BODIMENTS
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 systemic herbicide, which is absorbed through the leaves and used to kill weeds, especially perennial weeds. The first herbicide H1 may be sprayed through the use of any suitable spraying or applicator device S, and includes an herbicidal alternative to glyphosate for destroying weeds and other vegetation that is resistant to glyphosate. As noted above, the first herbicide H1 is preferably not sprayed directly on the soil, but on a layer of vegetation that has been left on the soil. Alternatively, a plurality of differing herbicides may be applied at this time, dependent on the needs of the user.
The crop C is then allowed to sprout and grow (step 30) without further chemical applications and, following sprouting of the crop, a second herbicide H2 is sprayed on the ground, as shown in FIG. 4. It should be understood that cotton plants C are shown in FIG. 4 for exemplary purposes only. The second herbicide H2 is sprayed on the entire ground, including the regions outside the at least one row R and outside the bands B, along with an overlapping region on the bands B. The second herbicide preferably contains glyphosate as an active ingredient. Alternatively, any herbicide that destroys weeds and plantlife other than the crop itself may be applied.
Following the spraying of glyphosate, the crop C may then be harvested (step 50). Preferably, following harvesting, a cover crop is planted in the field (step 60). 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. In the above, the first and second herbicides H1 and H2 are typically not sprayed on soil, but on the vegetation that covers the soil. This vegetation includes the cover crop planted and grown following the last harvest, as well as natural vegetation.
In conventional farming, a cover crop may be planted in order to provide protection for the soil from relatively harsh sunlight, from droughts, and from other detrimental environmental conditions. However, in convention