Aqueous emulsions of crystalline polymers for coating seeds
AssigneeLandec Corporation
InventorsRay F. Stewart, Natarajan Balachander, Steven P. Bitler, Loc Phan, Valentine Y. Yoon
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Abstract
Crystalline polymers are prepared as a latex, and are useful for coating fibrous materials such hair and fabrics. The latex can have a high solids content greater than 30%, a residual monomer content of less than 1%, and can be used for repeatedly setting fibrous materials into desired configurations. The latex is also useful for coating organisms such as seeds. The particulate coating extends the dormancy of the organism and/or protects the organism, and is easily shed by a germinating seed. The coating can contain a seed coating additive, such as a colorant or fungicide.
Claims36
A method for extending the dormancy of a seed comprising step of applying to the seed an aqueous, non-phytotoxic composition comprising (i) water;
- and (ii) particles suspended in the water, the particles comprising a crystalline polymer having a melting temperature, Tm, greater than 0° C. and less than about 40° C.,
- wherein a particulate coating forms on the seed by water evaporating from the composition,
- wherein the composition containing sufficient particles that the particulate coating is impermeable to water at a temperature below Tm for extending the dormancy of the organism due to lack of water, and
- wherein the water permeability of the coating is at least two times more above Tm as compared with the water permeability below Tm so that the organism can become non-dormant.
A method for controlling the dormancy of a seed comprising the step of applying to the seed an aqueous, non-phytotoxic composition comprising:
- a) water;
- and
- b) particles suspended in the water, the particles comprising the crystalline, polymeric, cross-linked reaction product of a monomer component comprising:
- (1) a hydrophobic monomer component comprising a first hydrophobic monomer such that a homopolymer thereof is crystallizable,
- (2) a hydrophilic monomer component comprising a hydrophilic monomer, the weight ratio of the hydrophobic monomer component to the hydrophilic monomer component being sufficiently large that the polymeric reaction product is crystallizable, and
- (3) sufficient crosslinking monomer having at least two polymerizable groups that the polymeric reaction product has a gel content of at least 50%;
- and
- c) sufficient surfactant to suspend the particles in the water,
- wherein the monomer content of the latex is less than 1% by weight based on the weight of the particles, and the crystalline polymer has a melting temperature, Tm, greater than 0° C. and less than about 40° C., the composition containing sufficient particles that drying the composition forms a coating,
- wherein a particulate coating forms on the seed by water evaporating from the composition.
A composition suitable for coating a seed for controlling the dormancy of the seed, the composition being non-phytotoxic to the seed and comprising:
- a) water;
- b) particles suspended in the water, the particles comprising a crystalline polymer having a melting temperature Tm of from about 0 to about 40° C.;
- and
- c) a seed coating additive.
A composition suitable for coating a seed for controlling the dormancy of the seed, the composition being non-phytotoxic and comprising:
- a) water;
- b) particles suspended in the water, the particles comprising a crystalline polymer having a Tm of from about 0 to about 40° C.;
- c) a seed coating additive;
- and
- d) a surfactant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.