Covering material for agricultural and horticultural soil

Details Covering material for agricultural and horticultural soil Covering material for agricultural and horticultural soil

1997-03-13

1999-03-09

Clardy, S. Mark

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Preparations characterized by special physical form

Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants

47 9, A01N 2508, A01G 100

Patent

active

058796959

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This application has been filed under 35 USC 371 as the national stage of international application PCT/NL95/00315 filed Sep. 22, 1995.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a weed-inhibiting covering material, for agricultural soil, which contains a polymer carbohydrate and a vegetable filler.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A covering material of this type is disclosed in Netherlands Patent Application 8402655. The known material consists of a suspension of, for example, cellulose waste (paper) as filler, carboxymethylcellulose or polyvinyl acetate as binder and, in addition, a light-absorbent agent, such as soot, and inhibits the growth of grasses.
According to Swiss Patent 678478, ground in parks and gardens can be protected against weeds by applying a layer of material consisting of felted paper residues, optionally mixed with polystyrene foam. Netherlands patents 91383 and 98116 teach the use of hydroxyalkyl and carboxymethyl starches and swelling starch, respectively, for protecting soil against erosion.
However, the protective effect of the known covering materials is of relatively short duration. Furthermore, these materials also contain poorly degradable constituents (polyvinyl acetate, polystyrene) and mould formation often takes place in the material in the course of time.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A covering material has now been found which is inexpensive, provides long-lasting (many months) protection against the growth of weeds, protects the soil against erosion and, furthermore, can be applied easily and is completely biodegradable.
The covering material, for agricultural soil, according to the invention therefore contains a polymer carbohydrate as binder and a finely divided vegetable filler and is characterized in that the binder is starch or a fraction or derivative thereof together with a structure-improving amount of an acid and/or an oil.
Surprisingly it has been found that water uptake is lower, even at high RH (relative atmospheric humidity) and, partly as a result of this, the protective effect of the covering material is appreciably better when the polymer carbohydrate used is starch or a fraction or derivative thereof with improved structure. The covering material according to the invention is effective in controlling grasses, weeds, mosses and other undesirable plants, reduces erosion, saves irrigation water and may also promote plant growth.
In this context, agricultural soil is understood to be any soil on which crops can be cultivated, either in the field outdoors or in greenhouses, optionally in trays or pots. Agricultural soil therefore also includes, for example, horticultural soil, (tree) nursery soil, garden soil and potting compost. The soil concerned is in the main natural, optionally cultivated vegetable compost, but also completely or partially synthetic compost.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The polymer carbohydrate binder can consist of starch or a fraction or derivative thereof, for at least 50 wt. % or even at least 75 wt. %. Fractions and derivatives are understood to be decomposition products such as amylose and amylopectin and partially depolymerized products, and physically and chemically modified products, such as extruded, dried, oxidized, hydroxyalkylated, carboxymethylated and acetylated starches, and depolymerized, crystallized starches and other forms. Carboxymethyl-starch, native (unmodified) starch, extruded starch and in particular roller-dried starch, which can be converted to a starch solution in cold water and can be obtained, inter alia, under the name Flocgel lvw, have been found to be suitable, amongst others. A polymer carbohydrate means here a carbohydrate having at least 15, especially at least 25 monosaccharide units. In addition to the starch material, the binder may also comprise cellulose and hemicellulose, and derivatives and fractions thereof.
In particular, the structure of the starch material can be improved and the drying thereof can be promoted by adding an oil to it. The term oil should be understood to c

REFERENCES:
patent: 2957834 (1960-10-01), Moller et al.
patent: 3881278 (1975-05-01), Videen
patent: 5350783 (1994-09-01), Reich

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