Patent Application
20070287630
The present invention is directed to the distribution of the DRiWATER gelatinous moisturizing substrate for controllably delivering water, micro-nutrients, macro-nutrients, plant growth additives, preservatives, and surfactants to plant tissue such as the entire vertical root system of a plant. The present invention delivers water and the aforementioned nutrition to plants, thus enhancing plant development and growth at a pre-determined rate for a pre-determined period of time and providing the desired maintenance for plants.
It is commonly known that the addition of nutrients, and hormones to plants improve plant growth. For example, many micro-nutrients can be found in most standard fertilizers, but must be in an ionic form (most elements ionize in water) to be taken up by the plant. In traditional watering, nutrients were provided to plants by mixing fertilizers and nutrients with water and pouring or dripping the mixture around a plant. However, any excess water and fertilizer that the soil was unable to retain will eventually ended up in underground aquifers.
It is the object of this invention to controllably delivering water, micro-nutrients, macro-nutrients, plant growth additives, preservatives, and surfactants to plant tissue via the DRiWATER gel. However, preliminary experiments demonstrated that the addition of most nutrients and hormones negatively affect the viscosity of the DRiWATER gel, causing the DRiWATER gel to function improperly. The present invention is directed to incorporating a rooting compound into DRiWATER without destabilizing the gel's viscosity.
Without wanting to be limited to any one theory, it is believed that the compositions of the present application help to promote the cell growth needed for extended root systems, formation of new leaves, vigorous shoot growth, more even maturity, and improved stress tolerance.
All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Citation of any reference is not an admission regarding any determination as to its availability as prior art to the claimed invention.
As previously stated, the importance of zinc for crop production has been recognized for many years. Zinc is essential to many enzyme systems in plants with three main functions including catalytic, co-catalytic, and structural integrity. For example, in the plant, the plant growth hormone, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)(anion in aqueous solution depending on pH), is a naturally occurring auxin. It also occurs in many bacteria, fungi, and algae. IAA regulates cellular elongation, phototropism, geotropism, apical dominance, root initiation, ethylene production, fruit development, parthenocaarpy, abscission, and sex expression, all of which are necessary for normal plant growth. To maintain plants normal growth, IAA must be produced and regulated by the plant. Zinc is a co-factor in the transformation of the amino acid tryptophan to the auxin IAA. Adding zinc will help maintain IAA levels in the plant and promote growth, rooting, and health.
The selection of zinc sulfate as the source of zinc was based on scientific literature. Many sources of zinc have been tested to see which compound would be utilized more efficiently by plant species. Zinc sulfate is the most readily available form for plants. Zinc sulfate also contains a sulfate ion. The sulfate ion (SO42−) is a beneficial nutrient and naturally occurring in soils. Sulfur is used to bind amino acids together by sulfide bridging to create enzymes and proteins, the building blocks of life.
Research indicates that the presence of acetic acid will improve uptake of minerals. Acetic acid is also known as a preservative and will aid in preserving the gel's viscosity as well as help protect the gel from microorganism degradation. It is essential to note that without the correct molar combination of the zinc sulfate and acetic acid components, the gel viscosity will dramatically decrease or increase to the point at which it would provide little or no benefit for any plant species.
The following experiment was conducted to illustrate that zinc sulfate and acetic acid were formed to stimulate the greatest root growth and is not intended to be in any way limiting of the invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention:
Materials: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), aluminum, preservatives, surfactants, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, acetic acid and pure water. It is noted that when preparing the substrate, the concentration of water may range between 96.0% to 99.5% by weight.
Alumuminum, preservatives, surfactants, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, and acetic acid were poured into 400 mL beaker and were mixed for approximately 20 minutes or until all solids were dissolved. The solution was then poured into a 10 speed Osterizer blender (6) and set to “Ice Crush”, with a maximum output of 450 watts. The blade speed was 1100 RPM.
CMC was then poured into the blender. CMC was added at a consistent rate over 15 seconds while the blender was mixing. Mixing was continued for an additional 70 seconds, for a total mix time of 85 seconds. Approximately 300 mL of gel were formed and a viscosity reading was taken approximately 15 minutes after formation to allow gel to cool to room temperature. The gel volume measured was of approximately 200 mL in a 250 mL beaker analyzed with a Brookfield HADV-II+ viscometer. The viscosity was measured in units of centipoises (cP) to ensure the gels stability. Nine oz. of the gel were then weighed and inserted into a plastic casing to limit air exposure and contamination. The gel was then allowed to stabilize in plastic casings for a minimum of 3 days to achieve a viscosity that represents that of the consumer product. Five different formulated gels labeled Gel 1 through Gel 5 were made. Each gel formulation was tested using 3 replications of each. The original DRiWATER gel was used as the control (3 replications).
Anaheim peppers were planted in a defined native Arizona soil grown for approximately three weeks. Anaheim pepper plants used were selected to be of similar height and stem size for the tests.
Approximately 12-15 centimeter slit was made on each gel casing. Each gel casing was opened slightly to expose the gel to soil. Exposed gel in the casing was laid on the soil in which the Anaheim pepper plants were growing. Each plant was watered thoroughly on first day of treatment.
No watering was done for a period of 30 days. Plants were grown in a greenhouse with an approximate daily temperature of 65° F. Observations were made daily. On day 30 of the experiment, Plants were removed from soil. Roots were cleaned and pictures were taken. Then plants were cut at the cotyledonary nodes and the fresh weight of the root mass and hypocotyls were measured. Plants were then cut at the crown of roots and the fresh weight of the root mass was measured. Fresh weight was measured and compared for all formulations.
*Gel 3
*3
0.167
0.07
17700
843.15
5.08
*3
1
6.56
6.52
0.08
2
6.43
3
6.56
*gel 3
1
1.447
1.287
0.339
207.634
2
0.898
1.287
0.339
207.634
3
1.517
1.287
0.339
207.634
*gel 3
1
0.892
0.769
0.244
283.764
2
0.488
0.769
0.244
283.764
3
0.927
0.769
0.244
283.764
The results of this experiment confirm that although the addition of nutrients, fertilizers, and hormones to DRiWATER would be beneficial to plants, the addition of most nutrients and hormones negatively affect the viscosity of the DRiWATER gel (see
As previously discussed, the present invention is directed to the distribution of the DRiWATER gelatinous moisturizing substrate for controllably delivering water and nutrients to plant tissue. For example, some elements and micro/macro nutrients found in fertilizers can be incorporated into the DRiWATER Gel, but only with the addition of specialized chemicals used to counteract the viscosity reducing elements. The addition of nutrients to DRiWATER, without destroying the viscosity of the gel, would be beneficial to plants. The following nutrients may be combined with DRiWATER at the disclosed percentage combinations to maintain gel viscosity and provide optimum results to the plant.
For example, as previously discussed, a well known plant hormone is the auxin IAA. Other auxins include, but are not limited to IBA, NAA, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, etc. IAA is a naturally occurring auxin known to improve rooting and protect against high salt activity. Because enzymes and light degrade this auxin it is impractical to work with. However, indole-3-butyric acid (“IBA”) (anion or cation in aqueous solution depending on pH) has been established in the plant world as a compound that mimics IAA in many ways. The difference is that IBA is practical to work with and will not easily degrade. As further discussed in the experiment below, IBA concentration at a range of 0.00001% to 0.0003% by weight of the weight of the water being used improves rooting and protect against high salt activity of the plant, while not destroying the viscosity of the DRiWATER gel.
Cytokinins (kinetin, zeatin, etc.,) are another well known group of plant hormones that are growth regulators. More specifically, kinetin aids in cell division in various plants and in yeast. Kinetin (anion or cation in aqueous solution depending on pH) is known to increase cell division and delay senescence in plants, but only in the presence of auxin. Therefore it would be beneficial to include an auxin with kinetin in formulation. As futher discussed in the experiment below, kinetin concentration at a range of 0.00001% to 0.0001% by weight of the weight of the water being used increases cell division and delay senescence of the plant, while not destroying the viscosity of the DRiWATER gel.
Gibberellic Acid (“GA3”) (anion in aqueous solution depending on pH) is the most outstanding of the plant growth promoting metabolites in a group of plant hormones called gibberellins (GA3, GA4, GA7, etc.). Gibberellic acid is especially beneficial for new seedling growth and promoting germination of seeds. All of the above mentioned hormones are very active in physiologically low rates and although they are beneficial independently, in combination they have an additive, or in some cases a synergistic effect. As further discussed in the experiment below, GA3 concentration at a range of 0.00001% to 0.0003% by weight of the weight of the water being used improves seedling growth and germination of seeds while not destroying the viscosity of the DRiWATER gel.
It is perceived that in this invention, auxins other than IBA, gibberellic acid composed of other gibberellins, and cytokinins other than kinetin can be used, as long as the concentration does not destroy the viscocity of the DRiWATER gel.
As previously stated, preservatives aid in preserving the DRiWATER gel's viscosity as well as help protect the gel from microorganism degradation. Preservatives can be selected from sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and acetic acid, but are not specifically limited to the above. Research at the DRiWATER lab has demonstrated that acetic acid will slow gel degradion in soil. This is done by acetic acid acting as a preservative. This is another desirable characteristic of the above additions. By adding preservatives to the composition of the present invention, such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, but not limited to these preservatives, the liquefaction rate can be further regulated. A combination of two preservatives is required: one to control mold, one to control bacterial activity although there may be some activity of each to the sets of microorganisms. The concentration of each preservative can range from 0.01% to 0.3% of the weight of the water being used while not destroying the viscosity of the DRiWATER gel
By adding a surfactant to the composition of the present invention, such as sodium sesquicarbonate, but not limited to this surfactant, water penetration into the soil is improved. The surfactant can be sodium sesquicarbonate or any other environmentally friendly surfactant that is compatible. The surfactant concentration at a range from 0.0005% to 0.005% of the weight of the weight of the water being used improves seedling growth and germination of seeds while not destroying the viscosity of the DRiWATER gel.
An example of the invention is set forth hereinafter by way of illustration and is not intended to be in any way limiting of the invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
As an example, the present invention composition according to the preferred embodiment can comprise: 246.58 g water, 5.04 g sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 0.378 g aluminum sulfate, 0.1008 g sodium benzoate, 0.1008 g potassium sorbate, 0.423 g zinc sulfate, 0.0015 mg of other plant growth regulators and 0.0126 g sodium sesquicarbonate. This formulation combination yields one 9 oz. gelpac of DRiWATER with zinc acetate, plant growth regulators, preservatives, and surfactant added. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a mixture of the following by percent weight: 97.6% water, 2.0% sodium CMC, 0.15% aluminum sulfate, 0.04% sodium benzoate, 0.04% potassium sorbate, 0.237% zinc acetate, 0.00009% kinetin, 0.00004% IBA, 0.00003% GA3 and 0.005% sodium sesquicarbonate. The DRiWATER Gel with zinc, acetic acid, plant growth regulators, preservatives and surfactant is advantageous because it waters, provides nutrition, and promotes plant development and growth on a continual time release basis and improves water penetration into the soil. The amount and type of zinc, acetic acid, and other plant growth regulators may vary dependent on the requirements of a particular plant species.
For example, Gibberellic Acid (GA3) regulates growth; application of very low concentration can have a profound effect. Indole-3-Butyric Acid is especially effective for initiating roots of both stems and leaves.
Although the process, composition and methods of the present invention have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident to those of ordinary skill in this art that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.
