Mulching material, formwork, and method for manufacturing mulching material

Abstract

To provide a technique that can reduce the environmental load of a mulching material.SOLUTION: A mulching material has a plate-like shape with intertwined plant roots.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mulching material, a formwork, and a method for manufacturing a mulching material. [Background technology]

[0002] Mulching materials that cover the soil surface of fields have been known for some time. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a mulching material made from a plastic material. Patent Document 1 discloses a mulching material made by weaving straw. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for manufacturing a mulching material by fixing stacked straw to a substrate. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for manufacturing a mulching material by forming finely divided thinning materials or the like into a sheet shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-61834 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-45881 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-271242 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Mitsuhiro Inoue, "Effects of various mulch materials on soil evaporation and temperature environment," Agriculture and Horticulture, Vol. 82, No. 6 (2007), pp. 683-686 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even with prior art such as Non-Patent Document 1 and Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3, there is still room for improvement in technologies for further reducing environmental impact. For example, in the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, the mulching material is made of a plastic material that does not naturally decompose in the natural environment, so the mulching material must be collected and disposed of after it has deteriorated over time. In this case, incineration generates harmful gases, which may increase the environmental impact. In the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, in order to form straw or thinned wood into sheets, it is necessary to use resin strings to bundle the straw and adhesives to adhere the thinned wood. Therefore, when using the mulching materials described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the materials do not completely decompose in the natural environment, which may result in residues being left behind in fields.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that can reduce the environmental load in mulching materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following aspects.

[0008] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mulching material for use in covering the soil surface of a field. This mulching material has a plate-like shape in which plant roots are intertwined with each other.

[0009] According to this configuration, the mulching material is made from plant roots. This means that even if the mulching material becomes unnecessary or is torn into small pieces, it will decompose in the natural environment, thereby reducing the environmental impact on the field.

[0010] (2) The mulching material of the above embodiment may contain soil held by the intertwined roots of the plants. According to this configuration, the mulching material contains soil held by the intertwined roots of the plants. This allows the soil to fill the spaces between the intertwined roots of the plants, making it easier to cover the soil surface of the field. Furthermore, the weight of the mulching material is increased, which prevents the mulching material from being blown away by wind and rain. Therefore, the state in which the mulching material covers the soil surface of the field can be maintained for a relatively long time.

[0011] (3) In the mulching material of the above embodiment, the soil may include soil from the field where the mulching material is used. According to this configuration, the soil contained in the mulching material includes soil from the field where the mulching material is used. As a result, nutrient-containing field soil is used as the mulching material, and the nutrients contained in the soil can be supplied to crops. Furthermore, even if the roots of plants decompose after the mulching material is used and the soil held by the plant roots remains in the field, it is still soil from the same field, so there is no impact on the field environment. Therefore, the environmental burden on the field can be further reduced.

[0012] (4) In the mulching material of the above embodiment, the plants may have portions of their stems cut off. According to this configuration, the mulching material is formed from the remaining roots of plants after the stems have been cut off. Because the mulching material is formed into a plate-like shape by the intertwined roots of the plants, it is easier to cover the soil surface of the field if the stems are removed.

[0013] (5) In the mulching material of the above embodiment, the plants may be annual plants. According to this configuration, the mulching material is formed by intertwining the roots of annual plants that grow, flower, and then die. This prevents the plants used in the mulching material from growing while the mulching material is being used. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plants used in the mulching material from damaging the field environment.

[0014] (6) In the mulching material of the above embodiment, the plant may be a green manure plant. According to this configuration, the mulching material uses a green manure plant that has the effect of repelling nematodes that cause damage to crops in the field. This can reduce damage to crops caused by nematodes.

[0015] (7) In the mulching material of the above embodiment, the plants may include co-prosperous crops with the field crops in which the mulching material is used. According to this configuration, the mulching material is formed from co-prosperous crops that promote the growth of the field crops. This makes it possible to prevent crop diseases and promote the growth of the crops.

[0016] (8) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a formwork used for producing mulching material. This formwork includes a pair of opposing flat plate members, and at least a portion of the outer periphery of the pair of flat plate members is open so that the space between the pair of flat plate members is not sealed. According to this configuration, in the formwork used for producing mulching material, at least a portion of the outer periphery of the pair of flat plate members is open so that the space between the pair of flat plate members is not sealed. This allows sufficient air and water to be supplied to the roots of plants growing between the pair of flat plate members when the formwork is placed in soil. Therefore, plant roots can grow between the pair of flat plate members.

[0017] (9) The formwork of the above embodiment further includes a connecting portion that connects the opposing ends of the pair of flat plate members, and each of the pair of flat plate members has a width of an end opposite to the end connected to the connecting portion that is smaller than the width of the end connected to the connecting portion. According to this configuration, the pair of flat plate members are formed so that the width of the end opposite the end connected to the connecting portion is smaller than the width of the end connected to the connecting portion. This makes it easier to install the formwork in the soil when producing mulching material in the soil by driving the narrower end into the soil. Therefore, mulching material can be produced easily.

[0018] (10) According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a mulching material. The method for producing a mulching material includes a first step of growing plant roots between a pair of flat plate members buried in soil, and a second step of removing the plant roots grown in the first step from between the pair of flat plate members. According to this configuration, the method for producing a mulching material includes growing plant roots in the space between the pair of flat plate members placed in the soil, and then removing the plant roots from between the pair of flat plate members. This makes it possible to produce a mulching material having a plate-like shape in which the plant roots intertwine with each other, just like growing plants.

[0019] (11) The method for manufacturing a mulching material of the above embodiment may further include a third step, prior to the first step, of placing the pair of flat plate members in the soil of the field where the mulching material will be used. With this configuration, the formwork is placed in the soil of the field where the mulching material will be used, so the mulching material can be manufactured at the site where it will be used. This eliminates the need to transport the manufactured mulching material.

[0020] The present invention can be realized in various forms, such as a structure having a plate-like shape in which plant roots are intertwined, a method for manufacturing this structure, a component including this structure, and a method for using mulching material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a mulching material according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a structure included in a mulching material. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mulching material. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a first schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a formwork. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a second schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the formwork. [Figure 6]FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing mulching material. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing mulching material. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a third diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing mulching material. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing mulching material. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing mulching material. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the use of mulching material. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the mulching material of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a mulching material of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a structure included in the mulching material of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mulching material, taken along line AA in FIG. 1. The mulching material 1 of this embodiment is used for mulching to cover the soil surface of a field. Mulching has the effects of preventing the soil surface of a field from drying out, preventing soil erosion by absorbing the impact of raindrops, mitigating temperature changes in the soil by blocking sunlight, and suppressing the growth of weeds by blocking direct sunlight, and is therefore useful for field crops. In this embodiment, the mulching material 1 is used in the cultivation of tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and the like. The mulching material 1 includes plant roots 10a and soil 20.

[0023] The plant roots 10a intertwine with each other to form a structure 5 having a generally plate-like shape S5 (see FIG. 2). The structure 5 has a generally pentagonal shape, which is the shape of a formwork (described later) used to manufacture the mulching material 1. In this embodiment, the plant whose roots 10a form the structure 5 is a green manure plant of the Poaceae family, such as rye or oats, which are known to repel nematodes. Here, rye is used. Rye is an annual plant that dies after flowering once, so it does not grow when used in a field as the mulching material 1. In the structure 5, the plant roots 10a are intertwined with each other, resulting in many gaps, as shown in FIG. 2. Portions of the rye stems 10b remain in the mulching material 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0024] The soil 20 is held in place by the plant roots 10a. Specifically, much of the soil 20 contained in the mulching material 1 is held in place by entering the gaps between the intertwined plant roots 10a, as shown in FIG. 3. Some of the soil 20 contained in the mulching material 1 is held in place by adhering to the plant roots 10a. The soil 20 accounts for a large portion of the weight of the mulching material 1.

[0025] Next, a description will be given of a method for manufacturing the mulching material 1. The mulching material 1 of this embodiment is manufactured using a formwork in the field where the manufactured mulching material 1 will be used.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a first schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the formwork, showing a front view and a plan view of the formwork. FIG. 5 is a second schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the formwork, showing a side view of the formwork. Here, the configuration of the formwork 30 used to manufacture the mulching material 1 will be described. The formwork 30 comprises a pair of flat plate members 31, two connecting portions 32, and two handle portions 33. The formwork 30 is formed from natural materials such as wood. As a result, even if the formwork 30 is left at the site (field) where the mulching material 1 is used after use, it will decompose in the natural environment, eliminating the need for disposal. The formwork 30 may also be formed from metal or plastic.

[0027] Each of the pair of flat plate members 31 is a substantially flat plate-like member having the same shape and arranged to face each other. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the flat plate member 31 has a substantially pentagonal shape when viewed from the front. The flat plate member 31 has a base end 31a to which a connecting portion 32 (described later) is connected, and a tip end 31b on the opposite side thereof, which tapers toward the tip. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the width Wb of the tip end 31b is smaller than the width Wa of the base end 31a, and as shown in FIG. 5, the thickness Db of the tip end 31b is smaller than the thickness Da of the base end 31a. This makes it easier to drive the tip end 31b of each of the pair of flat plate members 31 into the soil.

[0028] The two connecting portions 32 connect the base ends 31a of the pair of flat plate members 31 together. The connecting portions 32 connect the pair of flat plate members 31 so that the distance d between the pair of flat plate members 31 is the same as the thickness of the mulching material 1 (thickness d shown in FIG. 3) (see FIG. 4(b)). In this embodiment, when manufacturing the mulching material 1 using the formwork 30, the connecting portions 32 can be easily released from the connection with the pair of flat plate members 31 so that the mulching material 1 can be easily removed from the formwork 30.

[0029] Two handles 33 are attached to the two connecting parts 32, respectively. When manufacturing mulching material 1 using formwork 30, the manufacturer of mulching material 1 can hold handles 33 to drive formwork 30 into the soil or pull it out of the soil.

[0030] In the formwork 30 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to prevent the space 30a between the pair of flat plate members 31 from being sealed, the pair of flat plate members 31 are provided with a space other than the portion where the connecting portion 32 is connected. The outer periphery of the formwork 30 is open, so that when the formwork 30 is placed in the soil, sufficient air and water can be supplied to the roots 5a of the plants growing in the space 30a.

[0031] Next, a description will be given of a method for manufacturing the mulching material 1. In this embodiment, the mulching material 1 is manufactured in the field where the manufactured mulching material 1 will be used. This makes it possible to reduce the transportation cost of the manufactured mulching material 1.

[0032] Figure 6 is a first diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a mulching material. In the method for manufacturing a mulching material 1 of this embodiment, first, a form 30 is buried in soil 91 of a field 90 (third step). Specifically, after the tip 31b of the form 30 is brought into contact with the soil surface 92 of the field 90, a force F1 is applied to each of the two handles 33, and each of the pair of flat plate members 31 is driven into the soil 91. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 6, multiple form frames 30 are lined up horizontally to simultaneously manufacture multiple mulching materials 1.

[0033] Figure 7 is a second diagram illustrating the method for manufacturing mulching material. Figure 7 is a diagram showing a plurality of formworks 30 buried in soil 91 as viewed from above a field 90. After the formworks 30 are driven into the soil 91, rye seeds S1 are sown in rows on the soil surface 92 between the pair of flat plate members 31 and then covered with soil.

[0034] After sowing seeds S1 on the soil surface 92 between the pair of flat plate members 31, rye is grown while being watered and fertilized, as in the case of ordinary crops (first step). At this time, rye roots 10a grow in the spaces 30a in the soil 91, and the direction of growth of the rye roots 10a is restricted by the pair of flat plate members 31, forming a structure 5 having an intertwined flat plate shape. In this embodiment, in the process of the rye roots 10a forming the structure 5, the soil in the spaces 30a is taken into the structure 5. As a result, a mulching material 1 formed from the rye roots 10a and the soil in the spaces 30a is formed in the spaces 30a.

[0035] Figure 8 is a third diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a mulching material. Rye grown between a pair of flat plate members 31 has roots 10a as well as stems and leaves. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, when the mulching material 1 is in the soil 91 together with the formwork 30, the stems 10b of the rye 10 are cut with a blade 11. Note that the stems 10b of the rye 10 may be cut after the mulching material 1 is removed from the soil 91.

[0036] 9 is a fourth diagram illustrating the method for producing the mulching material. After cutting the stems 11b of the rye 10, the mulching material 1 is removed from the soil 91. Specifically, a force F2 is applied to each of the two handles 33, and the roots 10a of the rye 10 and the nearby soil 20 held by the roots 10a are pulled out of the soil 91 together with the formwork 30.

[0037] Figure 10 is a fifth diagram illustrating a method for producing a mulching material. After the roots 10a of the rye 10 and the soil 20 are pulled out of the soil 91 together with the formwork 30, the mulching material 1 is removed from the formwork 30 (second step). Specifically, from the state of Figure 10(a) in which the mulching material 1 has been pulled out of the soil 91, the connection between the connector 32 and the pair of flat plate members 31 is released (see the white arrow F3 in Figure 10(b)). This releases the constraint imposed by the pair of flat plate members 31, allowing the mulching material 1 to be removed from the formwork 30. This completes the mulching material 1.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a mulching material. FIG. 11 shows an example of using a mulching material 1 in a field 90 where vegetables 93 are grown. The mulching material 1 is cut into appropriate pieces and placed so as to cover the soil surface 92 of the field 90. The mulching material 1 is The field 90 includes a plate-like structure 5 formed by roots 10a of rye 10 intertwined with each other, and soil 20 contained inside the structure 5. The mulching material 1, which has a certain weight due to the soil 20, easily covers the soil surface 92, preventing it from being blown away by wind and rain. In this embodiment, the stems 10b and leaves of rye 10 generated in the manufacturing process of the mulching material 1 are laid on top of the mulching material 1 laid on the soil surface 92 of the field 90, and are used to supply nutrients to the vegetables being cultivated. The stems 10b and leaves of rye 10 may also be laid underneath the mulching material 1.

[0039] The mulching material 1 contains roots 10a of rye 10, which has the effect of keeping nematodes away from the vegetables 93. This keeps nematodes away from the vegetables 93, thereby reducing damage to the vegetables 93 caused by nematodes.

[0040] Because the mulching material 1 is produced in a field 90 where vegetables 93 are grown, the roots 10a of the rye 10 hold the soil 20 of the field 90. This makes it easier for nutrients contained in the soil 20 of the mulching material 1 that covers the soil surface 92 to be supplied to the vegetables 93, thereby promoting the growth of the vegetables 93.

[0041] The mulching material 1 is a plant root structure formed by the roots 10a of rye 10, which is organic matter, and is therefore easily decomposed by microorganisms. As a result, even after use as a mulching material, no residue is left in the field 90, thereby reducing the environmental impact on the field 90.

[0042] As described above, the mulching material 1 of this embodiment is formed from roots 10a of a plant (rye 10) that is easily decomposed in the natural environment. As a result, even if the mulching material 1 becomes unnecessary or is torn into small pieces, it decomposes in the natural environment and does not remain in the field 90, thereby reducing the environmental impact on the field 90.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the mulching material 1 of this embodiment, the mulching material 1 contains soil 20 held by the roots 10a of the rye 10 that are intertwined with each other. As a result, the spaces between the roots 10a of the rye 10 that are intertwined with each other are filled with soil 20, which can block the holes in the structure 5 and make it easier to cover the soil surface 92 of the field 90. Furthermore, because the weight of the mulching material 1 is increased, it is possible to prevent the mulching material 1 from being blown away by wind and rain. Therefore, the state in which the soil surface 92 of the field 90 is covered can be maintained for a relatively long time.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the mulching material 1 of this embodiment, the soil 20 contained in the mulching material 1 is the soil 20 of the field 90 in which the mulching material 1 is used. As a result, the soil 20 of the field 90 containing nutrients is used as the mulching material 1, and the nutrients contained in the soil 20 can be supplied to the vegetables 93. Furthermore, even if the roots 10a of the rye 10 decompose after use of the mulching material 1 and the soil 20 held by the roots 10a of the rye 10 remains in the field 90, it is still soil from the same field 90 and does not affect the environment of the field 90. Therefore, the environmental load on the field 90 can be further reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the mulching material 1 of this embodiment, the mulching material 1 is formed by cutting off a portion of the stems 10b of the rye 10 and leaving the remaining roots 10a. Because the mulching material 1 is formed into a plate-like shape by the intertwined roots 10a of the rye 10, it is easier to cover the soil surface 92 of the field 90 without the stems 10b.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the mulching material 1 of this embodiment, the mulching material 1 is formed by intertwining roots 10a of rye 10, which is an annual plant that grows, flowers, and then dies. As a result, the rye used in the mulching material 1 does not rot during use. The mulch 10 does not grow, so it is possible to prevent the environment of the field 90 from being damaged by the plants used in the mulching material 1.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the mulching material 1 of this embodiment, the mulching material 1 uses green manure plants that have the effect of keeping nematodes, which may cause damage to vegetables 93 in the field 90, away from the vegetables 93. This makes it possible to reduce damage to the vegetables 93 caused by nematodes.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the formwork 30 of this embodiment, the formwork 30 used to produce the mulching material 1 has an open outer periphery other than the portion where the connecting portion 32 is connected, and the space 30a is not sealed. This allows sufficient air and water to be supplied to the roots 10a of the rye 10 growing in the space 30a when the formwork 30 is placed in the soil 91. Therefore, the roots 10a of the rye 10 can grow sufficiently between the pair of flat plate members 31.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the formwork 30 of this embodiment, the pair of flat plate members 31 are formed so that the width Wb of the tip end 31b opposite the base end 31a connected to the connecting portion 32 is smaller than the width Wa of the base end 31a. As a result, when producing the mulching material 1 in the soil 91, the formwork 30 can be easily placed in the soil 91 by driving the formwork 30 into the soil 91 from the tip end 31b, which has the narrower width. Therefore, the mulching material 1 can be produced easily.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the method for producing the mulching material 1 of this embodiment, the roots 10a of the rye 10 are grown in the space 30a between a pair of flat plate members 31 placed in the soil 91, and then the roots 10a of the rye 10 are removed from between the pair of flat plate members 31. In this way, the mulching material 1 can be produced in the same way as growing a plant.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the mulching material 1 of this embodiment, the formwork 30 is placed in the soil 91 of the field 90 where the mulching material 1 is to be used, so the mulching material 1 can be manufactured at the site where it will be used. This eliminates the need to transport the manufactured mulching material 1.

[0052] Second Embodiment 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of a mulching material according to the second embodiment. The mulching material 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the mulching material 1 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 1) in the types of plants that form the structures.

[0053] The mulching material 2 of this embodiment includes oat roots 40a and soil 20. The oat roots 40a intertwine with each other to form a structure 5 having a generally plate-like shape. The soil 20 is held in place by the oat roots 40a of the structure 5.

[0054] The example of use of mulching material 2 shown in Figure 12 shows a state in which mulching material 2 made of oat roots 40a is used in a field 90 where Chinese cabbage 94 is grown. The relationship between Chinese cabbage 94 and oats is what is known as a companion plant. The oats that form the mulching material 2 have effects on the Chinese cabbage, such as preventing disease, repelling pests, and promoting growth. In this way, using a companion crop that is grown in a field where mulching material is used as a plant that forms the mulching material is suitable for growing crops.

[0055] According to the mulching material 2 of this embodiment described above, the mulching material 2 is The mulch material 2 is formed from roots 40a of oats, which are a common crop. This allows the mulch material 2 to prevent diseases of the Chinese cabbage 94 and promote the growth of the Chinese cabbage 94.

[0056] <Modification of this embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0057] [Variation 1] In the above-described embodiment, the mulching material contains soil. However, the mulching material may not contain soil and may be a structure formed only from plant roots. Furthermore, although the soil contained in the mulching material is soil from the field where the mulching material is used, the type of soil is not limited to this. The mulching material may be produced in a location other than the field where the mulching material is used and brought to the field where it is used.

[0058] [Variation 2] In the above-described embodiment, the root plants forming the structure of the mulching material are green manure plants of the grass family, such as rye and oats, which are annual plants. The root plants forming the structure are not limited to this. By using green manure plants as the root plants forming the structure, damage to crops caused by nematodes can be reduced. Furthermore, by using annual plants as the root plants forming the structure, the growth of the plants used in the mulching material on the soil surface of the field can be suppressed.

[0059] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, the roots of the plants that form the mulch structure are cut off from the stems. The mulch can also be used with the stems still attached. The stems can also be used as a source of nutrients for the crops.

[0060] [Variation 4] In the above-described embodiment, the formwork for producing the mulching material includes a pair of flat plate members. However, the configuration of the formwork is not limited to this. For example, the formwork may be configured to produce a mulching material having a curved shape that conforms to the shape of the ridges in the field.

[0061] [Variation 5] In the method for producing a mulching material, rye seeds are sown in the first embodiment, and oat seeds are sown in the second embodiment. However, in the method for producing a mulching material, seeds of different varieties may be sown in combination, such as a combination of rye seeds and oat seeds. For example, by sowing a mixture of seeds of a variety whose roots tend to grow depthwise and seeds of a variety whose roots tend to grow horizontally in the soil from which the mulching material is produced, the mulching material structure can be formed in a roughly mesh-like shape. This makes it easier to hold the soil in place, and therefore makes it easier to further cover the soil surface with the mulching material.

[0062] [Variation 6] In the first embodiment, the stems 10b and leaves of the rye 10 generated in the manufacturing method of the mulching material 1 are laid so as to cover the soil surface 92 of the field 90, similar to the mulching material 1. As in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to cover the soil surface 92 with the cut stems 10b and leaves (see FIG. 10).

[0063] Although the present aspect has been described above based on the embodiments and modifications, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present aspect and are not intended to limit the present aspect. The present aspect may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it may be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1,2...Mulching material 90...Field 92...soil surface 10...plant 10a...root 10b…Stem 20...Sat 30...Formwork 30a…Space part 31...Flat plate member 31a...Proximal end 31b...Tip 32...Connection Wa, Wb...Width

Claims

1. A method for producing mulching material, comprising: a first step of growing plant roots between a pair of flat plate members buried in soil; and a second step of removing the roots of the plant grown in the first step from between the pair of flat plate members. A method for producing mulching material, characterized by:

2. The method for producing a mulching material according to claim 1 further comprises: A third step is provided before the first step, in which the pair of flat plate members is placed in soil of a field in which the mulching material is used. A method for producing mulching material, characterized by:

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