Nutritional composition

Abstract

We supply ready-to-use nutritional compositions that have been improved for desirable plant growth. [Solution] A nutritional composition for plant growth is disclosed. The nutritional composition comprises a first major nutrient comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and a second major nutrient comprising calcium and sulfur. The nutritional composition may also contain micronutrients and additional second major nutrient such as magnesium. A nutritional composition containing such nutrient sources exhibits favorable plant growth. A nutritional composition for hydroponics, a water-soluble powder, and a plant growth medium containing the nutritional composition, as well as methods for using the nutritional composition, are further disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to nutritional compositions. The nutritional compositions promote desirable plant growth.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants using the movement or circulation of a liquid solution of water and nutrients. The plants can be soil-free or placed in a plant growth medium such as soil. Hydroponics provides healthier plants that grow faster than traditional growth in soil. The delivery of nutrients to the plants can be more easily regulated to optimize plant growth. Current hydroponic systems require two or three different nutrient solutions to supply the plants with complete nutrition due to material incompatibility or stability issues. It is desirable to supply an immediately usable nutritional composition improved for desirable plant growth.

Summary of the Invention

[0003]

[0003] According to one aspect, the nutritional composition includes a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, a potassium source, a calcium source, and a sulfur source. The nutritional composition may include one or more sources of additional components such as magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. The nutritional composition has a nitrogen-to-phosphorus-to-potassium (NPK) ratio of 2.5:1:4.5 to 3.5:1:3.5.

[0004]

[0004] According to another aspect, the nutritional composition includes a first primary nutrient at a concentration of 355 ppm to 440 ppm, the first primary nutrient including a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, and a potassium source. The nutritional composition further includes a second primary nutrient at a concentration of 140 ppm to 235 ppm, the second primary nutrient including a sulfur source and a calcium source.

[0005]

[0005] According to another aspect, the nutritional composition can be part of a hydroponic nutritional composition, a water-soluble powder, or form a plant growth medium.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006]

[0006] The following is intended to convey a complete understanding of the embodiments by providing various embodiments and details of nutritional compositions for plant growth. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments and details, but is illustrative only. It should be further understood that those skilled in the art will understand the use of this disclosure for the intended purposes and benefits in a considerable number of alternative embodiments, considering known compositions, systems, and methods. The compositions may be broadly applicable to any plant growth medium, but may be particularly useful in hydroponic systems. In certain embodiments, water-soluble powders include nutritional compositions. As further described below, the nutritional compositions for plant growth described herein improve the ease with which users can grow plants.

[0007]

[0007] The form of a nutritional composition includes a combination of nutrients. Generally, nutrients can be classified into "primary major nutrients," "secondary major nutrients," and "micronutrients," or trace nutrients. Primary nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, collectively known as "NPK." Primary major nutrients are usually required in the largest proportions compared to other nutrients. Secondary major nutrients include calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, often in the form of sulfates. Trace nutrients are required in trace amounts and include boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Additional trace nutrients may include cobalt, silicon, and chlorides. Typical While secondary macronutrients are generally required in smaller amounts than primary macronutrients but in larger amounts than micronutrients, this is not always the case. For example, calcium or sulfur are secondary macronutrients, but they can be supplied in larger quantities than phosphorus, which is the primary nutrient.

[0008]

[0008] Each nutrient can be supplied by a nutrient source. For example, nitrates and ammonium can be nutrient sources for nitrogen, respectively. The concentration of a particular nutrient refers to the concentration of the nutrient that is biologically available for delivery to the plant. The nutrient concentration does not refer to the concentration of the entire nutrient source (i.e., the nutrient source concentration).

[0009]

[0009] The nutrient composition comprises one or more of the first nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In certain embodiments, the nutrient composition may have a nitrogen-to-phosphorus-to-potassium (NPK) ratio of about 2.5:1:4.5 to about 3.5:1:3.5, about 2.8:1:4.2 to about 3.2:1:3.8, or about 3:1:4. In certain embodiments, the ratio of nitrogen concentration to total nutrient concentration is 23% to 25%, or 24%. In certain embodiments, when diluted in application, nitrogen may be included in the nitrogen source at nitrogen concentrations of parts per 130 million ("ppm") to 160 ppm, 145 ppm to 155 ppm, or 150 ppm. In certain embodiments, the ratio of phosphorus concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 8% to 10%, or 9%. In certain embodiments, when diluted for application, phosphorus may be included in the phosphorus source at phosphorus concentrations of 45 ppm–65 ppm, 50 ppm–60 ppm, or 54 ppm. In certain embodiments, the ratio of potassium concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 30%–35%, or 33%. In certain embodiments, when diluted for application, potassium may be included in the potassium source at potassium concentrations of 180 ppm–215 ppm, 200 ppm–210 ppm, or 205 ppm. The potassium concentration may be greater than the nitrogen concentration. In certain embodiments, when diluted for application, the concentration of the first major nutrient is 355 ppm–440 ppm, 390 ppm–430 ppm, 400 ppm–420 ppm, or 409 ppm. In a particular embodiment, when diluted during application, if the nitrogen concentration is 150 ppm, the nutrient composition has total nutrient concentrations of 560 ppm to 685 ppm, 580 ppm to 675 ppm, 600 ppm to 655 ppm, 620 ppm to 635 ppm, or 617 ppm. In a particular embodiment, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations to the total nutrient concentration is 60% to 70%, or 66%.

[0010]

[0010] The embodiment of the nutritional composition includes one or more second major nutrients. Specifically, the embodiment of the nutritional composition includes sulfur. In a particular embodiment, the ratio of the sulfur concentration to the total nutrient concentration is in the range of 8% to 10%, or 9%. In a particular embodiment, when diluted in application, sulfur may be included in the sulfur source at sulfur concentrations of 45 ppm to 65 ppm, 50 ppm to 60 ppm, or 54 ppm. In a particular embodiment, when diluted in application, the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur (NPKS) are 400 ppm to 505 ppm, 445 ppm to 485 ppm, 455 ppm to 475 ppm, or 463 ppm. In a particular embodiment, the ratio of the NPKS concentration to the total nutrient concentration is 70% to 80%, or 75%. Additional second major nutrients may include calcium and magnesium. In certain embodiments, the ratio of calcium concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 17%–19% or 17%–18%, or 18%. In certain embodiments, when diluted during application, calcium may be included in the calcium source at calcium concentrations of 95 ppm–120 ppm, 105 ppm–115 ppm, or 107 ppm. In certain embodiments, when diluted during application, the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sulfur (NPKCaS) are 495 ppm–625 ppm, 540 ppm–600 ppm, 540 ppm–590 ppm, or 570 ppm. In certain embodiments, the ratio of NPKCaS concentration to total nutrient concentration is 85%–95%, 90%–95%, or 93%. In certain embodiments, the ratio of magnesium concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 5% to 8% or 6% to 7%, or 7%. In certain embodiments, when diluted for application, magnesium may be included in the magnesium source at magnesium concentrations of 30 ppm to 50 ppm, 35 ppm to 45 ppm, or 41 ppm. In certain embodiments, when diluted for application, the concentration of the second major nutrient is 175 ppm to 235 ppm, 195 ppm to 215 ppm, 200 ppm to 205 ppm, or 202 ppm. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the concentration of the second major nutrient to total nutrient concentration is 25% to 35%, or 33%. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the concentrations of the first and second major nutrient to total nutrient concentration is 98% to 99.5%.

[0011]

[0011] Certain embodiments of the nutritional composition include one or more micronutrients, such as boron from a boron source, copper from a copper source, iron from an iron source, manganese from a manganese source, molybdenum from a molybdenum source, and zinc from a zinc source. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the concentration of micronutrients to the total nutrient concentration is in the range of 0.5% to 2%, or 1%. In certain embodiments, when diluted for application, the concentration of one or more micronutrients is 3 ppm or more, 5 ppm or more, or 5 ppm to 6 ppm.

[0012]

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the nutritional composition comprises a nitrogen source; a phosphorus source; a potassium source; a calcium source; a sulfur source; and one or more sources of additional components selected from the group consisting of magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

[0013]

[0013] The nutrient compositions described herein may be suitable for inclusion in hydroponic systems and / or in a variety of different plant growth media. Specifically, the nutrient compositions can be combined with suitable compositions to form horticultural and potting soils, seed mulches, inter-row coverings for flowers and vegetables, and potting mixes. As understood, such plant growth media can be formed by combining the nutrient composition with a suitable base composition (e.g., soil, seed mulch, etc.). In certain embodiments, the suitable base composition can be formed from any material known in the art. For example, the suitable base composition can be formed from sphagnum moss, bark powder, perlite, yucca, coco peat, rock wool, wood fibers, and other organic compounds. In certain embodiments, the potting mix is ​​substantially soil-free. In other certain embodiments, it may include soil such as garden soil.

[0014]

[0014] In certain embodiments, the nutritional compositions described herein may be combined with granular basic compositions. For example, a known granular plant growth medium may include organic fertilizers such as chicken bedding or slow-release inorganic fertilizers as nutrient sources.

[0015]

[0015] As can be understood, the plant growth medium may contain additional components. Such additional components may not have to be substantially modified. For example, surfactants (or wetting agents), biological stimulants, microorganisms, and other bioactive substances may be included in the plant growth medium in various embodiments without substantially modification. In certain embodiments, the pH of the plant growth medium may be modified as is known in the art by including known pH adjusters. For example, limestone may be added to form a plant growth medium having a pH of about 5 to about 5.5.

[0016]

[0016] For further details on additional components and plant growth media, see U.S. Patent No. 4,088,528; U.S. Patent No. 4,185,680; U.S. Patent No. 5,269,634; U.S. Patent No. 5,413,618; U.S. Patent No. 5,542,962; U.S. Patent No. 5,567,220; U.S. Patent No. 5,976,211; U.S. Patent No. 5,900,038; U.S. Patent No. 8 Disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 024,890; U.S. Patent No. 6,711,850; European Patent No. EPO 923854; and PCT applications WO99 / 57079 and WO99 / 57080, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Examples]

[0017]

[0017] Table 1 shows the concentrations of various nutrients in the example nutritional compositions.

[0018] [Table 1]

[0019]

[0018] Table 2 shows the nutrient analysis of various nutrients in the example nutritional compositions. Other elements present in the example nutritional compositions (e.g., oxygen molecules of sulfate ions) are not shown.

[0020] [Table 2]

[0021]

[0019] As used herein, all percentages (%) are weight percentages of the total composition and, unless otherwise indicated, are expressed as weight / weight%, %(w / w), w / w, w / w%, or simply %.

[0022]

[0020] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​stated. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the stated value and a functionally equivalent range around that value.

[0023]

[0021] All maximum numerical limitations recited throughout this specification are to be understood to include any and all lesser numerical limitations as if such lesser numerical limitations were expressly recited herein. All minimum numerical limitations recited throughout this specification are to be understood to include any and all greater numerical limitations as if such greater numerical limitations were expressly recited herein. All numerical ranges recited throughout this specification are to be understood to include any and all narrower numerical ranges falling within such broader numerical ranges as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly recited herein.

[0024]

[0022] Any document cited in this specification, including any patent or application which is incorporated by reference or related thereto, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed in this specification, nor does it constitute an admission that it alone, or in any combination with any other one or more reference documents, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this document shall apply.

[0025] Throughout this specification, references to "various aspects", "some aspects", "one aspect", "some embodiments", "one embodiment", or "an aspect" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, the phrases "in various aspects", "in some aspects", "in one aspect", "in some embodiments", "in one embodiment", or "in an aspect" as used throughout this specification in various places need not necessarily refer to the same aspect. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0026]

[0024] The above description of aspects and examples is presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Many modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of these modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The aspects are chosen and described as examples of various aspects. Their scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or aspects described herein but can be utilized by those of ordinary skill in the art in any number of applications and equivalent documents. Rather, the scope intended is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Nitrogen source; Phosphorus source; Potassium source; Calcium source; and sulfur source A nutrient composition for hydroponic systems, comprising: Having a nitrogen-to-phosphorus-to-potassium (NPK) ratio of 2.5:1:4.5 to 3.5:1:3.5, Nutritional composition.

2. The nutritional composition according to claim 1, wherein the NPK ratio is approximately 3:1:

4.

3. The nutritional composition according to claim 1 or 2, having a total nutrient concentration of 530 ppm to 685 ppm when the nitrogen concentration is 150 ppm.

4. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sulfur (NPKCaS) are 495 ppm to 625 ppm.

5. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the potassium concentration is greater than the nitrogen concentration.

6. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ratio of the concentration of NPKCaS to the total nutrient concentration is 85% to 95%.

7. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ratio of the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the total nutrient concentration is 60% to 70%.

8. The ratio of nitrogen concentration to total nutrient concentration is 23% to 25%; The ratio of phosphorus concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 8% to 10%; The ratio of potassium concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 30% to 35%; The ratio of calcium concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 17% to 19%; The ratio of sulfur concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 8% to 10%. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Nitrogen concentration of 130 ppm to 160 ppm; Phosphorus concentration of 45 ppm to 65 ppm; Potassium concentration of 180 ppm to 215 ppm; Calcium concentration of 95 ppm to 120 ppm; and Sulfur concentration of 45 ppm to 65 ppm A nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising one or more sources of additional components selected from the group consisting of magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

11. Nitrogen source; Phosphorus source; Potassium source; Calcium source; Sulfur source; and One or more sources of additional components selected from the group consisting of magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. A nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the above.

12. A nutrient composition for hydroponic systems, which, when diluted, One or more first major nutrients in a concentration of 355 ppm to 440 ppm, comprising a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, and a potassium source; One or more second major nutrients in a concentration of 140 ppm to 235 ppm, comprising a calcium source and a sulfur source. A nutritional composition containing the following:

13. The nutritional composition according to claim 12, having a nitrogen-to-phosphorus-to-potassium (NPK) ratio of 2.5:1:4.5 to 3.5:1:3.

5.

14. The nutritional composition according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the NPK ratio is approximately 3:1:

4.

15. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the total nutrient concentration is 530 ppm to 685 ppm when the nitrogen concentration is 150 ppm.

16. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sulfur (NPKCaS) are 495 ppm to 625 ppm.

17. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the potassium concentration is greater than the nitrogen concentration.

18. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the ratio of the concentration of NPKCaS to the total nutrient concentration is 85% to 95%.

19. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the ratio of the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the total nutrient concentration is 60% to 70%.

20. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 19, further comprising a magnesium source as a second major nutrient.

21. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the second major nutrient consists of a sulfur source, a calcium source, and a magnesium source.

22. The ratio of calcium concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 17% to 19%; The ratio of sulfur concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 8% to 10%; The ratio of magnesium concentration to total nutrient concentration is in the range of 5% to 8%. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 21.

23. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the sulfur concentration is 45 ppm to 65 ppm; the calcium concentration is 95 ppm to 120 ppm; and the magnesium concentration is 30 ppm to 50 ppm.

24. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein the ratio of the concentrations of the first major nutrient and the second major nutrient to the total nutrient concentration is 98% to 99.5%.

25. A nutritional composition according to any one of claims 12 to 24, further comprising one or more micronutrients.

26. The nutritional composition according to claim 25, wherein one or more micronutrients are selected from the group consisting of a boron source, a copper source, an iron source, a manganese source, a molybdenum source, and a zinc source.

27. The nutritional composition according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein one or more micronutrients consist of a boron source, a copper source, an iron source, a manganese source, a molybdenum source, and a zinc source.

28. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the ratio of the concentration of micronutrients to the total nutrient concentration is in the range of 0.5% to 2%.

29. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein, when diluted, the concentration of one or more micronutrients is 3 ppm or more.

30. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein, when diluted, the concentration of one or more micronutrients is 5 ppm or more.

31. The nutritional composition according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein, when diluted, the concentration of one or more micronutrients is 5 ppm to 6 ppm.

32. A water-soluble powder comprising the nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

33. A plant growth medium comprising the nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

34. A method for growing one or more plants, comprising the step of supplying one or more plants with a nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

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