Stable Metal Phosphite Composition for Plant Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phosphite compounds used as fungicides and fertilizers oxidize into phosphates when applied to plants, losing their fungicidal activity, and mixing with copper results in phytotoxic products due to pH issues, making simultaneous application challenging against fungal and bacterial diseases.

Innovation Solution

A stable metal phosphite solution is developed by blending phosphorous acid with a metal salt, such as copper sulfate, and ammonium hydroxide to maintain a pH of 6.5-7.5, using a molar ratio of 1-4 ammonium to 1 metal ion, and optionally incorporating a complexing agent like HEDP to prevent precipitation, ensuring phosphite and copper ions remain available for plant uptake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If phosphorous acid is mixed with copper salts for simultaneous fungicidal and bactericidal treatment, then both fungal and bacterial diseases can be treated, but the mixture becomes phytotoxic due to low pH

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease treatment coverageVSAvoidphytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter from acidic (below 6.0) to neutral or slightly alkaline (6.5-7.5) by adding ammonium hydroxide. This parameter change eliminates phytotoxicity while maintaining the dual fungicidal and bactericidal activity of the copper-phosphorous combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Ammonium hydroxide acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between phosphorous acid and copper salts. It raises the pH to eliminate phytotoxicity and forms soluble copper-ammonium complexes that prevent precipitation, enabling safe simultaneous application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the pH is raised to 6.5 or higher to reduce phytotoxicity, then plant safety is improved, but insoluble precipitates of copper hydroxide and copper phosphite form

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovephytotoxicityVSAvoidsolution stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Ammonium hydroxide serves as a mediator that prevents precipitation by forming soluble copper-ammonium complexes. These complexes keep copper in solution at pH 6.5-7.5, preventing the formation of insoluble copper hydroxide and copper phosphite precipitates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical environment by introducing ammonium ions through ammonium hydroxide. This creates a new equilibrium where copper exists as soluble ammonium-copper complexes rather than precipitating as hydroxide or phosphite salts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If phosphite is applied to provide continuous fungicidal protection, then plant protection is maintained, but phosphite oxidizes into phosphate and loses activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefungicidal protectionVSAvoidphosphite activity duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful oxidation of phosphite into a beneficial slow-release mechanism. By formulating phosphite with copper and ammonium hydroxide, the oxidation process is slowed and controlled, allowing phosphite to gradually convert to phosphate while maintaining sustained fungicidal activity over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation ensures continuous fungicidal action by maintaining phosphite in a stable, slowly oxidizing state. The copper-phosphorous-ammonium complex system provides sustained release of active phosphite, ensuring continuous plant protection rather than rapid depletion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The solution maintains the fungicidal and nutritional benefits of phosphite and copper, preventing oxidation and precipitation, thus providing effective plant protection with minimal phytotoxicity and improved germination rates.

Implementation Method 1

ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) to obtain a pH of at least 6.5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Implementation Method 2

the molar ratio of ammonium to metal is 1-4 moles ammonium to 1 mole metal ion to maintain phosphite in solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex formation:

Implementation Method 3

phosphite ions and their anti-fungal properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFungicidal action:

Implementation Method 4

copper ions and their anti-fungal properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBactericidal and fungicidal action:

Implementation Method 5

the complexing agent is HEDP (Hydroxyethyl diphosphonic acid). The complexing agent will prevent the precipitation of phosphite and the metal at pH above 6.5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplexation:

Data Source

PatentUS10723664B1Stable metal phosphite composition

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 JH BIOTECH INC

AI summary

A stable metal phosphite composition made from water, phosphorous acid (H3PO3), a metal salt and a sufficient a quantity of liquid ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) where the molar ratio of ammonium ions to metal ions is 1-4 moles ammonium to 1 mole metal. The composition can be diluted for use-application providing beneficial nutrients for plant uptake.