Abstract: The present invention provides a plant growth media which comprises small tufts of mineral wool having dispersed therein, particles of acidic phenolic resin for pH control and particles of vermiculite. The ingredients and structure of the product results in a lightweight growth media having a suitable pH for growing certain plants while also providing for flowability, enhanced water adsorption and cohesiveness which prevents the composition from spilling out of certain types of plant containers. The composition also provides enhanced root anchorage without sacrificing the properties of flowability and water adsorption. The composition also optimizes other features which makes the composition and ideal plant growth media.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for chemically stabilizing cohesive soils. Sulfuric acid, citrus stripper oil, and water are admixed to the soil. Then the soil is packed to consolidate the soil particles.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for plant culture, particularly in arid regions. A culture bed is defined by moisture-proof walls and is charged with soil. Pipes disposed at the bottom of the culture bed supply moisture to plants growing therein, the amount of moisture being controlled to maintain the upper boundary of the capillary penetration zone a distance below the soil surface.

Abstract: A method for making an agriculturally useful inoculant of dried, dormant bacteria is described. To make the inoculant, a suspension of Rhizobium or other bacteria is maintained, substantially separated from its culture medium, at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree.-30.degree. C. for varying periods of time under aseptic conditions. The bacterial suspension is then mixed with a porous chemically inert granular carrier such that the weight ratio of carrier to bacteria is in the range of about 0.5 to 1.0. Finally, the bacteria-carrier mixture is air dried for a period of about 2 to 10 days under aseptic conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for and a method of soil sterilization to control undersirable biotica resident therein. The apparatus for soil sterilization includes a shielded chamber with a baffled inlet and a baffled outlet formed on side walls thereof. Means for generating electromagnetic energy in the gamma region is provided, and the rays emitted therefrom are contained within the shielded chamber. A conveyor means such as a conveyor belt continuously and sequentially conveys portions of unsterilized soil from a tillable field into the baffled inlet, then through the energized chamber, and thence out of the baffled outlet. After exposure to the gamma rays contained within the chamber, undesirable biotica resident in the unsterilized soil are significantly reduced by death and morbidity.

Abstract: For preventing or controlling bacterial harm to plants, as by disease or ice nucleation, a bateriophage composition of matter containing one or more viral h mutants specific to amutant of the bacteria concerned is produced and applied to seed, soil or soil supplements, plants, or plant materials that have been exposed to or are contaiminated with or infected by bacerial disease, or to growing plants subject to ice nucleation or other bacterial harm. The invention is concerned with the composition and with the method of producing and using same.

Abstract: Improvement in the physical properties of soil is achieved by the application of aqueous mixtures of agricultural polyelectrolytes and polysaccharides to the soil. The combination of agricultural polyelectrolytes and polysaccharides results in greatly improving the physical properties of the soil while significantly reducing the quantity of agricultural polymers as compared to methods of the prior art.

Abstract: Aqueous rooting gel which comprises a thixotropic gel of hectorite in water containing at least 60 ppm, and preferably not more than 200 ppm calcium ions. There is also provided a transparent container including such a rooting gel. The gels are useful for rooting a wide variety of soft wood cuttings, eg fuchsia and geranium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for on-site remedial soil restoration activity of a work site contaminated with volatile organic compounds. Soil is removed from the ground and hauled to an initial feed hopper whereat it is conveyed to an inlet end of a hollow rotating cylinder having plural flights therein for effecting a moving of the contaminated soil lengthwise of the rotating cylinder toward an outlet end. The soil is heated as it tumbles about in the cylinder and the volatile orgainc compounds (VOCs) are volatilized inside the rotating cylinder. The hot gases drawn from the cylinder are filtered for the purpose of removing dry soil fines. The soil exiting the outlet end of the cylinder is then recirculated through the rotating cylinder and thereafter fed to a conveying mechanism, whereat the cleaned soil is delivered to a selected location. The cleaned soil is then placed into the ground. The hot gases are scrubbed to remove therefrom any organics, acids and phosgenes.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for plant culture, particularly in arid regions. A culture bed is defined by moisture-proof walls and is charged with soil. Pipes disposed at the bottom of the culture bed supply moisture to plants growing therein, the amount of moisture being controlled to maintain the upper boundary of the capillary penetration zone a distance below the soil surface.

Abstract: The molds infesting a given soil are extirpated by the flow of a pulsating direct current of not less than 50 mA to prevent a farm product from diseases causable by the aforementioned molds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the fumigation of soils, enclosed spaces, agricultural products and other commodities, etc., using compositions which decompose to form carbon disulfide and certain other biocidal materials. Such fumigation can be used to control bacteria, fungi, insects, nematodes, rodents, and weeds.Fumigant compositions are described herein as "thiocarbonates," including, without limitation, salts of trithiocarbonic acid and tetrathiocarbonic acid, compositions having empirical formulae intermediate to these acid salts (such as MCS.sub.3.7, wherein M is a divalent metal ion), and compositions containing substances in addition to thiocarbonates [such as a stabilized ammonium tetrathiocarbonate which contains ammonium sulfide, i.e., (NH.sub.4).sub.2 CS.sub.4.(NH.sub.4).sub.2 S].The compositions are generally water soluble and can be prepared, stored, and used in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: An aqueous suspension of activated charcoal provides an inexpensive method for detoxifying large areas of soil and turf contaminated with organic pesticides.

Abstract: A growing medium for plants is prepared by mixing a growing material with a highly water-absorbent polymer.The polymer may be an acrylamide polymer cross-linked with methylene bisacrylamide which absorbs water to form a sticky gel.The growing material may comprise rock wool.

Abstract: Olefin polymer films are produced comprising amounts of one or more permeability reducing fatty acid derivative compounds. The resultant films have improved barrier abilities as evidenced by reduced methyl bromide diffusion rates. The films are very suitably employed as soil fumigation tarpaulins or soil covering materials. Improved methods for confining chemical treatment agents are also taught.

Abstract: A method for infusing substances into liquids through the use of electrolysis allows mixtures having controlled concentrations at predetermined proportions to be produced. The liquids with infused substances may be used as feedstuff for plants and/or animals; e.g., water mixed with magnesium compounds may be used to enrich the diets of plankton and/or cattle. The electrolysis apparatus allows the infusion to occur continuously into a flowing stream of liquid, allows the rate of infusion to be controlled, to a predetermined concentration regardless of the flow rate of the stream and affords means of self-cleaning to the electrodes to maintain the electrolytic reactions at high coulometric efficiency.

Abstract: A continuous process for making rigid PVC foam objects by extruding a preform from an initial PVC mixture, optionally cutting the preform into blanks, and expanding the preform or the blanks in water heated to a temperature above 70.degree. C. The initial mixture contains polyvinyl chloride, at least a first blowing agent capable of generating a gas, for example an isocyanate or a polyisocyanate, and at least one organic anhydride (and does not contain any added inert particles finely divided therein). The initial mixture may also contain less than one weight percent of a second blowing agent, for example azobisisobutyronitrile or azodicarbonamide. The objects produced possess heat- and sound-insulating properties.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for planting seeds in a field. An anti-cohesion liquid chemical is injected at 30 to 50 p.s.i. into a narrow ribbon of soil, no more than two inches wide and two inches deep. Immediately thereafter, the soil ribbon is vigorously agitated at 900 to 2000 r.p.m. to insure coating of all of the soil particles with the chemical to a depth below that at which the seed is to be planted. The seeds are then placed at precise locations within and covered by the treated soil, and the soil over them is firmed.

Abstract: A method of promoting the transport of water through medium and coarse grained soils comprising the step of applying to the medium or coarse grained soil a soil amendment composition at a level of less than 20 parts per million parts by weight of dry soil, and preferably less than 5 ppm. The composition comprises a substantially linear, substantially water-soluble hydrophilic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 50,000. A preferred polymer is poly (ethylene oxide) having a molecular weight of 300,000 to 7,000,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving a soil structure by stabilization of aggregates. According to the invention it is applied to the soil a graft polymer substantially free of monomer, having an intrinsic viscosity below 1 dg/l and a molecular weight below 100,000. The graft polymer is obtained by the exothermic reaction of a water soluble lignosulfonate with a member selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof. The graft polymers have been found to be also useful as binding reagents for agglomerating single particles of particulate materials.The graft polymers according to the invention are obtained in the form of an aqueous solution, which may be transformed into a powder by spray drying. As soil conditioners they may be applied by spraying, alone or admixed with fertilizers or pesticides and also combined with the operation of planting and soil stabilization.

Abstract: A method of promoting the transport of water through medium and coarse grained soils comprising the step of applying to the medium or coarse grained soil a soil amendment composition at a level of less than 20 parts per million parts by weight of dry soil, and preferably less than 5 ppm. The composition comprises a substantially linear, substantially water-soluble hydrophilic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 50,000. A preferred polymer is poly (ethylene oxide) having a molecular weight of 300,000 to 7,000,000.

Abstract: Compositions of and a method for preparing polymeric formulations that gradually, continuously and uniformly release various compounds over a long period of time in ionic form that are well recognized as essential to the growth of agricultural commodities. The compounds, such as inorganic salts of varying water solubilities, are monolithically incorporated in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix usually of two thermoplastic polymers, for example, a copolymer of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) or a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. Release is generally conditioned upon the presence of moisture and is proportional to the moisture content of soil treated with the subject invention. Release rate is tailored to a given desirable condition by regulation of the free volume and/or porosity within the polymer matrix and through dispenser geometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving a soil structure by stabilization of aggregates and to the reagents used therefor. The reagents used are graft polymers obtained from crude lignosulfonate and monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl cyanide (acrylonitrile), vinyl acetate, hydrolized vinyl acetate and acrylamide or combinations thereof, at a pH range of between 2 and 6 in the presence of an initiator.The reagents obtained according to the invention are true solutions and are characterized by their low viscosity. They can be used in solution, emulsion or suspension either by spraying alone or admixed with fertilizers, pesticides or combined with the operation of planting and soil stabilization.The reagents can be easily manufactured, being stable for prolonged periods of time. They possess outstanding properties as soil conditioners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a fibrous mass from peat, in which, after a primary sorting operation, the peat-material suspension is liquid-concentration regulated by supplying thereto an amount of liquid depending on the degree of humidification of the dug-up peat, and then supplying the suspension under pressure to at least one screening member having a permeability depending on the peat-fiber concentration of the peat-material after the concentration regulation.

Abstract: Remnants of cedar timers, including bark, sawdust, wood chips and the like are spread in a layer upon soil to enhance the growth of vegetables, especially tuberous vegetables, such as potatoes. The cedar remnants provide nutrients for vegetables, retard the growth of weeds, aid in the retention of moisture and inhibit the propagation of harmful insects.

Abstract: Remnants of incense cedar timbers, including bark, sawdust, woodchips and the like, when ground together form a composition useful in enhancing the growth of many species of desirable vegetation, including flowers, grass, shrubs and decorative plants. The ground incense cedar timber remnants aid significantly in the retention of moisture which can be extracted by the root systems of plants for nourishment. The ground composition of incense cedar timber remnants also retards the growth of weeds, inhibits the growth of fungi and suppresses infestation of the plants by harmful pests, such as insects.

Abstract: Soil is stabilized and strengthened by application of solutions of calcium polysulfides. Compositions useful for soil stabilization comprise aqueous solutions of calcium polysulfide or aqueous mixtures of calcium polysulfides and dispersed organic polymers. Emulsifiers provide soil penetration.

Abstract: Absorbent polymeric compositions are disclosed which are prepared by graft copolymerizing acrylonitrile onto a starch or corn flour-containing substrate followed by subjecting the graft copolymer to alkaline saponification. A polymeric composition of increased absorbency is obtained by isolating the saponified graft copolymer from solution as a colloidal precipitate subsequent to the slow addition of an alcohol to the solution.

Abstract: Absorbent polymeric compositions are disclosed which are prepared by graft copolymerizing acrylonitrile onto an amylaceous material--formaldehyde substrate and then subjecting the graft copolymer to alkaline saponification. The resulting absorbent polymeric composition sets up into a hard gel after absorbing multiple weights (e.g., up to about 3,000 times its own weight) of water.

Abstract: Absorbent compositions comprising graft copolymers of starch are prepared by a simplified method of synthesis. By using a mixture of a nonionic acrylic monomer and an anionic sulfonic acid-substituted acrylic monomer, highly absorbent compositions are prepared without the need for an alkaline saponification step. These compositions are also characterized by their ability to absorb large amounts of aqueous fluids under highly acidic conditions.

Abstract: The admixing of highly absorbent starch-containing polymeric compositions with higher fatty alcohols containing 12 carbon atoms per molecule to 24 carbon atoms per molecule, thereby reducing and/or inhibiting the evaporation of fluid from the highly absorbent starch-containing polymeric compositions.

Abstract: Soil is stabilized to resist erosion due to weather exposure by depositing a latex coagulating amount of an aqueous solution of a polyvalent metal salt on the soil surface followed thereafter by depositing on that so treated surface a soil stabilizing amount of an aqueous polymer latex coagulable by said salt.

Abstract: According to the invention, the productivity of cultivated plants is controlled by a microbiological process. At least one telluric microorganism having a favorable rhizospheric effect on a plant is embedded in a polymer gel. Fragments of the gel are then inoculated into the rhizosphere of the plant. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the required fragments of polymer gel. Polymerization of the gel is carried out in the presence of a culture of the desired microorganism, and the polymer block is thereafter broken up prior to use.

Abstract: Remnants of cedar timbers, including bark, sawdust, wood chips and the like are spread in a layer upon soil to enhance the growth of vegetables, especially tuberous vegetables, such as potatoes. The cedar remnants provide nutrients for vegetables, retard the growth of weeds, aid in the retention of moisture and inhibit the propagation of harmful insects.

Abstract: Wet soil containing up to about 40% by wet weight of water is stabilized into a relatively dry, compactable soil mass for use as backfill in excavations by admixing lime and an alkali metal salt of a starch-polyacrylonitrile or starch-polymethacrylonitrile graft copolymer with the soil, allowing the resulting admixture to stand for a short period of time to produce a relatively dry, compactable soil mass, and thereafter using the soil mass as backfill. The aforementioned graft copolymer can also be used as backfill around electrically conductive, grounding members by combining the graft copolymer with a binder or relatively water impervious material, such as a bentonite clay, and interposing the clay/graft coploymer mixture between the grounding member and the surrounding soil.

Abstract: A method of agglomerating and desolventizing starch-hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile graft copolymer using atomized, liquid water.

Abstract: Iron (FE) may be reacted in the presence of an alkaline material with vegetable tannin by mixing water (H.sub.2 O), comminuted iron in its elemental state and vegetable tannin to form an iron chelate which holds iron in a form available to and assimilable by plants. Treatment of plants with the iron chelate supplies iron thereto and corrects iron chlorosis. Comminuted cast iron and vegetable tannin extract may be used, respectively, as the Fe and vegetable tannin sources. Further, comminuted redwood, which is known to be poisonous to many plants in its natural state, is believed to be converted into a nonpoisonous growing medium which supplies iron to plants and stimulates plant growth by reacting the vegetable tannin naturally occurring in the redwood to form the aforementioned iron chelate therein.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing soil, such as sub-bases, bases and wear courses of roads and airport runways, sand dunes and other loose, particulate material, which includes mixing an epoxy resin ester of unsaturated fatty acids with soil, preferably at the optimum moisture content of the soil, in ratios of as little as one part of chemical to 200 parts of soil, with the amount depending on the use. Optionally, small but effective quantities of cement may be added to the composition in the range of about 2 to 20% of the weight of the soil. A soil coating or top dressing may be applied to the resultant structure if desired.

Abstract: A plant viral disease inhibitor containing as an active ingredient thereof at least one material selected from the group consisting of theaflavin and its derivatives represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or ##STR2## and their analogues.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic, multiphase copolymers selected from the group consisting of copolymers represented by graft copolymers having the general formula ##STR1## AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA XB--[AB].sub.n --yA wherein n is an integer .gtoreq. 1, m is > 1, x and y are 0 or 1, and y is 1 when n is 1, A is a thermoplastic, hydrophobic polymer block having a softening point (i.e., a glass transition or cyrstalline melting point) of at least 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least 2,000, and B is a thermoplastic, hydrophilic polymer block having a softening point of at least about 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least about 6,000, which comprises from about 30-97 wt % of said copolymer. The novel polymers of this invention are useful for making water containing gels. Preferably, the thermoplastic multiphase copolymer is a styrene-ethylene oxide copolymer.

Abstract: In the soil pasteurizing apparatus disclosed herein, soil to be treated is placed within elongate canisters which are then inserted in an enclosure in the form of a shallow box having a transparent window constituting one of the broad faces thereof. The canisters are spaced from each other and from the walls of the enclosure. Reflective means are provided for directing, onto the canisters, solar radiation which impinges in regions of the enclosure not actually occupied by the canisters. Thermally-induced circulation around the canisters further facilitates overall heating. The elongate configuration of the canisters permits even the interior portion of a usable volume of soil to be heated to pasteurizing temperatures using only the solar energy available in a convenient time interval, e.g. 3 hours.

Abstract: Improvement in one or more of germination time, germination rate, plant growth and crop yield of crops grown from seed in non-irrigated fields of fertile soil suitable for growing the crop, by applying a growth promoting amount of a linear alkylsulfonic acid surfactant, or non-phytotoxic salt thereof, only to the soil proximate the seeds proximate the time of planting.

Abstract: Microwave transmitters generate electromagnetic energy at a desired frequency in the range of from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Energy derived from the microwave transmitters is coupled into a waveguide for transmission to an energy radiator coupled to the waveguide. The energy radiator, waveguide and microwave transmitters are vehicle mounted such that the radiator is made to pass over areas in which it is desired to control vegetation. Vegetation, including seeds, in the path of energy emitting from the radiator absorbs the energy from the field resulting in internal changes in the plant or seed causing death or debilitation of the vegetation or seed.

Abstract: A kit for soil fumigating a seed or seedling bed which includes one or more thin-walled metal cans containing volatile fumigant and a device for puncturing the sidewall of the one or more thin-walled metal cans while under a polymeric film tarpaulin covering the seed bed. The puncturing device is a generally U-shaped bent strip of sheet metal having a substantially flat base portion and an arm portion projecting from each end of the base portion with a sharp pointed prong portion formed from the base portion and projecting therefrom about midway the ends of the base portion and in the same general direction as the substantially parallel arm portions. The base portion is long enough to space the arms apart to receive a can to be punctured, preferably in slidable frictional relation, and the arms are long enough to engage the can. The kit preferably includes a planar support element such as a piece of wooden board.

Abstract: Alkali metal carboxylate salts of starch-polyacrylonitrile graft copolymers produced by saponifying a starch-polyacrylonitrile graft copolymer are improved significantly by employment of step-wise grafting of the acrylonitrile, and by employment of starch which has been treated by one or more of the following steps, thinning, defatting, precooking.

Abstract: Hexamethylenediamine adipate, NH.sub.3.sup.+ --(CH.sub.2).sub.6 --NH.sub.3.sup.+ COO.sup.- --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --COO.sup.- (Nylon Salt), is a nitrogen-containing soil conditioner. Degradation of hexanediamine in the soil by bacteria and fungi releases ammonia which may be interconverted with nitrate to supply nitrogen for the growing plant.

Abstract: Restoration of drilling mud-pits which have served for purification treatment of drilling effluents in the search for hydrocarbons on terra firma by covering the floc of the mud-pit with a layer of water-absorbent material, particularly a natural cellulosic material, before filling the hollow or basin in with earth. The process makes it possible to firmly stabilize the refilled ground and make it cultivatable; it represents a substantial economy over known methods.

Abstract: Particulate, free-flowing, insoluble swellable polymers are provided which are comprised of a mixture of an insoluble, swellable hydrogel and inert filler. The mixtures are free-flowing powders or granules which can absorb many times their weight of water and hence are useful as a soil amendment.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating sand or soil to condition it so as to improve its water retention for the germination of seeds, the method comprising applying to the sand or soil a polymer composition in a sufficient amount to provide from about 0.01 to about 0.5 parts of polymer to 100 parts of sand or soil, the amount being determined to ensure that the individual particles or groups of particles of the sand or soil are rendered non-wetting and that the particles retain the non-wetting properties even when they are not aggregated but are free-flowing.

Abstract: Water-absorbent crosslinked polymers are improved in their wicking capacity by treatment of their surface with glyoxal. The polymer can be a polysaccharide--acrylamide graft copolymer or a polymer or copolymer of acrylamide and/or sodium acrylate or sodium methacrylate.