Engelhard Corporation

Other

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of

United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.

Englehard Corporation

Engelhard Corporation United States Department of Agriculture

David Michael Glenn

Gary J Puterka

Dennis G Sekutowski

Richard C Pluta

John T Mosko

Michael G Wisniewski

Peter S Barrows

The present composition is capable of forming a particle film and comprises: (a) less than 99.65% by weight of at least one particle; (b) at least one volumizing agent selected from the group consisting of: (i) cellulose selected from the group consisting of ethyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and ethyl methyl cellulose and present in an amount greater than 0.35% by weight; and (ii) non-cellulosic component or cellulose other than said cellulose (i) present in an amount of at least 0.05% by weight; and optionally (c) at least one spreader. The composition may be used to form agricultural films.

Volumizing agents

Disclosed are methods for blocking radiation to horticultural crops in order to reduce light-induced freeze and chill damage which involve treating the surface of the horticultural crops with an effective amount of one or more particulate materials.

Method for reducing freeze and chill damage in plants

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pesticide delivery system, containing a continuous film having a thickness from about 1 &#x3bc;m to about 1,000 &#x3bc;m and noncontinuous areas having sizes less than about 100 &#x3bc;m, the continuous film containing a particulate material wherein at least 90% by weight of the particulate material has a particle size of about 10 microns or less, and a pest control agent at least partially coating the particulate material. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of delivering a pest control agent to a target organism, involving the steps of applying to at least a portion of a surface of a plant an effective amount of finely divided particulate material at least partially coated with the pest control agent, the particulate material containing from about 25% to about 100% by weight of a heat treated particulate material, wherein the partially coated finely divided particulate material as applied permits an exchange of gases on the surface of the plant and the partially coated finely divided particulate material forms a continuous film over the portion of the plant surface to which it is applied, and a maximum average size of openings in the continuous film is less than about 100 &#x3bc;m.

Pesticide delivery system

Disclosed are methods of reducing weed growth or reducing pests involving applying to plant producing media particulate materials to a depth of at least about 1 cm, wherein the plant producing media to the depth comprises about 1% by weight or more and about 25% by weight or less of the applied particulate materials Also disclosed are methods of reducing weed growth involving applying to plant producing media or unwanted vegetation a film of particulate materials, wherein the film has a thickness of about 1 &#x3bc;m or more and about 5 mm or less.

Method of weed control

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pesticide delivery system, containing a continuous film having a thickness from about 1 &mgr;m to about 1,000 &mgr;m and noncontinuous areas having sizes less than about 100 &mgr;m, the continuous film containing a particulate material wherein at least 90% by weight of the particulate material has a particle size of about 10 microns or less, and a pest control agent at least partially coating the particulate material. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of delivering a pest control agent to a target organism, involving the steps of applying to at least a portion of a surface of a plant an effective amount of finely divided particulate material at least partially coated with the pest control agent, the particulate material containing from about 25% to about 100% by weight of a heat treated particulate material, wherein the partially coated finely divided particulate material as applied permits an exchange of gases on the surface of the plant and the partially coated finely divided particulate material forms a continuous film over the portion of the plant surface to which it is applied, and a maximum average size of openings in the continuous film is less than about 100 &mgr;m.

Disclosed are horticultural substrates coated with a particulate membrane and a method for controlling pests and providing enhanced horticultural effect by applying a particulate membrane to the surface of the horticultural substrate.

Treated horticultural substrates

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for enhancing supercooling of a plant to temperatures below about &minus;2&deg; C., involving preventing the formation of ice crystals adjacent the plant by forming a substantially continuous hydrophobic membrane of particulate materials on portions of the plant capable of supporting droplets of water, the particulate material having a particle size distribution wherein up to about 90% by weight of the particles have a particle size of about 100 &mgr;m or less, and the substantially continuous hydrophobic membrane has a thickness from about 1 &mgr;m to about 1,000 &mgr;m.

Method for enhanced supercooling of plants to provide frost protection

Disclosed is a method for enhancing the photosynthesis of horticultural crops which involves treating the surface of said horticultural crop with an effective amount of one or more highly reflective particulate materials.

Method for providing enhanced photosynthesis

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preventing sunburn, and other physiological disorders such as watercore, corking and bitterpit, without diminishing photosynthesis, comprising applying to at least a portion of a surface of a plant an effective amount of a finely divided particulate material to prevent sunburn, and other physiological disorders such as watercore, corking and bitterpit, in the plant, wherein the particulate material comprises a heat treated particulate material and the particulate material as applied permits an exchange of gases on the surface of the plant and the particulate material has a thickness from about 1 .mu.m to about 1,000 .mu.m.

Method for preventing physiological disorders without diminishing

Aqueous dispersion of a particulate solid containing a low boiling organic liquid in which the particulate solid has a hydrophobic outer surface which is suitable for applying to a substrate to form a continuous hydrophobic film thereon.

Aqueous dispersion of a particulate solid having a hydrophobic surface

Disclosed is a method for protecting surfaces from arthropod infestation which involves treating the surface with an effective amount of finely divided calcined kaolins, hydrophobic calcined kaolins, hydrous kaolins, hydrophobic hydrous kaolins, hydrophobic calcium carbonates, calcium carbonates or mixtures thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Shepherdstown, WV, United States of America

David Michael Glenn