초록

A superabsorbent polymer ("SAP") root dip composition and methods of delivering a SAP to a plant are disclosed. A root structure of a plant may be dipped into a SAP hydrogel. The plant may then be planted, stored or transported for subsequent planting.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of delivering a superabsorbent polymer to a plant, comprising: obtaining a superabsorbent polymer hydrogel, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer; obtaining a plant having a root

What is claimed is: 1. A method of delivering a superabsorbent polymer to a plant, comprising: obtaining a superabsorbent polymer hydrogel, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer; obtaining a plant having a root structure; dipping at least a portion of the root structure of the plant into the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel; and removing the root structure from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: allowing excess superabsorbent polymer hydrogel to drain off of the portion of the root structure after removal from the hydrogel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein dipping a portion of the root structure comprises immersing the entire root structure of the plant into the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transporting the plant to a remote location for subsequent planting after removing the root structure from the hydrogel. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing the plant for a period of time for subsequent planting after removing the root structure from the hydrogel. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: planting the root structure into soil after removal from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining a superabsorbent polymer hydrogel comprises: Obtaining powered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer; adding the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to a liquid; and mixing the liquid and the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to form the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein obtaining a superabsorbent polymer hydrogel further comprises: allowing the mixed liquid and powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to stand until hydrolyzed; and stirring the hydrolyzed mixture until the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel is homogenous. 9. A method of delivering a superabsorbent polymer to a plant or plant cutting, comprising: dipping a portion of the plant or plant cutting into a starch-graft superabsorbent polymer hydrogel, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer; removing the plant or plant cutting from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel; and planting the plant or plant cutting into soil after removal from the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein dipping a portion of the plant comprises immersing a root structure of the plant into the starch-graft superabsorbent hydrogel. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: creating an opening in the plant cutting; and dipping the plant cutting into the starch-graft superabsorbent hydrogel such that hydrogel is disposed within the opening created. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: transporting the plant or plant cuffing to a remote location for subsequent planting after removing the plant or plant cutting from the hydrogel. 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: storing the plant or plant cutting for a period of time for subsequent planting after removing the plant or plant cuffing from the hydrogel. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising: obtaining starch-g-poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer in powdered form; adding the powdered starch-g-poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water; and mixing the water and the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to form the superabsorbent polymer hydrogel. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein adding the powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water comprises adding a ratio of starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water of about ¾ cup of powdered starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to about every five gallons of water. 16. A root dip composition, comprising: starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer; and an effective amount of water mixed with the starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to form a hydrogel having a viscosity sufficient to coat a plant root dipped therein. pg,23 17. The root dip composition of claim 16, wherein a ratio of starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to water is about ¾ cup of starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt starch graft copolymer to every about 5 gallons of water. 18. The root dip composition of claim 16, further comprising an agricultural additive, wherein the agricultural additive is at least one of the following: fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, and growth regulators.