WO2017106800A1

WO2017106800A1 - Agro-tiling composition for extreme environments

Info

Publication number: WO2017106800A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/067395
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daryush Ila; Carla Raineri PADILLA
Original assignee: Fayetteville State University
Priority date: 2015-12-16
Filing date: 2016-12-17
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

The invention is a composite agro-tile and method of its for farming that allows for the production of crops in the most extreme environments, including hot deserts, cold regions, contaminated areas and other harsh areas. The invention is an adaptable platform that can be prefabricated in a production facility or on-site to meet the highly variable needs of extreme environments. The composite agro-tile requires little water and provides the necessary nutrients and conditions for crop growth in the harshest environments.

Description

AGRO-TILING COMPOSITION FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

Background

[0001] The invention relates to a novel method of farming in harsh or extreme environments.

[0002] Various factors can render an environment harsh on crop growth, but harsh and extreme environments are typically the result of low rainfall and high temperatures, low temperatures and low rainfall, salinated soils, chemically polluted soils, radioactively polluted soils, extremely alkaline soils, and extremely acidic soils.

[0003] Agriculture is the cultivation of soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products. Agriculture is essential for human survival and crops are used both to feed humans directly and to feed livestock, which may feed humans indirectly.

[0004] Horticulture is the art or practice of garden cultivation and management and produces commercially grown ornamental plants.

[0005] Both agriculture and horticulture rely on outdated crop production and farming methods.

[0006] The most common method of farming involves using widespread crop irrigation, often through flooding of fields; however, the amount of fresh water globally available is decreasing while the size of desert lands and extreme environments are increasing, making field flooding irrigation methods unsustainable.

[0007] Drylands and deserts currently occupy 41.3% of the earth's land surface. Hot deserts, such as the Sahara, are very hot during the day, but cold at night, but cold deserts such as the Atacama in South America can remain frozen day and night.

[0008] Hot deserts are defined as having an average daily temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (i.e., 100.4 degrees Farenheight) during the day and -3.9 degrees Celsius (i.e., 25 degrees Farenheight) at night with approximately 250 mm (9.84 inches) of rain per year with the majority of the hot deserts lying between 30 degrees north latitude and 30 degrees south latitude. Cold deserts, in contrast, have low precipitation and average summer daily temperatures between 21 and 260 degrees Celsius (70 to 790 degrees Farenheight) and average winter daily temperatures between -2.2 and 3.9 degrees Celsius (28 to 390 Farenheight). [0009] Approximately 2.6 billion people are currently directly dependent on subsistence farming agriculture for their survival. 52% of all available agricultural land, however, is experiencing soil degradation. Arable land is being lost to desertification at 30 to 35 times historical desertification rates. Nearly 12 million hectares (approximately 30 million acres) are annually being lost at a rate of 23 hectare s/minute (56 acres/minute) due to desertification and drought. This amounts to a loss of 20 million tons of grain annually. This immense loss of grain directly affects 42% of the very poor and 74% of the poor of the world-wide.

[0010] Areas of the world known for high crop production are similarly suffering from aquifer depletion, which rapidly reduces the amount of water available for irrigating crops. In the U.S. alone, 27 trillion gallons (102.2 trillion liters) of groundwater are withdrawn from aquifers annually, with up to 92% (24.8 trillion gallons or 94 trillion liters) of the withdrawn water being used for crop irrigation. Aquafer water is being replaced at a far lower rate than the rate at which it is extracted, resulting in persistent aquifer depletion.

[0011] In addition to desertification, soil degradation and depleting water resources, other extreme environments, such as extreme acidity or alkalinity, overly salinated water and soil, and areas contaminated by radiation or chemical pollutants, are globally increasing in both numbers and size, creating unique obstacles to crop production.

Farming methods, however, have not kept pace with these increasing obstacles to crop production, and areas with chemical pollutants or radiation are typically abandoned. Where areas with chemical pollutants or radiation are farmed, the result is either starkly lower crop yield and contaminated crops.

[0012] The majority of crops grown globally are still watered via outdated and water- intensive irrigation methods, such as field flooding, drip irrigation systems, or root irrigation system. Field flooding wastes trillions of gallons of water to evaporation and run-off. Drip and root irrigation systems are far too expensive for subsistence farmers to obtain and similarly wasteful of water. Drip irrigation supplies water via long hoses to the base of the plants through holes along the sides of the hoses, and in areas where there are no capillary barriers, such as sandy land, added water will percolate rapidly through the soil resulting in water waste. [0013] Attempts at desert and other extreme environment farming in various areas of the world have had limited success. Farming in extreme environments typically involves building expensive greenhouses and the use of expensive and energy-intensive salt water to fresh water conversion systems. Alternatively, agricultural producers in extreme environments may farm less profitable or less biomass accumulating crops.

Many of these methods require a large initial input of cash and are both energy and maintenance expensive.

[0014] Soil structure also affects crop production. The most productive soils have rich humus layers and structures that support both plant growth and water retention.

Typical desert soils have little to no upper humus layer and are composed primarily of sand, lack complex structures, and often rest on a deeper bed of clay. Because sand has no structure, sandy soils have high water percolation rates and low water retention rates.

[0015] One method of increasing water retention involves placing capillary barriers in in the soil. In most non-desert soils, capillary barriers are placed where two distinct soil layers meet. Artificial capillary barriers are capable of increasing water content of the soil and lead to increased biomass production.

Summary

[0016] In one aspect, the invention is a composite agro-tile for farming in extreme environments. The agro-tile has a permeable upper membrane and an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane, and between the two membranes is a nano-powder of a depth suitable for seed germination.

[0017] In another aspect, the invention is a method of farming in extreme environment. The invention includes the steps of making a depression in the ground, placing an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane into the depression, introducing a nano- powder on top of the lower membrane, laying a permeable upper membrane above the nano-powder, and applying a soil layer above the upper membrane. Seeds are added to the growth site either within the nano-powder layer or in the soil layer above the upper membrane.

[0018] In another aspect, the method of the invention includes the steps of making a depression in the ground, placing an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane into the depression, inserting a pipe in the bottom of the depression with a terminal end at or above the surface level of the surrounding ground, introducing a nano-powder on top of the lower membrane around the pipe, laying a permeable upper membrane above the nano-powder, and applying a soil layer above the upper membrane.

[0019] In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of farming including the steps of making a depression in the ground, placing an agro-tile comprised of an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane, a permeable upper membrane, and a nano-powder between the lower and upper membrane into the depression, applying soil above the agro-tile, and adding water to the soil.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an agro tiling method according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross- sectional view of an agro-tile. Figure 2 provides an enlarged view of the individual layers comprising the agro-tile.

[0022] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an agro tiling method according to the invention.

Detailed Description

[0023] The invention is a low cost, versatile, easy to use farming composition and method of its use. The invention's large water retention capabilities and ability to be used in a myriad of extreme environments provides a method of increasing growth of both food and ornamental crops.

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an agro tile 10 according to the invention. Figure 1 shows the agro tile 10 as used in farming.

[0025] The agro tile 10 is an adaptable nano-powder platform capable of high water- retention useful for plant growth in otherwise extreme environments.

[0026] The agro tile 10 consists of a nano-powder layer 14 in and between a permeable upper membrane 13 and an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane 15 that are sealed on all sides to prevent loss of the nano-powder 19 during transit and use in fields for crop production. The lower membrane 15 can be made of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, naturally occurring clay or plastic. If the lower membrane 15 is made of a permeable material, then a separate impermeable or semi-permeable layer 18 must be placed beneath the lower membrane 15. [0027] The nano-powder gel layer 14 is primarily made up of a silicon nano-powder 19. The nano-powder may be a nano-clay powder or any other nano-powder known to those skilled in the art.

[0028] The agro tile 10 may be transported into the fields as a single piece that can be made to any size. The product may be created in any size or shape and may be provided in a long strip, a roll or a folded piece. Once at the site at which it is to be used, the agro tile 10 may be unrolled or unfolded into place for immediate use.

[0029] The agro-tile 10 is then placed in a depression 33 in the hostile soil 12. After the agro-tile 10 is placed in the hostile soil, water, fertilizers and other additives may be topically applied to the agro-tile 10.

[0030] Growth environment pH may be adjusted as necessary by applying a pH

balancing layer 11 of alkali or acid over the agro-tile 10 in the form of an additional soil layer 11 or the alkali or acid may be added directly to the water 17 and topically applied to the agro-tile via the watering process. Fertilizer may also be added directly to the water 17, per the fertilizer manufacturer's instructions.

[0031] Water 17 may be added in any concentration up to 99% water, weight to volume. Optimal saturation occurs at 95% weight to volume. Lesser amounts of water can be used as desired.

[0032] In addition to nano-powder, the nano-powder layer 14 may also contain between its membranes 13, 15 a variety of chemical or natural additives, such as fertilizers, plant nutrients, calcite (calcium carbonate), alkaline substances, powdered acidic substances, and humic substances, to both allow for and enhance plant growth. Seeds may also be added directly to the nano-powder layer 14 prior to agro-tile placement in the hostile environment.

[0033] If the nano-powder layer 14 is not pre- seeded, then after the watering process and addition of any topical additives, then an approximately two-inch layer of the native hostile soil 12 is added over the agro-tile 10 and germination is allowed to occur.

Different natural soil depths may be needed depending on the particular plant. These depths are known to those skilled in the art. The seeds (or seedlings or young plants) are then planted directly into the top of the native hostile soil 12. [0034] If the nano-powder layer 14 contains pre-added fertilizer and seeds, then an approximately one-inch layer of the native hostile soil 12 is added over the agro-tile 10 before germination is allowed to occur.

[0035] Plants grown with the agro-tile 10 have typical germination times for each plant species.

[0036] Dependent upon the required growth length of the crop, water may needed to be added as the agro-tile desiccates. Even with complete desiccation and 0% water weight to volume of nano-powder to water, the agro-tile 10 can be rehydrated by the addition of water 17 to soil above the agro-tile 10; however, the nano-powder within the nano- powder gel layer 14 has low desiccation rates and thus necessary water addition will be minimal.

[0037] The agro-tile 10 may also be used in contaminated soils. For best results on contaminated soil ,the agro-tile should be covered by a layer of uncontaminated soil, rather than native hostile soil 12; however, if the agro-tile is covered by a layer of the naturally occurring hostile soil 12, plant growth will still be improved, even where the naturally occurring soil 12 is contaminated.

[0038] Figure 2 is a cross- sectional view of the agro-tile 10. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the individual layers comprising the agro-tile 10.

[0039] The upper membrane 3 and lower membrane 15 of the agro-tile 10 is composed of fabric or plastic. The membrane fabric can be a natural or synthetic material. The lower membrane 15, which is placed earthside, can be either completely impermeable or have a small pore size, typically, less than 3 microns, although a larger pore size can be used. The smaller the pore size the less the loss of nano-powder in the powdered form while in transit, before use (i.e., water is added to form the nano-powder gel 19. If a pore size larger than 3 microns is used, then the agro-tile 10 should be packaged to minimize loss of nano-powder and additives in transit. The upper membrane 13, must have pores 16. If the agro-tile 10 is not preseeded, then the minimum pore size should be greater than 3 microns. If the agro-tile 10 is pre-implanted with seeds, then the upper membrane 13 pore 16 size should be at least 15 microns, depending upon the cotyledon produced by the germinating seed. The pores 16 must be large enough to allow the seedlings to emerge from between the membranes 13, 15.

[0040] The agro-tile membranes 13, 15 must be larger than the encapsulated nano- powder to allow for expansion when water is added to the nano-powder. The agro-tile membranes 13, 15 are fused on all edges, so as to prevent the nano-powder from escaping the agro-tile 10. The agro-tile membranes 13, 15 may be sealed together by mechanical means, such as heat presses, or by chemical means with sealants or glues.

[0041] The amount of nano-powder sandwiched between the between the agro-tile membranes 13, 15 varies and is dependent upon the desired depth of the nano-powder gel layer 14 for plant growth. Appropriate growth platform depths are known to those skilled in the art. For example, larger plants with larger roots will require more gel than smaller crop plants. The nano-powder gel layer 14 will retain water better than natural soils and can be hydrated up to 99% water to nano-powder ratio (weight to volume).

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, the nano-powder layer 14 is hydrated at 90 to 95% water (percent weight of nano-powder to water). Stated differently, for every 5 ounces of nano-powder within the nano-powder gel layer 14, 95 ounces of water are added. Lesser amounts of water can be used as desired.

[0043] The nano-powder gel layer 14 may be hydrated by pouring water above the upper membrane 13 of the agro-tile 10. The water penetrates the upper membrane 13 via pores 16 in the upper membrane 13 and the hydrated nano-powder forms a nano-powder gel 19.

[0044] The nano-powder 19 within the nano-powder gel layer 14 functions as a capillary barrier to retain water and prevent water loss into the surrounding soil. The nano- powder gel has a high water retention rate, and a low desiccation rate. Under normal day and night cycles, artificial light, and an average daily temperature of 220 degrees Celsius (720 degrees Fahrenheit), uncovered nano-powder gel 19 hydrated to 95% water weight to volume has a desiccation rate of less than 0.02% per day.

[0045] When the nano-powder gel is sandwiched between agro-tile membranes 13, 15 with a one inch layer of native hostile soil 12 placed above the upper membrane 13, under full spectrum light on a 12 hour on/off cycle, and an average daily temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and nightly temperature of 22 degrees Celsius (72° degrees Fahrenheit), nano-powder gel 19 hydrated to 95% weight to volume has a 10 day total desiccation rate of less than 20%.

[0046] Without buffering, the nano-powder gel 19 is slightly acidic with a pH between 5.2 to 5.6. The nano-powder gel 19 pH can be changed in response to the naturally occurring pH of the native soil 20 in which the agro-tile 10 is placed and the needs of the selected crops. If the pH needs to be raised, limestone (e.g., calcite or calcium carbonate) or another alkaline substance can be added between the agro-tile membranes 13, 15. If the native soil 20 in which the agro-tile 10 is placed has a low pH, an acid, in powder form can be added between the agro-tile membranes 13, 15. Alternatively, the pH adjusting substance can layered on top on the native soil layer 12 to form a pH adjusting layer 11.

[0047] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an agro tile 10 according to an alternative method of using the agro tile 10 in farming. The alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 3 is designed for permanence and sustainability once in place.

[0048] A depression 33 is first dug into the native soil 20. A retention layer 32 comprised of an impermeable or semipermeable layer of clay, semipermeable material, or plastic is placed down in the depression 33.

[0049] A pipe 31 is placed in the bottom of the depression 33, with the pipe 31 bending and extending above the depression 33. The pipe 31 can be made of any available material, but the material would ideally have a pore size less than 3 microns, although larger pore sized materials can be used. The pipe 31 has holes bored into them to allow water to be added to the depression 33 as needed.

[0050] A nano-powder layer 14 is added to cover the pipes to the desired depth. The pipe 31 is covered by sleeves of material that prevent nano-powder from penetrating the pipe 31while allowing water to flow from the pipe 31 into the depression 33. The nano- powder layer 14 depth is dependent upon the type of crop to be grown and is readily ascertainable by those skilled in the art. The entire depression 33 with the nano-powder layer 14 is then covered with an upper membrane 13 The upper membrane would ideally have a pore size less than 3 microns, although larger pore sized materials can be used. The entire agro-tile 10 is then covered with a native soil or sand layer 12.

[0051] Water, fertilizer and any other desired additive are added to the nano-powder layer 14 through the pipe 33 extending above the ground. The addition can be achieved by simple gravitational methods or, if desired, a mechanical or electrical pump 30 can be added to the pipe to facilitate the flow of additives. Fertilizer and other desired additives should be dissolved in water prior to their addition. The nano-powder layer 14 can be hydrated to 99% water, weight to volume, but 95% hydration is generally optimal. [0052] The H of the native soil or sand layer 12 may be adjusted as necessary by adding a wetted down layer of an appropriate acid or base 11 to the surface of the native soil layer 12. Alternatively, the pH adjusting substance can be mixed with water and delivered to the nano-powder layer 14 via the pipe 31.

[0053] The soil or sand 12 above is then seeded per the recommended seed depth for each species and the seeds allowed to germinate and grow.

[0054] As needed, the nano-powder layer 14 can be rehydrated and refertilized via the pipe 31. This allows for a permanent, built-to-size agro-tile.

[0055] In areas with high winds, the area in which the agro-tile 10 is laid may be sided with silt fences to impede sand intrusion.

[0056] In the specification and drawings, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A composite agro-tile for farming in extreme environments comprising:

a nano-powder of a depth suitable for seed germination;

a permeable upper membrane above said nano-powder; and

an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane below said nano-powder layer.

2. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 1 wherein said nano-powder is a silicon nano-powder.

3. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 2 wherein said nano-powder is a nano- clay.

4. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 1 wherein said upper membrane and said lower membrane are sealed together on all sides to prevent loss of said nano-powder between said upper and lower membranes.

5. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 4 wherein said upper membrane and said lower membrane are mechanically sealed.

6. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 4 wherein said upper membrane and said lower membrane are chemically sealed with a sealant.

7. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 1 further comprising a retention layer beneath said lower membrane wherein said retention layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of clay, plastic, and semipermeable materials.

8. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 7 further comprising a pipe situated within said nano-powder, wherein said pipe extends up to or above the surface level of the surrounding ground.

9. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 8 wherein said pipe comprises bored holes through which liquid may exit said pipe into said nano-powder surrounding said pipe.

10. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 9 wherein said pipe is covered by a sleeve and wherein said sleeve is comprised of a material with a pore size small enough to be impermeable to said nano-powder, but large enough to be permeable to liquids.

11. A composite agro-tile according to Claim 8 wherein said pipe is affixed to a pump at said pipe's terminal end at or above the surface level of the surrounding ground.

12.. A method of farming in extreme environments, the method comprising:

making a depression in the ground;

placing an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane into the depression; introducing a nano-powder on top of the lower membrane;

laying a permeable upper membrane above the nano-powder;

applying a soil layer above the upper membrane.

13. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 12, the method further comprising adding water to the soil layer up to 99 percent weight to volume water saturation.

14. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 12, the method further comprising adding growth enhancing additives to the nano-powder selected from the group consisting of fertilizers, plant nutrients, calcite, alkaline substances, powdered acidic substances, and humic substances.

15. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 12, the method further comprising adding seeds directly to the nano-powder before laying the permeable upper membrane above the nano-powder.

16. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 12, the method further comprising adding fertilizers directly to the soil layer.

17. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 12, the method further comprising applying a pH balancing layer of an alkali or acid above the soil layer.

18. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 12, the method further comprising sealing the upper membrane and the lower membrane together on all sides so as to prevent loss of the nano-powder between the upper and lower membranes.

19.. A method of farming in extreme environments, the method comprising:

making a depression in the ground;

placing an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane into the depression; inserting a pipe in the bottom of the depression with a terminal end at or above the surface level of the surrounding ground;

introducing a nano-powder on top of the lower membrane around the pipe;

laying a permeable upper membrane above the nano-powder;

applying a soil layer above the upper membrane.

20. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 19, the method further comprising covering the pipe in a sleeve wherein the sleeve is impermeable to the nano-powder but permeable to liquids.

21. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 19, the method further comprising delivering water to the nano-powder via the pipe.

22. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 19, the method further comprising delivering a growth assisting additive mixture to the nano-powder via the pipe.

23. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 19, the method further comprising delivering a pH adjusted substance to the nano-powder via the pipe.

24. A method of farming in extreme environments, the method comprising:

making a depression in the ground;

placing an agro-tile comprised of an impermeable or semi-permeable lower membrane, a permeable upper membrane, and a nano-powder between the lower and upper membrane into the depression;

applying soil above the agro-tile; and

adding water to the soil.

25. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 24, the method further comprising adding water to the soil layer up to 99 percent weight to volume water saturation.

26. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 24, the method further comprising sealing the upper membrane and the lower membrane so as to prevent nano-powder from escaping the membranes.

27. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 25, the method further comprising adding growth enhancing additives to the agro-tile selected from the group consisting of fertilizers, plant nutrients, calcite, alkaline substances, powdered acidic substances, and humic substances to the nano-powder before sealing the upper membrane and lower membrane together.

28. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 25, the method further comprising adding seeds to the nano-powder before sealing the upper membrane and lower membrane together.

29. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 24, the method further comprising adding seeds to the soil above the agro-tile.

30. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 24, the method further comprising adding fertilizers directly to the soil layer above the agro-tile.

31. A method of farming in extreme environments according to Claim 24, the method further comprising applying a pH balancing layer of an alkali or acid above the soil layer.