Water and UV degradable lactic acid polymers

A water degradable physical blend of materials, comprising:

• polylactic acid and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is present in the range of from about 2% by weight to about 50% by weight of the total polymer material.

A water and UV degradable polylactic acid polymer comprising:

• a co-polymer at least partly amorphous allowing modification of degradation properties and comprised of polylactic acid and a modifying monomer selected from the class consisting of p-dioxanone, 1,5 dioxepan-2-one, 1,4 oxathilan-2-one, 4,4-dioxide or mixtures thereof.

A photosensitive co-polymer, comprising:

• monomers selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, glycolic acid, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• monomers selected from the group consisting of p-dioxanone, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 1,4-oxathia-2-one-4,4-dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

An article for agricultural use, comprising:

• an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of seeds, seedlings, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• a polymeric coating about said active ingredient, said polymer consisting essentially of monomers selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, glycolic acid, and mixtures thereof, and at least one of p-dioxanone, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 1,4-oxathia-2-one-4, 4-dioxide, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol.