BACKGROUND ART Representative bean sprouts are a soybean sprout, a mungbean sprout from a mung bean and a radish bean sprout from a radish. In some countries, seeds of barley, clover or rice are sprouted and are taken as vegetables.

Generally, a soybean sprout has been consumed in Korea, and a green bean sprout and a radish bean sprout have been consumed in Asia. In western countries, they have been used not only for food but also for a garnish. Other bean sprouts germinated from seeds (rice, barley, clover, etc.) have drawn a lot of attentions as health aid food. The interests on bean sprouts result from the beneficial nutrients in them, a cultivation method which allows intensive cultivation with only water without employing soil, and an easy mass cultivation and production. In the previous cultivation methods, seeds are soaked or sprayed with water and placed at a bottom of a cultivator with drains. The seeds are then cultivated at 15~25°C for 6~7 days (depending on species) in a dark place by spraying and supplying water 4-6 times a day.

According to the method, large amount of water is necessary, and moreover it continuously requires significant time and labor depending on the frequency of

water supplying. The dryness of seeds resulting from intermittent watering may delay the sprouting and growth of seeds. Automated water-supply system has a problem of high price and the high cost of its maintenance.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the problems in the conventional method for cultivating bean sprouts can be improved through the use of super-absorbent polymer for water-supply, and moreover water, time and labor can be saved.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In this invention, the aforementioned super-absorbent polymer (2) is utilized as a medium for water-supplying in cultivating bean sprouts by applying the highly water absorbent and retaining features.

Hereinafter, the present invention is explained with the aid of the attached figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one example of the present invention.

Super-absorbent polymer (2) is paved in a cultivation container (1) which has many drains at the bottom, then seeds (3) are spread. When water is supplied, the super-absorbent polymer (2) absorbs water and swells to be a hydrogel (9) retaining water. The retained water is the source of water which is necessary in soaking, germination and growth of seeds (3). Figure 2 is a front view of one example of the present invention. As described above the super-absorbent polymer (2) absorbs and keeps water to be a hydrogel (9) retaining water and is increased in volume. Figure 3 is a front view of intensive (multi-step)

cultivation of bean sprouts. In their characteristic intensive (multi-step) cultivation, the super-absorbent polymer (2) and seeds (3) are paved in multi- steps and then water is supplied. Figure 4 is a front view of one example of an absorbent paper contact cultivation. The absorbent paper contact cultivator is recently developed and popularized cultivator which equips with a reservoir (10) and a net-type cultivation plate (6) at the bottom of a cultivator (la) so that wicks (8) are set in the cultivation plate (6), and an absorbent paper (or cloth) (7) is placed on the cultivation plate (6). When seeds are spread, an absorbent pressure paper (or cloth) (4) such as sponge is placed onto the seeds so that water is transferred through the wicks (8), to the absorbent paper (7) and then finally to seeds (3). The absorbent paper placed on the seeds (3), the pressure paper (4), prevents dryness of seed leaves in the growing stage of seeds (3), and pressurizes seeds so that they grow chubby. In the aforementioned absorbent paper contact method, sponge or natural fibers with excellent water absorbing and retaining properties are used for the absorbent paper covered onto the seeds (3). However, super-absorbent polymer (2) is made into a material such as fiber, pulp or non woven fabric for a pouch or a barrel to serve a pressure paper (4), and is placed inside a cultivator. When the pressure paper (4) is placed on the seeds (3), it enhances performance efficiency because not only it absorbs water and swells but also it increases volume and weight when applied in the absorbent paper contact cultivator. Figure 5 is a top view of a cultivation plate which is a net shape and wicks can be inserted and fixed. In addition, the cultivation plate is arranged so that it provides air permeability.

The super-absorbent polymers (2) have hydrophilic ionic functional

groups so that they absorb large amount water in a short time and swell to be a hydrogel retaining water. The amount of water absorbed by the polymers ranges from hundreds to thousands times of the weight of the polymer. Natural polymers with highly absorbent property are starch and a paper. Synthetic polymers with highly absorbent property can be obtained by copolymerizing hydrophilic monomers such as acrylic acid, hydroxy ethylmethacrylate. They are widely used for sanitary products, agricultural products, and tree-planting in deserts. Examples of super-absorbent polymers for agricultural purpose are 'Terwet'from [The Spittle Company] and'Stockhausen absorbent polymer' from [The Stockhausen company]. They are generally employed in soil based agriculture like spreading the super absorbent polymers (2) to soil or mixing them with soil so that constant amount of water can be supplied in drought.

The present invention is about cultivation method for bean sprouts employing super-absorbent polymer as a medium for water supply in water sprayingsupplying cultivation of bean sprouts unlike vegetables cultivated in soil.

Furthermore, the super-absorbent polymers (2) in the present invention are different in water retention capacity depend on the kinds, but the desirable weight ratio of seed (3) to a super-absorbent polymer (2) [which is hydrogelated after a full absorption of water] is 1: 1 to 1: 2. If this invention is applied to the aforementioned absorbent paper contact cultivation, the desirable ratio is 1: 1 to 1: 3. Excess amount of super-absorbent polymer (2) can prevent ventilation and may lead to putrefaction of seeds.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The application of the present invention in the cultivation of bean sprouts leads to the following effects. In first, the dryness of seeds, especially the dryness of seed coat can be prevented in the growing and germination can be promoted. In the conventional cultivation, water is supplied 4 to 6 times a day and the seeds are susceptible to drying in the intermittent periods, but according to the present invention continuous supply of water by the super- absorbent polymer is possible. In second, the growth of seeds can proceed quickly thanks to the continuous supply of water. In third, water and a maintenance cost can be saved. In fourth, time and labor can also be saved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view according to one example of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view according to one example of the invention.

Figure 3 is a front view in the intensive (multi-step) cultivation of bean sprouts.

Figure 4 is a front view according to the absorbent paper contact cultivation.

Figure 5 is a top view of the cultivation plate.

<Legends> 1, la. Cultivator 2. Super-absorbent polymer 3. Seeds 4. Pressure paper 5. Drains 6. Cultivation plate 7. Absorbent paper 8. Wicks 9. Hydrogel 10. Reservoir