John J Mortvedt

US Patent:

58370293, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Feb 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/794523

Inventors:

Allan D. Behel - Florence AL
John J. Mortvedt - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Tennessee Valley Authority - Muscle Shoals AL

International Classification:

C05D 900
C05G 304

US Classification:

71 63

Abstract:

The inclusion of certain organic hydroxy acids, most notably citric acid, in the iron sulfate formulations of at least one prior art hydrophilic polymer delivery system followed by drying and crushing the product into particles has been found to significantly improve the efficiency and ease of application of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils for periods exceeding one year. The dried particles most preferably may be selectively metered into soil in or near the seed row as a band application at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. The dry band absorbs soil moisture to provide a unique environment which restricts contact of soluble iron fertilizers with the soil and provides for complexation of iron in the formulation with organic hydroxy acids also contained in the formulation, thereby minimizing the extent of chemical reactions with the soil that reduce the availability of the applied iron to plant roots. A unique characteristic of the invention is the maintenance of iron in water soluble plant available form in soil outside the particles or band. Thus, root penetration and proliferation into and around the band also is greater than in the soil matrix, resulting in greater uptake efficiency of applied iron.

US Patent:

56327994, May 27, 1997

Filed:

Sep 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/311228

Inventors:

Allan D. Behel - Florence AL
John J. Mortvedt - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Tennessee Valley Authority - Muscle Shoals AL

International Classification:

C05D 900
C05G 304

US Classification:

71 63

Abstract:

The inclusion of certain organic hydroxy acids, most notably citric acid, in the iron sulfate formulations of at least one prior art hydrophilic polymer delivery system followed by drying and crushing the product into particles has been found to significantly improve the efficiency and ease of application of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils for periods exceeding one year. The dried particles most preferably may be selectively metered into soil in or near the seed row as a band application at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. The dry band absorbs soil moisture to provide a unique environment which restricts contact of soluble iron fertilizers with the soil and provides for complexation of iron in the formulation with organic hydroxy acids also contained in the formulation, thereby minimizing the extent of chemical reactions with the soil that reduce the availability of the applied iron to plant roots. A unique characteristic of the invention is the maintenance of iron in water soluble plant available form in soil outside the particles or band. Thus, root penetration and proliferation into and around the band also is greater than in the soil matrix, resulting in greater uptake efficiency of applied iron.

US Patent:

52213137, Jun 22, 1993

Filed:

Sep 19, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/762126

Inventors:

John J. Mortvedt - Florence AL
Robert L. Mikkelsen - Carey NC

Assignee:

Tennessee Valley Authority - Muscle Shoals AL

International Classification:

C05D 902
C05C 500
C05G 304

US Classification:

71 63

Abstract:

Inclusion of certain hydrophilic organic gel-forming polymers, notably polyacrylamides, with relatively inexpensive soluble iron sulfate [FeSO. sub. 4 or Fe. sub. 2 (SO. sub. 4). sub. 3 ] significantly improves the efficiency of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils and can maintain supply of available iron to growing plants for periods up to about 12 weeks. These polymers may be mixed with iron-containing solutions to form suitable gels which are band applied in or near the seed row at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. Other soluble fertilizers of micronutrients such as copper, manganese, or zinc also may be included instead of, or with, iron sulfates in hydrogels of these polymers. Hydrogels provide a unique environment which restricts contact of soluble iron fertilizers with the soil, thereby minimizing the extent of chemical reactions with the soil that reduce the availability of the applied micronutrients to plant roots. Root penetration also is greater in hydrogels than in the soil matrix so root density is greater in the banded or spot-placed gel, resulting in greater uptake efficiency of applied micronutrient.