# US 8,782,949 B2 · Silica based plant growth medium

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- Number: US 8,782,949 B2
- Document ID: US8782949B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/968,847
- Filed: 2013-08-16
- Published: 2013-12-19
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-10
- Assignees: Fayetteville State University
- Applicants: Fayetteville State University
- Inventors: Steven Singletary
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8782949B2

## CPC

- A01G 24/35: containing water-absorbing polymers
- A01C 1/06: Coating or dressing seed
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00)

## Abstract

A method for growing plants is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing a gel precursor that is characterized by the ability to absorb water, form a viscous gel, provide water and nutrition to a plant, and remain capable of being reconstituted with a fresh supply of water, with a gel—forming nutrient composition in an amount sufficient to create a viscous gel, and adding a plant item selected from the group consisting of seeds and seedlings to the gel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of growing plants comprising:
mixing fumed amorphous silica with water, a buffer composition that helps maintain a desired pH, and nutrient compositions in a proportion of 1 part by weight of fumed amorphous silica to between about 5 and 15 parts by weight of solution to create a gel with a viscosity sufficient to preclude the gel from flow, shear or collapse, even under the influence of gravity;
said nutrient composition being selected from the group consisting of nitrogen—containing compositions, phosphorus—containing compositions, potassium—containing compositions, and combinations thereof; and
adding a plant item selected from the group consisting of seeds and seedlings to the gel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of adding the plant item comprises adding a seed or seedling selected from the group consisting of mizuna, tomatos, peas, radishes, peppers, soybeans, rice and coleus.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of adding the seed or seedling comprises adding a seed or seedling from a radiation resistant plant.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 further comprising adding a bacteria to the gel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 comprising mixing fumed amorphous silica and an aqueous solution of nutrient compositions in a proportion of 1 part by weight of fumed amorphous silica to about 10 parts by weight of solution.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of adding a seed comprises mixing the seed with the fumed amorphous silica, the water, and the nutrient compositions.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of adding the plant item comprises adding the plant item to the viscous gel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of growing the seed or seedling to a desired maturity;
removing the matured plant from the gel;
reconstituting the gel by adding an aqueous nutrient solution; and
adding a second seed or seedling to the reconstituted gel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 comprising mixing the fumed amorphous silica and the water with a nutrient composition selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-containing compositions, phosphorus-containing compositions, potassium-containing compositions, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 carried out in a minimal gravity environment.