Microfibrillated cellulose as rheology modifier in high ionic strength agricultural formulations

Abstract

Described herein, inter alia, is a concentrate including a high ionic strength liquid and a microfibrillated cellulose, and methods of making the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 a microfibrillated cellulose;   a medium having a high ionic strength;   optionally an agriculturally active compound; and   optionally a biostimulant;
 wherein the composition exhibits thixotropy. 
   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the high ionic strength of the medium is provided by one or more ions having a concentration of at least about 5% of saturation level. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the high ionic strength of the medium is provided by one or more ions having a concentration of at least about 10% of saturation level. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the high ionic strength of the medium is provided by one or more ions having a concentration of at least about 20% of saturation level. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the high ionic strength of the medium is provided by one or more ions having a concentration of at least about 50% of saturation level. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the high ionic strength of the medium is provided by one or more ions having a concentration at about 100% of saturation level. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the high ionic strength of the medium is provided by one or more ions having a concentration above 100% of the saturation level and undissolved material is suspended in the composition. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the medium having high ionic strength comprises a fertilizer. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the medium having a high ionic strength comprises an agriculturally active compound as an ionic salt 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the agriculturally active compound as a salt is selected from the group comprising of glufosinate, glyphosate, 2,4 D, Dicamba. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient is present. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient is in a particulate form. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the particulate is a solid particle of the agriculturally active ingredient. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the particulate is a capsule suspension of the agriculturally active ingredient. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the particulate is a suspension concentrate of the agriculturally active ingredient. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the particulate is an emulsion concentrate of the agriculturally active ingredient. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the particulate is a liquid particle of the agriculturally active ingredient. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the particulate is a gel of the agriculturally active ingredient. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient comprises at least one of a pesticide, a bactericide, an algaecide, a nematicide, a fungicide, a larvicide, an insecticide, an herbicide, an herbicide safener, a plant growth regulator, a plant activator, a synergist, an acaricide, a molluscicide, a repellant, a biostimulant and a micronutrient. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the microfibrillated cellulose is present in a dry matter weight concentration from about 0.01% to about 5% 
     
     
         21 . A composition comprising:
 a fertilizer; and   microfibrillated cellulose.   
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the microfibrillated cellulose is pre-processed using high shear conditions, optionally using a wetting agent, a dispersant, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the microfibrillated cellulose is present in a dry matter weight concentration from about 0.01% to about 5%. 
     
     
         24 . A method comprising:
 mixing a fertilizer with a microfibrillated cellulose to form a mix-ready fertilizer adjuvant.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the microfibrillated cellulose is present in a concentration from about 0.01% to about 5%. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising adding an agriculturally active ingredient to the mix-ready fertilizer adjuvant.