Viscous Plant Growth Regulator Suspension for Sustained Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current plant growth regulator applications in liquid or granular forms have limited residency time and require frequent reapplications, leading to inefficient absorption and utilization by plants, with potential detrimental effects from high concentrations and rapid degradation.
Innovation Solution
A highly concentrated plant growth regulator in a particulate phase, suspended in a solid, semisolid, or highly viscous fluid, allowing for targeted and extended release to specific plant areas, reducing the need for frequent applications and minimizing soil or atmospheric contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plant growth regulators are applied in liquid or granular form, then they can be easily distributed, but they have limited residency time and require frequent reapplications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the plant growth regulator from liquid or granular form to a suspended particulate phase in a semisolid or viscous medium. This parameter change increases the residency time on plant surfaces while maintaining ease of application through sprayable formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite formulation by suspending plant growth regulator particles in a semisolid or viscous medium. This composite structure provides both the ease of application associated with liquid formulations and the extended residency time of solid formulations.
2Productivity
If high concentrations of plant growth regulators are applied, then growth effects are enhanced, but detrimental effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The suspended particulate formulation provides periodic, sustained release of plant growth regulators over time. This periodic action maintains effective concentrations for growth enhancement while avoiding the harmful effects of high peak concentrations that occur with traditional liquid applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation allows for localized application to specific plant areas such as graft wounds or pruning sites. This local quality approach concentrates the growth regulator where needed for maximum effect while reducing overall exposure and potential harmful effects on other plant parts.
3Reliability
If frequent reapplications are made, then growth regulation is maintained, but water usage and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The semisolid or viscous suspension formulation provides continuous, sustained action of the plant growth regulator over an extended period. This continuity maintains consistent growth regulation effects while eliminating the need for frequent reapplications that would consume additional water and increase costs.
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
This approach provides sustained release of plant growth regulators for extended periods, enhancing growth and reducing water usage, while allowing for targeted application on grafted trees and pruning wounds, with potential for cost savings in agricultural settings.
Implementation Method 1
A highly concentrated plant growth regulator in a particulate phase, suspended in a solid, semisolid, or highly viscous fluid
Implementation Method 2
enhancing growth and reducing water usage, while allowing for targeted application on grafted trees and pruning wounds
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a highly concentrated plant growth regulator suspended in a solid, semisolid, paste, gel, etc. that allows for targeted application and extended, continuous release of the plant growth regulator in the targeted growth-related areas of the plant/tree. The carrier medium is dosed with one or more particulate PGRs, and possibly a fungicide or insecticide, and this composition results in not only a highly effective way to achieve growth, but also allows for a very unique application and benefit on grafted trees by sealing the graft wound and accelerating the regrowth either alone or in combination with traditional treatments. Additionally, the present invention can be used to seal pruning wounds that farmers heretofore have used Latex type products.