Concentrated, water-soluble, granular plant growth regulator formulation and methods for use of same

Abstract

A water-soluble granular composition including at least 40% of at least one plant growth regulator, at least one binder, at least one disaccharide and at least one surfactant; as well as methods for making and using the composition are disclosed. The water-soluble granular composition advantageously improves preparation of a solid plant growth regulator formulation for spray application, as such composition swiftly dissolves, is easily metered for application, can be more highly concentrated and is dust-free. A presently preferred water-soluble granular composition includes at least 40% of at least one gibberellin as the plant growth regulator.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A method of regulating plant growth comprising the step of treating a seed, soil or a plant with an effective growth-regulating amount of a composition comprising: 
 at least 40 weight % based upon the total weight of the composition of at least one gibberellin;    at least one binder:    at least one member selected from the group consisting of disaccharides. sorbitol, mannitol, glucose and fructose; and    at least one surfactant.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said plant is a fruit-producing plant wherein said fruit is selected from the group consisting of grapes, cherries, lemons, limes, oranges and tangerines.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said composition is diluted with water and spray applied.  
   
   
       16 . A method of regulating plant growth comprising the step of treating a seed, soil or a plant with an effective growth-regulating amount of a composition of claim  8 .  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said plant is a fruit-producing plant wherein said fruit is grapes and said fruit-producing plant so treated produces larger grapes.  
   
   
       18 . The method  claim 16  wherein said composition is diluted with water and spray applied.  
   
   
       19 . A method of preparing a water-soluble, granular plant growth regulator formulation comprising the steps of: 
 sizing particles of a plant growth regulator and a disaccharide separately to produce a fine powder of plant growth regulator and a fine powder of disaccharide;    blending said fine powder of plant growth regulator and said fine powder of disaccharide to produce a homogeneous mixture;    preparing an aqueous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone and a surfactant;    combining said aqueous solution and said homogeneous mixture to form an extrudable blend;    extruding said extrudable blend to form an extruded material;    drying said extruded material; and then, sieving and recovering water-soluble granules of a plant growth regulator formulation.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said plant growth regulator is gibberellin and said disaccharide is lactose monohydrate  
   
   
       21 . A method of enhancing the utilization of a solid plant growth regulator formulation for spray application comprising the step of formulating said plant growth regulator in a water-soluble granularformulation containing: 
 at least 40 weight % based upon the total weight of the composition of at least one gibberilin:    at least one binder:    at least one member selected from the group consisting of disaccharides, sorbitol, mannitol, glucose and fructose: and    at least one surfactant.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  whereby dust from said solid formulation is eliminated.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  whereby said solid formulation is accurately metered.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  whereby said solid formulation dissolves rapidly in aqueous solution.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said water-soluble granular formulation contains at least one plant growth regulator, at least one binder, at least one disaccharide and at least one surfactant.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said water-soluble granular formulation contains at least one gibberellin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, lactose monohydrate and polyoxyethylene 20 monolaurate.