Trunk Injection Composition for Tree Insect Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current trunk injection methods for protecting trees from harmful insects are limited in their effectiveness across various tree species and can cause chemical damage, with existing surfactants and solvents leading to instability and poor dispersivity of active ingredients within the tree body.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the adjustment of surfactant type and amount, combined with a neonicotinoid-based insecticide and an organic solvent, to enhance the solubility and dispersion of the active ingredient within the tree, allowing for stable eradication of harmful insects without chemical damage, applicable to multiple tree types and insect species.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing trunk injection preparations are used to protect trees from harmful insects, then insecticidal activity is achieved, but chemical damage occurs to non-pine trees and the preparations are ineffective against diverse insect species

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness against diverse tree species and insect typesVSAvoidchemical damage to trees
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the chemical composition parameters of the injection preparation. Specifically, it replaces conventional organic phosphorus-based insecticides with neonicotinoid-based insecticides (such as thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, or acetamiprid) at optimized concentrations (0.1-10% by weight). The patent also modifies solvent composition by using water-soluble organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, or N-methylpyrrolidone) at controlled ratios (1-30% by weight) combined with water, thereby achieving broad-spectrum insecticidal activity while eliminating chemical damage to diverse tree species including pine, cedar, cypress, fruit trees, and ornamental trees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by formulating a multi-component injection preparation that combines neonicotinoid-based insecticide active ingredients with specific water-soluble organic solvents and surfactants. This composite formulation integrates multiple functional components: the neonicotinoid provides broad-spectrum insecticidal activity, the water-soluble organic solvent ensures proper solubility and transport, and the surfactant enhances dispersion within the tree body. This composite approach enables effective protection against various harmful insects across different tree species without causing chemical damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If neonicotinoid-based compounds with low water solubility are used, then insecticidal activity is improved, but dispersivity within the tree body deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsecticidal activityVSAvoiddispersivity of active ingredient
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing water-soluble organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, or N-methylpyrrolidone) and surfactants as mediator substances. These intermediaries facilitate the dissolution and dispersion of neonicotinoid-based compounds with low inherent water solubility. The organic solvent acts as a bridge between the hydrophobic insecticide and the aqueous tree sap, while the surfactant further enhances solubility and uniform distribution. This intermediary approach maintains high insecticidal activity of the neonicotinoid while ensuring proper dispersivity and stability within the tree body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration ratios of neonicotinoid-based insecticide (0.1-10% by weight), water-soluble organic solvent (1-30% by weight), and surfactant (0.1-5% by weight). By carefully adjusting these compositional parameters, the patent achieves the optimal balance between maintaining the insecticidal efficacy of the neonicotinoid compound and ensuring its complete solubility and uniform dispersivity within the tree body through the modified solvent system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional organic phosphorus-based insecticides are used, then broad insecticidal coverage is achieved, but the amount of chemical required increases and environmental impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of harmful insect speciesVSAvoidamount of chemical used
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional organic phosphorus-based insecticides to neonicotinoid-based insecticides at significantly reduced concentrations. The neonicotinoid-based active ingredients demonstrate superior insecticidal potency with higher affinity for insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, enabling effective control of broad-spectrum harmful insects (including aphids, caterpillars, beetles, and sawyers) at much lower application rates. This parameter change in active ingredient chemistry achieves enhanced coverage efficiency with reduced chemical quantity and minimized environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method demonstrates high insecticidal activity with reduced chemical usage, preventing damage to trees without causing chemical harm, and is effective against a wide range of harmful insects, including those not targeted by existing methods, while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

the type and content of the surfactant is adjusted to a trunk injection preparation comprised of an insecticide or bactericide active ingredient and an organic solvent according to differences in aqueous solubility of the active ingredient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubility enhancement by surfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

a neonicotinoid-based insecticide and an organic solvent, to enhance the solubility and dispersion of the active ingredient within the tree

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8999359B2Composition that prevents damage to trees by harmful insects and a prevention method thereof
Publication Date: 2015.04.07 SYNGENTA CROP PROTECTION INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a neonicotinoid-based compound having a high degree of insecticidal activity, a surfactant, and an organic solvent, which is capable of demonstrating stable effects and in which the types and amounts of surfactant and organic solvent are adjusted so as to prevent chemical damage in numerous types of trees. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for preventing damage to trees by harmful insects of numerous types of trees by injecting this composition into a tree trunk and allowing the chemical to circulate within the tree body.