Safened insecticide matter

Abstract

A particle is provided with simultaneous delivery of a fertilizer and an active agent that when adhered to foliage causes a chemical burn thereto. A hydrophobic coating is provided intermediate between the fertilizer core and the active agent to inhibit moisture absorption by the particle that renders the particle tacky and therefore adherent to target foliage. The active agent granule is adhered to the hydrophobic coating or at least partially embedded therein based on the nature of the formation process. The particle is also provided that includes a second fertilizer layer exterior to the hydrophobic coating with the second fertilizer layer is substantially devoid of water soluble nitrogen compounds. Active agent granules are then adhered to the second fertilizer layer. The resultant particles reduce chemical burning associated with combined fertilizer and active agent usage, especially under dispersant conditions of high temperature and high humidity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an inventive particle with active agent granules contacting a hydrophobic coating, with the relative dimensions of the fertilizer core, optional friable layer, coating, and active agent granules being distorted for visual clarity;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of an inventive particle with active agent granules partially embedded in the hydrophobic coating, with the relative dimensions of the fertilizer core, optional friable layer, coating, and active agent granules being distorted for visual clarity;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of an inventive particle with active agent granules fully embedded in the hydrophobic coating, with the relative dimensions of the fertilizer core, optional friable layer, coating, and active agent granules being distorted for visual clarity; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate inventive particle in which surface decorating granules are at least in part embedded within the coating with the relative dimensions of the fertilizer core, optional friable layer, coating, and active agent granules being distorted for visual clarity.

Claims

1. A safened active agent coated particle comprising: a fertilizer core having a surface;an active agent in a form selected from the group consisting of: liquid, powder, or granule; andan intermediate hydrophobic coating on the surface of said fertilizer core to which active agent granule is adhered.

2. The particle of claim 1, further comprising a friable layer at a position selected from the group consisting of: intermediate between said fertilizer core and said coating and above said coating.

3. The particle of claim 2, wherein said friable layer is sulfur.

4. The particle of claim 2, wherein said friable layer is rubber.

5. The particle of claim 1, wherein said coating has a thickness of 0.5 and 1000 microns.

6. The particle of claim 1, wherein said coating comprises polyurethane.

7. The particle of claim 1, wherein more than 70 weight percent of a water soluble fertilizer within said fertilizer core is retained within said core after said particle has been immersed in water for 5 minutes.

8. The particle of claim 7, wherein more than 70 weight percent of said water soluble fertilizer within said fertilizer core is retained within said core after said particle has been immersed in water for 1 minute.

9. The particle of claim 1, wherein said 70% of a water soluble fertilizer within said fertilizer core is retained within said core after said particle has been immersed in water for 0.5 seconds.

10. The particle of claim 1, further comprising a second fertilizer layer between said intermediate hydrophobic coating and said active agent granule, said second fertilizer layer being independent of water soluble nitrogen.

11. The particle of claim 1, wherein said active agent granule is at least in part embedded in said hydrophobic coating.

12. A safened active agent coated particle comprising: a fertilizer core containing at least 20 units of water soluble fertilizer comprising at least element selected from the group consisting of: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, said fertilizer core having a surface;an active agent granule inducing a phytotoxic chemical burn to target foliage through contact with said foliage, said granule having a size less than 10% of a diameter of said fertilizer core; andan intermediate hydrophobic coating on the surface of said fertilizer core having a thickness of between 0.5 and 1000 microns and to which said granule is adhered.

13. The granule of claim 12 further comprising a friable layer intermediate between said fertilizer granule and said coating.

14. The granule of claim 12 wherein said friable layer is sulfur.

15. The granule of claim 12 wherein said friable layer is rubber.

16. The particle of claim 12, wherein said coating comprises polyurethane.

17. The particle of claim 12, wherein more than 70 weight percent a water soluble fertilizer within said fertilizer core is retained within said core after said particle has been immersed in water for 5 minutes.

18. The particle of claim 12, further comprising a second fertilizer layer between said intermediate hydrophobic coating and said active agent granule, said second fertilizer layer being independent of water soluble nitrogen.

19. The particle of claim 12, wherein said active agent granule is at least in part embedded in said hydrophobic coating.