IRON (III) OXIDE CONTAINING SOIL-BINDING COMPOSITION

Abstract

The invention relates to compositions for retaining soil moisture and improving plant growth in dry soils, which, together with one or more moisture retaining materials and wetting agents, comprises iron(III) oxides and optionally potassium metabisulfite [borken (HU), E224] as potentiating agent. The iron(III) oxides preferably are microparticulate. The composition Suitably comprises iron(III)oxides and potassium metabisulfite as potentiating agent. Other aspects of the invention relate to binding the moisture content of soils, as well as compositions for use in enhancing the efficacy of Soil retaining compositions.

Claims

1. A method for retaining soil moisture and/or improving plant growth, wherein the method comprises applying, to soil or to a plant, a composition comprising microparticles of iron(III)oxide and one or more moisture retaining materials and/or wetting agents, wherein the size of the iron(III)oxide microparticles is 50 micrometers or less.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises potassium metabisulfite.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more moisture retaining materials are selected from molasses, calcium lactate and sorbitol.

4. The method, according to claim 1, wherein the wetting agent comprises Tween 20.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is applied to soil before planting a plant therein.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is applied to soil after planting a plant therein.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is applied to propagation material of a plant.

8. A method for retaining soil moisture and/or improving plant growth, wherein the method comprises applying to soil or to a plant a composition comprising: TABLE-US-00002 Molasses 10 to 50 weight % Calcium lactate 0.5 to 5 weight % Sorbitol 5 to 30 weight % Tween 20 0.5 to 5 weight % Fe.sub.2O.sub.3/Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 0.1 to 0.5 weight % Potassium metabisulfite 0.05 to 0.5 weight % Water 19.5 to 84 weight % wherein the Fe.sub.2O.sub.3/Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 is in the form of microparticles 50 micrometers or less in size.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is the view of plants obtained with tomato plants in withering-treatment tests.

[0022] FIG. 2 is the view of plants obtained with maize plants in withering-treatment tests.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the effect exerted on maize sprouts and root in tests for soil moisture retaining effect.

[0024] FIG. 4 is the diagram of water-retaining capacity of soil in tests for soil moisture retaining effect.

[0025] FIG. 5 is the diagram of wet sprout and wet root weights in comparative tests for soil moisture retaining effect.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows the weight of water retained in the soil in comparative tests for soil moisture retaining effect.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows the results of germination-inhibiting tests performed on filter-paper with maize.

[0028] FIG. 8 is the view of germination of maize seeds during the germination-inhibiting tests.

[0029] FIG. 9 shows the results of germination-inhibition tests carried out on filter-paper with wheat.

[0030] FIG. 10 is the view of wheat seeds during germination-inhibiting tests.

[0031] FIG. 11 is the protocol of radish drought resistance ability tests.

[0032] FIG. 12 shows the total watering in the radish drought resistance ability tests.

[0033] FIG. 13 is the summary of the mean radish bunch weights in the radish drought resistance ability tests.

[0034] FIG. 14 is the summary of the individual radish bunch weights in the radish drought resistance ability tests.

[0035] FIG. 15 is the summary of the individual radish plant weights in the radish drought resistance ability tests.

[0036] FIG. 16 is the summary of the mean radish plant weights in the radish drought resistance ability tests.

[0037] FIG. 17 shows the effect of iron(III)oxide, iron(III)oxide+potassium metabisulfite and FeSO.sub.4 additives on bean plants.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0038] In the process according to the invention the iron(III)oxide may be applied as such or formulated in an appropriate form. Considering that the iron supply can be of need in the first line on dry soils, and not only for the iron supply but also in respect of the moisture retaining, such formulations may suitably comprise the known components of compositions used for binding and retaining of humidity.

[0039] The composition of the invention comprises known moisture binding agent, known wetting agent, iron(III)oxide, optionally potassium metabisulfite and water.

[0040] A number of agents useful as moisture retaining agent are known. Special property of these materials is that they keep steady moisture content in air in contact with the saturated solution thereof. At a certain temperature, the solution releases moisture in the air, wherein the relative moisture content is below the characteristic equilibrium point of the said material. Thus, as moisture retaining material, such materials are called which, at a specified moisture content easily absorbs moisture, thus decreasing the degree of moisture emission of the material treated.

[0041] Such moisture retaining materials or mixtures thereof have specific moisture index. Certain organic materials, for example some glycols and polyalcohols, such as glycerol and sorbitol, show similar moisture retaining effect and moisture equilibrium index. Consequently, their solutions inhibit the evaporation in the air and the moisture from the air at a relative humidity beyond their equilibrium point.

[0042] Among the moisture retaining materials preferred are for example the sorbitol, molasses, potassium lactate, sodium lactate, glycerol, potassium acetate, sodium acetate, vegetable fats, oligofructose, carmellose syrup, magnesium carbonate, cocoa fibre and the like. Preferably applicable is the sorbitol.

[0043] The composition according to the invention comprises 10 to 80 weight % moisture binding agent, 0.5 to 5 weight % wetting agent, 0.1 to 0.5 weight % iron(III)oxide, 0 to 0.5 weight % potassium metabisulfite and about 20 to 85 weight % water. It is especially preferred when the composition, besides the iron(III)oxide, contains potassium metabisulfite as well.

[0044] Our experiments has shown that the composition according to the invention have excellent soil moisture retaining effect, even in loose structure soils.

[0045] The preferred composition according to the invention comprises 10 to 50 weight % molasses, about 0.5 weight % calcium lactate, 5 to 30 weight % sorbitol, 0.5 to 5 weight % Tween 20, 0.1 to 0.5 weight % iron(III)oxide and 0.005 to 0.5 weight % potassium metabisulfite.

[0046] In the composition, the iron(III)oxide is present in the form of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 and Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 or the mixture thereof. The iron oxide is in miocroparticle form, wherein the particle size is suitably at most 50 micrometer, preferably 20 to 40 micrometer.

[0047] The compositions of the invention, in accordance with the ratios as specified above, are suitable in the form of concentrates. Obviously, during application, dilution is necessary, which cannot cause any problem for one skilled in the application technology. For use in small area, the dilution is suitably 10 to 1000-fold, suitably 50 to 150-fold.

[0048] In the process according to the invention the composition is applied on the locus in the form of concentrate or dilute solution/suspension, before or after planting, pre-emergently or post-emergently. In post-emergent use, the composition is preferably applied on the ground in a way that it does not contact with the plant parts above ground. Application may also be accomplished by dressing the propagation material, wherein the propagation material is coated in methods known per se with the concentrate, followed by drying. Dressing methods are well-known from the art.

[0049] The compositions of the invention substantially improve the water retaining ability of the soil while enhance the drought resistance of the plants as well and enhance the yield on dry soils. These effects have been shown both in greenhouse and open-air experiments. It has further been observed thatcontrary to many plant protection and plant-retaining compositionsthe compositions according to the invention have not influenced the germination ability of the seeds.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0050] The results obtained with the compositions and the treatments according to the invention are illustrated in the following examples. As reference material, composition assembled according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,869 was used, while the compositions according to the invention ware different variants supplemented with different amounts of iron(III)oxide and optionally with potassium metabisulfite.

Example 1: Compositions Used in the Comparative Tests

[0051] The compositions are specified in Table I. The amounts of materials pressed in weight % calculated from the total weight of the compositions.

TABLE-US-00001 material HTC7* HTC22 HTZC30 molasses 25 25 25 Ca-lactate 2 2 2 sorbitol 18 18 18 Tween 20 2 2 2 iron(III)oxide 0 0.5 0.5 potassium metabisulfite 0 0 0.05 water 53 52.5 52.45 *7 comparative composition, assembled according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,869

Example 2: Withering-Test on Tomato and Maize Seedlings

[0052] In a 200 ml vessel, tomato seeds were germinated in usual way and the seedlings were watered with a 60 dilution (59 ml water+1 ml concentrate) of the compositions by using 15 ml for watering. The control vessels were watered with 15 ml water.

[0053] The tomato seedlings were watered for one month with reduced amount of water, only enough for avoiding total withering with a total of 70 ml water per vessel, while the normal water claim of the plants would have been 370 ml during the period. In 2 weeks from the treatment the plants started to wither, the control plant perished after 15 days, while the sample treated with HTC7 and HTC22 started to present withering symptoms only after 21 days, which could be reversed with minimal watering (5 ml). In case of the control plants, the process was irreversible. The plants of tests are shown in FIG. 1. It can unanimously be seen that both HTC7 (labeled as Ricsi on the Figure) and HTC22 provided much better grown plants; in case of HTC22, the root is longer and more hairy than in case of HTC7.

[0054] In a 200 ml vessel, maize seedlings were planted and at planting, the seedlings were watered with a 60 dilution (59 ml water+1 ml concentrate) of the compositions by using 15 ml for watering. The control vessels were watered with 15 ml water.

[0055] The plants were watered for one month+10 days with reduced amount of water, only enough for avoiding total withering with a total of 40 ml water per vessel, while the normal water claim of the plants would have been 290 ml during the period. In 3 weeks from the treatment the plants started to wither, in case of the control plants as well. The HTC7 started to present withering symptoms after one month, the HTC22 as last, started to present withering symptoms only after one month and 10 days. The plants of tests are shown in FIG. 2. It can unanimously be seen that compared to the control, both HTC7 (labeled as Ricsi on the Figure) and HTC22 provided much more developed plants; in case of HTC22, the root is longer and more hairy than in case of HTC7.

Example 3: Examination of Water-Retaining Ability of Soil

[0056] The soil was treated at the plantation of the maize seedling (from the mixture of 59 ml water+1 ml solution 15 ml to a 200 ml vessel; the control was watered with 15 ml water). The maize plants were grown in greenhouse for 6 weeks while receiving water according to needs, a total of 290 ml water during the 6 weeks period, both the control and treated plants. FIG. 3 shows the results obtained with five parallel trials.

[0057] After six weeks, the plants were removed from the plantation medium and the plantation media, equal volume of 200 ml each were dried until permanent weight. Illustrating the difference between the wet and dry weight it could be stated that the water-retaining ability of the treated soil is better, even in the situation that the higher plant weight results in higher evaporation. At the same time, the natural evaporation and effluent loss were reduced by the treatment. The results obtained in the test are shown on FIG. 4.

[0058] It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the soil treated with the composition was able to retain significantly more water compared to the control, and at the same time water supply was much more balanced, which is shown by the smaller standard deviation values.

[0059] The above test was also carried out by examining the HTC7 and HTC22 compositions beside the control. The test results are shown on FIGS. 5 and 6. It has been observed that both the wet sprout weights and wet root weights of the plants were substantially higher than in case of the control (see FIG. 5, the term USA means the HTC7 composition); HTC22 shows better result at the wet sprout weight than the HTC7 treatment. In FIG. 7 it can be seen that the soil moisture retaining ability was significantly increased by the HTC22 composition compared to both the control and the HTC composition (labeled as USA on the FIG.

Example 4: Effect of Treatment on the Germination Ability

[0060] The germination-inhibiting side-effect was tested on 5 plants, in two media in 5 parallels. Soil was filled in Petri-dishes or instead of soil, filter papers were used; on the surface thereof 20-22 seeds were placed. To the Petri-dishes provided with the filter papers each 10 ml of the 60 dilution were poured, the control was 10 ml water. The soil was watered with the mixture of 20 ml solution and 20 ml water; as control, 40 ml water was used.

[0061] It was established from the tests that the compositions according to the invention have not inhibited the germination of green pepper, tomato, maize, sunflower and wheat; even more, the germination of maize and green pepper have been stimulated. The results were of similar character both on wet paper filter and in soil.

[0062] The test results obtained with maize are shown on FIGS. 7 and 8, those with wheat are shown on FIGS. 9 and 10.

Example 5: Test for Drought Resistance of the Compositions on Radish Plants

[0063] Radish seeds were planted and afterwards, but still before emerging the composition HTC30 was spayed on the soil surface in a 100 dilution, corresponding to a dose of 10 l/ha. Subsequently, watering was performed on the control area with an amount of water according to the need of the plant while the treated area received only 46% watering calculated to the control. The test protocol is shown on FIG. 11, while the total watering is shown on FIG. 12.

[0064] After termination of the test, the weights and sizes of the radish bunches were evaluated. The mean radish bunch weights and the individual radish bunch weights (a total of 59 bunches) are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. It can be seen from the Figures that the weight of the treated radish was 98.5% of the control plants.

[0065] Following harvesting, the diameter and mean diameter of the radishes were measured; the results are shown on FIGS. 15 and 16. It was established that the diameter of the radishes harvester from the treated area were bigger by 0.5% than in case of the control plants.

[0066] It was established that from the treated area, essentially equal amount of harvest was collected by applying 54% less watering.

Example 6

[0067] Testing of the effect of the soil conditioning compositions on the soil-plant system was carried out on bean plants. For the tests, sterilizes substrate was used so that the Rhizobium strains responsible for the root nodules of bean have not been present.

[0068] Surface-sterilized bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris var. Rocco) were germinated at a temperature of 203 C. for 3 days. Thereafter a total of 60, 10 for each treatment, germ plants were planted into each 250 cm.sup.3 sandy soil. The moisture contents were adjusted to 50% with sterile tap water, without additives (control), and with 1:60 dilutions of the soil conditioning composition prepared with sterile tap water, respectively.

[0069] The plants prepared as above were grown in climate chamber under 12/12 hours light period and 22/15 C. temperature. During treatment, 50% of the water supply necessary for the optimal development of the plant was provided. For defense against pests, fly trap containing sex pheromone was placed to the vicinity of the plants. No weed control was necessary during the tests.

[0070] After the incubation period, the growth parameters (sprout length, root length) and the dry weight of the sprout and root were measured. From these data, the mean results relating to the sprout weight according to each treatment are shown in FIG. 17. The components of the test materials are shown in Table 1.

[0071] Evaluation of the test results have shown that, in comparison with the control, significant weight gain was observed on the effect of composition No. 7, which was, however, exceeded by the weight gain measured with the treatment with composition No. 22, containing iron(III)oxide. The result obtained by the treatment with the composition No. 30 was in relation to the control, but also substantially higher than obtained on the bean plants treated with the compositions No. 7 and 22. The weight gain obtained with composition No. 7 supplemented with the iron(II)-sulfate was far less than those obtained with the compositions No. 22 and 30 containing the identical amount of iron.