A plant functional mulch and its method of manufacture and use

Abstract

The application discloses a plant functional ground cover and a preparation method and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of soilless culture. The plant functional ground cover comprises a light-weight soilless substrate layer and a plant layer from the bottom to the top of a grid base cloth layer; the plant layer extends out horizontal underground rhizomes to the grid base cloth layer and the light-weight soilless substrate layer, and combines the grid base cloth layer and the light-weight soilless substrate layer into one body. The grid base cloth layer is a bottom layer framework, light-weight soilless substrate is used to replace soil for cultivation to prevent soil loss, the grid base cloth layer and the light-weight soilless substrate are woven into one body by making full use of the horizontal underground rhizomes of plants, and the structure-tough and integrated ground cover which can be curled and laid greatly reduces the loss of transportation and laying.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of soilless cultivation technology, specifically relating to a plant functional ground cover blanket, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance understanding of the overall background of the invention and is not necessarily to be construed as an admission or in any way implying that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art.

[0003] In areas such as forest edges, understory, firebreaks, and slopes, dense ground cover is an important ecological measure to suppress dangerous weeds, prevent surface fires, and prevent soil erosion. However, cultivating ground cover plants in the target area is slow, has a long establishment period, and allows weeds to germinate prematurely during the cover gaps, affecting the final result.

[0004] To overcome this problem, the industry has developed "turf rolls," which are pre-cultivated in farmland and then shoveled up with soil, allowing them to be laid like a carpet. However, the roots of traditional turf rolls are only intertwined with the soil, which removes fertile topsoil during shoveling, causing soil erosion. Furthermore, their loose and fragile structure makes them prone to breaking and crumbling during transport, resulting in a high loss rate. Additionally, their reliance on soil binding prevents the use of lightweight, soilless substrates, making the product bulky. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the current state of technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a plant-based functional ground cover carpet, its preparation method, and its application. The carpet utilizes the underground rhizomes of plants to entangle the grid base layer and the matrix layer into a whole, forming a ground cover carpet that can be moved and laid.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: Firstly, a plant-based functional ground cover includes a bottom-up mesh base layer, a lightweight soilless matrix layer, and a plant layer; the plant layer extends horizontal underground rhizomes into the mesh base layer and the lightweight soilless matrix layer, integrating the mesh base layer and the lightweight soilless matrix layer into one unit.

[0007] Secondly, the preparation method of the aforementioned plant functional ground cover blanket includes: A grid base layer is laid on the cultivation bed, and a lightweight soilless substrate is laid on the grid base layer. The plant seedlings are then planted at the grid intersection nodes of the grid base layer. When cultivating plants, once the plants enter their vigorous growth period, pruning the above-ground leaves promotes the sprouting of underground tillers, allowing the underground rhizomes extending downwards to combine the grid base layer and the substrate layer into one. Remove the root system beneath the mesh base layer to obtain the plant-functional ground cover blanket.

[0008] Thirdly, the application of the aforementioned functional ground cover blankets includes: laying them in target areas to suppress weeds, conserve water and soil, block surface fires, or for landscaping.

[0009] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention uses a mesh base layer as the underlying framework and a lightweight soilless substrate instead of soil for cultivation to prevent soil erosion. It fully utilizes the plant's creeping underground rhizomes to weave the mesh base layer and the lightweight soilless substrate into a single, robust, and flexible ground cover. Because the root system and the mesh framework are mechanically connected, achieving a structure where "the mesh is the rib and the root system is the flesh," the ground cover cultivated by this invention can be rolled up and transported without breaking or scattering, greatly reducing losses during transportation and installation. More importantly, through the synergistic effect of "mesh framework guidance" and "periodic pruning and control," pruning removes apical dominance, shifting the growth center underground and strongly stimulating tillering. Newly grown rhizomes actively creep along the mesh fibers and penetrate the mesh openings, thus actively "weaving" a robust overall structure, rather than passively waiting for the plant to grow naturally. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plant functional ground cover blanket in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of the preparation process in Example 1 of the specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] The structure consists of: 1. a mesh base fabric layer; 2. a lightweight soilless matrix layer; 3. a plant layer; 4. biodegradable fibers; 5. mesh openings; and 6. horizontal underground rhizomes. Detailed Implementation

[0014] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and intended to provide further illustration of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0015] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0016] A typical embodiment of the present invention provides a plant-functional ground cover blanket, comprising a grid base fabric layer, a lightweight soilless matrix layer, and a plant layer from bottom to top; the plant layer extends horizontal underground rhizomes into the grid base fabric layer and the lightweight soilless matrix layer, integrating the grid base fabric layer and the lightweight soilless matrix layer into one unit.

[0017] In the above structure, the grid base layer provides the underlying framework, connecting the underground rhizomes of the plants in various locations to form an integrated ground cover carpet structure. The lightweight soilless matrix layer replaces the soil, carrying nutrients for plant cultivation. The underground rhizomes of the plants are interspersed in the grid base layer, weaving the scattered individual plants into a mechanically unified whole structure.

[0018] Optionally, the mesh base fabric layer includes woven biodegradable fibers with uniformly arranged mesh openings; the biodegradable fibers include one or more of jute fibers and polylactic acid fibers, with a mesh size of 3-8 cm, used to provide a physical framework to guide the subsequent growth of roots to extend and coil in the mesh direction.

[0019] Optionally, the lightweight soilless matrix layer includes a mixture of coconut coir, peat, perlite and vermiculite, with a thickness of 5-12 cm, to replace soil and prevent soil erosion; and its bulk density is much lower than that of natural soil, which helps to reduce the weight of the final product and significantly reduces the labor intensity of secondary handling in difficult sites such as mountainous areas and slopes.

[0020] Optionally, the plant layer includes one or more of the following: Liriope muscari, Ophiopogon japonicus, Zoysia japonica, Cynodon dactylon, and Manila grass; these are perennial herbaceous plants with well-developed horizontal underground rhizomes. The horizontal underground rhizomes can bind the lightweight soilless substrate layer into a whole, and after encountering the grid base fabric layer, they can interweave with the mesh structure to weave a ground cover blanket with high mechanical strength, preventing breakage during transportation.

[0021] A typical embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing the above-mentioned plant functional ground cover blanket, comprising: A mesh base layer is laid on the cultivation bed, and a lightweight soilless substrate is laid on the mesh base layer. The plant seedlings are then precisely planted at the grid intersections of the mesh base layer (ensuring that each seedling quickly contacts and penetrates the mesh during the downward rooting process). When cultivating plants, once the plants enter their vigorous growth period, pruning the above-ground leaves promotes the sprouting of underground tillers, allowing the underground rhizomes extending downwards to combine the grid base layer and the substrate layer into one. Remove the root system beneath the mesh base layer to obtain the plant-functional ground cover blanket.

[0022] In the above process, planting seedlings on grid nodes ensures that the plants can quickly contact and entangle with the grid base layer as they root downwards. Through the dual technical means of "grid skeleton guidance" and "periodic pruning to promote and control", the plant's growth behavior is actively intervened and directionally induced, so that its underground rhizomes grow and develop in accordance with the artificially designed structure, and finally the scattered individual plants are "woven" into a mechanically unified structural whole.

[0023] Optionally, methods for pruning above-ground leaves include: pruning the above-ground leaves every 10-20 days, retaining a leaf cluster height of 3-7 cm; by pruning the above-ground leaves to inhibit apical growth, the plant's growth center is shifted from the above-ground part to the underground, strongly stimulating the sprouting of numerous underground tillers, thereby rapidly increasing plant density; driven by the natural instinct to seek growth space in all directions, the newly formed large number of underground horizontal rhizomes will creep forward along the path of least resistance and with physical support (i.e., the warp and weft fibers of the mesh base fabric). During growth, the rhizomes will actively pass through the mesh holes and intertwine with the roots of adjacent plants, forming a mechanical lock; through repeated pruning of the above-ground leaves, the growth and intertwining of the underground horizontal rhizomes are continuously stimulated, so that the plant cluster, substrate, and mesh base fabric are actively consolidated into a whole.

[0024] Optionally, plant growth regulators can be used to promote the germination of underground tillers; or used in combination with leaf pruning to achieve the effect of weaving a ground cover using the underground rhizomes of plants as quickly as possible; to more strongly promote the tillering and growth of underground rhizomes, plant growth regulators can be used in conjunction with pruning measures.

[0025] Optionally, the plant growth regulator is preferably a chlormequat chloride or paclobutrazol at a set concentration. When chlormequat chloride is used, take a commercially available 50% chlormequat chloride aqueous solution and dilute it 250 times with water to obtain a chlormequat chloride aqueous solution with a mass concentration of about 0.2%. When paclobutrazol is used, take a commercially available 15% paclobutrazol wettable powder and dilute it 150 times with water to obtain a paclobutrazol aqueous solution with a mass concentration of about 0.1%. Clean water should be used for preparation, and the solution should be prepared and used immediately.

[0026] Optional methods of applying plant growth regulators include: foliar spraying, which is carried out 1-2 days after each pruning of the above-ground leaves. Since the spraying is carried out after pruning, the spraying interval is basically the same as the pruning interval, that is, once every 15-20 days, for 2-4 consecutive applications; the foliar spraying should be carried out until both sides of the leaves are evenly moistened and the liquid is just about to drip; it can significantly promote the germination of underground tillers and the rapid extension of horizontal rhizomes, so that the grid base layer and the substrate layer are entangled into a whole earlier and more firmly.

[0027] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, the application of the above-mentioned functional ground cover carpet includes: laying it on forest edges, under forests, firebreaks, slopes or bare ground surfaces to suppress dangerous weeds, block surface fires, prevent soil erosion or achieve rapid landscaping.

[0028] Because the mesh base layer is made of biodegradable material, it can gradually degrade after being laid and used, reducing environmental pressure.

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0030] Example 1 A type of plant-based functional ground cover, such as Figure 1 The structure includes a grid base layer 1, a lightweight soilless matrix layer 2, and a plant layer 3, arranged from bottom to top. The plant layer 3 extends horizontally into the grid base layer 1 and the lightweight soilless matrix layer 2, forming a single unit with horizontally extending underground rhizomes 6.

[0031] Mesh base fabric layer 1 Figure 2 As shown, it includes woven biodegradable fiber 4, which is jute fiber, woven into a uniformly distributed mesh 5; the mesh 5 is 8cm in size, guiding the subsequent growth of horizontal underground rhizomes 6 to extend and coil in the direction of the mesh.

[0032] The lightweight soilless substrate layer consists of a mixture of coconut coir, peat, perlite, and vermiculite, with a thickness of 12 cm. As a culture medium, its bulk density is much lower than that of natural soil, which helps to reduce the weight of the final product.

[0033] The plant layer consists of a mixture of Ophiopogon japonicus, Liriope muscari, and Zoysia japonica; it is a perennial herb with well-developed horizontal underground rhizomes.

[0034] The method for preparing the plant functional ground cover blanket in this embodiment includes: Prepare the cultivation bed, lay a mesh base layer on the cultivation bed, and then lay a lightweight soilless substrate on the mesh base layer, such as... Figure 2As shown, the plant seedlings 7 are precisely planted at each grid intersection node of the grid base layer according to the preset plant spacing of 10cm, so as to make contact with and entangle with the grid base layer as soon as possible during the downward rooting process. Then the horizontal underground rhizomes 6 of the plant extend and intertwine along the grid fibers. When cultivating plants, once they enter their vigorous growth period, the above-ground leaves are pruned every 15 days, retaining a leaf cluster height of 5cm. At the same time, no plant growth regulators are used. During this process, a large number of newly formed underground rhizomes are driven by their natural instinct to seek growth space in all directions. As they grow, the rhizomes actively pass through the mesh holes and intertwine with the roots of adjacent plants, forming a mechanical lock. Through repeated pruning of the above-ground leaves, the growth and intertwining of the underground rhizomes are continuously stimulated, so that the plant cluster, substrate, and mesh base are actively fixed into a whole.

[0035] After 120 days of cultivation, a plant-based functional ground cover product was obtained, with an overall thickness of 11±1cm and a weight of 6.5kg per square meter, which is only 1 / 3 of that of a traditional turf roll.

[0036] In actual use, when laid in the target area, firebreak or slope, it can immediately form a dense vegetation cover, effectively suppressing weed growth, and there is no scattering or breakage during transportation and laying.

[0037] Example 2 A plant-based functional ground cover mat differs from Example 1 in that: the mesh base fabric layer 1 is woven from polylactic acid fibers with a mesh size of 4cm; the lightweight soilless matrix layer 2 has a thickness of 7cm; and the plant layer is a mixture of Ophiopogon japonicus and Bermuda grass.

[0038] In the preparation method, plant seedlings are planted on the grid nodes of the mesh base fabric layer at a preset plant spacing of 8cm. Because the mesh size in this embodiment is relatively small, one seedling is still planted at each node to ensure the continuity of the root and stem network.

[0039] The method of pruning the above-ground leaves every 15 days promotes the tillering of underground rhizomes, maintaining a leaf cluster height of 5 cm. No plant growth regulators are used to further promote tillering, simplifying the preparation process.

[0040] After 135 days of cultivation, a plant-based functional ground cover product was obtained, with an overall thickness of 8-10cm and a weight of 5.8kg per square meter.

[0041] In practical use, it can be laid on bare ground under forests to quickly cover and prevent soil erosion. The mesh base fabric begins to degrade naturally after one year.

[0042] Example 3 The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that a plant growth regulator is used in conjunction.

[0043] A 0.2% chlormequat chloride aqueous solution was obtained by diluting a commercially available 50% chlormequat chloride aqueous solution 250 times. The solution was sprayed on the leaves once the day after the above-ground leaves were pruned, until the leaves were moist. The same method was then repeated after pruning the above-ground leaves. The total number of sprays was 3.

[0044] After approximately 90 days of cultivation, a robust plant-based ground cover mat was obtained, with an overall thickness of about 11 cm and a weight of 6.2 kg per square meter. Compared to Example 1, the mat formation time was shortened by about 30 days, and the entanglement density of the horizontal rhizomes with the mesh base fabric was higher.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plant-functional ground cover blanket, characterized in that, It includes a grid base fabric layer, a lightweight soilless matrix layer, and a plant layer, arranged from bottom to top; the plant layer extends horizontally into the grid base fabric layer and the lightweight soilless matrix layer, forming a single unit.

2. The plant-functional ground cover blanket as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mesh base fabric layer comprises woven biodegradable fibers with uniformly distributed mesh openings.

3. The plant-functional ground cover blanket as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lightweight soilless matrix layer comprises a mixture of coconut coir, peat, perlite, and vermiculite.

4. The plant-functional ground cover blanket as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plant layer includes one or more of the following: Liriope muscari, Ophiopogon japonicus, Zoysia japonica, Cynodon dactylon, and Manila grass.

5. A method for preparing a plant-functional ground cover blanket as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, include: A mesh base layer is laid on the cultivation bed, and a lightweight soilless substrate is laid on the mesh base layer. The plant seedlings are then planted on the mesh nodes of the mesh base layer. When cultivating plants, once the plants enter their vigorous growth period, the above-ground leaves are pruned to promote the sprouting of underground tillers, allowing the underground rhizomes that extend downwards to combine the grid base layer and the substrate layer into one. Remove the root system beneath the mesh base layer to obtain the plant-functional ground cover blanket.

6. The method for preparing the plant functional ground cover blanket as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Methods for pruning above-ground leaves include: pruning the above-ground leaves every 10 to 20 days, retaining a leaf cluster height of 3 to 7 cm.

7. The method for preparing the plant functional ground cover blanket as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Use plant growth regulators to promote the germination of underground tillers.

8. The method for preparing the plant functional ground cover blanket as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The plant growth regulators include chlormequat chloride or paclobutrazol at a predetermined concentration.

9. The method for preparing the plant functional ground cover blanket as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The application methods for plant growth regulators include foliar spraying. Spray once 1 to 2 days after each pruning of the above-ground leaves, and once every 15 to 20 days, for a total of 2 to 4 times.

10. An application of a plant-functional ground cover blanket as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, include: It is laid in the target area to suppress weeds, conserve water and soil, block surface fires, or for landscaping.

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