Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-09
2003-05-20
Levy, Neil S. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
C424S489000, C424S493000, C071S031000, C071S048000, C071S058000, C071S064070, C071S064110, C071S064130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06565860
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mixed agricultural compositions and methods for their use. Specifically, a carrier material comprising a fertilizer, pesticide or anti-caking agent is mixed with a carbohydrate-based surfactant. The mixed agricultural compositions may be used to improve plant growth, enhance pest control, or facilitate soil bioremediation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that soil with a healthy microorganism population is best suited for effective pest control, robust plant growth, and efficient biodegradation of unwanted soil contaminants. Soil microorganisms break down dead plant and animal material and mediate the biodegradation of most man-made pesticides. To thrive, these microorganisms require a readily available source of carbon for food. Furthermore, it is more desirable to stimulate the proliferation of indigenous soil microorganisms than to add microorganisms from an external source.
It is known that gradual release of fertilizer nutrients and biologically active agents such as pesticides into the soil is advantageous as it avoids potential toxicity resulting from sudden increases in soil concentrations of applied substances.
Many controlled release methods for fertilizers and pesticides have previously been disclosed. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,600, Sjogren discloses a method for making a composite particle capable of releasing insecticides at a slow or controlled rate. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,008, Yang et al. disclose a method for the microencapsulization of insecticides into a urea-formaldehyde resin. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,520, Yang et al. disclose a method of preparation and use of a pesticide encapsulated in a starch-borax-urea matrix for controlled release. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,407, Southard discloses improved bioactive agent release-extending compositions of native, undenatured starch and biodegradable synthetic polymers. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,196, Luthra et al. disclose products for the variable controlled release of water soluble plant nutrients consisting of a core of water soluble agent coated with an organic film-forming thermoplastic or thermosetting compound and a thermoplastic resin to control release. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,654, Swarup discloses a method of improved fertilizer release control comprising coating a fertilizer with a neutralized, sulfonated EPDM polymer having a measurable degree of crystallinity. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,130, Ferrell et al. disclose a method of applying a pesticide to inert organic or inorganic granular substrates using a carrier compound to improve adhesion of the pesticide to the substrate and to improve control over the release of the pesticide.
It is desirable to avoid the use of foreign materials, or materials which are not otherwise useful for growing plants, when developing methods for the more effective utilization of fertilizers and pesticides, as this allows for enhanced growth and protection of plants without the introduction of complex and expensive matrix components.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,391,542 and 5,143,939, Browning discloses the use of surfactants such as the TERGITOL series of surfactants (TERGITOL is a registered trademark of Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury, Conn.) as a liquid soil additive to enhance the germination and subsequent growth of plants. Browning also describes the use of the liquid soil additive as a method of nematode, worm, mite, and fungus control. However, the surfactant is only effective for a limited period of time following application to the soil.
There exists a need in the art for an improved soil treatment which expedites proliferation of the native soil microorganisms more efficaciously than the non-mixed products alone. Such a treatment should ideally enhance pest control, plant growth, and the bioremediation of pesticide residues in the soil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an agricultural composition prepared by a process comprising mixing together a carbohydrate-based surfactant with a soil additive carrier. The carrier material may be any liquid or solid core material which is compatible with the present invention. The solid core material typically comprises a solid soil additive, such as an organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, pesticide, or anti-caking agent, that is preferably provided as a powder, granule, pellet, or any other compatible solid form. The carrier material may generally be any formulation having agricultural utility.
As used herein the term “mixing” includes the activities of mixing, contacting, blending, stirring, coating, applying, impregnating, commingling, amalgamating, or coalescing.
The solid core material may further comprise a biologically active agent. The biologically active agent is typically selected to bestow additional functional properties to the mixed agricultural composition. Exemplary biological agents include herbicides, insecticides, chemosterilants, nematicides, and fungicides.
The solid core material is typically mixed with a carbohydrate-based surfactant, preferably an alkyl polyglycoside; categories of alkyl polyglycoside include: alkyl glucosides, fatty acid glucamides, sucrose fatty acid esters, and sorbitan fatty acid esters. Typically, the amount of surfactant is less than about 1% (w/w) of the final composition. The surfactant is generally used at a concentration of about 400 grams to about 7700 grams per U.S. ton of solid core material. The mixed agricultural composition is preferably applied at a rate between about 125 pounds and about 1000 pounds per acre.
The agricultural compositions of this invention are useful for promoting the growth of plants and enhancing bioremediation of contaminated soil. These mixed agricultural compositions, when applied to the soil, can increase soil microorganism populations relative to non-mixed fertilizers, pesticides, or surfactants alone. They can also exhibit fewer of the toxic effects normally associated with the application of pesticides and surfactants delivered as unmixed formulations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mixed agricultural composition prepared by a process comprising mixing together a soil additive carrier material and a carbohydrate-based surfactant, methods for producing the composition, and uses thereof. The carrier material may generally be a liquid or a solid core material. In particular, the solid core material is mixed, impregnated, or coated with a carbohydrate-based surfactant. The solid core material may comprise an organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, anti-caking agent, herbicide, insecticide, chemosterilant, nematicide, fungicide or combinations of such materials.
As used herein, the term “soil additive” refers to fertilizers, anti-caking agents, pesticides, ditomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, corn cob particulate, bentonite clay, vermiculite and combinations thereof.
The solid core material generally comprises a powdered, particulate, granular, pelleted, or any other compatible solid form of soil additive, such as, for example, an organic or inorganic fertilizer. The organic fertilizer may be any compatible organic fertilizer and is preferably HOU-ACTINITE (Houston, Tex.), or MILORGANITE (Milwaukee, Wis.). The inorganic fertilizer may generally be any fertilizer having agricultural utility including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium polyphosphate, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium sulfate, diammonium phosphate, triple super phosphate, single super phosphate, lime or limestone, magnesium sulfate, manganese sulfate, monoammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, potassium magnesium sulfate, sulfate of potash, sodium nitrate, sulfur-coated urea, borax, pelleted fertilizers, fertilizers coated for slow release, or mixtures thereof.
The solid core material may also include various inert substances which may not directly contribute to the overall nutrient value of the agricultural composition. Such substances may include solid carriers, drying agents, or anti-caking age
Howrey Simon Arnold & White , LLP
Jay-Mar, Inc.
Levy Neil S.
LandOfFree
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