Granted Patent B2

US 7,607,259 · App. 11/333,130 · Granted Oct 27, 2009

Abstract

Claims (43)

1. A method of delivering a superabsorbent polymer to a plant, comprising:

obtaining a superabsorbent polymer hydrogel, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer;

obtaining a plant having a root structure;

dipping at least a portion of the root structure of the plant into the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel; and

removing the root structure from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

allowing excess superabsorbent polymer hydrogel to drain off of the portion of the root structure after removal from the hydrogel.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein dipping a portion of the root structure comprises immersing the entire root structure of the plant into the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transporting the plant to a remote location for subsequent planting after removing the root structure from the hydrogel.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

storing the plant for a period of time for subsequent planting after removing the root structure from the hydrogel.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

planting the root structure into soil after removal from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining a superabsorbent polymer hydrogel comprises:

Obtaining powered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer;

adding the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to a liquid; and

mixing the liquid and the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to form the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein obtaining a superabsorbent polymer hydrogel further comprises:

allowing the mixed liquid and powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to stand until hydrolyzed; and

stirring the hydrolyzed mixture until the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel is homogenous.

9. A method of delivering a superabsorbent polymer to a plant or plant cutting, comprising:

dipping a portion of the plant or plant cutting into a starch-graft superabsorbent polymer hydrogel, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer;

removing the plant or plant cutting from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel; and

planting the plant or plant cutting into soil after removal from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein dipping a portion of the plant comprises immersing a root structure of the plant into the starch-graft superabsorbent hydrogel.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

creating an opening in the plant cutting; and

dipping the plant cutting into the starch-graft superabsorbent hydrogel such that hydrogel is disposed within the opening created.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

transporting the plant or plant cuffing to a remote location for subsequent planting after removing the plant or plant cutting from the hydrogel.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

storing the plant or plant cutting for a period of time for subsequent planting after removing the plant or plant cuffing from the hydrogel.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

obtaining starch-g-poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer in powdered form;

adding the powdered starch-g-poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water; and

mixing the water and the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to form the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein adding the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water comprises adding a ratio of starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water of about ¾ cup of powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to about every five gallons of water.

16. A root dip composition, comprising:

starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer; and

an effective amount of water mixed with the starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to form a hydrogel having a viscosity sufficient to coat a plant root dipped therein. pg, 23

17. The root dip composition of claim 16 , wherein a ratio of starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water is about ¾ cup of starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to every about 5 gallons of water.

18. The root dip composition of claim 16 , further comprising an agricultural additive, wherein the agricultural additive is at least one of the following: fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, and growth regulators.

Assignments (10)