Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.

Abstract: Improved fertilizer mineral compositions are provided by coating a mineral, such as gypsum, a member of the Kieserite Group, potassium magnesium sulfate, elemental sulfur, and mixtures thereof, with low pH maleic-itaconic copolymers. The preferred copolymers are aqueous dispersions of acid or partial salt maleic-itaconic copolymers, and are applied by spraying or other means onto the surface of the mineral and allowed to dry. The copolymer coatings increase the solubility of sulfate and calcium or magnesium ions from the fertilizer minerals, allowing accelerated plant availability and uptake of such nutrients.

Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.

Abstract: Multiple-component fertilizer materials and methods of use are provided, wherein the fertilizer materials include first and second fertilizer products respectively including an ammoniacal fertilizer (e.g., urea) in combination with a partial calcium salt of a selected copolymer, and a phosphorous fertilizer (e.g., DAP) in combination with a partial sodium salt of a selected copolymer. The copolymer fractions of the first and second fertilizer products are most preferably copolymers of itaconic acid and maleic anhydride. The fertilizer materials give synergistically enhanced crop yields when applied to soil or growing plants.

Abstract: Improved fertilizer compositions are provided, including a solid nitrogenous fertilizer (e.g., urea) together with a polycarboxylated polymeric adjuvant or additive material selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer-containing composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic compound drying agent such as a lower alcohol which facilitates drying and easy field application of the complete fertilizer composition.

Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.

Abstract: Improved agriculturally useful products are provided, including solid materials such as nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea), together with a polycarboxylated polymer selected from the group consisting of a salts of copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The polymer composition also includes from about 10-60% by weight of an organic drying agent such as a lower alcohol which enhances the quick drying properties thereof. The compositions may also include an amount of boron, and bimodal vinylic polymer made up of quantities of high and low molecular weight (MW) vinylic polymers such as PVA.

Abstract: Improved gypsum fertilizer compositions are provided by coating of naturally-occurring or synthesized gypsum with low pH maleic-itaconic copolymers. The preferred copolymers are aqueous dispersions of acid or partial salt maleic-itaconic copolymers, and are applied by spraying or other means onto the surface of gypsum and allowed to dry. The copolymer coatings increase the solubility of sulfate and Ca ions from the gypsum, allowing accelerated plant availability and uptake of such nutrients.

Abstract: Improved gypsum fertilizer compositions are provided by coating of naturally-occurring or synthesized gypsum with low pH maleic-itaconic copolymers. The preferred copolymers are aqueous dispersions of acid or partial salt maleic-itaconic copolymers, and are applied by spraying or other means onto the surface of gypsum and allowed to dry. The copolymer coatings increase the solubility of sulfate and Ca ions from the gypsum, allowing accelerated plant availability and uptake of such nutrients.

Abstract: Improved, low-pH aqueous polymer mixtures are provided which can be applied directly to soils or incorporated within ammoniacal nitrogen-containing fertilizers to inhibit nitrification in soils, thus enhancing plant uptake of ammonium and yields. The polymers are advantageously used as metal (e.g., Ca) salts or complexes at pH levels of up to about 2. The polymers have anionic functional groups and are highly water dispersible.

Abstract: Pesticidal compositions of improved effectiveness are provided, including a pesticide (e.g., an insecticide or herbicide) together with a copolymer adjuvant or additive selected from the group consisting of acid or salt copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The compositions of the invention provide multiple-fold increases in effectiveness, as compared with an equal amount of the pesticide in the absence of the copolymer.

Abstract: Multiple-component fertilizer materials and methods of use are provided, wherein the fertilizer materials include first and second fertilizer products respectively including an ammoniacal fertilizer (e.g., urea) in combination with a partial calcium salt of a selected copolymer, and a phosphorous fertilizer (e.g., DAP) in combination with a partial sodium salt of a selected copolymer. The copolymer fractions of the first and second fertilizer products are most preferably copolymers of itaconic acid and maleic anhydride. The fertilizer materials give synergistically enhanced crop yields when applied to soil or growing plants.

Abstract: Biodegradable anionic polymers are disclosed which include recurring polymeric subunits preferably made up of dicarboxylic monomers such as maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride or citraconic anhydride. Free radical polymerization is used in the synthesis of the polymers. The polymers may be complexed with ions and/or mixed with fertilizers or seeds to yield agriculturally useful compositions. The preferred products of the invention may be applied foliarly or to the earth adjacent growing plants in order to enhance nutrient uptake by the plants.

Abstract: Improved, low-pH aqueous polymer mixtures are provided which can be applied directly to soils or incorporated within ammoniacal nitrogen-containing fertilizers to inhibit nitrification in soils, thus enhancing plant uptake of ammonium and yields. The polymers are advantageously used as metal (e.g., Ca) salts or complexes at pH levels of up to about 2. The polymers have anionic functional groups and are highly water dispersible.

Abstract: Coatings for agricultural grade fertilizer particles and industrial grade ammonium nitrate are provided which when applied to particles form a protective film which acts as a barrier to inhibit or prevent hydrocarbon infiltration of the fertilizer particle pores and also to physically separate the fertilizer particles and hydrocarbon materials. In so doing, the coating greatly reduces the efficacy of the fertilizer particles as an oxidizing agent for use in incendiary devices, thereby deterring or preventing the use of agricultural grade fertilizers or industrial grade ammonium nitrate in creating weapons of terror.

Abstract: Biodegradable anionic polymers are disclosed which include recurring polymeric subunits preferably made up of dicarboxylic monomers such as maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride or citraconic anhydride. Free radical polymerization is used in the synthesis of the polymers. The polymers maybe complexed with ions and/or mixed with fertilizers or seeds to yield agriculturally useful compositions. The preferred products of the invention may be applied foliarly or to the earth adjacent growing plants in order to enhance nutrient uptake by the plants.

Abstract: Biodegradable anionic polymers are disclosed which include recurring polymeric subunits preferably made up of dicarboxylic monomers such as maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride or citraconic anhydride. Free radical polymerization is used in the synthesis of the polymers. The polymers may be complexed with ions and/or mixed with fertilizers or seeds to yield agriculturally useful compositions. The preferred products of the invention may be applied foliarly or to the earth adjacent growing plants in order to enhance nutrient uptake by the plants.

Abstract: Biodegradable anionic polymers are disclosed which include recurring polymeric subunits preferably made up of dicarboxylic monomers such as maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride or citraconic anhydride. Free radical polymerization is used in the synthesis of the polymers. The polymers may be complexed with ions and/or mixed with fertilizers or seeds to yield agriculturally useful compositions. The preferred products of the invention may be applied foliarly or to the earth adjacent growing plants in order to enhance nutrient uptake by the plants.

Abstract: Biodegradable anionic polymers are disclosed which include recurring polymeric subunits preferably made up of dicarboxylic monomers such as maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride or citraconic anhydride. Free radical polymerization is used in the synthesis of the polymers. The polymers may be complexed with ions and/or mixed with fertilizers or seeds to yield agriculturally useful compositions. The preferred products of the invention may be applied foliarly or to the earth adjacent growing plants in order to enhance nutrient uptake by the plants.

Abstract: Biodegradable anionic polymers are disclosed which include recurring polymeric subunits preferably made up of dicarboxylic monomers such as maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride or citraconic anhydride. Free radical polymerization is used in the synthesis of the polymers. The polymers may be complexed with ions and/or mixed with fertilizers or seeds to yield agriculturally useful compositions. The preferred products of the invention may be applied foliarly or to the earth adjacent growing plants in order to enhance nutrient uptake by the plants.