Delivery system for seeds

Claim 3

A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigants, repellants, rodenticides, fertilizers, nutrients, sugars, carbohydrates, adenosine triphosphate, microorganisms, growth regulators and hormones.

Claim 4

A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said seed is encapsulated in at least one gel selected from the group consisting of alginate, carrageenan, locust bean gum and gel agents identified in Table 1.

Claim 5

A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said seeds are encapsulated together with at least one adjuvant selected from the group consisting of bensulide, EPTC, metribuzin, pebulate, protetryn, pronamide, chlorpropham, alachlor, diazinon, superphosphate, calcium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, starch, sucrose, Rhizobia meliloti, Rhizobia leguminosarum, Eschericia coli. and the adjuvants identified in Table 2.

Claim 6

A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of encapsulating said seed and a plurality of adjuvants in distinct regions of the saturated hydrogel, whereby the adjuvants, seed and environment are allowed to interact in a progressive manner.

Claim 7

A method as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said distinct regions of the saturated hydrogel capsule comprises a gel agent distinct from gel agents in adjacent regions.

Claim 8

Botanic seed encapsulated in a water saturated hydrogel capsule together with at least one adjuvant capable of affecting the botanic seed, the resulting plant body or the environment.

Claim 9

Botanic seed encapsulated in a water saturated hydrogel capsule together with at least one adjuvant capable of affecting the botanic seed, the resulting plant body or the environment.

Claim 10

A saturated hydrogel capsule as in claim 7 wherein said adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigants, repellants, rodenticides, fertilizers, nutrients, sugars, carbohydrates, adenosine triphosphate, microorganisms, growth regulators and hormones.

Claim 11

A saturated hydrogel capsule as in claim 7 wherein said hydrogel capsule is formed from a gel agent selected from the group consisting of alginate, carrageenan, locust bean gum and gel agents identified in Table 1.

Claim 12

A saturated hydrogel capsule as in claim 7 wherein said adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of bensulide, EPTC, metribuzin, pebulate, protetryn, pronamide, chlorpropham, alachlor, diazinon, superphosphate, calcium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, starch, sucrose, Rhizobia meliloti, Rhizobia leguminosarum, Eschericia coli, and the adjuvants listed in Table 2.

Claim 13

A saturated hydrogel capsule as in claim 7 wherein a plurality of adjuvants are encapsulated in distinct regions of the hydrogel capsule, whereby the adjuvants, seed and environment are allowed to interact in a progressive manner.

Claim 14

A hydrated hydrogel capsule as in claim 11 wherein each of said distinct regions of the capsules comprises a gel agent distinct from gel agents in adjacent regions.

Claim 15

A delivery system for delivering seed to an environment for growth and development which comprises: botanic seed having the potential to differentiate to produce an entire plant body; at least one adjuvant in a concentration capable of affecting the seed, resulting plant body or said environment; and, a water saturated hydrogel matrix, containing free water available to the seed to initiate the process of germination, encapsulating said seed and adjuvant, whereby said tissue and adjuvant are delivered simultaneously to the environment.

Claim 16

A delivery system for delivering seed to an environment for growth and development which comprises: botanic seed having the potential to differentiate to produce an entire plant body; at least one adjuvant in a concentration capable of affecting the seed, resulting plant body or said environment; and, a water saturated hydrogel matrix, containing free water available to the seed to initiate the process of germination, encapsulating said seed and adjuvant, whereby said tissue and adjuvant are delivered simultaneously to the environment.

Claim 17

A system as in claim 13 wherein said adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigants, repellants, rodenticides, fertilizers, nutrients, sugars, carbohydrates, adenosine triphosphate, microorganisms, growth regulators and hormones.

Claim 18

A system as in claim 13 wherein said saturated hyrdogel matrix is formed from a gel agent selected from the group consisting of alginate, carrageenan, locust bean gum and gel agents identified in Table 1.

Claim 19

A system as in claim 13 wherein said adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of bensulide, EPTC, metribuzin, pebulate, protetryn, pronamide, chlorpropham, alachlor, diazinon, superphosphate, calcium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, starch, sucrose, Rhizobia meliloti, Rhizobia leguminosarum, Eschericia coli, and the adjuvants listed in Table 2.

Claim 20

A system as in claim 13 wherein a plurality of adjuvants are encapsulated in distinct regions of the saturated hydrogel matrix, whereby the adjuvants, seed and environment are allowed to interact in a progressive manner.

Claim 21

A system as in claim 17 wherein each of said distinct regions of the saturated hydrogel matrix comprises a gel agent distinct from the gel agents in adjacent regions.