POTATO GROWING METHOD AND APPARATUS Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture. SUBSTANCE: method involves slitting soil in interrows by moldbordless ripper-slitter of hiller. During pre-emergence period, slitting is followed with plant hilling by crushing soil adjacent to slits through the whole width of interrow and ridge sides and simultaneously throwing crushed soil onto ridge top. This operation is performed by means of covering disks rotated due to engagement with soil. Covering disks have mellowing members making hiller moldboards. During post-emergence period, aboveground parts of plants are laid into ridge so as to orient them in the direction of advancement of ripper-slitter under the action of crushed soil particles thrown onto ridge top upon plants. EFFECT: increased potato yield and quality, reduced field weediness. 3 cl, 2 dwg