Method for application of biochar in turf grass and landscaping environments

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017015601-A1
Application number	US-201615184763-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 16, 2016
Priority date	Jun 6, 2011
Publication date	Jan 19, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for applying biochar to turf and landscape to allow the turf and landscape to be effectively maintained under reduced water and/or reduced fertilizer applications.

First claim

I claim:

1 . A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to new turf installation from sod, where at least 75% of the particles of the biochar, measured by weight and volume, have a particle size less than or equal to 10 mm and where the method comprises the steps of: (i) applying the biochar over the area of soil in an amount ranging from 1 to 15 cubic yards per acre; and (ii) installing the sod on the surface of the area of soil.

2 . The method of claim 1 where after applying the biochar, the biochar is incorporated into the area of soil by tilling prior to the sod installation.

3 . A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to new turf installation or to existing turf, where at least 75% of the particles of the biochar, measured by weight and volume, have a particle size less than or equal to 10 mm and where the method comprises the step of placing the biochar under the surface of the area of soil in an amount ranging from 1 to 15 cubic yards per acre.

4 . The method of claim 3 further comprises the step of blending the biochar into the top 1-4 inches of the surface of the area of soil.

5 . The method of claim 3 where biochar is placed in the area of soil using a device that injects the biochar into the soil.

6 . The method of claim 3 where biochar is placed in the area of soil at a depth of approximately 1-12 inches under the soil surface.

7 . The method of claim 3 where the biochar is placed in the area of soil in a manner such that the biochar is evenly spread over the area of soil.

8 . The method of claim 3 where the biochar is mixed with other additives prior to application and where the mixture of biochar and additive is placed under the soil surface.

9 . The method of claim 3 where the biochar is derived from wood.

10 . The method of claim 3 where the biochar is derived from coconut shells.

11 . The method of claim 3 where the biochar is treated by infusing an additive into pores of the biochar prior to placing the biochar on the area of soil.

12 . The method of claim 11 where the treatment for infusing an additive into pores of the biochar is a vacuum processing treatment.

13 . The method of claim 11 where the treatment for infusing an additive into pores of the biochar is a surfactant infusion treatment.

14 . The method of claim 4 where the step is repeated periodically until such time as the concentration of biochar in the top 4 inches of soil reaches a concentration of 50% by volume.

15 . The method of claim 3 where placing the biochar under the surface of the soil further includes the steps of creating voids in the area of soil; spreading the biochar over the area of soil and raking the biochar over the voids after spreading.

16 . The method of claim 15 where the voids are created by conventional aeration methods.

17 . The method of claim 15 where in the voids created in the area of soil are created such that they are spaced apart approximately 6-12 inches.

18 . The method of claim 15 where the voids created in the area of soil have a depth range of approximately 2-12 inches.

19 . A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to turf installation, where the method comprises the steps of:
applying the biochar to the area of soil in an amount ranging from 1 to 15 cubic yards per acre, where the biochar has been treated by infusing additives into pores of the biochar prior to application; and installing the new turf.

20 . The method of claim 19 where after applying the biochar, the biochar is incorporated into the soil through tilling prior to the turf installation.

21 . The method of claim 19 where the treatment for infusing additives in pores of the biochar is a vacuum processing treatment.

22 . The method of claim 19 where the treatment for infusing additives in pores of the biochar is a surfactant infusion treatment.

23 . A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to sod installation to decrease water use and increase the survivability of the installation, where the method comprises the step of adding the biochar to the top 2-4 inches of the soil in an amount such that the average concentration of biochar in the top 2-4 inches of soil by volume is greater than 0.01% and less than 60% prior to the installation of sod.

24 . The method of claim 23 where water is applied to the soil containing the biochar prior to the installation of the sod.

25 . A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to installing turf grass seed in order to improve survivability and decrease water use, where the method comprises the step of adding the biochar to the top 1-4 inches of the soil prior to the installation of turf such that the average concentration of biochar in the top 1-4 inches of soil by volume is greater than 0.01% and less than 60%.

26 . A method for applying biochar to sod where the method comprises contacting the root side of the sod with the biochar such that some of the biochar adheres to the root side of the sod.

27 . The method of claim 26 where pressure is applied to the sod and biochar to assist with the biochar adhering to the root side of the sod.

28 . The method of claim 26 where a substance that improves the adhesion of the biochar to the root side of the sod is added to either the biochar or to the root side of the sod before contacting the root side of the sod with the biochar.

29 . A method for applying biochar to an area of soil prior to transplanting a plant, the method comprises the steps of:
removing soil to create a hole for the plant; mixing the removed soil with biochar to a final concentration of 1 to 30% by volume of carbonaceous particles to soil; placing the plant in the hole; and backfilling the hole with said mixture of soil and biochar.

30 . The method of claim 29 where the mixture includes other additives beneficial to plants.

31 . A method for applying porous carbonaceous particles to a container or bed prior to planting a seed or plant, the method comprises the steps of:
mixing soil with the porous carbonaceous particles to a final concentration of 1 to 30% by volume of carbonaceous particles to soil; placing said mixture of soil and carbonaceous particles in the container or bed; and planting the seed or plant in said mixture.

32 . Turf sod, the turf sod comprising a piece of sod having biochar attached to the root side of sod.

33 . A plant root ball, the plant root ball comprising a mass of root tissue and soil and biochar, where the biochar is attached to surface of the root ball.

34 . A plant root ball, the plant root ball comprising a mass of root tissue and soil, a wrap surrounding the mass of root tissue and soil, and biochar, where the biochar is either attached to a surface of the wrap or is positioned between the wrap and the mass of root tissue and biochar.

35 . A method for biochar to an area of soil surrounding a tree or plant, the method comprises the step of top dressing the areas of soil surrounding the plant with biochar, where the biochar has been treated by infusing additives into pores of the biochar prior to application.

36 . The method of claim 35 where the biochar is mixed with another soil additi

Assignees

• Cool Planet Energy Systems Inc

Inventors

• Wilson Richard W
• Kim Han Suk
• Bontchev Ranko Panayotov
• Wahlgren Neil Christopher
• Traxler Vern
• Thompson Timothy Alan
• Buege Brian
• Jarand Mark L

Classifications

• C09K17/02

  containing inorganic compounds only · CPC title

• C10B53/02

  of cellulose-containing material (production of pyroligneous acid C10C5/00) · CPC title

• C05G3/00

  Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity · CPC title

• C05F11/08

  Organic fertilisers containing added bacterial cultures, mycelia or the like · CPC title

• A01G20/00

  Cultivation of turf, lawn or the like; Apparatus or methods therefor (hand-held edge trimmers or shears for lawn A01G3/06; edging for lawn A01G9/28; lawn-mowers A01D34/00) · CPC title