Organic fiber reinforced grass turf

Abstract

A natural turf reinforcement system and method are provided. A fiber yarn having at least one biodegradation characteristic is inserted into a soil bed to provide support to a natural grass component. The biodegradation characteristic includes a full or a substantially full biodegradation in the soil after injection after a defined time period. The fiber yarn may include one or more plant-based fibers, animal-based fibers, or at least one synthetic fiber. The fibers may further include one or more chemical treatments or coatings configured to extend or modify properties of the fiber yarn and/or the natural grass component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A natural turf reinforcement system, comprising:
 a fiber yarn having at least one biodegradation characteristic; and   a natural grass component,
 wherein the fiber yarn is injected into a soil bed and provides support to the natural grass component, and 
 wherein the at least one biodegradation characteristic includes a full or substantially full biodegradation in soil after injection after a defined time period. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the full or substantially full biodegradation is triggered by an addition of a chemical or biological compound. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber yarn comprises at least one of plant-based fibers, animal-based fibers, or at least one synthetic fiber having a defined time period of biodegradation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plant-based fibers comprise linen, hemp, sisal, coconut coir, pineapple fiber, palm fiber, cotton, jute, bamboo, bagasse, abaca, kapok, kenaf, or arenga. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the animal-based fibers comprise alpaca wool, angora wool, bison wool, sheep wool, or silk. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one synthetic fiber is selected from the group consisting of poly(butyrate adipate terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(hydroxy alkanoates) (PHA), poly(succinates) PXS, poly(glycolates), poly(glycolate-lactate) copolymers (PGA, PLGA), polyamides, poly(glutamates), polypeptides, or polysaccharides. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber yarn includes at least one chemical treatment or coating configured to extend or modify at least one property of at least one of the fiber yarn or the natural grass component, and wherein the at least one chemical treatment or coating includes beeswax, carnauba wax, shellac, absorbent agar hydrogel, hydroxyethyl cellulose, poly(hydroxyethyl methracrylate, plant hormones, plant nutrients, or mycorrhizae. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the soil bed is a dike. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn comprises a blend of plant-based fibers, animal-based fibers, or biodegradable synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         10 . A fiber yarn having at least one biodegradation characteristic for reinforcement of a natural grass component in a hybrid turf, comprising at least one of a plant-based fiber, an animal-based fiber, or at least one synthetic fiber having a defined time period of biodegradation. 
     
     
         11 . The fiber yarn of  claim 10 , wherein the plant-based fiber comprises linen, hemp, sisal, coconut coir, pineapple fiber, palm fiber, cotton, jute, bamboo, bagasse, abaca, kapok, kenaf, or arenga. 
     
     
         12 . The fiber yarn of  claim 10 , wherein the animal-based fiber comprises alpaca wool, angora wool, bison wool, sheep wool, or silk. 
     
     
         13 . The fiber yarn of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one synthetic fiber is selected from the group consisting of poly(butyrate adipate terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(hydroxy alkanoates) (PHA), poly(succinates) PXS, poly(glycolates), poly(glycolate-lactate) copolymers (PGA, PLGA), polyamides, poly(glutamates), polypeptides, or polysaccharides. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber yarn of  claim 10 , wherein the yarn comprises a blend of plant-based fibers, animal-based fibers, or biodegradable synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         15 . The fiber yarn of  claim 10 , wherein the fibers include at least one chemical treatment or coating configured to extend or modify at least one property of at least one of the fiber yarn or the natural grass component. 
     
     
         16 . The fiber yarn of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one chemical treatment or coating is a hydrophobic surface treatment. 
     
     
         17 . The fiber yarn of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one chemical treatment or coating is a plant growth hormone or nutrient. 
     
     
         18 . The fiber yarn of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one chemical treatment or coating is a hydrophilic surface treatment. 
     
     
         19 . A method of reinforcing a hybrid turf system, comprising:
 fabricating a fiber yarn from at least one of a plant-based fiber, an animal-based fiber, or at least one synthetic fiber;   tuning the fiber yarn in accordance with at least one biodegradation characteristic determined by at least one chemical treatment or coating, the at least one biodegradation characteristic including a defined time period of biodegradation; and   applying the tuned fiber yarn to a soil bed,   wherein the at least one biodegradation characteristic includes a full or substantially full biodegradation in soil after application after a defined time period, and   wherein the at least one chemical treatment or coating is configured to extend or modify at least one property of at least one of the fiber yarn or the natural grass component.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the soil bed is a dike.