Intercropping process
OwnerMarvin J. Williams, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel process for successfully intercropping corn and soybean plants is described herein. For best ecological results, the corn and soybeans are planted at specific predetermined distances at the same time of year. The corn and soybeans create a microclimate of humidity, as well as a root system and groundcover which effectively resists drought and erosion. Another advantage is use of conservation tillage which is compatible with the ecological longterm advantages of intercropping commercial annual grains and legumes.
Claims12
A process for intercropping an annual crop which comprises soybeans and corn, said crop comprising only non-vine plants, said intercropping process lacking application of an artificial herbicide, said process lacking an artificial pesticide, and said process lacking artificial fertilizer, said process comprising the following steps:
- (a) simultaneously planting soybean seeds in areas and corn seeds in rows, said corn rows width and said soybean areas being in a continuous pattern in which they alternate with each other, said planting occurring at the beginning of May of each growing season,
- (b) thinning said corn seedlings and said soybean seedlings approximately 4 weeks after said planting,
- (c) weeding said rows and said areas without said artificial herbicides, and
- (d) leaving soybean stalks and cornstalks, said soybean roots and corn stalks and corn roots intact in said rows and said areas over the winter season, said intact roots of said corn and said soybeans thereby intertwining and forming an effective subsoil network.
A process for intercropping an annual soybean and corn crop, said process consisting solely of corn and soybeans, said process eliminating vine-like plants, said process eliminating artificial herbicides, said process eliminating artificial pesticides, said process eliminating artificial nitrogenous fertilizers, the steps for said process comprising:
- (a) simultaneously planting soybean seeds in areas and corn seeds in rows, said areas and said rows alternating with each other, said planting occurring in rimer sandy loam soil, each said corn row consisting of a linear arrangement of corn seedlings, each said corn row being approximately 30 inches from a consecutive said corn row,
- each said soybean area comprising an approximately twenty inch wide width, said soybean area width comprising three subrows of said soybean seeds, each said subrow comprising a width of approximately seven inches,
- (b) watering said rows and said areas solely during initial seeding of said corn and soybean seeds,
- (c) weeding said rows and said areas without said artificial herbicides, and
- (d) harvesting said soybeans and said corn, while leaving said cornstalks and said cornroots and said soybean stalks and said soybean roots in the field over the winter and following spring planting season, thereby creating a ground cover, said process thereby producing commercial acceptable soybean pods, said process producing said soybean pods under near-drought conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.