526 results about "Plant sap" patented technology

A method of making an absorbent composite that includes a first fabric, a second fabric, and particles positioned between the two fabrics and absorbent articles made from the absorbent composite. The particles are secured between the two fabric using adhesive, thermal plastic or combinations thereof. The fabrics are bonded together in a manner that limits particle movement between the fabrics. The bond pattern may define pockets or other shapes. In applications in which the bond pattern forms pockets, the particles may be positioned in the pockets. The particles may be SAP particles or other particles with advantageous properties.

An integrated system for monitoring sap flow and simultaneously performing data-logging and automatically scheduling irrigation in a field; comprising a plurality of in situ sap flow gauges that perform its comprehensive computer-controlled tasks in the field being irrigated. This plurality of sap flow gauge can be detached from and reattached to a like plurality of plant stems as appropriate. A scaling mechanism is used to calculate crop water usage in variously-sized fields. An integrated portable computer apparatus is programmed to perform a plurality of actions including sap flow monitoring via a controller and data-logger; data-logging and automatic irrigation scheduling; a plurality of sap flow gauges; an automatic rain gage; a water meter; an irrigation valve actuator; and any auxiliary and independent weather or soil monitoring sensors. The system is connected to a PC, mounted in a weatherproof enclosure, and powered by rechargeable battery, solar panel, or AC mains power with battery backup. Computerized monitoring and control procedures are initialized via a custom-developed graphical user interface. At any predetermined interval set by a user, the depth or volume of water required to balance transpiration losses is calculated and irrigation is then automatically triggered. The system affords closed loop control with water flow from soil through plant to atmosphere and from irrigation—and having the benefit of a feedback loop.

The aqueous coating composition of the present invention can form a high crosslink density owing to the high hydroxyl value, contains a soft urethane structure and alicyclic structure possessed by the water-soluble urethane polyol and the water-dispersible urethane resin, and also contains tough isocyanurate ring structures possessed by the water-dispersible acrylic resin and the hydrophilic polyisocyanate; accordingly, can give a coating film which is high in impact resistance, abrasion resistance, contamination resistance, etc., which has properties equivalent to those possessed by the films produced from organic solvent type coatings, and which has high durability; therefore, is most suitable for coating a golf ball to be hit by a golf club. A golf ball coated with the aqueous coating composition of the present invention is free from cracking or film peeling when hit by a golf club; is low in scratch, abrasion and contamination with grass sap; therefore, can retain gloss and fine appearance.

An integrated method is developed to utilize to a maximum extent the fresh biomass of seaweeds such as Kappaphycus alvarezii that can be crushed to release sap and where the sap is useful as a potent liquid fertilizer after suitable treatment with additives and dilution while the residue is a superior raw material for extraction of κ-carrageenan, thereby enhancing the value of the seaweed. Other advantages of the invention include a reduced drying time and drying area to obtain the raw material for κ-carrageenan production in dry and storable form, a reduced cost of transporting and storing this raw material because of its lesser bulk, easier handling due to its free flowing granular nature, and its direct use for gel preparation in certain applications.

A method of and a product formed by entrapping a bioactive, growth-promoting additive in a starch matrix to form a starch-based, superabsorbent polymer product for use in agricultural applications involves (1) graft polymerizing a monomer and a starch to form a starch graft copolymer including a starch matrix; (2) isolating the starch graft copolymer; (3) forming particles of starch graft copolymer; and (4) adding a bioactive, growth-promoting additive such that at least some of the bioactive, growth-promoting additive is entrapped by the starch matrix. Following placement of the starch-based SAP including a bioactive, growth-promoting additive in proximity to a plant, root, seed, or seedling, growth of the plant, root, seed, or seedling is promoted because availability of beneficial nutrients is increased.