US20110299928A1

US20110299928A1 - Irrigation System using Plastic Film Applied to Cultivated Furrows to Capture Rain Water or Water from Irrigation Systems that Simulate Rain and Method of Installation

Info

Publication number: US20110299928A1
Application number: US12/792,532
Authority: US
Inventors: Ian Jorge Garcia De Alba Flores
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-02
Filing date: 2010-06-02
Publication date: 2011-12-08

Abstract

The present invention is related to an innovative irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rain water or water sprayed by irrigation systems that simulate rain; characterized by a plastic film installed in the valleys between adjacent furrows where an amount of dirt is first moved from the sides of the adjacent furrows, forming a mound to support the film, which forms a dome or convex channel to capture rain water or sprinkler water and guide it to the upper mound of adjacent furrows, directly to the root system of cultivated plants; said film is installed manually or mechanically, and the side edges of said plastic film are buried or pressed into the sides of adjacent furrows, with these edges remaining buried, to be secured in the ground; said plastic film covers the entire valleys and part of the sides of the furrow, with the plants located on the mound of the furrow.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to agriculture in general, and in particular it is related to the methods and irrigation systems of different agricultural crops. More specifically, it is related to an innovative irrigation system using plastic film in cultivated agricultural furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain to permit the utilization and efficient consumption of water and reduce the loss of water from filtration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there are different agricultural irrigation systems with the main objective of bringing water to the soil and mainly to the root system of cultivated plants, so that they have the supply necessary for their growth and development. The most well-known methods are gravity flow or flood irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and drip irrigation.
In the gravity flow or flood system, the water is moved by gravity, meaning that the water flows down the slope of the furrows and does not require extra energy to be moved. The quality of irrigation depends on the systemization of the land from the beginning, and therefore it is very important to have a good slope in the plot to be irrigated, as well as create adequately designed furrows, especially according to their orientation and length.
The most traditional flood or gravity flow irrigation system consists of leading the water through channels that guide the water to the cultivated plots, where it is then supplied to the channels perpendicular to the furrows which distribute the water to the upper ends of the plot furrows. From here, the water is distributed to the furrows, and then flows by gravity following the slope of the land until it finally arrives at the end of the furrow, soaking the strips of the furrows on its way.
In one of the modalities of this system, a supply main (hoses, PVC or aluminum pipes, etc.) located at the end of the furrows is used, and nozzles, valves, and openings pour water onto the furrows, a process which aims to avoid the loss of water on its way to the plots.
In this system the water runs the entire length of the furrows until the ends, irrigating the entire surface. It is an inexpensive system, however, the waste of water and the non-uniformity of the irrigation does not permit an even productivity throughout the land.
Said gravity flow or flood irrigation systems represent the most inexpensive systems in terms of installation, because they only require letting the water run down the furrows. The problem is the uniformity of irrigation for all of the crops; the first plants receive large amounts of water and the plants toward the end of the rows receive almost none. Another important problem presented by this system is that a large amount of water used is because the channel must be filled up to the end. Furthermore, this type of irrigation must be carried out several times during the agricultural cycle, which increases the consumption, and consequently the high loss of water from filtration.
Additionally, a non-uniform distribution of water throughout the land has an even bigger impact when considering the use of fertilizers and herbicides, etc.
Moreover, each irrigation application requires labor, which in the end elevates the cost per farming hectare; and when there is not a stream or river nearby, bringing water to the channels at the beginning of each furrow represents a significant electric expense since this is carried out using pumps.
Moistening the entire surface of the channel as well as the ridge of the furrow promotes the growth of weeds, and the system does not allow for a modification in soil temperature or the retention of moisture for the plants, since the moisture is lost easily to evaporation.
Another disadvantage of such a system is that it does not stimulate the growth of the plant by reflecting light or prevent the attack of organisms that are harmful to crops.
In the sprinkler irrigation system, the water is applied to the soil in the form of rain, using devices to emit water called sprinklers that generate a stream of water in the form of a spray.
The water comes out of pressurized sprinklers and it gets there through a network of tubes with a complexity and length that depend on the dimensions and configuration of the plot being irrigated. One of the fundamental characteristics of this system is that it is necessary to use elevated pressure to get the water to the plots needing irrigation using a pump system.
With sprinkler irrigation, it is expensive to acquire all of the equipment necessary, and the level of evaporation is very high (moisture is not retained) which is why it is necessary to carry out the irrigation many times during the agricultural cycle, causing an excessive use of water and electrical energy.
Other inconveniences of said irrigation system are that it does not control the growth of weeds, change the temperature of the soil, retain moisture for the plants, stimulate the growth of the plant by reflecting light, or ward off aphids or other organisms that are harmful to plants.
The drip irrigation system consists of applying water to a specific area of the soil, not all of it. Just like with sprinkler irrigation, the water is circulated by pressure through a system of tubes extended over the surface of the soil or buried in it, finally coming out of irrigation emitters integrated in the tubes with little or no pressure through openings which are generally small in size.
In these systems it is necessary to have a pump system which provides pressure to move the water, as well as particular elements of filtration and water treatment before the water is circulated through the network of tubes. These are used to avoid blocks in the emitters caused by the accumulation of salts, one of the most frequent problems. These elements are installed at the exit of the pumps in the designated end of irrigation. A precise design, a large investment in equipment, and meticulous maintenance are required, resulting in a costly process that can only be taken on with crops of high commercial value.
When using drip irrigation, there is a risk that the emitters can become blocked, and when this problem exists, that area is left without water dosage, causing those plants to die; such a problem is created when applying the irrigation with water-deficient filtration and incorporating chemicals like fertilizers using these systems. If an animal bites the tube, the entire furrow is left without water as well as the entire area that depends on the flow from that tube.
Other inconveniences of this system are that it requires very costly equipment and a large amount of electrical energy. Furthermore, it does not permit the growth of weeds, change the temperature or the soil, retain moisture for the plants, or stimulate the growth of the plant by reflecting light. It also does not ward off aphids or other organisms that are harmful to plants.
Furthermore, there are areas of dry-land farming, where it is not possible to use water for irrigation due to the shortage of this vital resource, so the crops in these regions are seasonal, and only may be cultivated during rainy seasons. In such areas, it is of the utmost importance to take full advantage of rainfall, as well as to have the important knowledge needed to determine the dates for the sowing season to do so. In many cases, if the required amounts of water are not produced by the rainfall of the season, the crops can be lost or seriously affected and production or crops yielded can be greatly reduced.
The irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from an irrigation system that simulates rain was developed in response to the inconveniences described above, and to the fact that agricultural activity requires more and more technological innovations that allow for more profitability and a better cost-benefit ratio, and moreover, the considerable conservation of water for the risks to agricultural crops that permits a sustainable management of resources using only the optimal volume needed to produce crops.
The same inventors have already presented a patent application with the application number MX/a/2007/012241 on Oct. 2, 2007, called Flood Irrigation System by channels using plastic film, which is characterized by the use of plastic film wide enough to form a transport channel for a flow of flood irrigation water between furrows, and long enough to cover the entire length of the furrows in the cultivated plots; said film includes along its entire length, distributed equidistantly or not, a large amount of perforations and/or frangible sections defined by tapering lines or by a succession of small perforations or cuts that form diverse shapes, which come off to create consecutive, alternating, or discontinuous perforations through which water is provided to the root system of the crops, according to the type of crop and the required amounts of water; said plastic film is installed manually or with a machine in the valleys between furrows, creating a transport channel for irrigation water and with its side edges buried in the sides of the furrows, covering the entire valley and part of the side of the furrow.
However, this system is different and directs the water directly to the furrow in the area of the valleys away from the root zone and requires the creation of perforations or frangible sections that come off to create perforations, which means an additional cost to make the perforations or removable sections, and its application requires labor to remove these sections that create perforations through which water is supplied.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to make available an innovative irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows which allows for the capturing and directing of rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain directly to the root system of the plants for different agricultural crops, without the loss of water from evaporation or filtration.
Another objective of the invention is to make available said irrigation system using plastic film applied cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, in which the plastic film will be easy to install and manage.
Another objective of the invention is to permit said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also be economical in terms of production, sale, and installation.
One more objective of the invention is to make available said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also allow for the increase in production and productivity per hectare for agricultural crops.
Another objective is to allow said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also allow for moisture to be maintained in the soil for a prolonged period, offering a more favorable atmosphere for the growth and development of plants.
Another objective of the invention is to make available said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also allow for the modification of soil temperature to create more favorable conditions for plant development.
Another objective of said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain is to prevent the degradation and erosion of soil and permit the conservation of healthier soil.
Still another objective of the invention is to provide said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also permit the control of weed growth by preventing sunlight from passing through the surface where the film is located, leaving all soil nutrients for the cultivated plants.
Yet another objective of the invention is to make available said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also allow for savings in energy, water, agricultural chemicals, and labor.
Still another objective of the invention is to permit said irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also stimulate light fertilization of plants and prevent the attack of harmful organisms (such as aphids) with the reflective colors on the film that repel them, in the case where the film has reflective colors.
Yet another objective of the invention is to make available said irrigation system using plastic film applied to the cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, which will also reduce labor needs for crops.
And all of these qualities and objectives will become apparent upon carrying out a general and detailed description of the present invention, and will be supported by the modalities illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, the irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, in accordance with the present invention, consists of the mechanical or manual installation of plastic film in the valleys between furrows where an amount of soil has moved from the sides of adjacent furrows, creating a support for the film in the furrows, that allows for the creation of a convex channel to capture and guide precipitated water toward the high part of the ridges of adjacent furrows, directly to the root system of the cultivated plants, with the side edges of said plastic film buried in the sides of the furrow; said plastic film covers the entire valleys and part of the sides of the furrow, with the plants being cultivated located on the ridge of the furrow.
The edges of the film should be buried in the sides of the furrows and the width that is buried depends on the type of soil; although the range is preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm, and 3 cm on each side is optimal, which will ensure that the plastic does not become unburied and that it is easy to remove at the end of the crop cycle.
The width of the plastic film depends on the distance that exists between the furrows of each plot, with enough room to create a convex canal that is able to be buried on each side.
The thickness of the film also depends on the land to which it is applied, and can range from 50 gauges (12.5 microns) to 125 gauges (31.25 microns), having an optimal thickness of 80 gauges (20 microns), although the thickness can vary according to the type of texture and structure of the soil, and the volume of water to transport, to avoid tearing. This results in a plastic film with sufficient resistance and durability for different types of terrain, or different films according to the type of terrain to which it will be applied.
Said plastic film is preferably manufactured from low density linear polyethylene with different colored pigments according to the type of application that is required. Other materials and diverse compositions can be used to generate the plastic film, which can be biodegradable or long-term; but they should preferably be resistant to sunlight, chemical fertilizers, herbicides and chemicals used in agriculture, for a prolonged period of time.
In one of the modalities, the plastic film includes a white color, aluminum, or another color that can reflect light from the exposed exterior surface that faces the soil, and the opposite surface that faces the soil is a black color that prevents sun rays from passing through to the soil to avoid the growth of weeds and cause an increase in soil temperature; at the same time it permits the reflection of light so that it remains in a range that wards off organisms that are harmful to crops while stimulating the light fertilization of the plants.
As is known, the frequency of PAR light waves (photosynthetically active radiation) is in the range of 400 to 700 nanometers (nm) of the solar spectrum, which stimulates the growth of the plant while at the same time helping to control aphids, decreasing problems with viral infections.
The plastic film is preferably in place throughout the entire agricultural crop cycle so that irrigation can take place several times, and it is removed manually or with machinery to be recycled.
The system does not require that the furrows of plots or cultivated land have a specific slope, since the objective is to capture precipitated water and guide it directly to the root system of the plants.
Fertilizers and chemical products can be applied at the same time, dissolved in the irrigation water that simulates rain.
Among other advantages presented by the irrigation system using the application of plastic film to form a convex channel in the furrow of specific crops, the following are mentioned:
The distribution of water to the root system of the crops is adequate and sure, since it arrives to all the plants directly at the root system.
It is adequate for all types of crops that rely on the rainy season as their only source of irrigation, because it does not require an even distribution of water along the entire furrow.
When rainwater or water that simulates rain falls on the plastic film, this system distributes it to the outside edges of the film, ensuring that full advantage is taken of the season.
Furthermore, the cover retains moisture for long periods of time, meaning that the plants have access to the water for a lengthened amount of time.
In places where there are irrigation systems that simulate rain (sprinklers, for example) the water is dispersed over the entire area of cultivated land and is not lost when falling on the furrows, since the convex channel collects the water and directs it to the root system of the plants, thus assuring that the each entire plant is covered equally.
The water is completely utilized when the film is applied to form a convex channel, since it ensures that all water arrives directly to the roots of the plants.
The irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to create a convex channel allows for the retention of moisture, which means irrigation must be carried out less often, thus reducing the amount of energy needed when sprinkler irrigation that requires pumping the water is used.
The amount of herbicides needed is reduced, since the convex channel works as an herbicide, because it does not allow light to pass through, therefore preventing weed growth.
Having the furrow in such a way that it is covered by convex channel formed by the film provides the advantage that the water which arrives either by rainfall or sprinkler is collected in the plastic and flows over the plastic to the root zone of the crop, and is distributed only to this area.
The plastic film maintains moisture since it acts as a protective layer that does not permit moisture to evaporate.
On days when the sun heats the soil, the moisture that is present in the soil evaporates, and the plastic in place that forms a convex channel can capture the water vapor. At night, when the temperature cools, the vapor condenses and returns to the soil; meaning that a moisture cycle is created that constantly recycles the water.
Studies have shown that the moisture from sprinkler irrigation in which the water sprayed, captured, and directed to the root system of the plants by the plastic convex channel, can remain in the soil for up to slightly over three months, with no need for further irrigation, and the plant does not suffer from lack of water or from seasonal or permanent withering, because it always has water during this period of time.
It controls the growth of weeds by preventing light to pass through to the soil, leaving all soil nutrients for the cultivated plants.
It modifies soil temperature, depending on the color of the plastic; the temperature can be modified according to the needs of the area of land.
The plastic maintains soil temperature, creating a favorable environment for optimal plant development.
In cases where the plastic has reflective colors, the irrigation system can also be used to reflect sunlight at a certain wavelength so as to ward off aphids and other organisms that are harmful to plants; the reflection of the plastic aids in the light fertilization of the plants.
The film can be installed manually, using an agricultural implement for laying, which consists of an attachment that is mounted to a tractor, where rolls of plastic film are mounted and are unrolled using parts that first move the soil from the sides of the furrows to the valley, to create the substratum or support for the plastic film to create the convex shape; other parts press the side edges of the plastic film against the sides of the furrow, burring the edges in the sides of the furrow.
The film must first be partially unrolled in order to bury the end, placing a handful of soil over it to keep it in place so that it may be unrolled by the moving tractor.
The invention also provides a method of application for the plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rain water or water sprinkled by irrigation systems that simulate rain, which entails: a) mounting an agricultural implement (machine for laying the film) on a tractor or similar vehicle; b) mounting at least the roll of plastic film on said implement c) partially unrolling the end of the film and burying it in the soil, or placing an amount of soil over it to anchor it; c) starting the tractor or similar vehicle to begin advancing, so that the parts in front of the implement penetrate the sides of the furrows, moving the soil towards the valley and creating a mound of dirt in the center of the valley to make a substratum or support for the film, creating a dome or convex channel; said plastic film becomes unrolled and is applied over the valley where the parts press the side edges of the film, burying them in the sides of the furrows as it is applied.
The system takes full advantage of the rainy season, benefiting the crops while retaining moisture for longer time periods.
For farm areas that use an irrigation system (any that simulate rain), the utilization of water and saving in energy and herbicides are considerable.
The film retains moisture, which distributes water to the roots for longer periods of time.
In some crops, the increase in productivity can be up to 40%, along with other benefits that depend on the type of crop, such as an increase in degrees Brix in some fruits.
The system results in savings on water, fertilizers, herbicides, labor, etc.
The soil does not erode, since it is “protected” by the plastic film, which is an extra benefit for the plants and nutrients present in this area.
To better understand the characteristics of the invention, drawings accompany the present description as an integral part of it, that are illustrative but not limited as such, which are described as follows:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a conventional perspective of the plastic film for the irrigation system with convex plastic installed on the furrows of the cultivated plots to capture rain water or sprayed water, illustrating its installation using a tractor.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional perspective of the plastic film for the irrigation system with convex plastic installed in the furrows of the cultivated plots to capture rain water or sprayed water, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a cultivated plot with the plastic film installed in the valleys or channels between furrows which creates a convex channel for the capture and distribution of water to the root system of the cultivated plants.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the recycling of moisture that is carried out by the plastic film that forms a convex channel installed on the cultivated furrows to capture rain water or sprayed water.

For a better understanding of the invention, a detailed description of some of its modalities will be made, shown in the drawing attached to the present description that are illustrative but not limited as such.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The details that characterize the irrigation system using plastic film applied to the cultivated furrows to capture rain water or water from an irrigation system that simulates rain are clearly illustrated in the following description and in the included illustrative drawings which use reference symbols to indicate the parts.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional perspective of the plastic film for the irrigation system with convex plastic installed in the furrows of the cultivated plots to capture rainwater or sprinkler water, illustrating its installation using a machine installed on a tractor. In said figure it can be observed that the plastic film 1 is installed in the valleys 2 made between the furrows 3, where an amount of soil has been previously moved from the sides of adjacent furrows to create a mound 4 to support the plastic 1 in the furrows, which results in the creation of a dome or convex channel 5 that captures precipitated water and guides it to the upper part of the mound of the adjacent furrows 3, directly to the root system of the cultivated plants 6; with the side edges 7 of said plastic film buried in the sides of the furrow; said plastic film 1 covers the entire valleys 2 and part of the sides of the furrow, with the cultivated plants 6 located on the ridge of the furrows 3.
The edges 7 of the film 1 should be buried in the sides of the furrows 3 and the width that is buried depends on the type of soil; although it is preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm, and 3 cm on each side is optimal, and guarantees that the plastic does not become unburied and is easy to remove at the end of the crop cycle.
Also in FIG. 1 it can be observed that the plastic film 1 is installed by means of an agricultural implement called a laying machine, which consists of an attachment 8 that is mounted on a tractor 9 and uses parts that move the soil (not shown) from the sides of the furrows to the valleys 2 to create a substratum or support 4 for the plastic film 1, which makes a convex form 5; there are disks 11 that press the side edges 7 of the plastic film 1 against the sides of the furrows 3, burying these edges 7 in the sides of the furrows 3.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional perspective of plastic film for irrigation system with convex film installed in the furrows of cultivated plots to capture rain or sprinkler water, in accordance with the present invention. Said figure also demonstrates the dome or convex channel 5 created by the plastic film 1 installed in the valley 2 of the furrows 3, in which an amount of soil has been moved from the sides of the furrows to create a mound 4 to support (not shown) the film 1, giving it the shape of the convex channel, adapted to capture water and guide it directly to the root system of the plants.
FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a cultivated plot with plastic film installed in the valleys or channels between adjacent furrows that creates a convex channel for the capture and distribution of water to the root system of cultivated plants. In said figure, it can be observed that the film 1 is installed in the valley 2 between the mounds of the furrows 3, and the plastic 1 takes the shape of a dome or convex channel 5 created by the mound of soil which is made before or during the application of the plastic film 1 to support it by moving soil from the sides of the furrows 3 toward the valley 2. The upper convex surface 5 of the film 1 permits the capture of precipitated water 13 from rain or irrigations systems that simulate rain, as well as the transport of this water toward the higher part of the mound of adjacent furrows 3, directly to the root system 6 a of the cultivated plants 6, creating bulbs of water 12 in the root zones of the plants 6; with the side edges 7 of said plastic film 1 buried in the sides of the furrow; said plastic film 1 covers the entire valleys 2 and part of the sides of the furrow, with the cultivated plants 6 located on the mound of the furrows 3.
FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the recycling of moisture carried out by the plastic film which forms a convex channel installed in the cultivated furrows to capture rain or sprinkler water. In said figure, one can observe the plastic film 1 installed over the valley 2 between furrows (not shown), covers the entire valley 2 and part of the sides of the furrows, so that the captured water is guided to the root system, creating bulbs of water in the root zones of the plants. On days when the sun heats the soil, the moisture that is present in the soil evaporates, and the plastic film in place that forms a convex channel can capture the water vapor. At night, when the temperature cools, the vapor condenses and returns to the soil; meaning that a moisture cycle is created that constantly recycles the water.
The invention has been sufficiently described so that a person with average knowledge of the subject can reproduce and obtain the results that we mention with the present invention. However, any person skilled in the technical field that the present invention involves may be capable of making modifications not described in the present application. However, if in the application of these modifications in a determined structure or in the manufacturing process of that structure, the material contained in the following claims is required, said structures should be considered part of the invention.

Claims

1. An Irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, comprising: a plastic film installed in the valleys made between furrows where an amount of soil is first moved from the sides of the adjacent furrows to form a mound that supports the film in the furrows which results in the formation of a dome or convex channel to capture rain or sprinkler water and transport it to the upper part of the mound of adjacent furrows, directly to the root system of the cultivated plants; said film is installed manually or mechanically, and the side edges of said plastic film are buried or pressed into the sides of adjacent furrows with the edges of the film staying buried to be secured into the ground; said plastic film covers the entire valleys and part of the sides of the furrow, with the cultivated plants located on the mound of the furrow.

2. The Irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain of claim 1, wherein the width of the plastic film is dependent upon the distance that exists between furrows in each plot, with enough space to create the dome or convex channel that captures and guides water to the upper part of the furrows directly to the root system of the plants.

3. The Irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the film is in a range of 50 gauges (12.5 microns) to 125 gauges (31.25 microns), and preferably is 80 gauges (20 microns).

4. The Irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain of claim 1, wherein the edges of said plastic film are buried in the sides of adjacent furrows between a width of 2 cm and 5 cm, and preferably 3 cm.

5. The Irrigation system using plastic film applied to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain of claim 1, wherein the mechanical application of the film is carried out using a device for laying the film that is mounted on a tractor, which involves attachments on which the rolls of plastic film are mounted and parts that first move the soil from the sides of the furrows to the valley, to create the substratum or mound to support the plastic, which forms a convex shape; other parts press the side edges of the plastic film against the side edges of the furrows, burying them in the furrows.

6. A method of applying the plastic film to the cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain in accordance with claims 1 through 5, characterized by: a) mounting an agricultural implement (a machine for laying the film) on a tractor or similar vehicle; b) mounting at least the roll of plastic film onto said agricultural implement; c) starting the tractor or similar vehicle to begin advancing, so that the parts in front of the machine used for laying the film penetrate the sides of 30 adjacent furrows, moving the soil toward the valley and creating a mound to support the film that forms a dome or convex channel; said plastic film becomes unrolled, and the parts of the device that press down on the side edges of the film bury it in the sides of the furrows as it is applied.

7. A method for applying plastic film to cultivated furrows to capture rainwater or water from irrigation systems that simulate rain, comprising the steps of:

mounting an agricultural implement on a tractor or similar vehicle, said agricultural implement defined by a machine for laying the film;

mounting at least the roll of plastic film onto said agricultural implement; and

starting the tractor or similar vehicle to begin advancing, so that the parts in front of the machine used for laying the film penetrate the sides of 30 adjacent furrows, moving the soil toward the valley and creating a mound to support the film that forms a dome or convex channel; said plastic film becomes unrolled, and the parts of the device that press down on the side edges of the film bury it in the sides of the furrows as it is applied.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said plastic film of said mounting step is defined by a thickness in a range of 50 gauges (12.5 microns) to 125 gauges (31.25 microns).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said plastic film of said mounting step is preferably is 80 gauges (20 microns) thick.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said starting step is further defined by the edges of said plastic film being buried in the sides of adjacent furrows between a width of 2 cm and 5 cm.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said starting step is further defined by the edges of said plastic film being buried in the sides of adjacent furrows 3 cm wide.