U.S. patent number RE48,377 [Application Number 16/399,213] was granted by the patent office on 2021-01-05 for phosphorus zinc manganese fertilizer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Compass Minerais Manitoba Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Compass Minerals Manitoba Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark Goodwin, Kerry Green.
United States Patent |
RE48,377 |
Goodwin , et al. |
January 5, 2021 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Phosphorus zinc manganese fertilizer
Abstract
A starter fertilizer product combining manganese with P and Zn
creates a previously unknown synergy in early plant growth and
plant health.
Inventors: |
Goodwin; Mark (Kelowna,
CA), Green; Kerry (Winnipeg, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Compass Minerals Manitoba Inc. |
Winnipeg |
N/A |
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
Compass Minerais Manitoba Inc.
(Winnipeg, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000004912849 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/399,213 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
61947722 |
Mar 4, 2014 |
|
|
|
Reissue of: |
14332002 |
Jul 15, 2014 |
9187380 |
Nov 17, 2015 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C
1/06 (20130101); C05G 5/30 (20200201); C05B
17/02 (20130101); C05B 17/02 (20130101); C05G
5/30 (20200201); A01C 1/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C05B
17/02 (20060101); C05G 5/30 (20200101); A01C
1/06 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2345952 |
|
Aug 1992 |
|
CA |
|
2216735 |
|
Oct 1996 |
|
CA |
|
2476927 |
|
Sep 2003 |
|
CA |
|
2685097 |
|
Nov 2008 |
|
CA |
|
2751373 |
|
Aug 2010 |
|
CA |
|
1188754 |
|
Jul 1998 |
|
CN |
|
1199724 |
|
Nov 1998 |
|
CN |
|
1985569 |
|
Jun 2007 |
|
CN |
|
101913935 |
|
Dec 2010 |
|
CN |
|
741378 |
|
Nov 1955 |
|
GB |
|
1094781 |
|
Dec 1967 |
|
GB |
|
1 558 579 |
|
Jan 1980 |
|
GB |
|
91/09818 |
|
Jul 1991 |
|
WO |
|
03/071855 |
|
Sep 2003 |
|
WO |
|
2007/132497 |
|
Nov 2007 |
|
WO |
|
2010/135814 |
|
Dec 2010 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Office Action dated Dec. 3, 2019 in corresponding Brazilian Patent
Application No. BR112016020496-4 (includes English translation of
Office Action), 9 pages. cited by applicant .
Office Action dated Aug. 7, 2019 in corresponding Canadian Patent
Application No. 2,941,390, 3 pages. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report dated Oct. 11, 2017 in
corresponding European Patent Application No. 14884553.0, 9 pages.
cited by applicant .
Office Action dated Nov. 30, 2018 in corresponding New Zealand
Patent Application No. 724455, 7 pages. cited by applicant .
Tonneson, "Wolf Trax Delivers New Way to Apply P," Farm Progress
Aug. 14, 2013, 2 pages, https://www.farmprogress.com. cited by
applicant .
PCT/CA2014/050691, "Notification of Transmittal of the
International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the
International Searching Authority, or the Declaration," dated Nov.
12, 2014. cited by applicant .
CN 101913935, Sun et al., Dec. 15, 2010, English Translation. cited
by applicant .
CN 1199724, Wang et al., Nov. 25, 1998, English Translation. cited
by applicant .
CN 1985569, Bin, Jun. 27, 2007, English Translation. cited by
applicant .
Office Action dated Apr. 22, 2015 in corresponding U.S. Appl. No.
14/332,002, filed Jul. 15, 2014, 13 pages. cited by applicant .
Tonneson, "New products speed plant growth," Dakota Farmer Sep.
2013, p. 20, www.FarmProgress.com. cited by applicant .
Wolftrax Innovation Showcase--2013, See videos at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUWWjlqAQE0 and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb23WOEr83c, published online Aug.
2013. cited by applicant .
Green, K., Micronutrient Guide 2014, Top Crop Manager, Mar. 10,
2014, www.topcropmanager.com, 20 pages. cited by applicant .
WolfTrax bright idea, See video at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1bcGoLOuc0, online video Oct. 12,
2011. cited by applicant .
WolfTrax Live, See video at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq7V7bzpRR0, online video Feb. 18,
2013. cited by applicant .
Helmy, A.M., "Impact of phosphorus fertilization and foliar
application of trace elements on growth and yield of two wheat
cultivars," Acta Agronomica Hungarica, vol. 61, No. 2, Jun. 2013,
pp. 139-148 (abstract only attached). cited by applicant .
Zhang et al., "The reduction in zinc concentration of wheat grain
upon increased phosphorus-fertilization and its mitigation by
foliar zinc application," Plant and Soil, vol. 361, Issue 1-2, Dec.
2012, pp. 143-152 (abstract only attached). cited by applicant
.
Shaygany et al., "Increased yield of direct seeded rice (Oryza
sativa L.) by foliar fertilization through multi-component
fertilizers," Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, vol. 58, Issue
10, 2012, pp. 1091-1098 (abstract only attached). cited by
applicant .
Manchanda et al., "Chemical pools of zinc and their availability to
wheat in a typic haplustept as influenced by phosphorus and
manganese fertilization," Journal of the Indian Society of Soil
Science, vol. 60, Issue 2, Jun. 2012, pp. 156-162 (abstract only
attached). cited by applicant .
PCT/CA2014/050691, "International Preliminary Report on
Patentability," dated Sep. 6, 2016. cited by applicant .
Nichols et al., "Phosphorus and Zinc Interactions and Their
Relationships with Other Nutrients in Maize Grown in
Chelator-Buffered Nutrient Solution," Journal of Plant Nutrition,
vol. 35, Issue 1, 2012, pp. 123-141 (abstract only attached). cited
by applicant .
Tonneson, Lon, "Wolf Trax Delivers New Way to Apply P", 2 pages.
Aug. 14, 2013. cited by applicant .
Wolf Trax, Inc., PCT/CA2014/050691, "Notification of Transmittal of
the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the
International Searching Authority, or Declaration" mailed Nov. 12,
2014. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Jerry D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hovey Williams LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to
provisional applications U.S. Ser. No. 61/947,722, filed Mar. 4,
2014, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An agronomic product coated with a fertilizer product, the
fertilizer product comprising .Iadd.a dry mixture of.Iaddend.:
about 1 part manganese; .[.to.]. .Iadd.from .Iaddend.about 4 to
about 6 parts phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4 parts
zinc.Iadd., wherein each of said manganese, phosphate, and zinc has
a particle size of from 100 to 325 mesh, U.S. Standard
screen.Iaddend..
.[.2. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
zinc, the manganese and the phosphate are of a particle size of at
least through a 100 mesh, U.S. Standard screen..].
.[.3. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
zinc, the manganese and the phosphate are of a particle, size of at
least through 325 mesh, U.S. Standard screen..].
.[.4. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
zinc, the manganese and the phosphate are of a particle size
between 100 to 325 mesh, U.S. Standard screen..].
5. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
phosphate source is selected from the group consisting of
monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, rock phosphate and
mixtures thereof.
6. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
manganese is selected from the group consisting of manganese
sulphate, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, manganese oxide
and mixtures thereof.
7. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
zinc is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulphate, zinc
chloride, zinc oxide, zinc nitrate and mixtures thereof.
8. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
fertilizer product is applied to the agronomic product at from
about 0.1% to about 2.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
9. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
fertilizer product is applied to the agronomic product at from
about 0.1% to about 2.0% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
10. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
fertilizer product is applied to the agronomic product at from
about 0.1% to about 1.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
11. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
fertilizer product is applied to the agronomic product at from
about 0.3% to about 2.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
12. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
fertilizer product is applied to the agronomic product at from
about 0.3% to about 2.0% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
13. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
fertilizer product is applied to the agronomic product at from
about 0.3% to about 1.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
14. The coated agronomic product according to claim 1 wherein the
agronomic product is selected from the group consisting of an inert
carrier, a biodegradable carrier, a fertilizer product, a
fertilizer prill, a fertilizer granule, a soil amending product and
a seed.
.[.15. A method of improving tolerance of a plant to root diseases
comprising: providing a plant, a seed or a seedling a fertilizer
product comprising: from about 1 part manganese; from about 4 to
about 6 parts phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4 parts zinc;
wherein the fertilizer product is provided to the plant, the seed
or the seedlings an agronomic product coated with the fertilizer
product; and growing the plant, the seed or the seedling under
suitable growth conditions..].
.[.16. The method according to claim 15, Wherein the zinc,
manganese and phosphate are of a particle size of at least through
a 100 mesh..].
.[.17. The method according to claim 15 wherein the zinc, manganese
and phosphate are of a particle size of at least through a 325
mesh..].
.[.18. The method according to claim 15 wherein the zinc, manganese
and phosphate are of a particle size between 100 to 325
mesh..].
.[.19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the phosphate is
selected from the group consisting of monoammonium phosphate,
diammonium phosphate, rock phosphate and mixtures thereof..].
.[.20. The method according to claim 15 wherein the manganese is
selected from the group consisting of manganese sulphate, manganese
chloride, manganese nitrate, manganese oxide and mixtures
thereof..].
.[.21. The method according to claim 15 wherein the zinc is
selected from the group consisting of zinc sulphate, zinc chloride,
zinc oxide, zinc nitrate and mixtures thereof..].
.[.22. The method according to claim 15 wherein the fertilizer
product is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.1% to
about 2.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product..].
.[.23. The method according to claim 15 wherein the fertilizer
product is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.1% to
about 2.0% (w/w) of the agronomic product..].
.[.24. The method according to claim 15 wherein the fertilizer
product is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.1% to
about 1.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product..].
.[.25. The method according to claim 15 wherein the fertilizer
product is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.3 to
about 2.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product..].
.[.26. The method according to claim 15 wherein the fertilizer
product is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.3% to
about 2.0% (w/w) of the agronomic product..].
.[.27. The method according to claim 15 wherein the fertilizer
product is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.3% to
about 1.5% w/w) of the agronomic product..].
.[.28. The method according to claim 15 wherein the agronomic
product is selected from the group consisting of an inert carrier,
a biodegradable carrier, a fertilizer product, a fertilizer prill,
a fertilizer granule, a soil amending product and a seed..].
29. A method of improving early growth of a plant comprising:
providing .Iadd.to .Iaddend.a plant, a seed.Iadd., .Iaddend.or a
seedling a fertilizer product comprising .Iadd.a dry mixture
of.Iaddend.: .[.from.]. about 1 part manganese; from about 4 to
about 6 parts phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4 parts
zinc.Iadd., wherein each of said manganese, phosphate, and zinc has
a particle size of from 100 to 325 mesh, U.S. Standard
screen.Iaddend.; wherein the fertilizer product is provided to the
plant, the seed.Iadd., .Iaddend.or the seedling as an agronomic
product coated with the fertilizer product; and growing the plant,
the seed or the seedling under suitable growth conditions.
.[.30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the zinc, manganese
and phosphate are of a particle size of at least through a 100
mesh..].
.[.31. The method according to claim 29 wherein the zinc, manganese
and phosphate are of a particle size of at least through a 325
mesh..].
.[.32. The method according to claim 29 wherein the zinc, manganese
and phosphate are of a particle size between 100 to 325
mesh..].
33. The method according to claim 29 wherein the phosphate source
is selected from the group consisting of monoammonium phosphate,
diammonium phosphate, rock phosphate and mixtures thereof.
34. The method according to claim 29 wherein the manganese source
is selected from the group consisting of manganese sulphate,
manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, manganese oxide and mixtures
thereof.
35. The method according to claim 29 wherein the zinc source is
selected from the group consisting of zinc sulphate, zinc chloride,
zinc oxide, zinc nitrate and mixtures thereof.
36. The method according to claim 29 wherein the fertilizer product
is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.1% to about
2.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
37. The method according to claim 29 wherein the fertilizer product
is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.1% to about
2.0% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
38. The method according to claim 29 wherein the fertilizer product
is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.1% to about
1.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
39. The method according to claim 29 wherein the fertilizer product
is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.3% to about
2.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
40. The method according to claim 29 wherein the fertilizer product
is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.3% to about
2.0% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
41. The method according to claim 29 wherein the fertilizer product
is applied to the agronomic product at from about 0.3% to about
1.5% (w/w) of the agronomic product.
42. The method according to claim 29 wherein the agronomic product
is selected from the group consisting of an inert carrier, a
biodegradable carrier, a fertilizer product, a fertilizer prill, a
fertilizer granule, a soil amending product and a seed.
.Iadd.43. The method according to claim 29, wherein early growth is
improved by increasing tolerance to root diseases..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of
fertilizers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
fertilizer product that provides the early season "starter" or
"pop-up" benefits typically ascribed to phosphorus applications in
situations where these traditional phosphorus applications are
inappropriate because the soil already has adequate to excessive P.
For example, growers are often forced to use traditional P
applications when they already have high soil-P readings in order
to get accelerated growth from the crop.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Starter fertilizer is defined as the small quantity of fertilizer
nutrients applied in close proximity to the seed at planting by
growers of crops. In some instances, the practice entails placing
the fertilizer into the seed row directly with the seed, which is
often referred to as a pop-up fertilizer. Growers of crops use
starter fertilizers to enhance the development of emerging
seedlings by supplying essential nutrients in accessible locations
near the roots. This is especially important when crops are planted
into cold, wet soils, particularly when there is minimum tillage of
soil.
Nowhere in the literature have scientists defined a critical ratio
or noted a specific synergy between P.sub.2O.sub.5, (phosphate) Zn
and Mn when these elements are applied in concert--particularly in
finely divided particles. Work to date examines the three nutrients
with respect to beneficial effects on plants pairwise or
singly.
Phosphorus is immobile in the soil and consequently small seedling
roots have difficulty obtaining the necessary amounts from the soil
for rapid growth. For these reasons, additions of phosphorus
fertilizer (often referred to as "starter fertilizer") are
routinely used to enhance early phosphorus uptake by crop
seedlings, which in turn enhances early seedling growth or
"pop-up". This application strategy is often used even when overall
phosphorus levels in a field may be adequate or high. Usually,
recommendations call for 35 kg of P.sub.2O.sub.5 per hectare to
accomplish this effect.
In certain situations, zinc may also be used as a component of a
starter fertilizer. Like phosphorus, zinc is highly immobile in
soil. In situations where soil tests indicate that zinc levels are
inadequate or marginal, growers will use zinc as a component of a
starter fertilizer as well.
Manganese is never commonly considered as a starter fertilizer and
it is seldom used as a component of a starter fertilizer because
among other reasons it is an immobile nutrient.
In no case does the literature refer to the benefits that would
arise from using a combination of phosphorus/zinc/manganese as a
coating on macronutrients, or as a starter fertilizer or pop-up
fertilizer. Applicants have discovered a composition and method
which mobilizes both zinc and manganese in the soil so that they
can be used along with phosphorous in starter or pop up
fertilizers. Such is accomplished by controlling the immediate
environment around the composition including physical format,
acidity conditions and composition.
Work at Brigham Young University in 2011 attempted to characterize
the interaction between zinc and phosphorus fertilizer (but not
manganese) and this work found that "when varying both P and Zn
increasing Zn levels stimulated P uptake when ample P was present
in the soil--but this did not occur when P was deficient. (Brandt,
A, B Hopkins, V Jolley, B Webb, B greenwood and J Buck, 2012:
"Phosphorus and zinc interactions and their relationships with
other nutrients in maize grown in chelator buffered nutrient
solution, J Plant Nutrition 35:1, 123-141).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
fertilizer product comprising: from about 1 part manganese; from
about 4 to about 6 parts phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4
parts zinc.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided
an agronomic product coated with a fertilizer product comprising:
from about 1 part manganese; from about 4 to about 6 parts
phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4 parts zinc.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of improving tolerance of a plant to root diseases
comprising: providing a plant, a seed or a seedling a fertilizer
product comprising: from about 1 part manganese; from about 4 to
about 6 parts phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4 parts zinc;
and growing the plant, the seed or the seedling under suitable
growth conditions.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of improving early growth of a plant comprising: providing a
plant, a seed or a seedling a fertilizer product comprising: from
about 1 part manganese; from about 4 to about 6 parts phosphate;
and from about 2 to about 4 parts zinc; and growing the plant, the
seed or the seedling under suitable growth conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1. Soybean seedling on the left side has root rot lesions but
Mn DDP coating on NPK has allowed the seedling to outrun the
disease. On the right side, the seedling is lesioned and the
disease is stunting growth.
FIG. 2 shows the impact on early growth on crops when the three
elements are applied in a fashion wherein they are of a particle
size as described above and applied as a coating onto urea and K
prills/granules and compares this to the early plant health
achieved with phosphate at a standard 35 kg per ha rate. Note total
fresh weights are better for seedlings at this optimized ratio.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
All publications mentioned hereunder are incorporated herein by
reference.
Research by the inventors has shown that manganese applied as a
coating on NPK fertilizer aids in early season growth
characteristics of crops by combatting root rot diseases that
typically would slow down emergence (as shown in FIG. 1).
Furthermore, combining manganese with P and Zn creates a heretofore
unknown synergy in early plant growth and plant health.
That is, while not wishing to be bound to a particular theory or
hypothesis, the inventor believes that phosphate can induce zinc
deficiency and that supplying a plant with phosphate only would
induce a zinc deficiency in that plant, thereby reducing growth
rate and growth efficiency. Similarly, zinc can induce a phosphate
deficiency. Furthermore, manganese can substitute for magnesium in
chlorophyll molecules. Consequently, manganese, zinc and phosphate
are all required during early stages of growth and accordingly,
supplying all three in synergistic amounts promotes improves plant
growth, as discussed herein.
This patent relates to the discovery of a heretofore unknown
synergy between three key nutrients when they are applied using
three specific provisos: (a) they must be applied together in a
homogeneous mix, (b) they must be applied in a specific range of
ratios and (c) they must be applied as powders coated upon
conventional granular or prilled fertilizer or alternatively, onto
seed. The specific nutrients and ratios in powdered form coated
onto macro fertilizers are Zn, P and Mn. When we applied these
nutrients in using the three constraints outlined, outsized gains
in plant growth were achieved beyond what would be expected from a
simple additive effect in meeting plant nutritional needs.
Furthermore, phosphate can induce zinc deficiency and that
supplying a plant with phosphate only would induce a zinc
deficiency in that plant, thereby reducing growth rate and growth
efficiency. Similarly, zinc can induce a phosphate deficiency.
Manganese can substitute for magnesium in chlorophyll molecules.
Consequently, manganese, zinc and phosphate are all required during
early stages of growth and accordingly, supplying all three in
synergistic amounts promotes improved plant growth.
Thus, the combination of (a) a root growth stimulation achieved
with the powdered P along with (b) a disease protection facet from
the powdered Mn and (c) a synergy from including a small amount of
powdered Zinc leads to a level of plant growth that only typically
would be seen using tens of pounds of phosphate fertilizers.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
fertilizer product comprising: from about 1 part manganese; from
about 4 to about 6 parts phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4
parts zinc.
Preferably, the zinc, manganese and phosphate are of a particle
size of at least through a 100 mesh, U.S. standard sieve. In other
embodiments, they are of a particle size of at least through 325
mesh, U.S. standard sieve. In yet other embodiments, they are of a
size between 100 to 325 mesh.
In a preferred embodiment, the components of the fertilizer product
are mixed together in a dry mill grinder, and ground to a fine mesh
size of at least through a 100 mesh or at least through a 325 mesh
and then applied directly to a dry agronomic product. It is of note
that the dry powder is applied directly to the agronomic product
without the use of a binder solution or adhesive solution.
In another aspect of the invention, the fertilizer product having a
particle size of at least through about 100 mesh, at least through
about 300 mesh or between 100-325 mesh is applied directly to a
suitable agronomic product. That is, the powder adheres directly to
the outer surface of the agronomic product, without use of a binder
or adhesive.
In some embodiments, the fertilizer product in the form of a fine
powder mixture is applied at from about 0.1% to about 2.5% (w/w) of
the agronomic product. In alternative embodiments, the powder
mixture is applied at from about 0.1% to about 2.0% or from about
0.1% to about 1.5% or from about 0.3% to about 2.5% or from about
0.3% to about 2.0% or from about 0.3% to about 1.5% (w/w) of the
agronomic product.
The agronomic product may be any suitable coat-able agricultural
agent, that is, anything applied to the soil, for example, an inert
carrier, a biodegradable carrier, a fertilizer product, a
fertilizer prill, a fertilizer granule, a soil amending product, or
a seed.
As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, any
agriculturally acceptable form of zinc, manganese and/or phosphate
may be used within the invention.
For example, the phosphate source may be for example but by no
means limited to monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, rock
phosphate and mixtures thereof. Monoammonium phosphate may be low
pH monoammonium phosphate with for example a pH of 4-5.9.
The manganese source may be for example but by no means limited to
manganese sulphate, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate,
manganese oxide and mixtures thereof.
The zinc source may be for example but by no means limited to zinc
sulphate, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc nitrate and mixtures
thereof.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
fertilizer product comprising: from about 1 part manganese
sulphate, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, manganese oxide or
mixtures thereof. from about 4 to about 6 parts monoammonium
phosphate, diammonium phosphate, rock phosphate or mixtures
thereof; and from about 2 to about 4 parts zinc sulphate, zinc
chloride, zinc oxide, zinc nitrate or mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the zinc, manganese and phosphate are of a particle
size of at least 100 mesh. In other embodiments, they are of a
particle size of at least 325 mesh. In yet other embodiments, they
are of a size between 100 to 325 mesh.
In a preferred embodiment, the components of the fertilizer product
are mixed together in a dry mill grinder, and ground to a fine mesh
size of at least 100 mesh or at least 325 mesh and then applied
directly to a dry agronomic product. It is of note that the dry
powder is applied directly to the agronomic product without the use
of a binder solution or adhesive solution.
As will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art, the various
chemical forms of magnesium, zinc and phosphate have different
uptake rates and consequently by varying the ratios of the
different minerals in the fertilizer product, the amount of the
specific mineral available to the plants at specific times
following seeding can be varied.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of
improving tolerance of a plant to root diseases comprising:
providing a plant, seed or seedling a fertilizer product
comprising: from about 1 part manganese; from about 4 to about 6
parts phosphate; and from about 2 to about 4 parts zinc; and
growing the plant under suitable growth conditions.
As discussed in the examples, a plant provided the starter
fertilizer will show improved growth compared to a plant of similar
type and age, grown under similar conditions except for the
presence of the starter fertilizer. For example, the treated plant
may have at least a more extensive root structure, greater disease
tolerance, greater growth rate and greater plant weight compared to
the untreated control plant.
Preferably, the plant or seedling is planted in soil and the soil
is supplied with the fertilizer product.
More preferably, the fertilizer product is coated onto a suitable
agronomic product.
In yet other embodiments, the fertilizer product may be coated onto
a seed which is then planted into the soil.
In some embodiments, the fertilizer product in the form of a fine
powder mixture is applied at from about 0.1% to about 2.5% (w/w) of
the agronomic product. In alternative embodiments, the powder
mixture is applied at from about 0.1% to about 2.0% or from about
0.1% to about 1.5% or from about 0.3% to about 2.5% or from about
0.3% to about 2.0% or from about 0.3% to about 1.5% (w/w) of the
agronomic product.
The agronomic product may be any suitable coat-able agricultural
agent, that is, anything applied to the soil, for example, an inert
carrier, a biodegradable carrier, a fertilizer product, a
fertilizer prill, a fertilizer granule, a soil amending product, or
a seed.
As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, any of various
plant diseases characterized by decay of the roots and caused
especially by fungi can be designated as a root disease or as root
rot.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of
improving early growth of a plant comprising: providing a plant,
seed or seedling a fertilizer product comprising: from about 1 part
manganese; from about 4 to about 6 parts phosphate; and from about
2 to about 4 parts zinc; and growing the plant under suitable
growth conditions.
As discussed in the examples, a plant provided the fertilizer
product will show improved growth compared to a plant of similar
type and age, grown under similar conditions except for the
presence of the starter fertilizer. For example, the treated plant
may have at least a more extensive root structure, greater disease
tolerance, greater growth rate and greater plant weight compared to
the untreated control plant.
The plant or seedling may be provided the fertilizer product by
being grown from a seed coated with the fertilizer product.
In some embodiments, the fertilizer product is applied at from
about 0.1% to about 2.0% or from about 0.1% to about 1.5% or from
about 0.3% to about 2.5% or from about 0.3% to about 2.0% or from
about 0.3% to about 1.5% (w/w) of an agronomic product which is
planted in the soil either prior to, after or simultaneously with
planting of the plant, seed or seedling.
That is, the fertilizer product or coated agronomic product may be
co-administered to the soil with planting of the seed or seedling
and that while these may be stated as separate steps herein for
ease of comprehension, co-administration is within the scope of the
invention. Alternatively, the agronomic product may be a seed
coated with the fertilizer product which is planted. As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art, in this case, the seed and
the fertilizer product are of course co-administered.
EXAMPLES
The invention will now be described by way of examples; however,
the invention is not necessarily limited by the examples.
The literature, in general, states that adequate nutrition allows
plants to maintain their growth rate in spite of disease but the
role of micronutrients in maintaining growth rate in the face of
disease has not been well-researched. For example, there is some
suggestion or evidence that Mn nutrition may aid in plant disease
tolerance. This evidence is based on an apparent inverse
correlation between Mn concentration in the plant and disease
severity. Other work seems to point to crop plants benefiting to a
greater degree from applications of zinc than do bacteria or other
pathogens.
Specifically, in the experiment shown in FIG. 1, seedlings were
grown in cold conditions (overnight in a refrigeration unit) in
order to ensure adequate disease incidence for evaluation. At 21
days after emergence, the seedlings were uprooted and assessed as
to incidence of root rot lesions. They were then weighed.
In FIG. 1, the soybean seedling on the left side has root rot
lesions but Mn coating on an NPK prill has allowed the seedling to
"outrun" the disease. On the right side, the seedling is lesioned
and the disease is stunting growth. This is shown by the less
extensive root structure found in the seedling on the right panel.
That is, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the
fertilizer composition described herein did not control or
eliminate root rot but rather allowed the seedlings to thrive
despite the presence of the disease.
FIG. 2 describes an experiment that shows the impact on early
growth on four crops when the three elements are applied in a
fashion wherein they are of a particle size between 100 and 325
mesh and applied as a coating onto urea and K prills/granules and
compares this to the early plant health achieved with phosphate at
a standard 35 kg per ha rate. Note total fresh weights are better
for seedlings at this optimized ratio.
Specifically, corn grown from the untreated control seeds had a
total fresh weight of 8.8 grams, while corn provided a standard
"NPK" fertilizer had a total fresh weight of 11.6 g. However,
supplying the corn seeds with the NPK fertilizer product coated
with the fertilizer product of the invention produced corn plants
having a total fresh weight of 14.0 g.
Similarly, canola grown in control soil had a total fresh weight of
11.5 g. Canola supplied a standard phosphate fertilizer product had
a total fresh weight of 20.2. Canola supplied the phosphate
fertilizer product coated with the fertilizer product of the
invention had a total fresh weight of 22.4 g.
Soybeans grown in control soil had a total fresh weight of 12.4 g.
Soybeans supplied an NPK fertilizer had a total fresh weight of
13.2 g. Soybeans supplied the NPK fertilizer coated with the
fertilizer powder of the invention had a total fresh weight of 15.0
g.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described above, it will be recognized and understood that various
modifications may be made therein, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *
References