n in at least one row and, following the planting, spraying a first herbicide on the at least one row and on regions of the ground adjacent the at least one row on either side thereof. Preferably, the first herbicide is an herbicide preparation for destroying glyphosate-resistant weeds. Alternatively, a plurality of differing herbicides may be applied at this time, depending on the needs of the user.
The crop is then allowed to sprout and grow without further chemical applications and, following sprouting of the crop, a second herbicide is sprayed on the entire ground, including regions outside the at least one row, outside the regions of the ground adjacent the at least: one row, and also on the row itself and in the previously sprayed band regions. The second herbicide preferably contains glyphosate. Alternatively, any herbicide that destroys weeds and plant life other than the crop itself may be applied.
Following the spraying of glyphosate, the crop may then be harvested. Preferably, following harvesting, a cover crop is planted in the ground. The cover crop is preferably a relatively small grain. In the next growing season, the method is preferably begun again without removal of the cover crop.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method of crop production according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of an exemplary planting step in the method of crop production according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a first spraying step in the method of crop production according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a second spraying step in the method of crop production according to the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is directed towards a method of crop production. The agricultural method provides an ecologically friendly method of planting and harvesting a crop, such as cotton. As shown in FIG. 1, the method includes the initial step of initially planting the seeds of a crop to be grown in at least one row (step 10). In FIG. 2, an exemplary cotton planter P is shown producing multiple planted rows R in the ground. It should be understood that planter P is shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the method may be used with any desired crop and any method of planting seeds in the ground, depending upon the particular crop to be grown and the conditions of the ground and general environment. Further, any desired number of rows R may be planted and formed. A sprayer (or sprayers) S is mounted to the planter P to band spray herbicide on the rows R, as will be described in detail below.
As shown in FIG. 3, following the planting, a first herbicide H1 is sprayed on the at least one row R and on regions of the ground adjacent the at least one row R on either side thereof (step 20). The first herbicide H1 is preferably sprayed in bands B about each row R, with each band B having substantially identical widths. In FIG. 3, each planted row R is illustrated as a simplified, straight line for purposes of illustration. Herbicide H1 forms a band about each row R, on either side thereof, as shown. As shown, each band B extends on either side of a particular row R, and there is untreated ground between each of the bands B. As will be described in greater detail below, the rows R are not formed in soil that has been cleared of all vegetation, but are preferably formed in soil that still has a cover layer of vegetation, and the herbicide H1 is applied to this vegetation. The spaces between the bands are also covered with this vegetation.
Preferably, the first herbicide H1 is an herbicide preparation for destroying glyphosate resistant weeds. Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) is a non-selective systemi