METHOD FOR PRODUCING AND STRUCTURE OF MULCH COVER Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture, in particular, protection of plantation from weeds. SUBSTANCE: method involves introducing mineral fertilizer and alleopatically active substances of plant origin, with access of water and washing out into mulched soil in different portions of mulch cover layers depending on basic density of mulch cover and concentration of inclusions being differentiated depending on age of plants to be protected with mulch. Structure of mulch cover is characterized in that mulch layer is made corrugated, with corrugations on lower side being more distinct than on upper side. Lower side of cover have arced runout of protective web to facilitate fixation of cover on surface to be mulched by damming up soil. Mulch cover is made in the form of closed circles composed of fragments geometrically mating one with the other and laid so that their beveled portions overlap each other and connected with clips. Mulch cover is further provided with continuous supporting projections with trapezium-shaped open top slots made in their ridges. Vertical drain openings extend through the whole height of projections and uniformly spaced between planting openings. Sides of mulch cover strips directed inward are provided with triangular protrusions which are joined in mating relation to similar protrusions of strips laid at opposite side of rows. Portions of protective web positioned between supporting projections are made convex. Water- permeable supporting projections in upper part are provided with conical depressions making continuation of vertical through openings which extend to projection base. Supporting projections are strengthened with plated vertical thicker portions radially extending from their side surfaces. EFFECT: increased efficiency, simplified structure of mulch cover and enhanced reliability in operation. 6 cl, 52 dwg