Chevreul's Salt Copper Fertilizer for Controlled Plant Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing copper fertilizers are easily leached from the root zone or washed off the leaf surface, requiring excessive doses and posing economic and ecological challenges due to their water solubility, while current slow-release fertilizers do not provide the right release rate for plant consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of Chevreul's salt (Cu2SO3·CuSO3·2H2O), which contains copper in two oxidation states and is very water-insoluble, is formulated into various fertilizer compositions to release copper at the right rate for plant consumption, even at lower application rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-soluble copper fertilizers (copper sulfate, EDTA Cu2+) are used, then copper is easily absorbed by plants, but the fertilizer is easily leached from root zone or washed off leaf surface requiring excessive doses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of copper fertilizer from water-soluble to water-insoluble form (Cu2SO3·CuSO3·2H2O). This insoluble form prevents leaching and washing off while still providing reliable copper availability through controlled biological or chemical decomposition processes that release copper ions for plant absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary decomposition process (biological or chemical) that mediates between the insoluble copper fertilizer form and plant-available copper ions. This intermediary mechanism ensures copper is released at the right rate without requiring the fertilizer to be directly soluble in water.
2Reliability
If high doses of copper fertilizer are applied to compensate for leaching, then copper availability is maintained, but economic and ecological costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the physical-chemical parameter of copper fertilizer from soluble to insoluble form, the patent eliminates the need for excessive dosing to compensate for leaching. The controlled release mechanism of the insoluble form provides reliable copper availability at much lower application doses, reducing both economic and ecological costs.
3Loss of substance
If insoluble copper compounds are used for slow release, then leaching is prevented, but the release rate may not match plant consumption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces biological or chemical decomposition processes as intermediaries that control the release rate of copper from the insoluble Cu2SO3·CuSO3·2H2O form. This intermediary mechanism ensures the copper is released at the right speed to match plant consumption requirements, preventing both deficiency and excessive accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insoluble copper compound performs self-service through its own decomposition processes, releasing copper ions at controlled rates without requiring external intervention. The material's inherent chemical stability and controlled decomposition provide automatic regulation of copper release to match plant needs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Chevreul's salt effectively supplies sufficient copper to plants, minimizing dosage requirements and improving yield and quality by ensuring consistent copper availability.
Implementation Method 1
The copper ions can be contained in the fertilizer in a chemical form in which they are insoluble, but are gradually released from this insoluble form by biological or chemical processes and thus become accessible to plants
Data Source
AI summary
A fertilizer that includes Chevreul's salt, Cu2SO3·CuSO3·2H2O that enables copper to provided plants. Related fertilizer compositions and methods of nutrition of plants are also described.