Seed-delivered, soil-amendment method and composition

Abstract

A material for assisting in at least one of germination, protection, hydration, and thriving of seeds and the plants originating therefrom treats a seed with a tackifier or binder, such as corn syrup or the like, which secures a layer of hydrating polymer particles thereto. Nutrients, protectants, and the like may be absorbed in the polymer before or after coating of a seed thereby. Weighting materials, extenders, flowing agents, and the like may assist in the functioning or handling of the coated seeds.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A method of soil amendment, the method comprising:
 providing a substrate of a first material in discreet granules, separate from one another;   coating each of the granules with a fluid operating as a binder;   providing a soil amendment formed as a powder, dry and adherent to the substrate with the binder through adhesion binding;   securing to at least a portion of the binder already on each of the granules a quantity of the powder;   distributing the granules dry and with the powder adhered thereto and exposed to the surrounding environment in a soil bed; and   releasing, by the binder, the soil amendment into the soil proximate the granules.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the granules are selected from sand, seeds, fertilizer, gravel, and a constituent of soils. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein distributing further comprises delivering the granules into contact with the soil by at least one of:
 drilling;   broadcasting;   mixing;   furrowing;   layering; and   burying.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein releasing is effected in response to hydration of the powder by water received from the soil bed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the soil amendment is a second material distinct from the first material and comprising a polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising embedding at least one of a protectant and a pathogencide in at least one of the binder and the powder. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising embedding at least one of a protectant and a pathogencide in the powder by dissolving in a solvent absorbed by the polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising comminuting the polymer to the powder after evaporating a majority of the solvent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solvent is water. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer comprises polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         11 . A method for amending soil, the method comprising:
 providing a seed as a carrier;   selecting an absorber formed as a powder, dry, hydrophilic, comminuted to powder, and distinct from the carrier and the soil;   selecting a binder, as a fluid adhering the powder adhesively to the carrier;   coating the seed with the binder;   adhering, by the binder already coated on the seed, the powder to the seed, individually and separately;   rendering the seed individually non-adhering by drying the binder;   placing the seed in contact with the soil individually; and   separating, by the powder, from the seed into the soil.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the seed is selected from agricultural seed, flower seed, fruit seed, vegetable seed, and grass seed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein distributing further comprises delivering the seed into contact with the soil by at least one of:
 drilling;   broadcasting;   mixing;   furrowing;   layering; and   burying.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein releasing is effected in response to hydration of the powder by water received from the soil. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein absorber is an amendment modifying a characteristic of the soil; 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the absorber comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising embedding at least one of a protectant and a pathogencide in at least one of the binder and the powder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 embedding at least one of a protectant and a pathogencide in the powder by dissolving it in a solvent and absorbing the resulting solution into the absorber; and   evaporating at least a portion of the solvent from the absorber.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the solvent is water;   the absorber is a polymer comprising polyacrylamide.