Soil membrane forming mixture

Abstract

This invention relates to an organic, environment-friendly, preferably antioxidising and biodegradable climate, soil and growth enhancing mixture of preferably organic materials that can be applied to moist soil as dry matter or dry soil in liquid state, and which subsequently solidifies into a degradable film or membrane on top of or at a given depth in the soil. The properties of the film can be set so that the film regulates or changes the soil's oxidation ability, degradation rate, temperature, greenhouse gas respiration, combustibility, mechanical strength, evaporation rate, water runoff, nutrient conversion rate and germination conditions on and / or below the surface of the soil mass. The film or membrane can be used alone or in combination with standard plant nutrition or fertiliser.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to a soil, growth and climate-enhancing means in the form of a product concept comprising an organic, environment-friendly, biodegradable, antioxidising mixture of preferably organic materials that can be applied to moist soil in the form of a dry substance or to dry soil in liquid state, and which then solidifies into a degradable film on top of and / or at a given depth in the soil. The properties of the film can be set so that the film regulates or alters the soil's reflective properties, energy level, oxidation properties, rate of decomposition, combustibility, mechanical strength, temperature, liquid evaporation rate, water runoff, greenhouse gas respiration, and nutrient conversion rate on and / or below the surface of the soil mass, thereby allowing germination and growth conditions for plants to be controlled. The film or membrane can be used alone as a nutrient-bearing soil supplement, or can be applied to the soil in combination wi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0089] During practical tests in desert regions it has been found that the application of a surface membrane or film according to the invention loosens a hard and almost impenetrable eggshell-like salt-containing surface film that is often formed in desert regions, and which can be so strong that, besides preventing seed-germinating species from becoming established, it allows plants that propagate by sending out root runners to spread. Another favourable effect is that when this desert film is softened, the salt will be washed out and penetrate deeper into the sand. The membrane or film that is formed remains elastic and permeable and thus prevents re-establishment of the vegetation-inhibiting sand shell. This is a surprising effect of the invention that is believed to be a major contributory factor in the re-establishment of conditions for vegetation formation in the area.

[0090] The rate of degradation of the membrane mass is determined by several interacting factors. These include the composition of the mass, applied mass per area and germination density on the soil surface (number of seedlings per area). In addition, the microbiological activity in the biomass and the temperature—moisture—load interrelationship play a major role. By increasing the amount of water stabiliser and reducing the amount of water, a higher degradation resistance is obtained. The quantitative ratio is determined by precipitation in the area of use.

[0091] In cases where the membrane is to act as a pigmented cover without underlying vegetation establishment, it is saturated with wax and water-stabilising substances in amounts that result in the film having a low solubility rate / long durability. The ratio of dry matter to water stabiliser can in such cases be as much as 80% water stabiliser and 20% membrane substance, but may of course have all values from this upper limit down to insignificant and barely measurable amounts of water stabiliser.

[0092] In cases where a film or membrane is to be established purely for the purpose of binding loose particles in the soil surface, i.e., as an erosion-inhibiting cover, the film or membrane can be made from a pure binder solution consisting of from 95 to 99.7% by weight water and from 0.3 to 5% by weight alginate.

[0093] The invention can also be used as a means to enhance plant growth by increasing the electrical conductivity of the soil, thereby improving the conditions for transport of ions in the soil around the plant roots. The nutrient uptake of the plant roots is thus facilitated or increased in that ionic minerals can more easily migrate to the plant roots. Tests carried out by the inventor have shown that a minimum of 2 milliSiemens per square centimetre (mS / cm2) or more is necessary to give the soil an optimal ion transport capacity. The desired conductivity can easily be obtained by the addition of some parts per thousand of ionic compounds such as readily soluble salts of the metals potassium and / or calcium. These salts are

[0094] preferred because they are naturally occurring and because they are important minerals for plants. It is also possible to use components in the film which conduct electricity, such as carbon powder, ash and the like to make the actual film conductive of electricity.

Problems solved by technology

This results in a temperature differential between these areas and increased circulation of moisture, which means that harmful salts will migrate to the edges and prevent growth of weeds there.

However, the plastic film is not biologically degradable and must be removed manually and replaced each growing season.

None of the cited patent specifications provide sufficiently sustainable solutions, and will in addition only provide a solution to some of the problems and challenges encountered in high-efficiency sustainable agricultural production referred to above.