METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING SOIL EROSION ON SLOPES Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture. SUBSTANCE: method involves digging ditches running transverse to slope in autumn; cutting water absorbing slit in ditch bottom up to bed rock; creating mulching layer of plant remains in ditches, with height of mulching layer making 1/2-1/3 the width of ditch. Projecting part of mulching layer, which is not mixed with water, does not freeze in winter and serves as water retention and water guiding member adapted for guiding water into slit. Relatively thick straw pad formed by mulching layer in ditch and above it protects slit walls from freezing to provide for effective water-absorbing capacity of slit. Apparatus has frame, slitter, plant remains raking device, and straw packing device. Moldboard is fixed on slitter upper tip in opposed relation to raking device and at different angles with respect to longitudinal axis of apparatus. Straw packing device is mounted for free rotation on shaft made in the form of hub with blades attached thereto. Blades are arranged in curved line and, when in upper position, are faced with their convex side towards moldboard. Blades of straw packing device are arranged along logarithmic curved line. Method and apparatus allow thawing water to be effectively retained on slopes. EFFECT: increased efficiency and simplified method and construction. 3 cl, 3 dwg