Plant husbandry – Mulching
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2004-02-10
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Mulching
Reexamination Certificate
active
06688038
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mulch for use in seeding. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition and method for providing a seeding mulch having extended moisture retention time.
2. Description of Related Art
The problem of maintaining a soil moisture content sufficient to sustain a growing plant has long been recognized. Sprayable mulches have been used to provide protection for the seed to promote the germination of seed on the soil surface. In a mulch, relatively large particles, such as wood fibers, straw, and sawdust, are mixed with water to form a slurry. A typical slurry mixture includes approximately 100 gallons of water for each 50 pounds of solid mulch, with fertilizer and seed added in amounts recommended by the suppliers. The slurry is then pumped through a hose and nozzle and sprayed onto the soil surface.
Binding agents, known as “tackifiers” are typically added to bind the slurry. The structural integrity of mulch is enhanced by the addition of the tackifier. Such an enhanced mulch is used to advantage for erosion control. Under normal conditions, sprinkler irrigation must be established within one day after the application of the mulch and seed.
Seeds can additionally be incorporated into the slurry mixture. The mulch protects the seeds from the weather and from being consumed, for example, by birds or insects. The mulch also protects the soil surface by preventing the topsoil from eroding during adverse weather conditions such as wind or rain storms. The water retained by the mulch nourishes the seeds to promote germination.
The water retention of prior art mulches is limited by the absorptive capacity of the solid mulch material. The thickness of the mulch applied to the soil surface must be increased to increase the amount of retained water. However, this increased thickness can inhibit the growth, of vegetation.
The amount of water retained by the prior art mulches is also determined by the weather. For example, in arid, windy areas, the mulch dries rapidly. If an irrigation system, such as sprinkler irrigation, is not established quickly, the mulch can dry out before the seed has germinated. The dried mulch can then either blow away in the winds, or form a hardened surface that inhibits the growth of new vegetation.
Moisturizing agents have been used to solve the problems inherent to manual and automatic watering systems. A moisturizing agent releases moisture into its immediate vicinity. One such moisturizing agent is described in Avera, Moisturizing Agent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,640. The Avera moisturizing agent is a gel-like product that appears dry to the touch and semi-solid in appearance. This moisturizing agent can contain approximately 98% of water bound in solid form.
The solid bound water is gradually converted to liquid water when placed in the microbial environment of natural soils. The bacteria and other microorganisms that liquefy this bound water do not migrate into the gel but act on its exposed surface. The liquefaction rate of moisturizing agents such as that taught by Avera can therefore be controlled by controlling the amount of moisturizing agent surface area that is exposed to the soil.
It would therefore be an advantage to provide a mulch that retains sufficient water content to insure maximum seed germination. It would be a further-advantage to provide a mulch that distributes water to the soil surface at a controlled rate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a mulch composition having extended moisture retention time and a method for use thereof. The mulch composition according to embodiments of the present invention comprises water, mulch, and moisturizing agent. Seed and fertilizer can be added according to the particular requirements for the mulch composition. The preferred embodiment comprises 93.95% water, 5.85% mulch, and 0.20% moisturizing agent by weight as a percentage of the weight of the water used, and fertilizer and seed in any selected amounts. In this preferred embodiment, the moisturizing agent comprises a cellulose gum (preferably 92.95% cellulose gum), a cross-linker (preferably 7.00% aluminum sulfate), and a surfactant (preferably 0.5% Smashing Whited® Water Softener & Detergent Booster).
The moisturizing agent according to the preferred embodiment is added to the mulch composition in lieu of a tackifier. The moisturizing agent releases water into the soil surface at a controlled rate while binding the mulch composition together.
The present invention retains moisture for a longer amount of time than the prior art mulches. Maximum seed germination can therefore be promoted. In addition, the present invention provides effective dust and erosion control properties.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a seeding mulch composition having extended moisture retention time and a method for use thereof. The present invention retains moisture for a longer amount of time than the prior art mulches. Maximum seed germination can therefore be insured.
For purposes of this application, the following definitions will be used. The term “mulch” describes a material that is used to coat soil. Mulch can retain water for distribution to the soil and can also inhibit the erosion of the underlying soil. Mulch can include fibrous matter such as wood fiber or shredded newsprint. Mulch can also include other materials such as fertilizer and seed. The term “mulch composition” is used to describe the present invention, namely, a mixture of a mulch and a moisturizing agent. The term “moisturizing agent” is used to refer to a substrate that gradually releases water and optionally air when interacting with biological organisms present in the environment of the object, for example, plant tissue, receiving the water and air. One such moisturizing agent is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,640. A moisturizing agent releases water and, optionally, air into the soil surface at a controlled rate, for example, when interacting with biological organisms typically found in soil.
The mulch composition according to embodiments of the present invention comprises water, mulch, and moisturizing agent. The amount of mulch can range from 4.39% to 7.3% and the amount of hydro mix moisturizing agent can range from 0.5% to 0.35%. The mulch composition according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises 93.95% water, 5.85% mulch, and 0.20% moisturizing agent by weight as a percentage of the weight of the water used, and fertilizer and seed in any selected amounts. As an example, the mulch composition according to the preferred embodiment can comprise 800 lbs. of water (100 gallons),; 50 lbs. of mulch (1 standard size bag), and 1.6 lbs. moisturizing agent.
In the preferred embodiment, the mulch is preferably Excel® Fibermulch or Fibercel™ Mulch, both of which are currently manufactured by the American Excelsior Company of Arlington, Tex. However, the teachings of the present invention can also be applied to any suitable mulch.
Seed and fertilizer can also be added to the mulch composition as required for particular applications. For example, a mulch composition for use in erosion control can comprise 0.375 lb to 1.1 lbs. of seed per 800 lbs of water (100 gallons). A mulch composition for pasture land can comprise 0.75 lb of seed per 800 lbs of water and a mulch composition for lawns can comprise 10.75 lbs per 800 lbs of water. The amount of fertilizer added to the mulch composition can vary from 4 to 8 lbs per 800 lbs of water.
The moisturizing agent used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention a dry mixture of:
92.95% cellulose gum;
7.00% aluminum sulfate; and
0.05% Smashing White® Water Softener & Detergent Booster
(“Smashing White”).
For purposes of this application, this preferred moisturizing agent will be referred to herein as the “hydro mix moisturizing agent.” The term “hydro mix moisturizing agent” is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit in any way the scope of the claimed inventi
Jensen Harold
Paternoster Joseph
Dergosits Michael E.
DriWater, Inc.
Gellner Jeffrey L.
Poon Peter M.
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