Methods and products to protect against root intrusion and plant and root growth

Abstract

This invention provides repellent devices and methods for control of root intrusion and plant growth. One aspect of this invention is a geotextile in which 2,6-dinitroaniline is stored inside the individual filaments. The 2,6-dinitroaniline is stored in nanoclay or smectite clay reservoirs that control the rate of release of the 2,6-dinitroaniline. These reservoir particles are placed in the fibers during the melt spinning production of the fibers or by film-to-fiber processes. The particles are very thin and are oriented within the fibers during the spinning process. These clay reservoirs are superior to conventional carbon-based reservoirs, because the dispersed clay materials have a uniform, e.g., 1-nanometer, thickness that is needed to fit into individual filaments. Nonwoven, woven, or knitting processes are used to make the geotextile fabrics. The fibers of this invention prevent root intrusion into these fabrics.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.