SOWING UNIT AND USES THEREOF

Abstract

A sowing unit is provided including water-absorbing material, an enclosure and a seed. The water-absorbing material is vermiculite, which is a hygroscopic negatively-charged material capable of binding a positively charged nutrient ion selected from NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine. Further, there is least one hole in the water-absorbing material arranged to hold one or more seeds.

Claims

1. A sowing unit comprising: a water-absorbing material arranged between a top and a bottom part of an enclosure; and at least one hole in the water-absorbing material configured to hold at least one seed, wherein said water-absorbing material is vermiculite including at least one basic L-amino acid in an amount that provides slow release nitrogen supply to at least one plant.

2. The sowing unit of claim 1, wherein said water-absorbing material is compressed.

3. The sowing unit of claim 1, wherein after plantation of the sowing unit on soil, said soil is substantially covered by the water-absorbing material within at least 1 cm in radius of the seed.

4. The sowing unit of claim 1, wherein said at least one basic L-amino acid is L-arginine.

5. The sowing unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one seed is disposed in the at least one hole, the at least one seed being a pine tree seed or a spruce tree seed.

6. The sowing unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one seed is disposed in the at least one hole, the at least one seed being is configured to be in contact with the vermiculite.

7. The sowing unit of claim 1, wherein the basic L-amino acid is disposed in the vermiculite in the form of granules, the granules being granules of arginine monophosphate.

8. The sowing unit of claim 1, wherein the basic L-amino acid is present as a monophosphate of arginine or lysine obtained by precipitation from an aqueous solution that comprises amino acids and proteins and/or protein decomposition products, the aqueous solution being an aqueous solution originating from hydrolysis of animal or vegetable matter, such as hydrolysis of feather.

9. The sowing unit of claim 8, wherein the aqueous solution originates from hydrolysis of feather.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0109] FIGS. 1A-1C provide an example of a sowing unit and the different parts, where FIG. 1A illustrates the top part (1) of the enclosure with holes (6), FIG. 1B illustrates water-absorbing material (2), and FIG. 1C illustrates a seed holding part (3), a bottom part (4) of the enclosure, holes (5a), (5b) and seed (7), (7a);

[0110] FIG. 2A illustrates the optimal distances between a seed and a border of a sowing unit;

[0111] FIG. 2B illustrates optimal distances between two seeds;

[0112] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate an example of a substantially round sowing unit and the different parts, where FIG. 3A shows the top part of the enclosure (1), the optionally compressed water-absorbing material (2), the bottom part of the enclosure (4), and an optional hole in the water-absorbing material (8) to hold the seed (7),

[0113] FIG. 3B shows a substantially round sowing unit (in cross section view) where the seed is placed inside a hole,

[0114] FIG. 3C shows the swollen (expanded water-absorbing material) sowing unit, and

[0115] FIG. 3D shows the germinated seed;

[0116] FIG. 4 illustrates draught strength DRY, kN/m, where the different pulps for papers used are defined in example 12, Table 3;

[0117] FIG. 5 illustrates draught strength WET kN/m;

[0118] FIG. 6 illustrates draught Index DRY, Nm/g;

[0119] FIG. 7 illustrates draught INDEX WET Nm/g; and

[0120] FIG. 8 illustrates the ratio between WET/DRY draught strength in %.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0121] Objects of the invention are to provide methods and devices providing an improved solution to one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

[0122] The method and device of the invention is particularly suited for providing a stable moist microclimate for a germinating seed in combination with providing a good long term nutrient supply when used in dry environment outdoors.

[0123] Seeding can be done on most terrains and is particularly suited to soils of medium coarse texture silt, fine sand and sandy silty moraine.

[0124] The sowing unit may be formed substantially as a planar member, it can be round or squared, rectangular or any shape that can be practically handled and stored.

[0125] The size of squared sowing unit can be 66 cm, 77 cm, 88 cm, 99 cm, 1010 cm, 1015 cm, 1020 cm, 1030 cm, 1040 cm or 1050 cm. The sowing unit may also have other combinations of sizes.

[0126] The size of a substantially round sowing unit can be for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 cm in diameter. In rare cases it may have a diameter up to 50 cm. The bottom part of the unit is intended to be placed against the soil when the sowing unit is used. In this position the water-absorbing material (2) will cover both the seed and the soil. The radius from the seed is dependent on the seed, the soil and the climate zone where sowing unit is intended to be used. Thus, the skilled person will be able for each specific situation to design the most suitable dimensions.

[0127] For example, in plantation for rejuvenation of forests, it is important that the zone of the water-collecting material is large enough for collecting the raising capillary water. It was unexpectedly found that a water-collecting material with a zone of about 5 cm in radius is large enough for collecting the raising capillary water to initiate germination, in this example of pine seeds. The results were confirmed in a modelling study that examined 25 years of this zone in the range of 5 cm radius from the seed.

[0128] Other seeds or other habitats may need a smaller or larger zones around the seed for collecting capillary water.

[0129] Thus it is important that each seed has a sufficient zone of water-absorbing material around the seed, see FIG. 2. This zone may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or up to 25 cm in diameter. This zone may not exceed 20 cm for practical reasons, but in rare cases it may not exceed a radius of 25 cm.

[0130] During field experiments different supply of nutrients was tested in combination with peat for covering the newly planted seeds. In one test done with peat mixed with vermiculite doped with L-arginine the germination rate was unexpectedly (high more than 70% in field tests), compared to just covering with peat or humus, see experiment 3 for details.

[0131] A first prototype of the invention was made of paper in the size of an envelope and filled with a water-absorbing material, peat, and negatively-charged material, vermiculite, which was doped with L-arginine. This prototype worked, but had a tendency to blow away in field tests. The paper was too hard and did not follow the texture on the soil. In the next version of the sowing unit was made from a made from birch, Betula papyrifera. This type of paper was chosen, since it was expected to be easily dissolved in contact with water. This was also verified in example 2.

[0132] Furthermore, the sowing unit made of the short fibre paper was filled with the water-absorbing material, peat, which was mixed with the hygroscopic negatively-charged material, vermiculite, which was doped with the amino acid L-arginine. The basic amino acid may be a monophosphate of arginine or lysine obtained by precipitation from an aqueous solution which in addition to amino acids also comprises proteins and/or protein decomposition products, such as the aqueous solution originates from hydrolysis of animal or vegetable matter, such as hydrolysis of feather.

[0133] Thus, basic L-amino acids such as arginine or lysine arranged in the present sowing unit may have been produced by microbial fermentation.

[0134] More specifically, basic L-amino acids such as arginine or lysine arranged in the present sowing unit may have been produced by method comprises at least the steps of [0135] a) providing an aqueous solution comprising amino acids as well proteins and/or protein decomposition products; [0136] b) adding phosphoric acid; [0137] c) maintaining the aqueous solution including phosphoric acid at room temperature until a precipitate of amino acid phosphate is obtained; [0138] d) separating said precipitate from the aqueous solution; and [0139] e) redissolving the separated precipitate into an aqueous solution of amino acid and phosphate; [0140] wherein the amino acid phosphate is selectively precipitated as a monophosphate of arginine or lysine.

[0141] To produce a monophosphate of a basic L-amino acid, the phosphoric acid may be added at an approximately equimolar amount of 1:1 to the concentration of basic L-amino acid in the solution provided in step a). Using other molar ratios of phosphoric acid:amino acid may be used to obtain other phosphates than the monophosphate.

[0142] Other prototypes of the sowing unit were made of a top and bottom dissolvable paper with a compressed vermiculite disk. One advantageous sowing unit was made with a hole for the seed. As soon as the compressed vermiculite disk starts to absorb capillary water from the soil, the compressed vermiculite will expand and the seed will be covered by vermiculite, whereby the seed will be covered and protect it from sun and drying.

[0143] The compressed vermiculite disk may contain 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, 9 g, 10 g, 11 g, 12 g, 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, 16 g, 17 g, 18 g, 19 g, 20 g, 21 g, 22 g, 23 g, 24 g, 25 g, 26 g, 27 g, 28 g, 29 g, or 30 g (gram) vermiculite, a preferred compressed vermiculite disk may contain 6 to 8 g, 6 to 9 g, 6 to 10 g, 6 to 11 g, 6 to 12 g, 6 to 13 gram vermiculite. An advantage using a hygroscopic negatively-charged material capable of binding positively charged nutrient ions is the strong ion interaction between the negatively-charged material and a positive charged nutrient ion. This interaction is expected to be the reason why the positive charged nutrient ion is released slowly from the negatively-charged material. The slow release nutrient (especially nitrogen) is essentially important for the growth and establishment of the seedling during its first two years of growth. As pine seeds normally uses the stored seed nitrogen during the first year of growth and first year two uses nitrogen from the soil a long lasting nutrient supply is therefore essential to sustain high growth and development of the emerging seedling.

[0144] Based on the experiments, it has been shown that the released nitrogen is used during a time period of two years, example 3. This is very different from conventional fertilizers where the nutrients are diluted by rain and drained away from the germinated plant fairly rapidly. Thus the fertilizing effect is not seen over that long period.

[0145] The sowing unit made of the short fibre paper as enclosure, vermiculite doped with L-arginine worked unexpectedly well in field experiment with a germination rate of about 70%.

[0146] Thus the enclosure of the sowing unit may be made of any water-soluble polymer, such as cellulose, polysaccharides or alcohol-based paper sheets. The polymer of the sowing unit should be very easily dissolved by water, mainly rain, humidity, or capillary water. The humidity can be from the surrounding air or from the ground. The polymer should be more or less completely dissolved with a few days. A water resolvable polymer may comprise of short cellulose fibres with or without lignin. Modified short cellulose fibres may also be used, such as of carboxyl-methyl modified cellulose CMC. One advantage with fast dissolving paper is that wind will not easily move the sowing unit. And as soon as both the enclosure is dissolved the seed/s will be covered by the water-absorbing material, leaving no apparent clues for animals to locate the seeds, preventing birds or other animals from eating seeds. A further advantage is that no material will be left to litter the replanted area, since all components of the sowing unit are natural and will be decomposed.

[0147] The preferred polymer may have a draught strength higher than 0.5 kN/m when dry and a draught strength lower that 0.1 kN/m when wet, compare FIGS. 4 and 5. The preferred polymer may also have a draught index higher than 10 Nm/g when dry and when wet the draught index should be lower the 2 Nm/g, compare FIGS. 6 and 7. The draught index is related to the weight of the paper.

[0148] It should be noted that some polymers e.g. papers are completely dissolved when wet and these papers may be the best as part of the sowing unit. For papers that are dissolved (wet) no draught strength or index can be calculated and are set to zero.

[0149] As a specific example, the following papers are useful examples of papers and pulps, which may be used in the present invention. Useful papers are, dried or undried bleached birch sulphate paper, mechanical wood pulp paper, unbleached softwood sulphate paper and paper made of CTMP pulp 1 or 2. According to the invention the preferred papers are made of unbleached birch or softwood sulphate pulp, or bleached dried birch sulphate pulp. Non-useful papers are ordinary papers used for printing.

[0150] The properties of the resolvable or dissolvable illustrative paper is measured by tensile strength after immersion in water, using the standard ISO 3781:1983 or later versions Paper and boardDetermination of tensile strength after immersion in water. The tensile strength is related to the fibre length and the content of lignin. The terms draught strength and tensile strength refer to the same method for determination the strength of a paper and these word can be used interchangeable.

[0151] A dissolvable paper with short cellulose fibres comprising lignin is preferred for one embodiment of the sowing unit. The wet tensile strength may be in the range of 0.0001-0.01 kN/m, 0.0001-0.02 kN/m, 0.0001-0.03 kN/m, 0.0001-0.04 kN/m, 0.0001-0.05 kN/m or of 0.0001-0.1 kN/m. The tensile strength might be 0.0001 to 0.001 kN/m. For some resolvable or dissolvable paper the tensile strength cannot be measured, since they are more or less completely dissolved as soon as they get in contact with water or moisture.

[0152] The bottom part of the enclosure may be easier to dissolve than the top part of the enclosure. An advantage with this is that the wind will not easily move the sowing unit, since it will dissolve quicker and thereby stick to ground quicker. Furthermore it will follow the surface contour of the soil and thereby collect the capillary water better.

[0153] The top and bottom parts of the enclosure may be brownish or coloured to match the ground, this may help prevent birds or animals eating seeds from localizing the seed/s, preferably the top part may be brownish. The bottom part might be white. Different coloured top and bottom parts may be used to help the operator to place the sowing unit on the ground in correct orientation.

[0154] It is important that the strength of the enclosure is sufficiently strong in dry stage, in order to prevent breaking the sowing unit during transport and placing it on the ground.

[0155] The enclosure may be made of one piece, or several separate pieces which may be made of the same or different materials.

[0156] The enclosure may have a series of holes (6) in the vicinity of the seed.

[0157] The seed might be kept in an optimal position with the support of a small seed holding part (3). These holes might improve the probability for the seed to germinate and simplify for the shoot to penetrate the enclosure in the case it is not resolved during extreme dry conditions. In order to verify that the sowing unit is useful for different type of seeds an experiment was set up with seeds from Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Red fescue (Festuca rubra). The results shown in experiment 10, show that the germination rate was increased.

[0158] A seed holding part (3) can be fixed to the bottom part of the enclosure (4) to prevent the seeds to move during transportation and handling. If more than one seed is used in the sowing unit, the seed holding part (3) will keep the seeds separated from each other. The optimal distance is approximately 10 cm, but it can also be 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14, up to max 50 cm in distance between the seeds. A further advantage using a seed holding part is that it prevents the seeds from getting in contact with glue or other chemicals that may have a negative effect on the germination. Glue might be needed for the assembly of the sowing unit.

[0159] Different type of dissolvable materials can be used in the top, bottom parts of the enclosure and/or seed holding part. These parts can e.g. be made of polymers such as cellulose from leave trees, preferably with short cellulose fibres. Illustrative dissolvable papers may comprise lignin, which might be preferable since it gives the sheet a brownish colour, and paper comprising lignin is shown to be easy to dissolve.

[0160] If the top part of the enclosure (1) and/or seed holding part (3) are made of dissolvable material, this may facilitate growth of the seedling.

[0161] The water-absorbing material (2) in the sowing unit might be 0.1 to 1 cm, 0.5 to 2 cm, 0.5 to 5 cm, 1 to 2 cm, 1 to 3 cm, 1 to 4 cm, 1 to 5 cm thick or 2 to 3 cm, 2 to 4 cm, 2 to 5 cm thick, when uncompressed. Optionally even thicker water-absorbing material might be used. The preferred thickness is 1 cm when uncompressed. The water-absorbing material might be compressed during transportation. If compressed for or during transportation, the thickness given in this application refers to uncompressed state achieved after the water-absorbing material has been thorough wetted, e.g. by rain after seeding.

[0162] The water-absorbing material should be loose or granular (at least in uncompressed state), such that after dissolution of the bottom part of the enclosure, the water-absorbing material is distributed on the soil ensuring a good contact between the material and the soil. This has the effect that moisture collection is improved and makes it more difficult for animals and wind to move the unit or the seed.

[0163] It is important that the thickness of the water-absorbing material is related to the seed planted, since they have different energy to penetrate soil layers. In the present invention the substrate thickness is defined in relation to the seeds used. For example, for pine seeds the thickness of the water-absorbing material in the sowing unit is preferably in the range of 1 cm when uncompressed.

[0164] The water-absorbing material in the sowing unit may have a volume of 50-200 ml, 50-100 ml, 50-200 ml, 50-300 ml, 100-200 ml, 100-300 ml, 150-200 ml, 50-300, 50-400 ml, 50-500 ml, 50-600 ml, 50-700 ml, 50-800 ml. The preferred volume is 150 ml.

[0165] The water absorbing effect of the water-absorbing material can be enhanced by addition of an additional hygroscopic material. The water-absorbing material can be mixed with the hygroscopic material, in order to facilitate the manufacturing of the sowing unit.

[0166] The additional hygroscopic material in the sowing unit may have a volume of 25-100 ml, 25-150 ml, 25-200 ml, 50-100 ml, 50-150 ml, 50-200 ml, 100-150 ml 100-200 ml, 50-300, 50-400 ml, 50-500 ml, 50-600 ml, 50-700 ml, 50-800 ml. The preferred volume is 50 ml.

[0167] The proportion of additional hygroscopic material in the water-absorbing material can be 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99%, preferably about 20%.

[0168] The water-absorbing material and the hygroscopic material may also be the same, e.g. in the case of peat, or separate as is the case when a combination of peat and vermiculite is used.

[0169] A preferred version of the sowing unit would then according to the preceding items, be filled vermiculite as the only hygroscopic negatively-charged material. An even more preferred version of the sowing unit would comprise compressed vermiculite as the only hygroscopic negatively-charged material.

[0170] The compressed water-absorbing material (2) may have a thickness in relation to the diameter of the seed. The compressed water-absorbing material may have the thickness of at least the diameter of the seed of interest, i.e. the thickness might be between 1 to 1.1, 1 to 1.2, 1 to 1.3, 1 to 1.4, 1 to 1.5, 1 to 1.6, 1 to 1.7, 1 to 1.8, 1 to 1.9 or 1 to 2, 1 to 2.5, 1 to 3 times of the largest diameter of the chosen seed. For example, a seed with an approximately diameter of 3 mm (a pine seed is between 2 and 4 mm), the thickness might be 3.3 mm to 9.0 mm, preferably for pine the thickness of a compressed vermiculite disk might be 4 to 7 mm, most preferred might be a 5 or a 6 mm thick compressed vermiculite disk.

[0171] There are several advantages with vermiculite as the only hygroscopic negatively-charged material. It would be easy to produce the sowing units. Vermiculite is a mineral and very stable, thus it can be stored for very long periods without decomposition. It can be pressed together into thin layers, compressed vermiculite, which will expand when exposed to moister, thereby creating the needed thickness to collect capillary water. A further advantage of using compressed vermiculite would be a lower volume when many sowing units should be stored and handled.

[0172] The water absorbing and/or the hygroscopic material can be doped with nutrients. The nutrient may comprise the most important elements N, P and K or in combinations depending on the soil. The preferred nutrients are a basic amino acid such as arginine and lysine, or ammonium nitrate. Each seed might need about 10 mg of nitrogen, preferably in the stage on the salt arginine hydrochloride, Arg-HCl. Optionally, other additives might be added, such as growth enhancers, insecticides or fungicides.

[0173] This invention is supported by a series of experiments following below.

EXAMPLES

Example 1a

Production of L-Arginine Doped Vermiculite

[0174] For the following experiment 55 g of L-arginin was dissolved in 1000 ml water. To this solution 60 gram vermiculite was added and stirred for one hour in room temperature. After stirring, the vermiculite was removed by vacuum filtration followed by drying at 40 C. for one hour. This gives a nitrogen concentration of approximately 5% in the produced doped vermiculite. Other concentrations of nitrogen has also been used, see the following experiments for details.

Example 1b

Production of Arginine Monophosphate

[0175] A fermentation broth produced from an arginine-overproducing Corynebacterium with an arginine concentration of 300 g/L was treated with an equimolar amount (1.72 mole arginine/1.72 mole phosphoric acid) of phosphoric acid (75% orthophosphoric acid) and left at room temperature for 5 days. Arginine monophosphate crystals were formed during this period and retrieved from the solution. The crystals were analyzed with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for contaminants of other compounds other than arginine and phosphate and the impurities were found to comprise less than 0.01% of the total mass.

Example 2

Verification of Binding of Nutrients to Vermiculite

[0176] Arginine doped expanded vermiculite with L-arginine with a content of 10.3% L-arginine by weight was used for the experiment. Thirty millilitre of the L-arginine doped vermiculite was placed in funnel with a filter paper in the bottom. Water was added stepwise, 30 ml, at each time, and the conductivity was measured in flow-through solution after each addition of 30 ml water. The results are summarized in table 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 Conductivity (S/cm) measured on flow- Volume water added through solution (ml) Arginin NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 KNO.sub.3 30 11.3 53.1 48.3 60 12.0 57.6 54.6 90 10.4 40.8 39.3 120 8.5 13.8 18 150 5.5 12.6 15.3 180 5 8.3 8.6 210 4.3 7 7 240 3.5 5.6 5.8 270 3 4.2 4.5 300 2.8 3.9 2.7 330 2.8 3 3.3 360 2.5 2.5 3.2 390 2.5 2.5 1.7 420 1.5 1.9 1.7 450 1.2 1.7 1.4 480 1 1.5 1.4 510 0.9 1.2 1 540 0.8 1.1 0.7

[0177] The results clearly show that L-arginine bind stronger to vermiculite than the other nutrients. Conductivity does not discriminate between negatively or positively charged ions. Thus, it is a good estimate that the nitrate ions NO.sub.3 is the first ions that are washed out during the first additions of water.

Example 3

Increased Germination Rate by Using Arginine Doped Vermiculite

[0178] In most commercial plant production fertilization is a key factor. Fertilization can be carried out in several ways with respect to dosage, timing, frequency etc. One fertilizing strategy is to pre-fertilize the growth substrate before sowing or rooting of cuttings. With pre-fertilization it is possible to load the growth substrates with relatively large amounts of nutrients. The amount of nutrients should be enough to sustain plant growth for a longer time, thus eliminating the need for continuous fertilization which in turn saves work, and in rejuvenation of forests it is not practically possible at all. However, a key issue when pre-fertilizing any plant substrate with large amounts of fertilizer is the risk of salt stress, affecting germination and seedling development.

[0179] In the following experiment, L-arginine doped vermiculite was used in a pre-fertilization trial. As a reference treatment ammonium doped vermiculite was produced. Ammonium was chosen as a control since it is the only cationic commercial nitrogen fertilizer available and it is commonly used for growing pine seedlings. It should however be noted that ammonium doped vermiculite is not a commercial product as such and was only prepared for trial purposes. In the trial a dosage of 40 mg nitrogen per pot was chosen. Growing pine seedlings, 40 mg of nitrogen should be enough to sustain growth for 6 months.

[0180] Arginine doped expanded vermiculite with a L-arginine content of 10.3% by weight was used for the experiment. Ammonium doped expanded vermiculite with a nitrogen content of 2.6% was used as a control. The ammonium doped vermiculite was prepared in the same way as described for arginine doped vermiculite using a 9% ammonium solution.

[0181] The following substrate mixtures were used (per 50 ml pot):

[0182] Arginine doped vermiculite, equivalent of 40 mg nitrogen per pot:

[0183] 1.2 g arginine doped vermiculite+X ml non-doped vermiculite, in total 10 ml vermiculite and 57 ml sphagnum peat.

[0184] Other nutrients were supplied by adding 1.89 ml of a solution matching the composition of arGrow Complete with respect to all nutrients apart from nitrogen, the total volume of ingredients was more than 60 ml due to the compaction of the substrate when filling pots.

[0185] Ammonium doped vermiculite, equivalent of 40 mg nitrogen per pot:

[0186] 1.73 g ammonium doped vermiculite+X ml non-doped vermiculite, in total 10 ml vermiculite and 57 ml sphagnum peat.

[0187] Other nutrients were supplied by adding 1.89 ml of a solution matching the composition of arGrow Complete with respect to all nutrients apart from nitrogen, the total volume of ingredients was more than the pot volume of 50 ml due to the compaction of the substrate when filling pots.

[0188] For both treatments the sphagnum peat was sprayed with the solution containing macro and micro nutrients. Then the sphagnum peat was mixed with the mix of doped and non-doped vermiculite. The finished substrate was then filled into growing boxes with 60 pots, each with a volume of 50 ml.

[0189] Seeding was carried out with one seeds per container with pine Pinus sylvestris seeds originating from Plberget, Sweden.

[0190] The containers were regularly irrigated and initially covered with plastic to maintain high air humidity. The plastic cover was removed approximately 1 week after sowing. Growing temperature was about 20 C. and the day length was 16 hours. Growing containers were watered at regular intervals but did not receive any additional fertilization.

[0191] After 5, 7 and 38 days after sowing the number of germinated seed/alive seedlings were counted (Table 1).

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Number of germinated seeds 5 and 7 days after sowing and alive seedlings 38 days after sowing expressed as the percentage of germinated seeds. n = 360 sown seeds. Days after sowing Germination rate in % 5 7 38 40 mg N arginine 54 76 83 40 mg N ammonium 36 56 50

[0192] This experiment concludes that the use of arginine doped vermiculite as a pre-fertilized substrate results in a much higher number of seedlings than with ammonium doped vermiculite. The germination rate was very good, at least 83%.

Example 4

[0193] In a field trial in a dry location, close to Gallivare in Lapland Sweden, the effects of germination, seedling formation and seedling development (growth) was compared between seeds planted with, 1) a substrate pre-treated with arginine and 2) micro preparation, which is regarded as the best method used at that time for outdoor planting.

[0194] The experiment did also test different ways of applying the pre-treated substrate with arginine.

[0195] The pre-treated substrate with arginine is made of two major components, vermiculite and peat (Sphagnum). The mix of vermiculite and peat combines two favourable features, peat can hold large quantities of water compared to its weight, 220-325% of the weight, and vermiculite that can bind large amounts of the basic amino acid, L-arginine as well as water. An additional advantage with vermiculite is that very small amounts of arginine leaks to the ground compared to potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate.

Materials and Experimental Set Up:

[0196] Vermiculite was loaded with L-arginine to reach a nitrogen (N) a concentration of 3.7% nitrogen of the total weight. The L-arginine treated vermiculite was mixed with peat, in the ratio 20 parts L-arginine treated vermiculite and 80 parts peat, resulting in 20% volume/volume L-arginine treated vermiculite in peat.

[0197] The total nitrogen load was calculated to be 100 milligram N in 200 ml of L-arginine treated vermiculite-peat mix, which corresponds to 20 mg N per seed in the following experiments.

[0198] Six different sowing methods were set up including different treatments of the soil:

[0199] The soil was sandy for all six sowings. [0200] 1. No treatment of the soil before sowing and no L-arginine treated vermiculite-peat mix was added. [0201] 2. The soil was treated by mixing the soil with a stick before sowing and no L-arginine treated vermiculite-peat mix was added. [0202] 3. The soil was treated by micro-preparation before sowing and no L-arginine treated vermiculite-peat mix was added. [0203] 4. The soil was treated by micro-preparation and L-arginine treated vermiculite-peat mix was added during the micro-preparation before sowing. [0204] 5. The soil was not treated and a 1 cm layer of L-arginine treated vermiculite-peat mix was added on top of the seeds. [0205] 6. The soil was treated by micro-preparation and a 1 cm layer of L-arginine treated vermiculite-peat mix was added on top of the seeds.

Results:

[0206] Plant formation and growth were followed for two years. Two years after sowing a part of the plants was harvested from all treatments in order to determine whether growth differences were found between treatments.

[0207] Compared to none treated mineral (sandy) soil all treatments showed a higher germination and plant formation rate.

[0208] A slightly higher plant formation rate where noted for micro prepared soil and soil mixed with substrate pre-treated with arginine.

[0209] The best plant formation rate results came from soil that had been covered by the substrate pre-treated with arginine, and where seeds had been planted in soil which was first micro prepared and then covered by the substrate pre-treated with arginine. The results are summarized in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Percentage of plant formation after two years. Non-dry Dry Soil Treatment ground ground Summary Mineral (sandy) None 29% 25% 26% soil (untreated) Mineral (sandy) None 36% 18% 27% soil mixed Mineral (sandy) Micro preparation 43% 50% 46% soil Mineral (sandy) Soil mixed with the 51% 48% 49% soil substrate pre-treated with arginine Mineral (sandy) Soil covered with the 66% 57% 61% soil substrate pre-treated with arginine Mineral (sandy) Micro prepared soil 74% 66% 70% soil covered with the substrate pre-treated with arginine

Example 5

Preparation of the Sowing Units

[0210] Two thin short fibre (Betula fibres) papers with approximately the size of 1217 cm were prepared.

[0211] The tensile strength of the used paper could not be measured with the instrumentation used, since it was readily dissolved in water within seconds. It was 0.00 kgN/m, when following the method in the standard ISO 3781:1983.

[0212] Holes were made according to the drawing in FIG. 1. Two seed holding paper with holes was made for each sowing unit with approximately the size of 55 cm.

[0213] The seeds used in Sweden were purchased from SkogForsk, type: Tall Vge, with an expected germination rate of 99.5%, 1000 kv 8.01.

[0214] In Finland the seed came from Hanke 7504, Norfor with an expected germination rate of 99.5%.

[0215] Preparation of the sowing unit, first two seeds was placed on the bottom paper and two seed holding papers was glued with a cellulose based glue on top of each seed. The distance between the two seeds was approximately 10 cm.

[0216] Then a cellulose based glue was applied to three sides of the bottom paper and glued together with the top paper, forming a bag, which was filled with a mix of 127.5 ml peat (made from sphagnum), 42.5 ml vermiculite and 10 mg L-arginine-HCl. Finally, the four side of the bag was glued forming the sowing unit, which looked like an envelope.

[0217] This process was further developed in collaboration with MoRe Research, rnskldsvik, Sweden for the production of a few hundred units.

Example 6

Dissolving of the Top and Bottom Paper.

[0218] Eleven sowing units made according to Experiment 2 were prepared and placed on sandy soil outdoors at test area for tree plantation in Bullmark, Ume, Sweden in the 31 of May. After four days the paper had started to dissolve and all units was now strongly attached to the soil. After one week the paper was completely dissolved. This quick resolution of the paper is important, since it eliminate the risk of the sowing unit to blow away or be moved by animals (birds) as well as it creates a perfect contact layer with the ground substrate to collect the raising capillary water. The high germination results, over 73%, compared to 9% for conventional seeded seeds, also verified the effectiveness of the unit in creating a good environment for the seed to germinate and grow.

Example 7

[0219] Fifty sowing units made according to Example 5 were placed on sandy soil outdoors at test area for tree plantation in Bullmark, Ume, Sweden in 24 of June. Normally direct seeding is not in practice after midsummer (21/6) due to that the conditions is regarded to be to warm and dry. The aim of the experiment was to test the performance of the units in the very dry conditions during July. As in example 6 the paper of the sowing units dissolved quickly and none of the units were moved by wind or animals. After one week the paper was completely dissolved. As in Example 6 the use of the units resulted in high and stable germination results over 79%.

Example 8

[0220] Fifty sowing units made according to Example 5 were placed on medium-grained sandy soil outdoors at test area for tree plantation in Agnsjn, Bjurholm, Sweden. As in example 6, the paper of the sowing units dissolved quickly and none of the units were moved by wind or animals. After one week the paper was completely dissolved. The use of the units resulted in high and stable germination results over 75% and well developed seedlings.

Example 9

[0221] A large scale of field experiments was made in Ruonivaara, Finland, where the sowing units was planted in June (50 units), July (50 units), August (50 units), September (50 units), October (50 units), they were also placed in soils with different moisture conditions in order to investigate if the different soils affected the germination rate. The results show that after 40 days the germination rate were about 70% for the sowing units. Additional inventory in 2014 also reviled high germination rates for the sowing units that had been planted in October and November and germinated during 2014. The recorded germination rates were 69% for October and 76% for November.

Example 10

[0222] Besides pine seeds greenhouse trials have also been performed on Chives, Oregano, Basil, Red fescue. The trials were performed in a greenhouse. Twenty seeds of each species were sown under the sowing unit in moister sandy soil. As a reference twenty seeds were sown directly in the moister sandy soil without coverage. No additional water was supplied to the seeds and seedling germination was followed weekly. The result clearly showed that the germination rate was much higher than for all seeds when the sowing unit was used again verifying the effectiveness of the unit in creating a good environment for the seed to germinate and grow.

TABLE-US-00004 Seeds germinated Only sand Sowing unit Germination rate after one week Basil 0 12 of 20 60% Red fescue 0 6 of 20 30%

Example 11

[0223] To produce an even more effective moisture holding capacity of the sowing unit vermiculite was tested as a single filling material. Three different volumes, 50, 100 and 150 ml of vermiculite was filled into the same envelope-like bags as described in example 5. Three different fraction sizes of vermiculite were tested: 1-2 mm, 2-4 mm and 2-5 mm. These sowing units were evaluated in greenhouse trials and the results reviled a significantly increased moister holding capacity and more importantly a faster breakdown of the top paper layer compared to sowing units filled with a mixture of vermiculite and peat as used example 5. Further tests showed that it was the structure of the vermiculite, with sharp edges, together with its high water absorbing properties that increased the breakdown rate of the top paper layer. A fast breakdown of the top paper layer is an important feature to ease the penetration of the emerging seedlings and prevent movements of the sowing unit by wind or animals (birds). In the greenhouse setup, the use of 100% vermiculite did not affect the germination properties of the seeds, and all planted seeds were able to germinate and penetrate the top layer of the sowing unit.

Example 12

[0224] During the development of the sowing unit it turned out that different properties of the paper were important. In order to identify the range of these properties a test was performed including different type of papers made from different type of pulp, treatment and thickness. One ordinary copy paper was used as a reference.

[0225] Thickness is measured by the amount of pulp in gram (g) used per m2.

[0226] The type of pulp used in tested papers are bleached and non-bleached birch sulphate pulp, which can be either dried or wet, non-bleached softwood sulphate pulp, mechanical wood pulp, and chemo-thermo-mechanical pulp (CTMP) of two types.

[0227] The tensile/draught strength was measured in room temperature (20 C.) and the moisture was approximately 50% and after immersion in water, using the standard ISO 3781:1983. In brief, a paper of 10 cm is fixed in both ends and the force is increased gradually and the force is noted when the paper is broken.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Different pulp used for making a dissolvable paper. Thickness [g/m.sup.2] FIG. Sample: Pulp used FIG. 4, 5 6, 7, 8 A Mechanical wood pulp 30 30 B Mechanical wood pulp 60 60 C Chemo-thermo-mechanical pulp, type 1 30 65 D Chemo-thermo-mechanical pulp, type 2 65 65 E Non-bleached birch sulphate pulp 30 30 F Non-bleached birch sulphate pulp 65 65 G Non-bleached softwood sulphate pulp 30 30 H Non-bleached softwood sulphate pulp 65 60 I Dried bleached birch sulphate pulp 30 30 J Dried bleached birch sulphate pulp 60 60 K Non-dried bleached birch sulphate pulp 30 30 L Non-dried bleached birch sulphate pulp 60 60 M Ordinary paper 65 34

Example 13

[0228] An even larger scale of field experiments was made with over 4000 sowing units which was planted in four different locations from the northern part of Norrbotten to Vsterbotten in the northern part of Sweden. These units were made as previously described of a paper made of bleached birch sulphate pulp with 50 ml vermiculite without any addition of nutrient. The pine seed was placed in the middle of a 10 cm wide sowing unit, the seed had 2-5 cm of vermiculite on all sides in order to cover a large area to be able to collect as much moister as possible. Used seeds are: Alvik T1 FP-626, Stambrev: S04/012, with a germination rate of 99.75%; and Slttholmen T7 FP-619, Stambrev: S08/051 with a germination rate of 98.25%.

[0229] The present summer was in the northern part of Sweden the warmest recorded in 150 years and also very dry. Nevertheless, during the inventory in late august high germination rates were recorded at each of the four trial locations. In average, for all locations, the germination rate were 67% for the Sowing units while for the reference the germination rate only reaches 27%. See table 4 below.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Germination rate from four different locations in northern Sweden. Field trial Sowing unit Reference (Locations in Sweden) germination rate (%) germination rate (%) Grankolen 69.4% 25% Storsund 60% 27.6% Forstraskhed 73% 27.8% Husbonnliden 64% Average 66.6% 26.8%

Example 14

[0230] The field experiments in Ruonivaara, Finland, continued (see example 9). Two types of sowing units were used in the trials, one with the previously described composition of a paper made out of bleached birch sulphate pulp with 50 ml arginine doped vermiculite (5 mg N/unit) and one seed. The other type of sowing unit were made with two seeds as described in example 5 but with 60 ml peat and 60 ml arginine doped vermiculite (5 mg N/unit) as a substrate mixture. The two types of sowing units were each planted in the field in June (50 units), July (50 units), August (50 units), September (50 units), October (50 units). For both types of sowing unit the inventory in July reviled high germination rates for both types of sowing units with values of 65% and 74% for sowing unit with two respective one seed (FIG. X). As reference micro preparation, which is regarded as the best method used at that time for outdoor planting, were used. This treatment gave a 45% germination rate. See Table 5 below.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 Germination rate from Ruonivaara, Finland Sowing unit 2 seeds Micro preparation germination rate Sowing unit 1 seed germination rate Field trial (%) germination rate (%) (%) Ruonivaara 65% 74% 45%