US4780987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for the preparation of hydrated, pregerminated seeds in gel capsules
Assignee: Monsanto Co
•
Filing: 1985-09-09
•
Granted: 1988-11-01
•
Expires: 2005-09-09
Abstract
Abstract Novel methods are provided for the preparation and delivery of botanic seeds which are pregerminated and maintained in a hydrated state in gel capsules. Various types of botanic seeds are encapsulated, in some embodiments, with beneficial additives, in a gel matrix and pregerminated. These pregerminated seeds emerge more quickly than raw seeds from a number of planting matrices. These seeds can be encapsulated and pregerminated in variously described ways.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Nelsen
- 👤 Steven Strickland
- 👤 Roxanne Davis
- 👤 Keith Redenbaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:43
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C1/00; A01C1/06; A01C7/00; A01H; A01H4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for preparation of singulated, hydrated, pregerminated seeds comprising the steps of: encapsulating in a capsule at least one ungerminated seed, said capsule formed from a hydrated, polymer gel; maintaining said seed capsules in a hydrated condition such that free water is available within the capsule to initiate seed germination; maintaining said seed capsules in conditions which permit germination; introducing osmotic growth inhibitor to said hydrated seed capsules; and, delivering said hydrated, pregerminated seed capsules to an environment for growth and development.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for preparation of singulated, hydrated, pregerminated seeds comprising the steps of: encapsulating in a capsule at least one ungerminated seed, said capsule formed from a hydrated, polymer gel; maintaining said seed capsules in a hydrated condition such that free water is available within the capsule to initiate seed germination; maintaining said seed capsules in conditions which permit germination; introducing osmotic growth inhibitor to said hydrated seed capsules; and, delivering said hydrated, pregerminated seed capsules to an environment for growth and development.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said seed capsule contains between seventy and ninety-nine and six-tenths percent water by weight, from the encapsulation step until the delivery step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining seed capsules at germination conditions occurs from part of one day. to seven days.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said osmotic growth inhibitor is characterized by low molecular weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said seeds are members selected from the group consisting of zygotic seeds, parthenogenic seeds, and somatic embryos.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said seeds are selected from the group consisting of potato seed pieces, beet seeds, and cereal seeds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said germination conditions comprise, in part, ambient temperatures between 10° C. and 40° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said osmotic growth inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium nitrate and mannitol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, before the encapsulation step, there is an additional step of adding at least one beneficial adjuvant to a hydrated, polymer gel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of copper sulfate, thiram, captan, benomyl, metalaxyl, carbofuran, acephate, malathion, pronamide and ethyl dipropyl thiocarbamate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, amino acids and micronutrients.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of sugars, carbohydrates and adenosine triphosphate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas species, Bacillus thuringiensis, Mycorrhizal fungi, Rhizobia species, Bacillus subtilis and Actinomycete species.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of giberellic acid, cytokinins, naphthalene acetic acid, indolebutyric acid and indole acetic acid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of denitrification inhibitors, iron chelators, pheromones, enzymes, pesticide antidotes and safeners.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of soil and water conditioners, dispersants, wetting agents and pH altering compounds.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for delivering singulated, pregerminated seeds to an environment for growth and development comprising the steps of: encapsulating in a capsule at least one ungerminated seed, said capsule formed from a hydrated polymer gel containing osmotic growth inhibitor; maintaining said seeds in a hydrated condition such that free water is available within the capsule to initiate seed germination; maintaining said seed capsules at germination temperatures; and delivering said hydrated, pregerminated seed capsules to an environment for growth and development.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for delivering singulated, pregerminated seeds to an environment for growth and development comprising the steps of: encapsulating in a capsule at least one ungerminated seed, said capsule formed from a hydrated polymer gel containing osmotic growth inhibitor; maintaining said seeds in a hydrated condition such that free water is available within the capsule to initiate seed germination; maintaining said seed capsules at germination temperatures; and delivering said hydrated, pregerminated seed capsules to an environment for growth and development.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said seed capsule contains between seventy and ninety-nine and sixth-tenths percent water by weight from the encapsulation step until the delivery step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of encapsulating seed with osmotic growth inhibitor includes inhibiting cell expansion while allowing seed imbibation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of maintaining seed capsules at germination conditions occurs from part of one to seven days.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said osmotic growth inhibitor is characterized by low molecular weight.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said seeds are members selected from the group consisting of zygotic seeds, parthenogenic seeds, and somatic embryos.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said seeds are members selected from the group consisting of potato seed pieces, beet seeds, and cereal seeds.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said germination temperatures are between 10° C. and 40° C.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said osmotic inhibitor is a member selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium nitrate and mannitol.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 wherein, before the encapsulation step, there is an additional step of adding at least one beneficial adjuvant to a hydrated, polymer gel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of copper sulfate, thiram, captan, benomyl, metalaxyl, carbofuran, acephate, malathion, pronamide and ethyl dipropyl thiocarbamate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, amino acids and micronutrients.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of sugars, carbohydrates and adenosine triphosphate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas species, Bacillus thuringiensis, Mycorrhizal fungi, Rhizobia species, Bacillus subtilis and Actinomycete species.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of giberellic acid, cytokinins, naphthalene acetic acid, indolebutyric acid and indole acetic acid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of denitrification inhibitors, iron chelators, pheromones, enzymes, pesticide antidotes and safeners.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of soil and water conditioners, dispersants, wetting agents and pH altering compounds.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
Pregerminated seeds encapsulated in a hydrated polymer gel together with an osmotic growth inhibitor to form a seed capsule.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
Pregerminated seeds encapsulated in a hydrated polymer gel together with an osmotic growth inhibitor to form a seed capsule.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The seed capsule of claim 34 wherein said capsule contains between seventy and ninety-nine and six-tenths percent water by weight.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seed capsule of claim 34 wherein said osmotic growth inhibitor is characterized by low molecular weight.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The seed capsule of claim 34 wherein said pregerminated seeds are members selected from the group consisting of zygotic seeds, parthenogenic seeds, and somatic embryos.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The seed capsule of claim 34 wherein said pregerminated seeds are selected from the group consisting of potato seed pieces, beet seeds and cereal seeds.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seed capsule of claim 34 wherein said osmotic inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium nitrate and mannitol.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
11 words
The seed capsule of claim 34 further comprising a beneficial adjuvant.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The seed capsule of claim 40 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of copper sulfate, thiram, captan, benomyl, metalaxyl, carbofuran, acephate, malathion, pronamide and ethyl dipropyl thiocarbamate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The seed capsule of claim 40 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, amino acids and micronutrients.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The seed capsule of claim 40 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of sugars, carbohydrates and adenosine triphosphate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
The seed capsule of claim 40 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas species, Bacillus thuringiensis, Mycorrhizal fungi, Rhizobia species, Bacillus subtilis and Actinomycete species.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The seed capsule of claim 40 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of giberellic acid, cytokinins, naphthalene acetic acid, indolebutyric acid and indole acetic acid.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
The seed capsule of claim 40 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of denitrification inhibitors, iron chelators, pheromones, enzymes, pesticide antidotes and safeners.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The seed capsule of claim 40 wherein said beneficial adjuvant is a member selected from the group consisting of soil and water conditioners, dispersants, wetting agents and pH altering compounds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |