor growth. 4: Growing condition is poor due to withering. 5: Most of the growing condition is slightly yellowish and withered, which is quite poor. 6: Mostly withered yellow and do not grow.

[0054]

[Table 2]

[0055]

[Table 3]

From the results shown in Table 2 above, it was found that organic polymer fibers having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more were contained in a proportion of 5% by weight or more, and the apparent density under a pressure of 20 g / cm ^{2 was} 0.1%.
Water-absorbing fiber structure having a thickness of 001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ and a thickness of 2 mm or more, in particular, a water-absorbing fiber structure provided with a water-absorbing polymer and a binder polymer so as to have a water-absorbing property; It can be seen that when the fibrous structures for vegetation of the present invention of Examples 1 to 7 are used, turfgrass and watermelon can be favorably grown. On the other hand, from the results of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Reference Example in Table 3 above, the fiber structure obtained using the organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 20 denier, the apparent density under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² was obtained. , A fiber structure having a thickness exceeding 0.3 g / cm ³ or a thickness of less than 2 mm, a fiber structure formed using fibers that expand and absorb water is used as a vegetation fiber structure, and a vegetation fiber structure. When no material is used (Reference Example), it can be seen that turfgrass and watermelon do not grow well.

[0057]

Industrial Applicability The fiber structure for vegetation of the present invention has good water retention, moderate drainage, and a suitable space for plant roots to grow smoothly, and is supplied to plants. It is difficult for harmful substances such as salt contained in water to accumulate,
Also, when the harmful substances accumulate, it can be easily removed by applying more water than usual, so when vegetation is performed using the vegetation fiber structure of the present invention,
Plants can be satisfactorily grown without causing plant death due to water shortage, root rot due to excess water, plant growth failure due to excessive root denseness, withering, salt damage and the like. Therefore, the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention takes advantage of the above-mentioned excellent characteristics, and is a region where the amount of rainfall is extremely small, such as a desert, or a place where water is hardly retained on the ground even if it rains, such as a slope. It is extremely effective for plant growth in various places and areas, including places that require a great deal of labor and time to supply water to plants, such as golf courses, soccer fields, baseball fields, and median strips on roads. Can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view of one example of a nonwoven fabric that can be used for a fibrous structure for vegetation according to the present invention, as viewed from one surface.

FIG. 2 is a view of another example of a nonwoven fabric that can be used in the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention, as viewed from one surface.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method for obtaining a fiber crossover distance in a nonwoven fabric vegetation fiber structure.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a knitted fabric that can be used for the fibrous structure for vegetation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 nonwoven fabric 2 through hole (gap penetrating in the thickness direction of nonwoven fabric) 3 through hole (perforated hole) 4 double raschel knitted fabric (fibrous structure) 5 through hole 6 peripheral wall of through hole

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuyasu Yamamoto 2-7-40, Kannakacho, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture Inside Urase Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenji Hiramatsu 1-12-13 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more contains 5% by weight or more, and an apparent density under a pressure of 20 g / cm ² is 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ and 1. A fibrous structure for vegetation, comprising a water-absorbing fibrous structure having a thickness of 5 mm or more. 2. An organic polymer fiber having a single fiber fineness of 30 denier or more contains 5% by weight or more, and has an apparent density under pressure of 20 g / cm ² of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm ³ and 1.5 mm or more. A fiber structure for vegetation having a thickness of, wherein the fibers constituting the fiber structure have a water-absorbing polymer and a polymer for a binder attached thereto, and the water absorption per unit volume of the fiber structure Is from 0.02 to 10 g water / cm ³ . 3. The fibrous structure is in the form of a non-woven fabric.
Or the fiber structure for vegetation according to 2. 4. The vegetation fiber structure according to claim 2, wherein the weight ratio of the water-absorbing polymer to the binder polymer is 1: 3 to 10: 1. 5. The water-absorbing polymer has a dry weight of 10%.
The water-absorbing polymer having a water absorption capacity (Q ₀ ) of _{0 to} 1000 times and adhered to the fiber satisfies the following formula (1) by coexisting with a binder polymer. its water absorption capacity (Q ₁₎ vegetation fiber structure according to any one of claims 2-4 which is reduced apparently in. [Formula 1] 0.01Q ₀ ≦ Q ₁ ≦ 0.5Q ₀ (1) [wherein Q ₀ = water-absorbing ability (by weight) of the water-absorbing polymer before adhering to the organic polymer fiber, Q ₁ = Apparent water absorption capacity of water-absorbing polymer after attaching to organic polymer fiber (weight ratio)
Is shown. ] 6. The vegetation according to claim 1, which has an opening having an opening area of 0.5 to 750 mm ² penetrating in the thickness direction of the fibrous structure for vegetation. Fiber structure. 7. A method for growing a plant using the fibrous structure for vegetation according to any one of claims 1 to 6.