SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER SEED COATING COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

Disclosed herein are several exemplary seed coating compositions, and exemplary methods for creating and using the same. Also disclosed are several exemplary seed coating manufacturing processes, and the products created by such processes. The seed coating compositions are for decreasing dusting and increasing the quality of coated seeds, and comprise an effective amount of clay mineral.

Claims

1. A coated seed comprising: a seed, and a seed coating on said seed, wherein said seed coating comprises an inner coating layer comprising a clay mineral; and wherein said seed coating comprises an outer coating layer comprising a water-absorbing additive.

2. The coated seed of claim 1, wherein said clay mineral comprises bentonite.

3. The coated seed of claim 1, wherein said water-absorbing additive comprises a superabsorbent polymer.

4. The coated seed of claim 1, wherein said seed coating further comprises a binder for binding the seed coatings to the seed.

5. The coated seed of claim 1, wherein said seed coating further comprises a later coating of at least one filler.

6. The coated seed of claim 5, wherein said filler is limestone.

7. The coated seed of claim 5, wherein said seed coating comprises: about 5 wt % of the weight of the seed of said clay mineral; about 2 wt % of the weight of the seed of said water-absorbing additive; and about 100 wt % of the weight of the seed of said filler.

8. The coated seed of claim 7, further comprising about 0 wt % to about 2 wt % of the weight of the seed of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: Rhizobium bacteria, nutrient components, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, buffers, biologicals, agrochemicals, beneficial elements, zeolite, soil surfactants, vitamins, cofactors, penetrants, water absorbants, mold inhibitors, soil conditioners, carbohydrates, acids, and plant growth regulators.

9. The coated seed of claim 7, further comprising about 2 wt % of the weight of the seed of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: glues, stickers, water soluble adhesives, molasses, corn syrup, sorghum, cane syrup, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, Arabic gums, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, calcium lignosulfonate, and synthetic organic polymers.

10. The coated seed of claim 1, wherein said clay mineral comprises bentonite, wherein said water-absorbing additive comprises a superabsorbent polymer, and wherein said coated seed further comprises a later coating layer of limestone.

11. The coated seed of claim 1, wherein said seed coating further comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: Rhizobium bacteria, nutrient components, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, buffers, biologicals, agrochemicals, beneficial elements, zeolite, soil surfactants, vitamins, cofactors, penetrants, water absorbants, mold inhibitors, soil conditioners, carbohydrates, acids, and plant growth regulators.

12. The coated seed of claim 1, further comprising a binder for binding the seed coatings to the seed, wherein said binder comprises at least one binder selected from the group consisting of: glues, stickers, water soluble adhesives, molasses, corn syrup, sorghum, cane syrup, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, Arabic gums, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, calcium lignosulfonate, and synthetic organic polymers.

13. The coated seed of claim 1, wherein said seed coating comprises about 5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the weight of the seed of said clay mineral, and about 1 wt % to about 3 wt % of the weight of the seed of said water-absorbing additive.

14. A coated seed comprising: a seed; a first seed coating layer on said seed comprising a binder; a second seed coating layer on said seed comprising a clay mineral; a third seed coating layer on said seed comprising a water-absorbing additive; a fourth seed coating layer comprising a filler; and a fifth seed coating layer comprising a filler and a binder.

15. The coated seed of claim 14, wherein said clay mineral is bentonite clay, wherein said water-absorbing additive is superabsorbent polymer, and wherein said filler is limestone.

16. The coated seed of claim 14, wherein said coated seed comprises about 5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the weight of the seed of said clay mineral, about 1 wt % to about 3 wt % of the weight of the seed of said water-absorbing additive, and about 50 wt % to about 150 wt % of the weight of the then coated seed of said filler.

17. The coated seed of claim 16, wherein said binder comprises about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the weight of the seed.

18. A process of coating seeds, comprising the steps of: providing a quantity of seeds; coating said seeds with a binder to create coated seeds; coating said coated seeds with a clay mineral and additional binder; coating said coated seeds with a water-absorbing additive; coating said coated seeds with a filler; coating said coated seeds with additional filler and additional binder; compacting the coated seeds; and drying the coated seeds.

19. The process of coating seeds of claim 18, wherein said seed coatings comprises: clay mineral in the amount of about 5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed; water-absorbing additive in the amount of about 1 wt % to about 3 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed; and filler in the amount of about 8 wt % to about 75 wt % of the current weight of the coated seed.

20. The process of coating seeds of claim 18, wherein said clay mineral is bentonite clay, wherein said water-absorbing additive is superabsorbent polymer, and wherein said filler is limestone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following description provides examples of that which the inventor regards as his invention. As such, the embodiments discussed herein are merely exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or its protection, in any manner. Rather, the description of these embodiments serves to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the invention.

[0042] The inventor has found that the aforementioned dusting off issue can be addressed by coating the seed with an inner coating stabilizing layer, for instance comprising a clay mineral, such as bentonite clay, before the seed is coated with additional layers of agents, including water-absorbing additives.

[0043] Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that coating the seed with a coating stabilizing layer before adding a coating layer containing superabsorbent polymer alters the exchange of water during the seed coating process, resulting in less damage to the seed coating during the drying process and less dusting. Explained a different way, the application of the inner coating stabilizing layer before application of water absorbing additives is believed to decrease dusting off by the inner coating stabilizing layer absorbing some of the excess water present in the binder, thereby decreasing the water available to the water-absorbing additive after the water-absorbing additive is applied, resulting in the water-absorbing additive having a better opportunity to adhere to the seed coating layer the water-absorbing additive was applied to.

[0044] By increasing the amount of water-absorbing additive attached to each seed, the amount of water available for storing around each seed after planting is increased. With more water stored next to a germinating seed, the chance that seedling will survive, especially when there are times of little or no water available after planting, increases. Further, by decreasing dusting off (the degree of which can vary from coated seed to coated seed), the water-absorbing additive and additives are more evenly spread throughout bags of seed, better ensuring the majority of seedlings will all have the same chance at surviving and flourishing.

[0045] Disclosed herein are several exemplary seed coating compositions, coated seeds, methods of producing coated seeds, seed coating manufacturing processes, methods of creating seed coating compositions, processes of coating seeds, and methods of using coated seeds created utilizing one of the same.

[0046] The exemplary seed coating compositions are for decreasing the occurrence of dusting in coated seeds, thereby increasing the quality of such coated seeds.

[0047] An exemplary seed coating composition comprises an inner coating stabilizing layer followed by a layer of superabsorbent polymer.

[0048] An exemplary coated seed comprises a seed, coating the seed with a coating stabilizing layer comprising bentonite clay to produce a stabilized seed unit, coating the stabilized seed unit with a superabsorbent polymer to produce a polymer coated seed unit, and coating the polymer coated seed unit with limestone to create the coated seed.

[0049] An exemplary method for producing coated seeds comprises coating seeds with the first exemplary seed coating composition.

[0050] An exemplary seed coating manufacturing processes comprises the step of coating a seed with a seed coating composition comprising bentonite.

[0051] An exemplary method of creating seed coating compositions comprises the step of coating a seed with a seed coating composition comprising bentonite.

[0052] An exemplary process of coating seeds, comprises the steps of providing a quantity of seeds, coating the seeds with a quantity of bentonite, compacting the coated seeds, drying the coated seeds, and screening the dried, coated seeds.

[0053] In an exemplary seed coating composition, the inner coating stabilizing layer comprises a clay mineral, such as bentonite. The inner coating stabilizing layer may be applied directly to the pericarp, or may be applied to a seed coating layer. The material comprising the inner coating stabilizing layer may be directly applied to the pericarp or seed coating layer, may be applied to the pericarp or seed coating layer via a carrier, or may be applied to the pericarp or seed costing layer along with a binder for binding the inner coating stabilizing later to the pericarp or seed coating layer. Application of the clay mineral to the pericarp or seed coating layer forming the inner coating stabilizing layer. One or more inner coating stabilizing layers may be applied. One or more layers of agents may be applied to the coated seed after the inner coating stabilizing layer is applied.

[0054] In an exemplary seed coating composition, the layer of water-absorbing additive is applied to a seed coating layer after the inner coating stabilizing layer is applied. The material comprising the layer of water-absorbing additive may be directly applied to the seed coating layer, may be applied to the seed coating layer via a carrier, or may be applied to the seed costing layer along with a binder for binding the water-absorbing additive to the seed coating layer.

[0055] In an exemplary seed coating composition, an outer layer of filler may be applied to the coated seed after the application of the water-absorbing additive and additional seed coating layers (if any). The purpose of the filler is to get the total weight (and size) of the coated seed to a desired weight/size for ease of planting. The filler is mixed with a water-based, water-soluble, polymer and applied to the pericarp or seed coating layer. The material comprising the filler may be directly applied to the seed coating layer, may be applied to the seed coating layer via a carrier, or may be applied to the seed costing layer along with a binder for binding the filler to the seed coating layer.

[0056] One example of a filler that can be utilized in exemplary seed coating compositions is calcium carbonate (limestone). Calcium carbonate could also be utilized as a pH buffer. An additional filler that can be utilized in exemplary seed coating compositions is bentonite. In some exemplary seed coating compositions, additional agents, such as bentonite or zeolite, can be added with the filler.

[0057] In exemplary seed coating compositions, any suitable binder may be used. The binder is for ensuring that the agent binds to the pericarp or seed coating layer.

[0058] In an exemplary seed coating composition, the binder can be added to seeds before they are coated with any agents, during the time when they are coated with agents, or after they have been coated with one or more agents. The binder can also be mixed together with one or more of the agents before coating the seeds or coated seeds with the mixture thereof.

[0059] Many techniques for applying coatings to seeds are known and may be used for coating seed with exemplary seed coating compositions, including, but not limited to, seed pelleting, film coating, and true seed coating.

[0060] Seed pelleting is the deposition of at least one layer of an inert material onto at least a portion of the seed, so as to substantially increase the weight of the seed, and to improve the plantability of the seed. The main application of seed pelleting is to pelletize seeds that are hard to singulate (e.g., small, light, variably-sized, and/or irregularly-shaped seeds) into spherical, or near-spherical, capsules configured for precision sowing. Instead of oversowing raw, uncoated seed, and then subsequently thinning established plants, which can be very costly when seeds and labor are expensive, pelleted seeds can be precisely planted to achieve uniform spacing. Due to their high operational cost, seed pelleting processes are mainly used in the vegetable and flower seed sectors.

[0061] Film coating is the application of a continuous layer of a film, such as a polymer film, over at least a portion of a seed to control product dust-off. Film coating is also used for seed cosmetics and variety identification (e.g., by color). Film coating is mainly applied on vegetable seeds, because the high cost of the film coating polymer does not justify its value on low value seeds.

[0062] True seed coating may be defined as the addition of at least one layer of a material or materials that would result in a significant increase in seed weight, and/or size increase to at least a portion of the seed, but where the coated seed still retains the same shape as the raw. True seed coating is mainly employed to coat small-seeded, forage legume seeds, and grass seeds. The main purposes of true seed coating are to improve seed plantability, and to incorporate seed treatment chemicals, nutrients, and beneficial elements into the seed coating so as to meet the seedlings' early needs. Moreover, true seed coating has been proven to be the most efficient way of inoculating small-seeded, forage legume seeds.

[0063] Various techniques and equipment known in the seed coating art may be used for applying a seed coating composition to a seed. The process may be continuous or batch and typically involves tumbling the seed in the presence of the coating composition. Some drying of the coated seed may be required.

[0064] In an exemplary seed coating composition, formulations of the agents and additives can be prepared by admixing the compound with one or more adjuvants including diluents, extenders, carriers, surfactants, and conditioning agents to provide compositions in the form of particulate solids, solutions, dispersions, or emulsions. Such compositions include, for example, wettable powders, granulars, dusts, emulsifiable concentrates, and flowables.

[0065] A first exemplary seed coating composition comprises an inner coating stabilizing layer followed by a layer of water-absorbing additive.

[0066] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises the first exemplary seed coating composition where the inner coating stabilizing layer comprises an effective amount of clay mineral to decrease the occurrence of dusting.

[0067] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises the first exemplary seed coating composition where the inner coating stabilizing layer comprises an effective amount of clay mineral to decrease the occurrence of dusting, wherein the clay mineral is bentonite.

[0068] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions where the inner coating stabilizing layer comprises an effective amount of clay mineral to decrease the occurrence of dusting, wherein the clay mineral is powdered bentonite.

[0069] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the water-absorbing additive comprises super-hydrating polymer.

[0070] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein a binder is applied before, with or after the inner coating stabilizing layer.

[0071] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein a binder is first applied to the pericarp of the seed, and once the seed has become saturated with the binder (for instance, when the seeds begin to adhere to one another), then powdered bentonite is layered onto the moistened seed.

[0072] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises the previous seed coating composition, wherein the binder comprises one or more of the following: molasses, corn syrup, sorghum, cane syrup, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, Arabic gums, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, calcium lignosulfonate, and synthetic organic polymers.

[0073] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the coating stabilizing layer comprises a clay mineral.

[0074] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the clay mineral comprises bentonite clay.

[0075] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the water-absorbing additive is a superabsorbent polymer.

[0076] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the filler is limestone.

[0077] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the binder comprises the group of one or more of molasses, corn syrup, sorghum, and cane syrup.

[0078] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the inner coating stabilizing layer is approximately 5 wt % to 10 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed.

[0079] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the water-absorbing additive is approximately 1 wt % to 3 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed, and more preferably around 2 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed.

[0080] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the pericarp of the seed is coated with one or more agents to form a coated seed before the inner coating stabilizing layer is applied.

[0081] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the pericarp of the seed is coated with one or more agents to form a coated seed before the inner coating stabilizing layer is applied, and wherein additional seed coating layers are applied to the coated seed before the inner coating stabilizing layer is applied.

[0082] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein additional seed coating layers comprising one or more agents are be applied to the coated seed after the application of the layer of water-absorbing additive.

[0083] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the seed coating composition further comprises at least one additive.

[0084] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the seed coating composition comprises at least one of the following additives: Rhizobium bacteria, MYCO SEED TREAT, nutrient components, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, buffers, biologicals to protect a developing seedling, fillers, agrochemicals, beneficial elements, zeolites, and plant growth regulators.

[0085] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the seed coating composition further comprises at least one filler.

[0086] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises one of the above seed coating compositions wherein the seed coating composition further comprises at least one filler, wherein the at least one filler includes limestone.

[0087] Another exemplary seed coating composition comprises a combination of one or more of the above seed coating compositions.

[0088] A second exemplary seed coating composition comprises applying to the pericarp of a seed a binder until the seed has become saturated with the binder. Preferably, the binder is a liquid binder.

[0089] Once the seed has become saturated with the binder, a clay mineral is layered onto the binder coated seed to create an inner coating stabilizing layer. Preferably, the clay mineral is applied to the binder coated seed along with additional binder. Preferably, the coating of clay mineral comprises an effective amount of clay mineral to decrease the occurrence of dusting. Preferably, the clay mineral is bentonite. Preferably, the bentonite is powdered. Alternatively, the one or more clay minerals could be mixed with the binder before application. Alternatively, one or more layers of clay minerals, water-absorbing additives, fillers, and/or additives could be added to the seed before the clay mineral is added.

[0090] The amount of clay mineral applied to the binder coated seed is preferably 5 wt % to 10 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed, but could be more or less than that amount.

[0091] Once the desired amount of clay mineral is applied to the seed to form a coated seed, a quantity of water-absorbing additive is added to the coated seed. For instance, water-absorbing additive could be sprinkled onto the coated seed. Alternatively, one or more layers of clay minerals, water-absorbing additives, fillers, and/or additives could be added, with or without the application of additional binder, to the seed after the clay mineral is added, but before the water-absorbing additives.

[0092] Where the binder is a liquid binder, and the liquid comprises water, preferably the water-absorbing additive is added to the coated seed without additional binder being applied with the water-absorbing additive. This is done to minimize the absorption of water from the liquid binder into the water-absorbing additive.

[0093] The amount of water-absorbing additive applied to the coated seed is preferably 1.0 wt % to 3.0 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed, and more preferably 2.0 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed, but could be more or less than that amount. Once a desired amount of water-absorbing additive has been added to the coated seed, application of water-absorbing additive ends.

[0094] At that point, filler is then applied to the coated seeds until the filler applied no longer adheres to the coated seed. At that time, the application of binder resumes, enabling additional filler to be added to the coated seed. Preferably, the filler comprises limestone. Alternatively, the filler could be mixed with the binder before application. Alternatively, one or more layers of clay minerals, water-absorbing additives, fillers, and/or additives could be added to the seed after the water-absorbing additive was added, but before the filler was added.

[0095] The amount of filler applied to the currently coated seed is preferably about an 8% coating (0.09 times the weight of the currently coated seed) to a 75% coating (3.0 times the weight of the currently coated seed), and more preferably about 34% coating (0.5 times the weight of the currently coated seed) to about a 50% coating (1.0 times the weight of the currently coated seed), but could be more or less than that amount. The coating percent listed is not determined with respect to the uncoated seed weight, but is instead determined with respect to the currently coated seed weight before application of the filler. Once the desired amount of filler has been added to the coated seed, the coating process ends. After the coating process ends, the seeds are compacted, and then are moved to a drying apparatus where the seeds are dried.

[0096] Alternatively, one or more layers of clay minerals, water-absorbing additives, fillers, and/or additives could be added to the seed after the filler was added.

[0097] The total amount of binder applied in an exemplary seed coating composition will vary based on the species of seed coated, and will vary based on the amounts of coatings applied to the seeds. An average application will use binder to clay mineral/water-absorbing additives/fillers/additives ratios from 1:3 to 1:6.

[0098] The preferred binder is a 10 wt % solution in water (100 g of binder is 90% water and 10% polymer). When the binder dries on the coated seed, less than 10% of the weight of the total binder applied will remain due to evaporation of the water and the fact that not all of the binder applied will stick to the uncoated seed/coated seed.

[0099] A third exemplary seed coating composition, dry on seed, comprises: about 5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of at least one clay mineral, preferably about 5 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed; about 1 wt % to about 3 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of at least one water-absorbing additive, preferably about 2.0 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed; about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of at least one binder, preferably about 2.2 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed; 50 wt % to 150 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of at least one filler, preferably 100 wt %; and 0 wt % to 10 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of one or more additives, preferably 4.2 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed.

[0100] A fourth exemplary seed coating composition comprises 50% coated alfalfa seed when dry. With 454 g of seed, 454 g of limestone is used (a 1:1 ratio), 10 g of binder (when dry, applied as 100 g of liquid binder (90% water, 10% polymer binder), 5.44 g of inoculant as an additive, 9.08 g (2%) of water-absorbing additive, 13.62 g (3%) of MST as an additive, and 22.7 g (5%) clay mineral (bentonite clay). This was a variable application, with the various rates adjusted as needed for the behavior of all the components during the particular lot of seed.

[0101] While these are preferred exemplary seed coating compositions, a skilled artisan will be able to select the appropriate components in a exemplary seed coating composition based on various considerations, including the intended use of the seed, the intended seed type(s) with will be used, the intended environment within which the seed will be used, and the equipment and/or accessories with which the seed is intended to be used, among other considerations.

[0102] Exemplary coated seeds comprise one of the exemplary seed coating compositions on a seed.

[0103] Exemplary methods of using a seed coating composition comprise coating a seed with one of the exemplary seed coating compositions.

[0104] Exemplary seed manufacturing process comprises coating a seed with one of the exemplary seed coating compositions.

[0105] Exemplary methods for producing seeds comprise coating seeds with one of the exemplary seed coating compositions.

[0106] A first exemplary process of coating seeds comprises coating seeds with one of the exemplary seed coating compositions.

[0107] A second exemplary process of coating seeds with one of the exemplary seed coating compositions, comprises the steps of providing a quantity of seeds, coating the seeds with a binder, coating the seeds with a quantity of at least one clay mineral, coating the seeds with a quantity of water-absorbing additive, coating the seeds with a filler, compacting the coated seeds, drying the coated seeds, and screening the dried, coated seeds.

[0108] A third exemplary process of coating seeds with one of the exemplary seed coating compositions utilizes two phases, a wet phase and a dry phase. In the wet phase of coating, a liquid binder is introduced to the seed. After coating the seed with at least one binder, at least one clay mineral is introduced to the mixture with an additional quantity of liquid binder, and the mixture is further mixed. Then a water-absorbing additive is introduced to the mixture, and the mixture is further mixed. Then a filler is introduced to the mixture, and the mixture if further mixed. Then additional filler is introduced along with additional binder to the mixture and the mixture is further mixed. The resulting mixture is then transferred to a processing line for the compacting of the coated seed, and to start the dry phase. The wet mixture is rolled within an inclined rolling drum, to compact the coating on the seed. After mixing, the coated seed is dried. A heated fluid bed drier, or other drying apparatus/process, can be utilized in this step. The binder hardens during the drying process, ensuring a durable coating. To arrive at a uniform product after drying, the dried seed is screened to remove any remaining dust that did not adhere to the seed coat, and any agglomerated seeds or coating material. After screening, the coated seed is then bagged for shipment and sales.

[0109] In a fourth exemplary process of coating seeds, one or more ROTOSTAT emulsifiers are used. The ROTOSTAT emulsifiers incorporate a rotating pan at the bottom of a vertical cylinder. The pan throws the seed against the inside wall of the cylinder, and as the seed rolls around the wall, atomized binder is applied from a spinning disk in the center of the cylinder. After coating the seed with the binder, finely ground bentonite powder is then applied, for instance, by a hopper located above the cylinder, additional binder is added, and the mixture is further mixed. As the seed rolls around the inside wall of the cylinder, the coating is packed on the seed. Then, water-absorbing additive is applied, for instance, by a hopper located above the cylinder, and the mixture is further mixed. Then, filler is applied, for instance, by a hopper located above the cylinder, and the mixture is further mixed. Then additional filler is applied, for instance, by a hopper located above the cylinder, along with additional binder, and the mixture is further mixed. After mixing, the cylinders drop the coated seeds into a surge hopper with a belt on the bottom, conveying the seeds to a series of fluid bed dryers, or other drying apparatus/process, with individually controlled temperatures wherein the coated seeds are dried. The binder hardens during the drying process, ensuring a durable coating on the seeds. To arrive at a uniform product after drying, the dried seeds are screened to remove any remaining dust that did not adhere to the seed, and to remove any agglomerated seeds or coating material. After screening, the coated seeds are then bagged for shipment and sales.

[0110] A fifth exemplary process of coating seeds, comprises the steps of: providing a quantity of seeds; coating the seeds with a binder to create coated seeds; coating the coated seeds with a clay mineral and additional binder; coating the seeds with a water-absorbing additive; coating the seeds with a filler; coating the seeds with a filler and additional binder; compacting the coated seeds; and drying the coated seeds. Preferably, the coatings comprise about 5 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of the clay mineral; about 2 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of the water-absorbing additive; and about 100 wt % of the weight of the uncoated seed of the filler. Further preferably, the clay mineral is bentonite clay, the water-absorbing additive is superabsorbent polymer, and the filler is limestone.

[0111] Other types of mixing devices/equipment include container mixing, horizontal paddle style batch mixers, rotating disc inside an unmoving cylinder mixers, spray mixers, agitators, ribbon blenders, drum mixers, and combinations of the same. While many different mixing devices and equipment types are mentioned above, a skilled artisan will be able to select appropriate equipment or combination of equipment used in a process according to a particular embodiment based on various considerations, including the environment within which the coated seed is intended to be used, and the components of the coated seeds. Materials, equipment and processes hereinafter discovered and/or developed that are determined to be suitable for use in creating coated seeds would also be considered suitable for use in an exemplary process.

[0112] It is noted that all formulas and compositions of the various described embodiments can be combined in any suitable configuration for inclusion in a seed coating according to a particular embodiment. For example, a seed coating according a particular embodiment can include neither, one, or both of a binder and the additives described above.

[0113] Any suitable agents can be used to form the various components of the seed coating, and a skilled artisan will be able to select appropriate materials for a seed coating according to a particular embodiment based on various considerations, including the intended seed type(s) with which the composition will be used, the intended environment within which the composition will be used, and the equipment and/or accessories with which the composition is intended to be used. Materials hereinafter discovered and/or developed that are determined to be suitable for use in seed coating compositions would also be considered suitable for use in a seed coating composition according to a particular embodiment.

EXAMPLE

Absorption and Durability Study

[0114] The objectives of this study were to (1) measure the amount of water coated turf-type tall fescue and Alfalfa seeds absorb, (2) determine the most effective materials and application timing for the highest absorption rates, and (3) assess and quantify the durability of coating between each coated seed sample.

[0115] The study utilized superabsorbent polymer (SAP). Four different treatments were used in this study: the Pinnacle treatment, the SAP treatment, the Bentonite treatment, and the SAP/Bentonite treatment.

[0116] In the Pinnacle treatment, grey limestone was used as the filler and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) (9% solid solution) as the adhesive.

[0117] In the SAP treatment, grey limestone was used as the filler and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) (9% solid solution) as the adhesive. The SAP was applied at a 2% rate.

[0118] In the Bentonite treatment, grey limestone was used as the filler and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) (9% solid solution) as the adhesive. The bentonite was applied at a 10% rate.

[0119] In the SAP/Bentonite treatment, grey limestone was used as the filler and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) (9% solid solution) as the adhesive. The bentonite was applied at a 5% rate, and the SAP was applied at a 2% rate.

[0120] Using the four treatments above, the turf-type tall fescue seeds were coated at a 1:1 seed to coat ratio, and the alfalfa seeds were coated at a 0.5:1 coating to seed ratio.

[0121] The first method of testing, Scott's Saturated Incline Test, was used in Tests A and B to measure the amount of water absorbed by the coated seed. This method included a 4 inch by 4 inch (roughly 10.2 cm by 10.2 cm) screen, and a 2.0 gram seed sample spread evenly in the center of the screen. Enough water was added to the seed to saturate the entire sample. The saturated sample was given one minute to absorb water. The screen was then placed at a forty five degree angle to allow excess water to drain for five minutes. Remaining water, separated from the sample, was dried off with a paper towel. The sample was then re-weighed and the results were recorded.

[0122] Test A was Scott's Saturated Incline Test on turf-type tall fescue seed.

TABLE-US-00001 Test A Results Average Intake (grams) Dry Wet Standard SAP with Weight Weight Pinnacle SAP Bentonite Bentonite 28.322 28.991 0.669 28.264 30.631 2.367 28.303 30.299 1.996 28.537 31.883 3.346

[0123] Test B was Scott's Saturated Incline Test on alfalfa seed.

TABLE-US-00002 Test B Results Average Intake (grams) Dry Wet Standard SAP with Weight Weight Pinnacle SAP Bentonite Bentonite 28.221 29.094 0.873 28.201 31.903 3.702 28.092 29.447 1.355 28.033 31.445 3.412

[0124] The second method of testing, Steve's 180 Vertical Absorption Test, was used in Tests C and D to measure the amount of water absorbed by the coated seed. This method included a 100 ml measuring cylinder, and a 1.5 inch (3.81 cm) diameter funnel with a rubber stopper. The cylinder was placed on the scale and its weight was tared. Then, 2.0 grams of seed was added to the funnel. With the rubber stopper in place, 4.0 grams of water was then applied to the seed. Five minutes after the water was introduced to the seed, the rubber stopper was pulled, allowing any un-absorbed water to drain into the measuring cylinder. The weight of the water was then subtracted from the weight of water initially applied, and the results were recorded.

[0125] Test C was Steve's 180 Vertical Absorption Test on turf-type tall fescue seed.

TABLE-US-00003 Test C Results Average Intake (grams) Dry Wet Standard SAP with Weight Weight Pinnacle SAP Bentonite Bentonite 21.797 22.012 0.215 21.809 24.621 2.812 21.797 22.938 1.141 21.798 25.132 3.334

[0126] Test D was Steve's 180 Vertical Absorption Test on alfalfa seed.

TABLE-US-00004 Test D Results Average Intake (grams) Dry Wet Standard SAP with Weight Weight Pinnacle SAP Bentonite Bentonite 21.711 22.445 0.734 21.746 24.806 3.060 21.777 23.714 1.937 21.799 25.702 3.903

[0127] The third method of testing, Scott's Durability Test, was used in Test E and Test F to test durability. This method included a Tornado Paint Shaker, a one gallon (3.8 L) empty paint can, 11.0 lbs (176 ounces) of coated seed, and a mesh screen. The seed was weighed and then multiplied by the percentage of coating and recorded. For instance, 454 grams coated seed multiplied by 50% coating=227 grams coating material. The seed was then placed in a small bag, replicating the type of bag grass seed and some alfalfa is packaged in. This bag of seed was placed inside the empty paint canister and then shaken for two minutes. The seed was then poured from the bag to the mesh screen and vigorously screened for another minute. The fines were collected from screening process and then weighed and recorded. The weight of the fines was divided by the recorded amount of coating on the original sample to calculate the percentage of coating lost. For instance, 1.12 grams of fines from 227 grams of coating material=0.5% loss.

[0128] Test E was Scott's Durability Test on turf-type tall fescue seed.

TABLE-US-00005 Test E Results (percentage of loss) Coated Coating Seed Coating Material Standard SAP with Weight Percent Amount Fines Pinnacle SAP Bentonite Bentonite 400 50% 200 1.67 0.84% 390 50% 195 0.55 0.28% 460 50% 230 0.70 0.30% 425 50% 212.5 1.12 0.53%

[0129] The Test E Results show that: (1) the coating washed away very easily in the Pinnacle group, (2) the coating was durable in the SAP group, (3) the coating stayed on the seed in the Bentonite group, and (4) the coating did not wash away but was stripped from the powerful SAP in the SAP with Bentonite group.

[0130] Test F was Scott's Durability Test on alfalfa.

TABLE-US-00006 Test F Results (percentage of loss) Coated Coating Seed Coating Material Standard SAP with Weight Percent Amount Fines Pinnacle SAP Bentonite Bentonite 500 34% 170 0.61 0.36% 420 34% 142.8 0.56 0.39% 480 34% 163.2 0.15 0.09% 530 34% 180.2 1.3 0.72%

[0131] The Test F Results show that (1) the coating washed away very easy in the Pinnacle group, (2) the SAP began to strip the coating in the SAP group, (3) most of the coating stayed on the seed in the Bentonite group, and (4) the SAP was very strong in the sample and stripped the limestone from the seeds in the SAP with Bentonite group.

[0132] The foregoing detailed description provides exemplary embodiments of the invention and includes the best mode for practicing the invention. The description and illustration of these embodiments is intended only to provide examples of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention, or its protection, in any manner.