Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the planting of a seed tape. The system includes a frame configured for coupling to a tractor, a furrow opening device attached to the frame, and a furrow closing device attached to the frame. In one embodiment, a seed tape guide assembly is attached to the frame and has a tamping arm for guiding the seed tape. In another embodiment, a seed tape wheel is attached to the frame by a mounting arm and positioned within at least a portion of the furrow opening device. The mounting arm is biased by a biasing member and the seed tape wheel is forcibly pressed by the mounting arm into contact with the furrow.

Abstract: A seed tape comprising an elongated pliable strip of paper material having seeds positioned thereon with fertilizer positioned therebetween or adjacent thereto. In the preferred embodiment, insecticide is also provided on the seed tape. The spacing and type of seeds on the strip is dependent on the location in a field where the strip will be planted. The type and amount of fertilizer is also positioned on the strip dependent upon the location in the field where that particular portion of the strip will be planted.

Abstract: A sowing device having a travelling framework (2) is described, which comprises a storage roll (3) for a seed strip (4) equipped with individual grains (5) of a seed, and an unwinding unit (6) for the seed strip (4) drivable as a function of the travel distance. To ensure a precise deposit of the seed grains (5), it is suggested that a sensor (15) for the individual grains (5) in the seed strip (4) be provided in the area of the seed strip section (14) between the unwinding unit (6) and a ground-proximal deflection roll (8), and a control unit (16), connected on one hand to the sensor (15) and on the other hand to a travel distance encoder (18), activate the drive (17) of the unwinding unit (6) as a function of the difference between the actual location of the seed grains (5) detected by the sensor (15) and a setpoint location predefinable with the aid of the travel distance encoder (18).

Abstract: A seed placement device (10) that is comprised of a seeding strip (12) and a boring tool (32). The seeding strip (12) has a multiplicity of equidistant holes (26) extending therethrough, and the boring tool (32) has an upper end (34), a shank (36) and a lower end (38) that terminates in a point (40). The seed placement device (10) is designed to quickly and easily allow a person to place a multiplicity of seeds (90) in the ground (92). Once the seeding strip (12) is placed in a desired location on the ground (92), a person inserts the boring tool (32) through each of the holes (26) and into the ground (92), thus creating a series of equidistant cavities (94), into each of which at least one seed (90) can be placed.

Abstract: A machine for bedding out seed or plant tapes includes a frame and a carrying pole to be connected to a front of a tractor frame. At least one bedding out unit is provided with a plough member mounted on the frame. The plough member is associated with a conveyor including at least one continuous belt. The bedding out unit is provided with a supporting plate for supporting at least one supply container for the seed or plant tape to be bedded out in a furrow produced by the plough member. The bedding out unit includes a plough member of a substantially U-shaped cross section. Top webs of the U are substantially horizontally projecting stabilizing webs. The plough member is of a length (L) of at least approximately 30 cm and a width (b) measured across the U of 15 to 50 mm. The conveyor of the plough member is formed by an inclined main conveyor with two continuous conveyor belts arranged adjacent, but with a distance (a) to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-plowing method for establishing vegetation on at least partially denuded land comprising the steps of: (a) laying out a continuous layer of nutrient matrix directly on said at least partially denuded land, said layer of nutrient matrix containing water and nutrient contents necessary for the growth of plants; (b) sowing plant seeds on the top surface of said at least partially denuded land before said layer of nutrient matrix is laid out, or sowing plant seeds into said layer of nutrient matrix after it is laid out, or mixing plant seeds with the constituents of said layer of nutrient matrix and laying out together with said layer of nutrient matrix; (c) establishing an artificial vegetable cover on said at least partially denuded land by supplying said plant seeds water and nutrient contents in said layer of nutrient matrix to sustain their growth.

Abstract: Hatchlings are raised initially on a strip of sheet material which is laid on the floor of a containment pen by a vehicle having a support on the vehicle for receiving a roll of a sheet material and a hopper on the vehicle for receiving a feed material for the hatchlings. The strip is laid from the roll in flat form on the floor and held in place by a thin layer of the feed dispensed through a nozzle of the hopper as the vehicle is moved forwardly with the layer having a constant width substantially across the full width of the strip leaving narrow feed free bands at the side edges.

Abstract: A seedling raising sheet device, a method of making same and a method of using the device for use in conveniently laying out a garden are disclosed. The device includes an elongated biodegradable paper strip, a plurality of distance markers, an adhesive layer, a plurality of seeds, a fertilizer, a plurality of stakes, and a sticker sheet. The paper strip, plurality of distance markers, adhesive layer, plurality of seeds, and fertilizer are interconnected together to form a linear means for planting the plurality of seeds within a furrow of a garden.

Abstract: Seed tape (1) for a controlled germinating process is made of at least two paper layers (1′ and 1″) and is intended to be used while placed edgewise. Each germinating unit includes a seed (5), additives (6) and a carrier (8). Each germinating unit (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is formed as a planar member. The longitudinal axis of each planar member extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tape. The additives are places in discrete locations around the seed. The seed, the additives and the carrier are adhered to the inner face of at least one paper layer (1′), which is air-permeable. A narrow stripe (10) of water-absorbing, super-absorbing polymer (SAP) is placed on the adhesive layer of at least one paper layer (1′ or 1″). The resulting seed tape is particularly suited for providing a controlled moist microclimate around the seeds during a two-step germinating process.

Abstract: A seedling-growing sheet (1) is in the form of a laminate body (2) consisting of a band-like support member (3) and a porous sheet body (4) laminated on the support member (3). A large number of receptacles (6) for housing rice seeds (15) are formed in the sheet body (4) of the laminate body (2). These receptacles (6) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support member (3). Formed in the laminate body (2) are cutting perforations (8) consisting of a large number of cut lines (9) along which planting pieces (10) each having at least one receptacle (6) are cut away from the laminate body (2). These cutting perforations (8) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the laminate body (2).

Abstract: A seedling-growing sheet (1) is in the form of a laminate body (2) consisting of a band-like support member (3) and a porous sheet body (4) laminated on said support member (3). A large number of receptacles (6) for housing rice seeds (15) are formed in the sheet body (4) of the laminate body (2). These receptacles (6) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support member (3). Formed in the laminate body (2) are cutting perforations (8) consisting of a large number of cut lines (9) along which planting pieces (10) each having at least one receptacle (6) are cut away from the laminate body (2). These cutting perforations (8) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the laminate body (2).

Abstract: A seedling-growing sheet (1) is in the form of a laminate body (2) consisting of a band-like support member (3) and a porous sheet body (4) laminated on said support member (3). A large number of receptacles (6) for housing rice seeds (15) are formed in the sheet body (4) of the laminate body (2). These receptacles (6) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support member (3). Formed in the laminate body (2) are cutting perforations (8) consisting of a large number of cut lines (9) along which planting pieces (10) each having at least one receptacle (6) are cut away from the laminate body (2). These cutting perforations (8) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the laminate body (2).

Abstract: The subject is a novel apparatus for cultivating organovegetables, which includes an organic medium layer, a vegetable seeds paper membrane, a position-fixing membrane and an insect-proof screen membrane, and which is formed by laminating in order the organic medium layer, the vegetable seeds paper membrane, the position-fixing membrane and the insect-proof screen membrane. These components of the novel apparatus can be prepared into upright rolls which can be cut and applied according to the cultivating area. The novel apparatus is used in combination with an organic medium layer therein so that it is not restricted by land condition.

Abstract: An innovative liquid mulch apparatus for the production of thin, lightweight and fastly growing sod over an impervious surface such as plastic sheeting are provided. The apparatus of the invention includes, among other components, a transportable agitating tank and a trailing planter assembly that facilitates the liquid mulch method of manufacturing sods.

Abstract: A bio-degradable composite nonwoven fabric for plant cultivation includes a wood pulp paper sheet laminated on a bio-degradable aliphatic polyester filament nonwoven fabric, wherein the polyester filaments and the pulp fibers are entangled to each other and a plurality of spot regions which are spaced from each other, are substantially free from the pulp fibers and have a decreased distribution density of the polyester filaments of 30 to 50%, an area of 0.16 to 16 mm.sup.2 and a total area coresponding to 5 to 60% of the total surface area of the composite nonwoven fabric, are formed. The polyester filament distribution density is defined as the ratio of the total area of the polyester filaments appearing within the spot regions to the total surface area of the spot regions, determined from photographs of the spot regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shallow ditch in wood shavings on the floor of a chicken house and laying a web of paper over the ditch while forcibly pushing the central portion of the web into the ditch with the remainder of the paper disposed at the shoulders of the ditch. The apparatus includes a plow depending downwardly from a frame and a beam pivoted to the frame which supports a wheel behind the plow. A roll of paper may be carried by spindles on the frame between the plow and the wheel. The wheel, in operation, is positioned on the upper surface of a web of paper unwound from the roll to permit the roll to unwind while simultaneously pushing the paper into the ditch.

Abstract: A machine for transplanting potted seedlings grown in a series of pots linked together without separating them from one another includes a bottom plate having an upwardly curved leading end portion, and a slot formed in its trailing end portion. A soil opener is fitted in the slot and contains a vertically rotatable pot guide. A pair of soil drawing members are attached to the bottom plate behind the soil opener. A pair of side frames are erected on the bottom plate, and have inwardly directed portions converging toward the soil opener. A pair of pot guides are also provided on the bottom plate inwardly of the side frames.

Abstract: A seed planter unit includes a frame adapted for connection to a prime mover, a furrow opener carried on the frame for opening a furrow in the grond in response to advancing movement of the frame, a seed tape dispenser operative to support an elongated biodegradable seed laden tape, structure for directing the tape downwardly from the dispenser into ground engagement behind the furrow opener and a first press wheel carried on the frame at a position to roll over the dispensed tape and hold it in a generally stationary position against the ground in response to advancing movement of the frame. Soil covering discs and a second press wheel may follow the first press wheel for burying and stabilizing the seed tape within the ground. Fertilizer and agricultural chemicals may be incorporated into the seed tape or separately dispensed tapes for controlled application adjacent the planted crops.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for planting seeds with a marked dibble, a marked seed spacer and a marker row spacer. Corresponding markings on a dibble, a seed spacer and a row spacer define the ideal planting depth, seed spacing and row spacing for seed types. Seed spacing is achieved by extending the seed spacer between juxtaposed corresponding markings on the row spacer and creating a hole in the garden soil at a point determined by additional corresponding markings on the seed spacer. Hole depth is determined by further corresponding markings on the dibble.

Abstract: A device for planting seed tape including a support structure which moves along the surface of the soil. The seed tape is advanced relative to the movement of the support structure and is cut repetitively at selected intervals. The severed seed tape is forced into the soil a predetermined distance. The seed tape employed with the device includes a relatively flat portion of material having first and second surfaces. The seed is held to the first surface of the portion of material. The seed tape further includes an opening through the same spaced from the seed held to the first surface of the portion of material.