Method for interplanting energy crops

• US 9,332,690 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2014
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company (Weyerhauser)
• Original Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company (Weyerhauser)
• Inventors: Leist, James R., Duzan, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): TORRES, ALICIA M
• Application Number:
  US14/449,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20150013580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 111100-104, 111/111, 111/200, 111900-902, 111/906, 111/919, 111/923
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/06 for sowing or fertilising
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/00 Methods for working soil
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/00 Methods of fertilising , sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/28 specially adapted for farming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/90 Methods of planting seeds and miscellaneous compositions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/923 Interrow, intercrop planter

Abstract

Methods for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop include preparing a plantation site for planting the energy crop. Plantation sites may include a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row being separated by an intermediate area. The intermediate area is divided into a center portion and two side portions (a first side portion and a second side portion). Methods include lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, and redepositing a soil component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily in the intermediate area.

Claims

1. A method for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop on a plantation site, the method comprising:

planting the primary crop in a first row and in a second row, the first row and the second row being separated by an intermediate area, the intermediate area being divided into a center portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion; and

preparing the plantation site for planting the energy crop by;

lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, the soil and plantation debris mixture comprising a soil component and a plantation debris component;

redepositing the soil component onto the intermediate area; and

planting the energy crop in the intermediate area.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the primary crop to grow for a period of time before preparing the plantation site for planting the energy crop.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising leveling the intermediate area after redepositing the soil component.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising filtering the soil and plantation debris mixture to separate the soil component from the plantation debris component.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the intermediate area is about 18 feet to about 20 feet wide.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the center portion of the intermediate area is about 9 feet to about 10 feet wide.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy crop is switch grass.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the primary crop is a tree crop.

9. A method for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop on a plantation site, the method comprising:

planting the primary crop in a first row, a second row, and a third row;

wherein the first row and the second row are separated by a first intermediate area, the first intermediate area being divided into a first center portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion; and

wherein the second row and the third row are separated by a second intermediate area, the second intermediate area being divided into a second center portion, a third side portion, and a fourth side portion; and

preparing the first intermediate area for planting the energy crop by;

lifting a first soil and plantation debris mixture from the first intermediate area, the first soil and plantation debris mixture comprising a first soil component and a first plantation debris component;

redepositing the first soil component into the first intermediate area primarily in the first center portion; and

planting the energy crop in the first intermediate area.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of allowing the primary crop to grow for a period of time before preparing the plantation site for planting the energy crop.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

preparing the second intermediate area for planting the energy crop by;

lifting a second soil and plantation debris mixture from the second intermediate area, the second soil and plantation debris mixture comprising a second soil component and a second plantation debris component;

redepositing the second soil component into the second intermediate area primarily in the second center portion; and

planting the energy crop in the second intermediate area.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the first intermediate area has a first width and the second intermediate area has a second with, the first width being greater than the second width.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

leveling the first intermediate area after redepositing; and

leveling the second intermediate area after redepositing.

14. A method for preparing a plantation site for planting an energy crop, the plantation site having a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row and the second row being separated by an intermediate area, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, the soil and plantation debris mixture comprising a soil component and a plantation debris component;

(b) redepositing the soil component into the intermediate area primarily in the center portion; and

(c) leveling the intermediate area.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of filtering the soil and plantation debris mixture to separate the soil component from the plantation debris component.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the intermediate area is at least about 18 feet wide.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the primary crop is a tree crop.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of lifting the soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area is performed by a shear assembly attached to a prime mover or tractor.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of lifting the soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area comprises moving a shear assembly having a substantially V-shaped serrated cutting blade across the intermediate area.