Abstract:
Water retaining membranes are described that can be placed in the soil to hydrate plants. The water retaining membranes include a super absorbent polymers (SAPs) on or within substrate material that absorb significant amounts of water to retain water for use by plants. The absorbed water can be accessed by the plants as the soil dries out. The present disclosure also includes methods of making the water retaining membranes and methods of hydrating plant roots.
Abstract:
Equipo agrícola para retener humedad que consta de una cuchilla frontal (7) que penetra en el terreno y moviliza la tierra hacia un dispositivo de transporte (3) que levanta y acarrea los terrones a lo largo de dicho dispositivo para dejarla caer por efecto de la gravedad sobre una lamina de plástico (6) que se va extendiendo mediante un rodillo (8) en la zona donde previamente fue levantada la tierra.
Abstract:
A system for controlling a moisture content below a surface area, where the system is installable in a recess above which the surface area will be located. The system comprises a substantially water impermeable first layer, a porous second layer and a water control basin which comprises means for controlling a moisture level of the porous second layer. The system enables liquid from the water control basin to be transported through the second layer by utilization of capillary forces, providing for an efficient sub-surface irrigation system which is easy to maintain. A method for providing such an irrigation system is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Techniques for reducing water evaporation from soil and other fresh water mediums, such as open bodies of water are provided that include forming a hydrophobic capillary layer thereon. The hydrophobic capillary layer includes a plurality of hydrophobic capillaries configured to push or otherwise direct water provided in the soil or the fresh water medium downward or back into the soil or the fresh water medium while allowing water vapor, oxygen and other gases to pass. This increases the diffusion resistance for the water molecules to pass through the hydrophobic capillary layer and thereby reduces the rate of evaporation of water from the underlying soil or fresh water medium. In an aspect, the hydrophobic capillary layer is formed via soil particles respectively coated with a hydrophobic coating. The reduction to water evaporation from a soil layer covered with the hydrophobic capillary layer results in an increased amount of water retention in the soil layer, which in turn enhances plant growth while conserving water.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a watering mat for the large-area distribution of water, in particular in horticulture and landscaping and also in agriculture, comprising a first and a second carrier layer (12, 14) for accommodating elements belonging to the watering mat, one or more connections (18) for connecting the first and the second carrier layer (12, 14), one or more water-feeding elements (16) arranged between the first and the second carrier layer (12, 14) and intended for feeding water into the watering mat and distributing water in the watering mat, and an absorption layer (22) for water storage that is arranged between the first and the second carrier layer (12, 14), characterized by means (20) for detecting the degree of moisture in the watering mat.