Glidant composition

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for improving planter flowability, comprising: blending one or more seeds with a flow aid composition comprising a modified starch, a non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant. A plurality of seeds comprising the flow aid composition. A flow aid composition comprising a modified starch, a non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant, and further wherein the flow aid composition is (i) free-flowing, and / or (ii) reduces seed agglomeration relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite, or a mixture thereof.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is related to and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 975,512, filed on February 12, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Disclosed herein is a flow aid composition for applying to one or more seeds optionally coated / treated with a seed coating composition. More specifically, disclosed herein is one or more flow aid compositions comprising modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof and optionally one or more mineral soil lubricants. Further disclosed herein is a method for improving the fluidity of a planter, the method comprising blending one or more seeds optionally coated / treated with a seed coating composition with one or more flow aid compositions comprising modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof and optionally one or more mineral soil lubricants. One or more flow aid compositions described herein provide a renewable and sustainable alternative with equivalent or superior fluidity and adaptability to conventionally used lubricants (such as, for example, single talc and a combination of talc and graphite).

[0004] Farmers always seek to improve crop yield to solve the growing food demand.A method used to increase crop yield in the agricultural industry is seed treatment (seed coating), wherein seed is processed / coated with one or more active ingredients (including, for example, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, nutrients, plant growth hormones and beneficial microorganisms) to protect seeds from disease, fungi and / or insect infringement after seed planting.In the seed coating process, active ingredient slurry is added on the surface of seed using seed coating adhesive.These seed coatings allow the one or more active ingredients to be delivered to seed or seedling during germination to provide healthy root mass for the outstanding emergence and thriving of planted crops, thereby resulting in higher crop yield.

[0005] Farmers use commercial seeders to plant coated / treated seeds. When farmers use air seeders, the fan in the metering device of the air seeder passes a large amount of air through the seeder seed tray. In a medium to high humidity environment, a large amount of atmospheric air flowing through the seeder increases the moisture content. The treated / coated seeds are hygroscopic and absorb this moisture, making the coated seeds sticky, thereby causing the seeds in the seeder to bridge. When farmers use vacuum seeders, the coated / treated seeds are added to a hopper, which makes the coated / treated seeds sticky and bridge in the seeder when exposed to medium to high atmospheric humidity. This poor flowability of the coated seeds through the seeder causes poor separation percentages, skipping, double sowing and other poor seed release indexes, thus affecting crop yields.

[0006] To alleviate these problems, farmers currently use talc or graphite or talc / graphite mixtures (e.g., 80% talc / 20% graphite powder) as seed flow and lubricity agents. However, talc tends to rapidly absorb moisture present on the surface of the coated / treated seeds in high to medium humidity field environments, thereby preventing the talc from evenly covering the surface of the seeds, which causes the seeds to clump in the hopper, resulting in poor seed suitability of the coated / treated seeds. In addition, talc poses a health hazard, especially when it contains trace levels of asbestos. On the other hand, graphite is more expensive and therefore not a desirable choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 Shown are photographs of seeds coated / treated with active ingredient blend A, which comprises a commercially available seed coating / treatment in combination with water, colorant and (polymer or bio-renewable starch) binder.

[0008] Figure 2 Shown are photographs of seeds treated with active ingredient blend B, which comprises a commercial seed coating / treatment in combination with water, colorant and (polymer or bio-renewable starch) binder.

[0009] Figure 3 Photographs of coated / treated seeds of Example 1H which in Example 3D were (i) not blended with a glidant / lubricant, blended with (ii) talc or (iii) a powdered form of a glidant composition described herein comprising a hydrophobically modified starch are shown.

[0010] Figure 4 is a pictorial depiction of the steel funnel used for the flowability measurements performed in Example 2.

[0011] Figure 5 is a graph of the flowability results for Examples 2A to 2C.

[0012] Figure 6 is a pictorial depiction of the steel funnel used for the flowability measurements performed in Example 3.

[0013] Figure 7 is a graph of the relative flowability results for Examples 3A to 3E.

[0014] Figure 8 is a graph of the relative flowability results for Examples 4A to 4G.

[0015] Disclosed herein is a method for improving planter flowability, the method comprising: blending one or more seeds with a flow aid composition comprising modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant. Further disclosed herein is a flow aid composition comprising modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant, and further wherein the flow aid composition is (i) free-flowing, and / or (ii) reduces seed agglomeration relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite, or a mixture thereof, wherein the seeds are optionally coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising an active ingredient and a binder. Further disclosed herein are a plurality of seeds comprising a flow aid composition having modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant; and an optional coating composition comprising an active ingredient and a binder. In one embodiment, the one or more modified starches are hydrophobically modified starches. In another embodiment, the hydrophobically modified starch comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with an alkyl or alkenyl succinate, and complexed with a multivalent cation. In yet further embodiments, the one or more hydrophobically modified starches are aluminum octenyl succinate starches.

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and in the examples that follow. In the following description, a large number of specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, unless otherwise noted or implied from the context, the details and embodiments described herein should not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. In addition, the features described in conjunction with each or a particular embodiment should not be understood to be unsuitable for use in conjunction with other embodiments disclosed herein, unless explicitly stated or implied from the context.

[0017] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" used in this specification and the appended claims include plural forms. In addition, all units, prefixes and symbols can be expressed in their SI accepted forms. Throughout this disclosure, various aspects are presented in range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an immutable limitation on the scope of the invention. Therefore, the description of a range should be interpreted as specifically disclosing all possible subranges and individual numerical values ​​within the range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4 and 5).

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments of the present invention belong. Many methods and materials similar, modified or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice one or more embodiments described herein without undue experimentation. When describing and claiming embodiments, the following terms will be used according to the definitions listed below.

[0019] As used herein, the term "seed" refers particularly to the mature ovules of gymnosperms and angiosperms, which contain plumules surrounded by a protective cover. The protective cover may include a seed coating (exotetra). Some seeds include a pericarp or fruit coating around the seed coating. Specifically, when this layer is closely attached to the seed, as in a cereal kernel, it is referred to as a caryopsis or achene in some cases. In fact, the term "seed" includes but is not limited to any object that can be planted agriculturally to produce a plant, including pelleted seeds, seedlings, plant seedlings, rhizomes, regenerative and plant formation tissues, and tubers or bulbs.

[0020] As used herein, the term "coating" means applying a material to the surface of a seed, for example as a layer of material around the seed. The term coating includes film coating, pelleting and encrustation or a combination of these techniques. The pellets obtained by pelleting are also referred to as seed pellets. The coating is preferably applied to substantially the entire surface of the seed, such as 90% or more of the surface area of ​​the seed to form a layer. However, the coating may be complete or partial, for example 20% or more, or 50% or more of the surface area of ​​the seed.

[0021] As used herein, the term "seed coating composition" refers to an aqueous composition or slurry used to coat seeds.

[0022] As used herein, the term "pre-blend" refers to an aqueous composition that is formed prior to adding the other components of the seed coating composition, ie, in the form of a stable emulsion and / or dispersion. In one embodiment, the pre-blend is formed at a different location than the seed coating composition.

[0023] As used herein, the term "active" refers to any component that directly or indirectly benefits plants or plant seeds, for example, through biological effects on plants, seeds, or organisms harmful to plants (such as fungi, pests and insects). Plant enhancers include plant protection products, safeners, growth promoters, growth regulators, etc.

[0024] As used herein, the terms "hydrophobic," "hydrophobically," and "water-insoluble" describe materials that are primarily non-polar and exhibit limited solubility or insolubility in water; however, such materials may be suspended in water as molecules or particles.

[0025] As used herein, the term "alkoxy" means an -OR group or group, wherein R is an alkyl group as defined above, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy or 2-propoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy or tert-butoxy, etc. In certain embodiments, preferred alkoxy groups of the present invention have 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, preferred alkoxy groups of the present invention have three or more carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkoxy groups may be optionally substituted when effective valence permits. Examples of substituted alkoxy groups include trifluoromethoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and alkoxyalkyl groups, such as methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene and similar groups. Unless otherwise specified as "unsubstituted", the chemical moieties mentioned herein should be understood to include substituted variations.

[0026] As used herein, the term "alkyl" means a saturated straight or branched hydrocarbon chain having, for example, 1 to 20 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the alkyl group includes "C 1 To C 6 In some embodiments, the preferred alkyl groups of the present invention have 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the preferred alkyl groups of the present invention have 3 or more carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkyl groups may be optionally substituted where the available valence permits. Unless specifically stated as "unsubstituted", chemical moieties mentioned herein should be understood to include substituted variations.

[0027] As used herein, the term "combination" refers to a mixture of two or more compounds (or other referenced components).

[0028] As used herein, the terms "free of", "none", "substantially free of" and "substantially free of" refer to compositions, mixtures or ingredients that do not contain a particular compound or have not yet added a particular compound or a compound containing a particular compound. If a particular compound is present by contamination and / or in minimal amounts in a composition, mixture or ingredient, the amount of the compound should be less than about 3% by weight. In some embodiments, the amount of the compound is less than 2% by weight, less than 1% by weight, less than 0.5% by weight or 0.0% by weight.

[0029] As used herein, the terms "weight percent," "weight %," "percent by weight," "% by weight," and variations thereof refer to the concentration of a substance, i.e., the weight of the substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100. It should be understood that, as used herein, "percent," "%," and the like are intended to be synonymous with "weight percent," "weight %," and the like.

[0030] These methods and compositions may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components and ingredients described herein, as well as other ingredients. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" means that these methods and compositions may include additional steps, components, or ingredients, but only if the additional steps, components, or ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed methods and compositions.

[0031] Disclosed herein is a method for improving planter fluidity, the method comprising: blending one or more seeds with a flow aid composition comprising modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant. Further disclosed herein are a plurality of seeds comprising a flow aid composition having modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant; and an optional seed coating composition comprising an active ingredient and a binder. Even further disclosed herein is a flow aid composition comprising modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant.

[0032] In some embodiments, the glidant composition comprises 1 wt % to 99 wt % of modified starch, non-modified starch, or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the method for improving planter flowability described herein further comprises planting the one or more seeds, wherein the one or more seeds are optionally planted with a mechanical planter.

[0033] In some embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein are renewable and sustainable and do not cause health hazards. In other embodiments, the glidant compositions described herein are uniformly mixed with the one or more seeds in the seeder hopper and uniformly coat the one or more seeds to provide excellent lubrication properties. In even further embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein solve the safety, environmental and performance disadvantages associated with using a single talc or a combination of talc and graphite as a seeder flow aid. In other other embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein are free-flowing. In even further embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein are (i) free-flowing, and / or (ii) relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite or a mixture thereof, reduce seed agglomeration, wherein the seeds are optionally coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising an active ingredient and a binder. In other other embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein improve crop yield and / or mechanized planting efficiency. In even further embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein reduce planter clogging and / or seed clumping, allowing for even planting and uniform seed distribution without equipment failure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the seeds are coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient. In other embodiments, the seeds are uncoated / untreated. In even further other embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein reduce seed agglomeration and / or bridging relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite, or mixtures thereof, wherein the one or more seeds are optionally coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is (i) an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a crop desiccant, a fungicide, a biopesticide, a biological agent containing bacteria or fungi, a bactericide, a bacteriostat, an insecticide, a nematicide, an insect repellent, or any combination thereof; or (ii) an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a crop desiccant, a fungicide, a bacteriostat, an insecticide, an insect repellent, a triazine, a sulfonylurea, a uracil, a urea, and an organic phosphonate, a nitroamino oxime fungicide, an azole imidazole fungicide, a benzimidazole fungicide, a phenylpyrrole fungicide, a phenylamide fungicide, a formaldehyde fungicide. Amide fungicides, triazole fungicides, sulfenamide fungicides, dithiocarbamate fungicides, neonicotinoid insecticides, acylamide fungicides, chlorinated aromatic dichloroaniline fungicides, carbamate insecticides, organothiophosphate insecticides, perchlorinated organic insecticides, acaricides, propargyl sulfite, triazapentadiene acaricides, chlorinated aromatic acaricides, trichlorocarbamide sulfone, dinitrophenol acaricides, binacaricides, adjuvants, surfactants, fertilizers, biopesticides from plant or microbial sources or live beneficial microorganisms from bacteria or fungi, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the binder comprises modified starch, optionally including amylose, amylopectin, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the binder comprises (i) modified starch, optionally including amylose, amylopectin, or any combination thereof; (ii) biorenewable or synthetic polymers; or (iii) combinations thereof. In yet other embodiments, the seed coating composition comprises a binder, an active ingredient, and one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of solvents, thickeners, colorants, defoamers, biocides, surfactants, and effect pigments.

[0035] In some embodiments, the modified and / or non-modified starch used in the flow aid composition or seed coating / treatment agent comprises a starch base derived or obtained from any starch source. In some embodiments, the starch source is selected from starch derived from a plant source, the plant source including, for example, cereals, such as, for example, sorghum; tubers, such as, for example, potatoes and cassava; beans, such as, for example, peas; corn; wheat; barley; oats; triticale; rice; sago; waxy starches, such as, for example, waxy maize, waxy potatoes, and waxy rice; high amylose starches, such as, for example, high amylose corn, i.e., starches with an amylose content of at least 30% and more specifically at least 65% by weight; and other substances (including starches) derived from conventional inbreeding techniques or genetically modified plant species. In some embodiments, starchy powders are used. In some embodiments, the starch base is purified to about 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% purity. Purification can be performed according to methods known to those skilled in the art. In other embodiments, the starch base may be used without purification from a starch source, wherein the unpurified starch source is used in a subsequent derivatization step.

[0036] In some embodiments, the starch base is used without chemical modification (non-modified). In other embodiments, the starch base is modified using chemical modification, enzyme modification or physical modification. In yet other embodiments, the starch base is modified to have one or more anionic moieties and multivalent cations. In yet even further embodiments, the hydrophobically modified starch and / or modified or non-modified starch is obtained from a starch base selected from corn, high amylose corn, waxy corn, potato, pea, rice, waxy rice, sago, cassava, waxy cassava and mixtures thereof.

[0037] In further embodiments, the modified starch contained in the one or more flow aid compositions described herein or in the seed coating or treatment agent is a natural starch, optionally comprising amylose, amylopectin or a combination thereof (e.g., dent starch) modified using chemical modification, enzymatic modification or physical modification. In some embodiments, the modified starch is selected from cross-linked starches (e.g., adipates and epichlorohydrin); esterified starches (e.g., acetylated and succinate, such as OSA octenyl succinate with or without aluminum salt); etherified starches (e.g., ethylated starches (e.g., hydroxyethylated and hydroxypropylated starches), propylated, carboxymethyl and cationic); phosphorylated starches (e.g., monophosphate anionic or diphosphate cross-linked); cationic, anionic, nonionic or zwitterionic starches; succinate and substituted succinate starch derivatives; oxidized starches (e.g., carbonyl or carboxyl groups are added to starch using an oxidizing agent); and combinations thereof (e.g., cationic and anionic (e.g., amphoteric) and cross-linked propylated). In other embodiments, the starch base is hydrolyzed by acid, enzymes, or oxidants to reduce the molecular weight, and may also have a different basic chemical nature or structure from the source material (waxy, 100% amylopectin, potato, natural anionic phosphate, etc.). In still other embodiments, the starch base is dextrinized (e.g., dry roasted under acidic conditions) or pregelatinized (e.g., having warm or cold water dispersibility). Procedures for modifying starches are well known and described, for example, in Modified Starches: Properties and Uses, Wurzburg, ed., CRC Press, Inc., Florida (1986).

[0038] In yet other embodiments, the modified starch (i) has been modified by oxidation, phosphate addition, cross-linking, esterification, etherification, dextrinization, or any combination thereof; (ii) is etherified, methylated, ethylated, propylated, alkoxylated, carboxymethylated, cationized, esterified, acylated, succinated, propylated and phosphate cross-linked, dextrinized, or any combination thereof; (iii) has been hydrolyzed by acid, enzyme, oxidant, and / or physical means to reduce molecular weight; or (iv) is acid hydrolyzed 2-hydroxypropyl ether, dextrinized octenyl hydrogen succinate, adipate acetate, 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether chloride, yellow dextrin, or any combination thereof.

[0039] In another embodiment, the modified starch contained in the one or more glidant compositions described herein works in medium and high humidity environments to provide improved or equivalent flowability compared to a single talc or a combination of talc and graphite. In yet other embodiments, the modified starch contained in the one or more glidant compositions described herein is hydrophobically modified. In yet other embodiments, the modified starch contained in the one or more glidant compositions described herein has moisture resistant properties, which provides excellent lubrication properties as a glidant for planters.

[0040] In yet other embodiments, the hydrophobically modified starch comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with alkyl or alkenyl succinates, and complexed with multivalent cations. In even further embodiments, the hydrophobically modified starch comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with alkyl or alkenyl succinates, and complexed with multivalent cations, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl succinates comprise 7 to 20 carbons. In even further embodiments, the hydrophobically modified starch comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with alkyl or alkenyl succinates, and complexed with multivalent cations, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl succinates are octenyl succinates, nonyl succinates, decyl succinates, or dodecyl succinates.

[0041] In other embodiments, an oxidant is used to oxidize starch base to provide a starch derivative comprising one or more anionic moieties. In some embodiments, the anionic moiety is present in an amount greater than the amount naturally present in the starch base. In other embodiments, the anionic moiety is not naturally present on the starch base. In further embodiments, the anionic moiety is a combination of one or more different anionic moieties. In some embodiments, the one or more anionic moieties are selected from carboxylate, succinate, sulfonate, phosphate and mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, the one or more anionic moieties are selected from carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphate and mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, the oxidant is sodium hypochlorite, which can be used to produce starch carboxylic acid derivatives comprising carboxylic acid anionic moieties. In some embodiments, the starch carboxylic acid derivative is further modified with succinic anhydride or an alkyl or alkenyl succinic anhydride (such as nonyl succinic anhydride, octenyl succinic anhydride, decyl succinic anhydride or dodecyl succinic anhydride) with an alkyl or alkenyl chain of 7 to 20 carbons.

[0042] In further embodiments, the polyvalent cation is selected from metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the polyvalent cation is divalent or trivalent. In even further embodiments, the divalent cation is calcium. In even further embodiments, the trivalent cation is aluminum, cobalt, iron or a combination thereof. In yet other embodiments, the polyvalent cation is aluminum, magnesium, calcium or a mixture thereof.

[0043] In some embodiments, the one or more anionic moieties are carboxylates and the multivalent cation is aluminum. In other embodiments, the hydrophobically modified starch is aluminum octenyl succinate starch. In yet other embodiments, the hydrophobically modified starch does not contain aluminum.

[0044] The hydrophobically modified starch comprising starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, octenyl succinate, and a multivalent cation can be prepared by oxidizing a starch base to produce a starch derivative, subsequently mixing the starch derivative with octenyl succinic anhydride to produce a mixture, and further mixing the mixture with a multivalent cation.

[0045] Typically, starch does not flow freely when commercially dry, but tends to condense into lumps or blocks. In other words, individual starch particles tend to adhere to each other and condense into larger lumps, thereby blocking flow and ease of movement. Alternatively, free-flowing modified starches can exhibit ease of flow comparable to that of liquids. For example, placing a certain amount of dry, free-flowing modified starch in a tank and shaking the tank will cause the modified starch to move in a liquid-like motion, while non-modified starch falls around in the form of lumps. In addition, when ordinary starch is placed in a standard dividing funnel with a tube having an inner diameter of about 6 mm, even if the funnel is shaken vigorously, the ordinary starch will not pour out of the tube. In contrast, even if the funnel remains absolutely still, most of the free-flowing modified starch will also pour out of the funnel when placed under the same conditions. In some embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein exhibit the free-flowing property.

[0046] In some embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein further comprise a mineral soil lubricant. In other embodiments, the mineral soil lubricant is selected from graphite, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, mica, talc, titanium oxide, kaolin, and mixtures thereof. In yet other embodiments, the one or more glidant compositions described herein comprise 0.5 wt % to 50 wt % of a mineral soil lubricant based on the total weight of the composition.

[0047] In yet even further embodiments, the one or more seeds admixed with one or more glidant compositions described herein are (i) agricultural seeds, vegetable seeds, herb seeds, wildflower seeds, ornamental plant seeds, grass seeds, tree seeds, shrub seeds, or any combination thereof; (ii) selected from soybeans, cotton, corn, peanuts, maize, wheat, barley, oats, triticale, mustard, sunflower, sugar beets, safflower, millet, chicory, flax, rapeseed, buckwheat, tobacco, alfalfa, brachiaria, clover, sorghum, chickpeas, beans, peas, vetch, rice, sugarcane, linseed, agar, chives, celery, leeks, garlic, beetroot, spinach, beets, kale, Cauliflower, broccoli, savoy cabbage, cabbage, red cabbage, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, turnip, escarole, endive, watermelon, melon, cucumber, gherkin, zucchini, parsley, fennel, peas, beans, radishes, savory onions, eggplant, sweet corn, popcorn, carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, snap beans, gourds, shallots, broccoli, Brassicas, Brussels sprouts, and any combination thereof; or (iii) corn seeds, cotton seeds, rice seeds, sorghum seeds, oat seeds, rye seeds, barley seeds, soybean seeds, vegetable seeds, wheat seeds, beet seeds, sunflower seeds, lettuce seeds, spinach seeds, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more seeds are capable of germination. In other embodiments, the one or more seeds are without shells (so-called shelled seeds or dehulled seeds). In still other embodiments, the one or more seeds are germinated or ungerminated (have been treated to increase germination rate, e.g., osmotic germination, water absorption germination, and substrate germination).

[0048] In one embodiment, the one or more seeds are coated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient to provide one or more coated / treated seeds, wherein the coated / treated seeds are blended with one or more glidant compositions described herein and placed into a commercial seeding machine for planting. In some embodiments, the commercial seeding machine is an air seeder (typically using a fan in the air seeder metering device to force large amounts of air through the seeder seed tray) or a vacuum seeder.

[0049] In some embodiments, the one or more flow aid compositions described herein are applied at any time point after coating / treating the one or more seeds with a seed coating composition until the time point of planting the one or more seeds. In other embodiments, the one or more flow aid compositions described herein are blended with the one or more seeds at the planting site, blended with the one or more seeds after coating / treating the one or more seeds with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient, or blended with the one or more seeds while coating / treating the one or more seeds with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient. In yet another embodiment, one or more flow aid compositions described herein are blended with one or more seeds in a seeder or hopper manually or using a mechanized system (such as, for example, a mechanized metering system). In some embodiments, one or more flow aid compositions described herein are substantially free of a single talc or a combination of talc and graphite.

[0050] In another embodiment, the glidant composition is about 2.8 to 141.8 g / 45.4 kg, about 14.2 to 113.4 g / 45.4 kg, about 28.4 to 99.2 g / 45.4 kg, about 42.5 to 85.0 g / 45.4 kg, about 56.7 to 85.0 g / 45.4 kg, about 56.7 to 70.9 g / 45.4 kg, or about 5.7 g / 45.4 kg, about 14.2 g / 45.4 kg, about 21.3 g / 45.5 kg, about 28.4 g / 45.4 kg, about 56.7 g / 45.4 kg, about 70.9 g / 45.4 kg, about 85.0 g / 45.4 kg, about 99.2 g / 45.4 kg, about 114.4 g / 45.4 kg In yet another embodiment, one or more glidant compositions described herein are applied to the one or more seeds in a manner sufficient to impart desired properties.

[0051] Coated seeds

[0052] Embodiments include seeds that have been coated and then subsequently treated with the glidant of the present disclosure.The seeds may be plant seeds, such as crop seeds, vegetable seeds, herb seeds, wildflower seeds, ornamental plant seeds, grass seeds, tree seeds, or shrub seeds.

[0053] Preferably, the plant seeds belong to crops. The seeds may be of the class of monocots or of the class of dicots. Suitable seeds include seeds of soybean, cotton, corn, peanut, maize, wheat, barley, oats, triticale, mustard, rapeseed (or canola), sunflower, beet, safflower, millet, chicory, flax, rapeseed, buckwheat, tobacco, alfalfa, brachiaria, clover, sorghum, chickpea, beans, peas, vetch, rice, sugarcane and linseed. Examples of suitable vegetable seeds include agaric, chives, celery, leek, garlic, beetroot, spinach, beets, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, savoy cabbage, cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, turnips, escarole, endive, watermelon, melon, cucumber, gherkin, zucchini, parsley, fennel, peas, beans, radishes, allium, eggplant, sweet corn, popcorn, carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, snap beans, gourds, shallots, broccoli, brassicas, and Brussels sprouts.

[0054] Preferably, the plant seeds are capable of germination. Optionally, the seeds may be without shells (so-called shelled seeds or dehulled seeds). The seeds may be germinated or ungerminated (have been treated to increase germination rate, e.g., osmotic germination, water absorption germination, substrate germination).

[0055] The coated seeds are typically blended with a flow aid and then placed in a commercial seeder. In an air seeder, a fan in the air seeder metering device is typically used to force a large amount of air through the seeder seed tray. A vacuum seeder can also be used. The coated seeds are placed in a vacuum seeder hopper.

[0056] Uses of glidants

[0057] The components of the composition of the invention may be applied to the treated seeds, and may be applied just after seed treatment (post-treatment powder application) or at any point during the planting of the seeds.

[0058] The flow aid can be added on site at the planter site, added after the seed coating process, or added simultaneously with the seed coating process. The coating material can be prepared by blending the various ingredients together. In some embodiments, these compositions form a premix, which is then blended with the active ingredient.

[0059] The present disclosure also provides a method of adding a flow aid to seeds. In another aspect, the flow aid is added to the pretreated seeds before the pretreated seeds are placed in the soil. In another aspect, the seeds are pretreated with the treatment agent and flow aid described herein before planting. In yet another aspect, the flow aid can be applied to the seeds in a seeder or hopper manually or using a mechanized system (such as a mechanized metering system). In one aspect, the flow aid is added to the seeds in the seeder.

[0060] In another aspect, the treatment agent is added to the seed before the seed is placed in a bag or container for transport to the planting site. After the seed arrives at the planting site, the flow aid is added to the seed. In yet another aspect, the flow aid described herein is added to the pre-treated seed (seed previously treated with the treatment agent) in the hopper of the planter mechanism or planting mechanism. In another aspect, the treatment agent and lubricant composition are added to the seed before the seed is loaded on the planter or hopper for planting.

[0061] In certain embodiments, the methods described herein do not include talc. In certain embodiments, the methods described herein do not include graphite or graphite blends.

[0062] In one aspect, the glidant composition is about 2.8 to 141.8 g / 45.4 kg, about 14.2 to 113.4 g / 45.4 kg, about 28.4 to 99.2 g / 45.4 kg, about 42.5 to 85.0 g / 45.4 kg, about 56.7 to 85.0 g / 45.4 kg, about 56.7 to 70.9 g / 45.4 kg, or about 5.7 g / 45.4 kg, about 14.2 g / 45.4 kg, about 21.3 g / 45.5 kg, about 28.4 g / 45.4 kg, about 56.7 g / 45.4 kg, about 70.9 g / 45.4 kg, about 85.0 g / 45.4 kg, about 99.2 g / 45.4 kg, about 114.4 g / 45.4 kg In one aspect, the composition described herein is applied to the seed in a manner sufficient to impart the desired properties.

[0063] The subject matter contemplated by the present disclosure is set forth in the following numbered embodiments:

[0064] 1. A method for improving planter flowability, the method comprising: blending one or more seeds with a flow aid composition comprising modified starch, non-modified starch, or a mixture thereof, wherein the flow aid composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant.

[0065] 2. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modified starches are hydrophobically modified;

[0066] Optionally, wherein the hydrophobically modified starch comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with an alkyl or alkenyl succinate, and complexed with a multivalent cation; and

[0067] Optionally, wherein the hydrophobically modified starch and / or modified or non-modified starch is obtained from a starch base selected from corn, high amylose corn, waxy corn, potato, pea, rice, waxy rice, sago, cassava, waxy cassava and mixtures thereof.

[0068] 3. The method according to claim 2, comprising the derivatized starch;

[0069] Optionally, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl succinate contains 7 to 20 carbons, and / or is octenyl succinate, nonyl succinate, decyl succinate or dodecyl succinate;

[0070] Optionally, wherein the one or more anionic moieties are selected from carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof; and

[0071] Optionally, the multivalent cation is selected from (i) metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions and mixtures thereof; or (ii) aluminum, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof.

[0072] 4. The method of any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the one or more anionic moieties are carboxylates and the multivalent cation is aluminum; and

[0073] Optionally, wherein the hydrophobically modified starch is aluminum octenyl succinate starch.

[0074] 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glidant composition comprises from 1 wt % to 99 wt % of the modified starch, non-modified starch or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition;

[0075] Optionally, wherein the composition comprises a mineral clay lubricant selected from the group consisting of graphite, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, mica, talc, titanium oxide, kaolin, and mixtures thereof.

[0076] 6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seeds are coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient;

[0077] Optionally, the active ingredient is (i) an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a crop desiccant, a fungicide, a biopesticide, a biological agent containing bacteria or fungi, a bactericide, a bacteriostat, an insecticide, a nematicide, an insect repellent, or any combination thereof; or (ii) an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a crop desiccant, a fungicide, a bacteriostat, an insecticide, an insect repellent, a triazine, a sulfonylurea, a uracil, a urea, and an organic phosphonate, a nitroamino oxime fungicide, an azole imidazole fungicide, a benzimidazole fungicide, a phenylpyrrole fungicide, a phenylamide fungicide, a formyl fungicide. Amine fungicides, triazole fungicides, sulfenamide fungicides, dithiocarbamate fungicides, neonicotinoid insecticides, acylamide fungicides, chlorinated aromatic dichloroaniline fungicides, carbamate insecticides, organothiophosphate insecticides, perchlorinated organic insecticides, acaricides, propargyl sulfites, triazapentadiene acaricides, chlorinated aromatic acaricides, trichloroacarbamide sulfones, dinitrophenol acaricides, binacaricides, adjuvants, surfactants, fertilizers, biopesticides from plant or microbial sources or live beneficial microorganisms from bacteria or fungi, or any combination thereof.

[0078] 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the binder comprises modified starch;

[0079] Optionally, wherein the modified starch comprises amylose, amylopectin or any combination thereof; and

[0080] Optionally, the modified starch (i) has been modified by oxidation, phosphate addition, cross-linking, esterification, etherification, dextrinization, or any combination thereof; (ii) is etherified, methylated, ethylated, propylated, alkoxylated, carboxymethylated, cationic, esterified, acylated, succinated, propylated and phosphate cross-linked, dextrinized, or any combination thereof; (iii) has been hydrolyzed by acid, enzyme, oxidant and / or physical means to reduce molecular weight; or (iv) is acid hydrolyzed 2-hydroxypropyl ether, dextrinized octenyl hydrogen succinate, adipate acetate, 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether chloride, yellow dextrin, or any combination thereof.

[0081] 8. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seed is (i) an agricultural seed, a vegetable seed, an herb seed, a wildflower seed, an ornamental plant seed, a grass seed, a tree seed, a shrub seed, or any combination thereof; (ii) a plant selected from the group consisting of soybean, cotton, corn, peanut, maize, wheat, barley, oats, triticale, mustard, sunflower, sugar beet, safflower, millet, chicory, flax, rapeseed, buckwheat, tobacco, alfalfa, brachiaria, clover, sorghum, chickpea, beans, peas, vetch, rice, sugar cane, linseed, agar, chives, celery, leeks, garlic, beetroot, spinach, beet, kale, cauliflower, rutabaga, cauliflower, broccoli ... cabbage, savoy cabbage, cabbage, red cabbage, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, turnip, escarole, endive, watermelon, melon, cucumber, gherkin, zucchini, parsley, fennel, peas, beans, radishes, allium, eggplant, sweet corn, popcorn, carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, snap beans, gourds, shallots, broccoli, Brassicas, Brussels sprouts, and any combination thereof; or (iii) corn seeds, cotton seeds, rice seeds, sorghum seeds, oat seeds, rye seeds, barley seeds, soybean seeds, vegetable seeds, wheat seeds, beet seeds, sunflower seeds, lettuce seeds, spinach seeds, or mixtures thereof.

[0082] 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glidant composition is free-flowing;

[0083] Optionally, wherein the glidant composition reduces seed agglomeration and / or bridging relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite or a mixture thereof, wherein the seeds are optionally coated / treated with the seed coating composition.

[0084] 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising planting the seeds, wherein the seeds are optionally planted with a mechanical seeder.

[0085] 11. A plurality of seeds comprising a glidant composition having modified starch, non-modified starch or a mixture thereof, wherein the glidant composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant; and optionally a seed coating composition comprising an active ingredient and a binder;

[0086] Optionally, the seeds are selected from corn seeds, cotton seeds, rice seeds, sorghum seeds, oat seeds, rye seeds, barley seeds, soybean seeds, vegetable seeds, wheat seeds, beet seeds, sunflower seeds, lettuce seeds, spinach seeds or mixtures thereof.

[0087] 12. The seed of claim 11, wherein the modified starch is hydrophobically modified, and

[0088] Optionally, starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with an alkyl or alkenyl succinate, and complexed with a multivalent cation is included.

[0089] 13. The seed of claim 12, comprising the derivatized starch;

[0090] Optionally, wherein the alkenyl or alkyl succinate contains 7 to 20 carbons, and / or is nonylsuccinic anhydride, octenyl succinate, decyl succinate or dodecyl succinate;

[0091] Optionally, wherein the one or more anionic moieties are selected from carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof; and

[0092] Optionally, the multivalent cation is selected from (i) metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions and mixtures thereof; or (ii) aluminum, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof.

[0093] 14. The seed according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the modified starch and / or non-modified starch is obtained from a starch base selected from the group consisting of corn, high amylose corn, waxy corn, potato, pea, rice, waxy rice, sago, cassava, waxy cassava and mixtures thereof.

[0094] 15. A glidant composition comprising a modified starch, a non-modified starch or a mixture thereof, wherein the glidant composition optionally comprises a mineral clay lubricant, and further wherein the glidant composition is (i) free-flowing, and / or (ii) reduces seed agglomeration relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite or a mixture thereof, wherein the seeds are optionally coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising an active ingredient and a binder;

[0095] Optionally, wherein the modified starch is hydrophobically modified, and optionally comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with an alkyl or alkenyl succinate, and complexed with a multivalent cation. Example

[0096] Embodiments of the present invention are further defined in the following non-limiting examples. It should be understood that although these examples illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention, they are only given by way of example. Through the above discussion and these examples, those skilled in the art can determine the basic characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention to make them suitable for various purposes and conditions. Therefore, in addition to those shown and described herein, various modifications of the embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the previous description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0097] Example 1

[0098] Preparation of seeds coated / treated with a seed coating composition

[0099] Seed coating composition :

[0100] In this example, a commercially available seed coating / treatment product was used. Complete Corn 250 seed treatment (Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Greensboro, NC) was used to coat / treat the seeds, the composition of which is set forth in Table 1 (hereinafter referred to as "Active Ingredient Blend A"). In addition, commercially available seed coating / treatment products Seeds were coated / treated with a seed treatment (Bayer Crop Science, St. Louis, MO) having the composition set forth in Table 2 (hereinafter referred to as "Active Ingredient Blend B").

[0101]

[0102]

[0103]

[0104] The seed coating starch binders and commercial synthetic polymers used in the seed coating / treatment of this Example 1 are described in Table 3.

[0105]

[0106] Seed coating / treatment :

[0107] For seeds coated / treated with Active Ingredient Blend A, a 0.454 kg batch of corn seeds (XL-corn seeds, round variety, obtained from Corteva, Indianapolis, IN) was coated using a clear plastic bag. A seed coating / treatment slurry was prepared by combining Active Ingredient Blend A, liquid starch or synthetic polymer, water, and colorant as set forth in Table 3. The corn seeds were then coated by adding the seed coating / treatment slurry and 0.454 kg of untreated corn seeds to the plastic bag and shaking for 50 seconds. After 50 seconds, 1.0 g of dry mica powder ( F80-51SW iron oxide (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, particle size d50 = 16 μ)) was added to each bag and then shaken for an additional 10 seconds to provide the Figure 1 Uniformly coated dry seeds are depicted graphically in FIG.

[0108]

[0109]

[0110] For seeds coated / treated with active ingredient blend B, a 136 kg batch of corn seeds (corn seed, variety S-2338, Ingredion Inc., Westchester, IL) was coated using a continuous batch system. Active ingredient blend B set forth in Table 3, liquid starch or synthetic polymer binder, and colorant were added to the processor bowl of the continuous batch system using an automated calibrated metering device for a 60 second treatment cycle time to provide the active ingredients set forth in Table 5 and treated in Figure 2 Evenly covered dry seeds are depicted in the figure.

[0111]

[0112] Example 2

[0113] Comparison of flow properties of coated / treated seeds in the presence and absence of glidants

[0114] This example compares the flowability of Example 1D coated / treated seeds blended with a hydrophobically modified starch (starch, 1-octenyl succinate, aluminum salt) to Example 1D coated / treated seeds blended with an 80% talc / 20% graphite composition (hereinafter referred to as the "80 / 20 composition") and Example 1D coated / treated seeds blended without a flow aid (using a ratio of 56.0 g / 45.4 kg seeds when blending).

[0115] Example 2A: 1 g of the 80 / 20 composition in powder form was thoroughly mixed with 0.907 kg of the seeds of Example 1D. The seeds were then passed through a 2 quart funnel (see Figure 4 ) and recorded the elapsed time in seconds. 14 replicates were performed and the results were averaged. The results of Example 2A are presented in Table 6 and are Figure 5 Depicted in diagram.

[0116] Example 2B: 1 g of hydrophobically modified starch powder was thoroughly mixed with 0.907 kg of seeds from Example 1D. The seeds were then passed through Figure 4 The 2 quart funnel depicted in Figure 1 was used and the elapsed time in seconds was recorded. 14 replicates were performed and the results were averaged. The results of Example 2B are presented in Table 6 and are Figure 5 The results generated from this test indicate that the hydrophobically modified starch powder has slightly better or equivalent performance compared to the 80 / 20 composition when the same amount of powder lubricant is used.

[0117] Example 2C: The same method as used for Examples 2A and 2B was used for Example 2C. For Example 2C, flowability was measured in the absence of any glidant (seeds coated / treated with Example ID were used "as is").

[0118]

[0119] Example 3

[0120] Comparison of flow properties of coated / treated seeds blended with talc or hydrophobically modified starch

[0121] This example compares the flowability of seeds coated / treated with active ingredient blend B and subsequently blended with talc or hydrophobically modified starch (starch, 1-octenyl succinate, aluminum salt) using a ratio of 58 g / 45.4 kg seed.

[0122] Examples 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E: 3.5 g of talc or hydrophobically modified powdered starch was thoroughly mixed with 2.72 kg of seeds coated / treated as in Example 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H or 1I. The seeds were then passed through Figure 6 The funnel depicted in Figure 1 was used and the elapsed time in seconds was recorded. The flowability test was performed in a fume hood at a relative humidity of 35±4% and a temperature of 23.8±0.9°C. Ten replicates were performed for each example and the results were averaged. Figure 3is a photograph of seeds coated / treated with Example 1H (i) before further blending with a glidant / lubricant, and further blended with (ii) talc or (iii) hydrophobically modified powdered starch, wherein the hydrophobically modified powdered starch uniformly covers the seeds coated / treated with Example 1H to provide superior lubrication properties compared to talc. The relative flowability data of Examples 3A to 3E are presented in Table 7 and are Figure 7 Depicted in diagram.

[0123]

[0124]

[0125] The data in Table 7 show that the hydrophobically modified starch performs similarly to talc at 35% relative humidity and 23.8°C.

[0126] Example 4

[0127] Comparison of flow properties of coated / treated seeds in the presence and absence of various glidants

[0128] The flow properties of seeds coated / treated with active ingredient blend B and not blended with a glidant or mixed with talc were compared to seeds coated / treated with active ingredient blend B and blended with hydrophobically modified starch (starch, 1-octenyl succinate, aluminum salt), non-modified corn starch, octenyl succinic anhydride ("OSA") modified corn starch, non-modified corn starch blended with tricalcium phosphate, or a starch blend comprising non-modified corn starch, hydrophobically modified starch, and tricalcium phosphate using a ratio of 58 g / 45.4 kg seeds.

[0129] Examples 4A to 4F: 3.5 g each of hydrophobically modified starch (starch, 1-octenyl succinate, aluminum salt) (Example 4F), non-modified corn starch (Example 4D), talc (Example 4E), octenyl succinic anhydride ("OSA") modified corn starch (Example 4F), non-modified corn starch blended with tricalcium phosphate (Examples 4A and 4B), or a starch blend comprising non-modified corn starch, hydrophobically modified starch, and tricalcium phosphate (Example 4C) were each separately mixed thoroughly with 2.72 kg of seeds coated / treated as in Example 1B. The seeds were then passed through Figure 6 The funnel depicted in Figure 1 was used and the elapsed time in seconds was recorded.

[0130] Example 4G: 2.72 kg of seeds coated / treated as in Example 1B were passed through Figure 6 The funnel depicted in Figure 1 was used and the elapsed time in seconds was recorded. Example 4G The seeds were not blended with a glidant prior to passing through the funnel.

[0131] The flowability tests were performed in a fume hood at a relative humidity of 35 ± 4% and a temperature of 23.8 ± 0.9 °C. Ten replicates were performed for each test and the results were averaged. The relative flowability data are presented in Table 8 and are Figure 8 Depicted in diagram.

[0132]

[0133] The data showed that the coated / treated seeds blended with modified starch, non-modified starch, or a blend of modified and non-modified starch mixed with tricalcium phosphate had better flowability than the coated / treated seeds not blended with a flow aid.

[0134] Example 5

[0135] Suitability of seeds coated / treated with active ingredient blend B and blended with a glidant

[0136] Run the seed suitability test to measure separation %, skipping % and miss %. Treated seeds were preconditioned for 48 hours under test conditions. The test was performed using a PrecisionPlanting planter eSet using a John Deere vacuum planting head. The planter was set to a setting with a seed / acre count of 35,000, a speed of 6.6kmh and a vacuum rate of 124.8kPa. The vacuum planting unit simulates field planting and uses air pressure to attach seeds to the disk. The machine records information such as separation %, skipping % and multiple %. Seeds from Example 1H were used for this test. Approximately 1000g of seed (amount to fill the hopper) was used for each test. The 80 / 20 composition of Example 2 in 1.32g powder form was used for each run and added to the seeds in the hopper. For a single hydrophobically modified starch (starch, 1-octenyl succinate, aluminum salt) and a combination of hydrophobically modified starch and non-modified corn starch, the tested 1.32g starch was added to the seeds in the hopper. The data from this testing is presented in Table 9.

[0137]

[0138] It should be understood that although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments of the invention, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments, advantages and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following claims or the accompanying drawings are represented in their specific form or in a manner for performing the disclosed functions, or the methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results may be used alone or in any combination of such features as appropriate, thereby realizing the invention in its various different forms.

Claims

1. A method for improving the fluidity of a seed drill, the method comprising: blending one or more seeds with a glidant composition comprising a modified starch, or a mixture of modified starch and non-modified starch, wherein the glidant composition optionally comprises a mineral soil lubricant; The modified starch is hydrophobically modified. wherein the hydrophobically modified starch comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with an alkyl or alkenyl succinate, and complexed with a multivalent cation, wherein the one or more anionic moieties are carboxylates and the multivalent cation is aluminum, and The glidant composition is applied to one or more seeds at a ratio of 56.0 g / 45.4 kg of seeds to 170 g / 45.4 kg of seeds.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modified starches are hydrophobically modified; Optionally, wherein the hydrophobically modified starch and / or modified or non-modified starch is obtained from a starch base selected from the group consisting of corn, potato, pea, rice, sago, cassava and mixtures thereof.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cassava comprises waxy cassava.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the rice comprises waxy rice.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the corn comprises high amylose corn and waxy corn.

6. The method according to claim 2, comprising the modified starch; Optionally, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl succinate contains 7 to 20 carbons.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl succinate is octenyl succinate, nonyl succinate, decyl succinate or dodecyl succinate.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the hydrophobically modified starch is aluminum octenyl succinate starch.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the glidant composition comprises 1 wt% to 99 wt% of the modified starch or a mixture of modified starch and non-modified starch based on the total weight of the composition; Optionally, wherein the composition comprises a mineral clay lubricant selected from the group consisting of graphite, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, mica, talc, titanium oxide, kaolin, and mixtures thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the seeds are coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient; Optionally, the active ingredient is (i) an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a crop desiccant, a biological agent containing bacteria or fungi, a bactericide, a bacteriostatic agent, an insect repellent, or any combination thereof.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the seeds are coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient; Optionally, the active ingredient is (ii) an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a crop desiccant, a fungicide, a bacteriostat, an insect repellent, a sulfonylurea, a uracil, a surfactant, a fertilizer, or a live beneficial microorganism from the genus Bacteria or Fungi, or any combination thereof.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the seeds are coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient; Optionally, wherein the active ingredient is (ii) a triazine.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the seeds are coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising a binder and an active ingredient; Optionally, wherein the active ingredient is (ii) urea.

14. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the bactericide comprises a fungicide.

15. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the pesticide comprises a biopesticide.

16. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the pesticide comprises an insecticide and a nematicide.

17. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the pesticide comprises an organic phosphonate.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the biopesticide is derived from a plant or microbial source.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the fungicide comprises a nitroamino oxime fungicide, an azole imidazole fungicide, a benzimidazole fungicide, a phenylpyrrole fungicide, a phenylamide fungicide, a formamide fungicide, a triazole fungicide, a sulfenamide fungicide, a dithiocarbamate fungicide, an acylamide fungicide, a chlorinated aromatic fungicide, a dichloroaniline fungicide.

20. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the insecticide comprises neonicotinoid insecticides, carbamate insecticides, organothiophosphate insecticides, perchlorinated organic insecticides, acaricides.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the acaricide comprises propargyl sulfite, triazapentadiene acaricide, chlorinated aromatic acaricide, trichloroacetyl sulfone, dinitrophenol acaricide, binacaricide.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein the active ingredient comprises an adjuvant.

23. The method of claim 10, wherein the binder comprises modified starch; Optionally, the modified starch contained in the binder includes amylose, amylopectin or any combination thereof; and Optionally, the binder comprises a modified starch that (i) has been modified by oxidation, phosphate addition, crosslinking, esterification, etherification, dextrinization or any combination thereof; (ii) has been methylated, ethylated, alkoxylated, carboxymethylated, cationized, acylated, succinated and propylated or any combination thereof; (iii) has been hydrolyzed by acid, enzyme, oxidant and / or physical means to reduce the molecular weight.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the cross-linking comprises phosphate cross-linking.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the seeds are selected from agricultural seeds.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the agricultural seeds comprise vegetable seeds, wildflower seeds, ornamental plant seeds, grass seeds, tree seeds, or any combination thereof.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the grass seeds comprise herbal seeds.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the tree seeds comprise shrub seeds.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is selected from the group consisting of soybean, cotton, corn, peanut, wheat, barley, oat, mustard, sunflower, safflower, millet, flax, rapeseed, buckwheat, tobacco, alfalfa, brachiaria, clover, sorghum, chickpea, vetch, rice, sugarcane, agaricus, leek, celery, onion, garlic, spinach, beet, kale, cauliflower, savoy cabbage, cabbage, red cabbage, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, turnip, endive, watermelon, melon, cucumber, zucchini, fennel, pea, bean, radish, savory onion, eggplant, carrot, onion, tomato, pepper, lettuce, gourd, scallion, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and any combination thereof.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the wheat comprises triticale.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the celery comprises parsley.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the beets comprise beetroot.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the cauliflower comprises broccoli.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the lettuce comprises escarole.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the cucumbers comprise gherkins.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the beans comprise Phaseolus vulgaris beans.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the corn comprises sweet corn and popcorn.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the seeds are selected from the group consisting of cotton seeds, rice seeds, sorghum seeds, oat seeds, rye seeds, barley seeds, soybean seeds, wheat seeds, sunflower seeds, vegetable seeds, or mixtures thereof.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the vegetable seeds include beet seeds, lettuce seeds, and spinach seeds.

40. The method of claim 12, wherein the glidant composition is free-flowing; Optionally, wherein the glidant composition reduces seed agglomeration and / or bridging relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite or a mixture thereof, wherein the seeds are optionally coated / treated with the seed coating composition.

41. The method of claim 1, further comprising planting the seeds, wherein the seeds are optionally planted with a mechanical seeder.

42. A glidant composition comprising a modified starch, or a mixture of modified starch and non-modified starch, wherein the glidant composition optionally comprises a mineral clay lubricant, and further wherein the glidant composition is (i) free-flowing, and / or (ii) reduces seed agglomeration relative to one or more seeds blended with talc, graphite or mixtures thereof, wherein the seeds are optionally coated / treated with a seed coating composition comprising an active ingredient and a binder; Optionally, wherein the modified starch is hydrophobically modified and optionally comprises starch derivatized with one or more anionic moieties, etherified with an alkyl or alkenyl succinate, and complexed with a multivalent cation, and The glidant composition is applied to one or more seeds at a ratio of 56.0 g / 45.4 kg of seeds to 170 g / 45.4 kg of seeds.

43. The glidant composition of claim 42, wherein the seed comprises the modified starch; Optionally, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl succinate contains 7 to 20 carbons.

44. The glidant composition of claim 42, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl succinate is nonylsuccinic anhydride, octenyl succinate, decyl succinate or dodecyl succinate.

45. The glidant composition according to claim 42, wherein the modified starch and / or non-modified starch is obtained from a starch base selected from the group consisting of corn, potato, pea, rice, sago, cassava, and mixtures thereof.

46. ​​The glidant composition of claim 45, wherein the corn comprises high amylose corn and waxy corn.

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