BE501725A - - Google Patents

Description

       

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  IMPROVEMENTS IN METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE STRUCTURE OF THE
GROUND.



   The present invention relates to methods of improving the physical structure of soils. More especially, the object of the invention is to improve or amend the soil to increase crop yields and prevent natural erosion.



   The present invention provides a surface stabilized sol in which there is dispersed 0.001 to 2.0 percent by weight of a copolymer or mixed polymer containing numerous units, recurring periodically, of the following structure:

     
 EMI1.1
 in which X and Y are radicals selected from the group comprising
 EMI1.2
 -0K, -0Na, -0 - Ca. = ONH4 -ONRH 39 = ONR2H29 -ONR3Hg = ONR4J! = NH2J! = OR, \) = OCH2NH2 "= OCH2CH2NR2 = N (] H2CH2NR2, \) -NOR and = NR29 not more than one of the radicals 1 and Y being OR in which ZJ) Z9 Xi 'and Ze9P are selected radicals in the group comprising -G 6H59 = OGOGH39

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 EMI2.1
 -0COE, -0R, - COOR, = COOH9 mCH3g aOH9 Cl and hydrogen, at least two of said radicals being hydrogen, not more than one of said radicals being from the group consisting of OCOCH9 -0COH, = 06H -0H, = COOH9 = OR and -C00R, all the radicals of the group comprising Cl and CH3 being attached to the same carbon atom, R being an alkyl radical preferably having at most four carbon atoms;

   in which X and Y together can be -0-, and in which is not a number indicative of the degree
 EMI2.2
 by oopo7.ymerizationo
The present invention also provides a plant fertilizer composition comprising an inorganic plant nutrient and a water soluble copolymer having many units, periodically having the following structure.
 EMI2.3
 in which X and Y are radicals selected from the group comprising
 EMI2.4
 -M. -ONa, -0Ca. -ONH.p = ONRH39 22? 0NR3H9 -ONR, - = OR, ITHZ9 = 01: 9 zona9 2 4 3 = ONR2H2J) 3 4 = ORJ) 2 -OCH 2NR2 -0CHCHNR, = NCH2CH2NR2J) NHR and = NR2J) not more than one of the X and Y radicals not being OH; in which Z.

   Z89 Z "and ZI-9e are radicals selected from the group consisting of = D6H5J) -OCOCH 3- '-00OH9 mOR9 qG00H, = COOR9 = OH9 -CH, Cl and hydrogen, at least two of said radicals being 1- 'hydrogen, not more than one of said radicals being from the group comprising -0COGH, = OCOH9 = 06H5S1 -0H, -00OH9 = OR and mC00Re all radicals of the group comprising Cl and CH3 being attached to the same atom of
 EMI2.5
 carbon, R being an alkyl radical preferably having at most four carbon atoms in which X and Y together can be Om9 and in which n? is a number indicative of the degree of oopalerization.
The present invention further provides a method of improving the structure of the soil which comprises the addition of a copolymer having many units,

  periodically returning from the following structure
 EMI2.6
 in which X and Y are radicals selected from the group comprising
 EMI2.7
 OK9 Na9 -02 1 Ca ,, = ONH 4 = ONRH311 = ONR2H29 = ONR3H11 -ONR4 OH9 ITH, Z9 = OR = OCH2NR2D = OCH2CHP2 = NCH2CH2NR2 -NHR and 1R, 9 no more d ày - ra4illlaX X and Y n9étant = OR;

   where ZZ ".:, Z" and - 9 9 9 a, t of Faidieaux chosen from the group = C6H5D OCOH9 -0COCH, = OR1)

 <Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 -COOR, -COOH, -CH3, -OH, Cl and hydrogen, at least two of said radicals being hydrogen, and not more than one of said radicals being from the group comprising -OCOCH3, - OCOH, -OH, -C6H5, -OR, -COOH and -COOR, all the radicals of the group comprising C1 and CH3 being attached to the same carbon atom, R being an alkyl radical having, preferably, at most four atoms of carbon ; wherein X and Y together may be -C-, and wherein n is a number indicative of the degree of copolymerization.



     Final uselessness and the beneficial properties of the soils of the surface and of the soils of the layers below the surface depend crucially on the physical structure of this solo Although most soils are in a state of fine division necessary for plant growth, many soils do not have other physical properties which allow the proper growth and development of plant structures and the proper performance of different plant functions o In addition to nutrients for plants, a soil must be supplied with continuously in air and humidity. Soils of poor structure can soak or become saturated with water during wet seasons,

   being which excludes the air necessary for the optimum growth and development of the plant Soils of poor structure can lose their moisture too quickly by evaporation from the surface due to excessive capillary action, and the plants growing there will be deprived of the continuous and abundant supply of humidity which is necessary for them. The latter effect becomes excessive in very compact soils where even the growth of roots and stems is stunted due to unfavorable growing conditions.

   Seeds which are planted in soils of poor structure frequently undergo poor germination due to the lack of air or moisture necessary for normal germination.
It is also well known that soils of poor structure are prone to erosion, because when watered by rain they quickly become saturated and excess moisture runs off the soil surface or in a restricted channel. This surface water carries away fine soil particles and results in the displacement of large amounts of valuable soil.

   The quantity of surface water is increased both because the soil is incapable of absorbing it and because it is incapable of providing a suitable medium for transferring water into the underlying masses of soil or into pathways or natural streams.



   The problem of increasing the topsoil and the problem of preventing erosion can both be solved or greatly reduced by providing a means of improving the physical structure. of solo When the soil is plowed and raked it is possible to ensure a loose structure which better retains moisture and contains sufficient air for the propagation of the plants. The improvement or amendment of the structure of the soil. soil by plowing does not last long, and the inaction of rain and sun soon results in the soil crumbling and drying out,

   thus losing its desirable properties o If the soil is cultivated for several years and especially if organic fertilizers are added to it, the soil may gradually arrive at a good structure of a more permanent nature o It is believed that this improvement in the structure is due to various humus materials, including polysaccharides, generated by soil bacteria which break down organic additions. The amended soil structure allows for the presence of larger amounts of air and the maintenance of a more uniform moisture supply in the soil, thus providing a more favorable environment for the continued cultivation of soil bacteria.

   By this process, the soil structure is cumulatively improved o As clay and heavy loam soils may require many years to arrive

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 To a satisfactory structure, it is desirable to provide a means of accelerating the formation of fertile soils.

   The formation of good structure by heavy mechanical work with a cultivator or similar machine is not only short-lived, but is frequently detrimental to plant growth due to disruption of shallow nourishing roots o If a continuously improved structure could be obtained without mechanical disruption of the surface layers, the rate or proportion of growth and crop yields would be further improved o
The main object of the present invention is to provide a means of rapidly developing soil structure by additional synthetic materials. Another object of the present invention is to provide a means of increasing the agricultural yield of soils and in particularly soils of poor normal structure.

   Another object is to provide a means of preventing erosion of the exposed surfaces of the solo.
Another object of the present invention is to provide synthetic substances which allow the simultaneous improvement of the soil erosion characteristics and the development of suitable catch crops.
In soils with a permanently good structure,

     the fine particles of the soil are agglomerated into larger masses or crumbs which allow easy access of the air in their interstices and at the same time retain moisture in a form available in the mass or body of the crumbs o A soil having this structure does not not excessively lose moisture through evaporation due to the insulating effect of non-capillary spaces or pores containing high moisture content air which prevent excessive capillary action o A soil of this nature does not shrink and does not form cracks and crevices as it dries and retains a natural thin top layer of dry, loose soil which reduces evaporation. Therefore, the optimum moisture and air content can be maintained for a long time.



   The use of the present invention in the formation of good soil structure by additional synthetic substances will be practicable in a wide variety of applications. It is useful in the rapid amendment of garden soils, especially in areas where sterile subsoil has been uncovered o It is useful also in the amendment of medium soils and especially in areas where organic fertilizers are not available o It is also useful for allowing the growth of root crops in areas where the very compact clay soil prevents the development of such crops.

   It is still useful in semi-arid regions where it is desirable to retain soil moisture and minimize solar evaporation. It is also useful for growing catch crops on road sides, backfilled areas, and embankments or sloping banks where it is necessary to counteract erosion until such crops are well established. Further the invention is useful for preventing erosion in areas where surface vegetation has been destroyed by natural phenomena or by the misuse of solso Other advantages of the present invention which result from the improvement of the normal structure of the soil are also foreseen.
In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the soils,

   and particularly clayey soils and silts or muddy lehms of poor structure, may be greatly amended by the addition of traces of water-soluble copolymers of maleic acid derivatives. Suitable co-polymers are those represented by the structural formula:

 <Desc / Clms Page number 5>

 
 EMI5.1
 in which X and Y may be the same radical or different radicals
 EMI5.2
 rents of the group comprising - = CKp -0Na, a9 -0NH, m0NRH3a = ONR2H2 '\> = ONR3H = ONR49 = OH -NH 2 OCH2 - = N = R29 = OCH2 = CHNR -OR., N -0 2H4 - NR 29 = NHR and "; ,, NR2" not more than one of the radicals X and Y being = OR;

   wherein Zip Z9fl Zen and Ze-11 are radicals of the group consisting of = OCOCH3g OCOH9 OH9 m Cis, = CH3, \ J mC00H9 = C6H5,1) mH9 -OR, and COOR9 several of the radicals Z, Z9, Z "and Z9 being 18b drogenous, and not more than one of the radicals Z, Z9 Z "and Z ''!>. 9 being a radical of the group consisting of OCOCH39 -0X, = C6H5" -0COH, = OR9 -COOR and -COOH, and all the radicals of the group comprising C1 and GEL being attached to the same carbon atom, R in the formula above representing a
 EMI5.3
 an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical preferably containing one four carbon atoms.



   Suitable derivatives of maleic acid useful in the
 EMI5.4
 practical are maleic acid., 1-maleic anhydride, maleamic acid Q 1-maleic amide alkaline earth and ammonium salts of maleic acid, di maleate (13 = am.noetlaylic) 9 di (methylaminoethyl) maleate di (N51N = dimethyl aminoethyl) maleate and the various salts,

   aminoalkyl amides and esters of 1-maleic acid alkyl semi-esters. Particularly interesting derivatives are those in which the alkyl radicals have up to four carbon atoms. Similar derivatives of the chlorinated acids can also be employed.
 EMI5.5
 romaleic and citraconic
Suitable mixed comonomers or monomers which are included within the scope of the invention as set out in the preceding paragraph are styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate.
 EMI5.6
 ethylenes, vinyl formate, vinyl ethers, vinyl acrylates, vinyl methacrylates, isobutylene, vinβlidene chloride9 and especially those derivatives in which the alkyl radical has up to four carbon atoms.

   One can use one or more
 EMI5.7
 of these aomonomers
In general, the maleic acid derivatives contribute to the water solubility or hydrophilicity of the copolymer and the comonomer is simply an active olefinic compound necessary for carrying out a polymerization of said maleic acid derivative.

   Usually the comono = mother has a hydrophobic character, but acrylic acid and methacry-
 EMI5.8
 If desired, esters, such as alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates, vinyl carbonylates and allyl carbonylates can be hydrolyzed after polymerization to form acidic compounds can contribute to the solubility of the copolymers in water. polymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid or polymers of vinyl alcohol and allylico In these polymers,

   acid or alcohol groups contribute to

 <Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 Desirable hydrophilic properties of maleic copolymers The copolymer may contain the maleic derivative in the form of maleic acid anhydride, which may react partially or entirely with water if an aqueous medium is employed to form maleic acid Although cross-linked polymers are useful, linear polymers generally produce a better effect.
Polymers of maleic acid derivatives can be added to the soil in the proportion of 09001 to two percent by weight of the top soil layer, but optimum results are obtained by using 0.01 to 0,

  2 percent
For optimum beneficial effect, the molecular weight of the polymer is of some importance. When employing the linear polymers which are preferable, it appears that molecular weights greater than 5,000 are desirable and that optimum practice requires molecular weights greater than or equal to about 1,500,000 With some polymers the effect peaks at a molecular weight of 300,000 to 100,000, and even higher molecular weights cannot improve the polymer, although no serious reduction is seen.



   The polymers can be added directly to the sols if desired, but it is usually more feasible to add the polymers with a diluent or diluent, which can be a solvent, for example water, or a solid support, such as. as sphagnum moss, limestone, sands, mineral fertilizer, silo fermented fodder, or other fertilizers or soil conditioners When added with a plant nutrient,

   there is a cooperation of beneficial effects in the rate of growth of the crops on the treated soil. Soils improved by the fertilizer containing the polymers allow a faster and more abundant growth of the crops than that which can be obtained by the use of a fertilizer alone The use by plants of any of the known fertilizers containing basic nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as traces of elements such as boron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, cobalt and iron can be improved by the addition of the soil structure improving polymers described above.



   The copolymer may contain radicals or groups capable of chemically reacting, for example an acid anhydride group, carboxyl, hydroxyl or other groups which may combine with the various acidic or basic components added thereto. For example, the metal salts or lime of the fertilizer composition can react with the acidic groups of the polymer in a similar manner. hydroxyl or amino groups in polymers can combine with acidic groups in fertilizer.



  Polymers modified by these side reactions should be considered as part of the present invention.



   Optimum improvement in soil structure is achieved quickly if the polymer is carefully mixed with the soil using a spade? cultivator, sprayer (eg, disc), harrow or by other methods commonly employed in agricultural technology. However, desirable improvements can be achieved by simple addition of the polymeric materials, in aqueous solution or as a dry powder with or without diluents or carriers, to the surface of the solo. In the latter case, the polymeric substance mixes slowly. ment with the soil by alternations or normal cycles of humidification and drying, freezing and thawing., etc.



   The availability of oxygen to the roots of plants in the soil in the presence of various amounts of water is conveniently measured by the technique of Webley, Quastel et al, described in detail in "Jour-

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 EMI7.1
 nal Agilt a1. Science'! Il / 257 (1947).

   In this proceed a microorganism, such as yeast, is substituted for the roots of plants and the speed
 EMI7.2
 or rate of oxygen uptake by the yeast suspended in a glucose solution is measured in a Warburg apparatus by a method
 EMI7.3
 manometric. The carbon dioxide released in the metabolic process is absorbed by potassium de-9hydroxide in a central well so that the change in gas volume is caused by the oxygen used by the yeast and the microorganisms of the solo Oxygen uptake by an equal amount of yeast under optimum conditions is obtained from a well stirred suspension of yeast in a glucose solution in the absence of crumbs of earth.

   Although the oxygen uptake of naturally occurring microorganisms in the soil is small compared to that of the relatively large amount of yeast employed, it is measured by the oxygen uptake in a Warburg flask containing soil and yeast solution. glucose but no yeast.



   Well-tilled soils retain their porous crumb structure in the presence of large amounts of water. The suspension of yeast in water is therefore spread over a large area and the oxygen may differ.
 EMI7.4
 fuse through, the water films thin.



   A high degree of oxygen absorption by the yeast is obtained on this kind of solo
Poor structure soils turn to mud when the amount of water is increased and much less oxygen can diffuse through the thick water films.

   Consequently, the oxygen uptake by the yeast in this type of soil is much less. By this technique, one can therefore measure the effect of the materials added on the structure of the soil by measuring the respiration rate of the yeast in contact. with crumbs of earth under regulated conditions o The rate of respiration is expressed by the aeration factor or coefficient (FoAo) or:
 EMI7.5
 Fok. = rate of absorption of 19omeene by yeast on earthen crumbs X 100 rate of absorption> absorption of oxygen by yeast in a stirred solution of glucose.



   Soils with good structure give high FA values while soils with poor structure give low FA values.



   More precise measurements of the stability of soil aggregates are provided by the wet sieving technique as described in the examples given below. Soil aggregates must have sufficient stability to retain their identity when subjected to dispersive actions such as shock or impact from raindrops, infiltrating water plowing operations, and forces.
 EMI7.6
 compression of the adjacent land mass.



   The measurement of the stability of aggregates has, for this reason, been employed by soil physicists as one of the means of evaluating the structure of the solo
 EMI7.7
 The presence of water-resistant aggregates results in a combination of capillary and non-capillary pores, whereas a poorly structured soil has few non-capillary pores. The loose character and porosity of a soil composed of stable aggregates allows infiltration or penetration. rapid filtration of excess water and rapid filtration of excess water down through the solo Soil returns to optimum aeration condition soon after the rain stops

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The moisture content of the soil after free drainage under the influence of gravity has removed

    7. Water in the non-capillary pores is called "field capacity" and is very close to the moisture equivalent which is readily determined in the laboratory. The treatment of the soil with hydrophilic polymers significantly raised the moisture equivalent and therefore the treated soil retains a higher percentage of the water which filters through it after a rainfall.

   The fact that this excess water has not been retained at the expense of proper aeration has been shown above by the "aeration coefficient" o
The wilt point9 i.e. the moisture content of the soil at which plants cease to be able to extract sufficient water from the sole determines the lower limit of water available for plant growth. The effect of hydrophilic polymers on soil wilting point is to raise it very slightly.

   Since the increase in moisture equivalent is much greater than the increase in the wilt point, the treatment of soil with polymers results in a substantial increase in the amount of water retained by the soil. soil and available for use by the plant
The increased infiltration and filtration that occurs in soils composed of water-resistant aggregates results in a reduction in runoff or runoff during rainfall and therefore a reduction in erosion by running water. , Aggregates., By virtue of their size and weight,

   are less easily washed away and in addition they are more resistant to the destructive action of rain drops.
The rate or rate of evaporation of water from the surface is affected by the structure of the soil as well as by the presence of organic colloids in the soil A soil of good structure, as obtained by properly treating a soil. earth by one of the hydrophilic polymers according to the invention and composed of aggregates resistant to water, has in addition to capillary pores a large number of non-capillary pores.

   These non-capillary pores have the effect of breaking the continuity of the capillary pores to slow the movement of moisture by capillary action.The transfer of capillary water to the soil surface is slowed down and consequently the loss of moisture by evaporation of the soil. surface is reduced
The "working properties" or consistency of a soil are influenced by its state of aggregation.

   When a soil of poor structure is treated with a hydrophilic polymer, it loses its stickiness and becomes loose and friable; it becomes plastic for a higher water content and, compared to untreated soil, it generally behaves as if it has a lower moisture content.
In order to show that the polymers themselves are not harmful to soil microorganisms and that they improve the moisture ratios and aeration of treated soils, an experiment was made relating to nitrification rates in the soil. the treated soil and in the untreated soil. As this experiment required water-resistant soil crumbs, it was carried out with forest soil of excellent structure.

   However9 even with the soil of good structure, an increase in the nitrification rate was observed in the case of the treated soil. The effect of increasing microbiological inactivity by treatment with polymers to improve the structure should extend processes such as nitrogen uptake and decomposition of organic matter with the release of nutrients.



  Example 1.



   Two percent aqueous solutions of de- copolymers

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 rivets of maleic acid were prepared as follows:
 EMI9.1
 1. Aoetate vi.vliaue = maleate monos Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl diiacetate and maleic dganhydride having a specific viscosity of 2.1 (1 percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution containing 0.43 gram of 'sodium hydroxide
 EMI9.2
 2o Vinyl acetate - ammonia maleate Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of 2.1 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution containing 1.45 cm3 of a 28 percent ammonia solution;

  ,
 EMI9.3
 Triethanolamine salt of vinyl acetate and maleic acid Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of 2.1 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were
 EMI9.4
 -d'issoug3 in 100 c3 of a solution containing la6 grams of triethanolamine, 4o Semi = dimethylamining ester eth: vinyl acetate and maleic acid A copolymer of dace-tatevinyl and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity 2.1 (One percent in eyclohexanone) "f & t heated with excess alcohol !;

  1 -dimethylaminoethyliqueo The semi-ester was obtained in the form of a rubbery product which, after being
 EMI9.5
 stripped of the alcohol 7 '= - dimethylaminoethyliqueo became !: a granular solid. Two grams of this product were dissolved in 100 cc of water.



  5. Acetate vinvliaue - maleamate ammoniaueo An acetate oopolymer of
 EMI9.6
 vinyl and maleic aahydide with a specific viscosity of 2.1 (one percent in cyclohexanone) was dissolved in anhydrous dioxane. Anhydrous ammonia gas was passed through the solution and a precipitate separated out.
 EMI9.7
 The aioxane was separated by decantation and the precipitate was washed with absolute ether. Two grams of this polymer were dissolved in 100 cc of water 60 Bbtalamine salt of vinyl acetate and N-butvlmaleamic acid.

   Two grams of vinyl acetate seLbutylamine and N-butylmaleamic diacid prepared in a similar manner from a copolymer of vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride were dissolved in 100 cc of water.
 EMI9.8
 



  70 Wine alcohol = sodium maleate A copolymer of vinyl formate and maleic anhydride was dissolved in hot water to form a five percent solution and a trace of hydrochloric acid was added. The lactone of the copolymer of vinyl alcohol and maleic acid separated as a rubbery material. Laetose- was dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide to form a two percent solution of vinyl alcohol = sodium maleate o 8 Wine ether.vlmétbvl1aue <=> maleate diammoniçueo Two grams of a copolymer = re ether vinylmethyl and. Daytime ma-leic d9aydide specific viscosity of 1198 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cc of a solution containing 19? OOO1e em3 concentrated ammonia support.



  9. Vinyl ethyl ether - ammonium maleate Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl ethyl ether and maleic anhydride of a specific viscosity of 2.1 (one percent in cyclohexanone) dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution, containing 195 cm3 of a solution cooet ed, d9aaiaqeo 100 Isobutxlepe - ammonium maleate Two grams of a copolymer of isobutylene and maleic anhydride with a specific viscosity of 0953 (0. 100 egr3 d9ae solution containing 1.7 cm3 of a concentrated ammonia solution

 <Desc / Clms Page number 10>

 11.

   Styrene - ammonia maleate Two grams of a copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride were dissolved in 100 em3 of a solution containing 1.3 cm3 of a concentrated ammonia solution.
 EMI10.1
 12. 4-dimeth ylaminoethyl ester of styrene and maleic acido A copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride was heated with an excess of imethylaminoethyl alcoholo A spongy mass was formed, the exees of which were removed. alcohol by squeezing it and washing it with absolute ether.

   Two grams of the air dried polymer was dissolved in 100 cubic meters of water.
 EMI10.2
 13o ethyl acrylate maleate diammoiatxea Two grams of a copolymer of ethyl acrylate and maleic anhydride were dissolved in 100 em3 of a solution containing 183 em3 of a concentrated solution of ammonia.



  14 Salt 1/2 caloiaue of vinyl acetate and d: J maleic acid Two grams of a copolymer of maleic anhydride and vinyl acetate and 01 gram of calcium hydroxide furenàajaaté in 100 em3 of water and stirred in water. until the dissolution was completed 15o Acetate vin: vliane "'" ma1eate diammoaiago Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of 3.1 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution containing 1.45 cm3 of a 28 percent ammonia solution.
 EMI10.3
 



  16fil Acetate viny ligue - maleate diammonioueo Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of 4.75 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution containing 1 , 45 cm3 of a 28 percent ammonia solution.
 EMI10.4
 po Ether viny Imethy league = - so-called maleate Two grams of a copolymer of vinylmethyl ether and maleic anhydride with a specific viscosity of 13.8 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in
 EMI10.5
 100 cm3 of a solution containing lg7 em3 of a 28 percent ammonia solution.



  18 o Vînylélbymgue ether - dilm i ne maleate. Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl ethyl ether and maleic anhydride with a specific viscosity of 17.5 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cc of a solution containing 1955 cc. 28 percent ammonia solution.
 EMI10.6
 



  19o Isopropesyl acetate - diammaniane maleateo Two grams of a copolymer of isopropenyl acetate and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of 19.3 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 om3 of a solution containing 1.35 cm3 of a 28 percent ammonia solution.
 EMI10.7
 



  20o Ether Vil1ylisoprop: .v1iaue = ammonium maleateo Two grams of a copolymer of virylisopropyl ether and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of ls98 (one percent in cyalchexanose) were dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution. containing 1.45 cm3 of a 28 percent ammonia solution
 EMI10.8
 21o Ether VinY1 = -buty1iaue "'" diammonia maleate Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl-n-butyl ether and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of 390? (one percent in oy, cheaaone) were dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution containing 1,

  4 cm3 of a 28 percent ammonia solution
 EMI10.9
 22o Vinv1ß "'" maleate diammonianeo Two grams of a copolymer

 <Desc / Clms Page number 11>

 of vinyl chloride and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity
 EMI11.1
 of 0995 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cc of a solution containing .g 6 cc of a 28 percent ammonia solution.



  23o Vinyl chloroacetate = ammonium maleate o Two grams of a copolymer of vinyl chloroacetate and maleic anhydride having a specific viscosity of 16.2 (one percent in cyclohexanone) were dissolved in 100 cm3 of a solution. .. containing 1.3 cm3 of a 28 per cent ammonia solution.
 EMI11.2
 



  2lr.o Partial methsrijaue ester, ammonione salt of vinyl acetate and maleic diacid o Two grams of a terpolymer of vinyl acetate (one gram molecule), monomethyl maleate (0.08 gram molecule) and maleic anhydride (0.92 gram-molecules) having a specific viscosity of 10.3
 EMI11.3
 (one percent in ayaldhexanone) were dissolved in 100% of a solution containing 1.25 gram-molecules of a 28 percent ammonia solution.
 EMI11.4
 



  25o Semi-alkaline salt of wine ether vlméthvliaue and maiéiaueo Two grams of a copolymer of vinylmethyl etherēand malefic anhydrideē-- having a specific viscosity of 1198 (one percent in cyclohexano ne) 0.3 cc of water and 0.4 gram of calcium hydroxide were mixed together thoroughly. The product was soluble in water and contained 74 percent polymer.



  Example 2.



   Field lands were air dried, pulverized and taminated through a 1 mm mesh sieve. To 100 gram portions of soil, 30 cc of a solution containing known proportions of various polymers was added and the soil was mixed well.

   This volume of solution of the less efficient polymers was found to be sufficient to make the soil sticky Some of the polymers gave a more marked improvement in physical properties and it took up to 10 cm3 more water to make the soil sticky The wet soil was reduced to pieces, allowed to air dry and oh broke it up further so that it passed through a sieve with a four mm mesh and the crumbs of a
 EMI11.5
 size 2-4 mm were collected. "Four grams of these crumbs were used in each flask for evaluation in the Warburg apparatus according to the technique devebley, Quastel et al.," Journal Agricultural Science "12257 (1.947) except that a suspension- at 1,

  5 per cent of Fleischmann's dry yeast was substituted for the miercorganism used by them. The results obtained by Inaction on an alluvial sandy loam or a Miami muddy loam are given in Table 10 The effect of a compost, of sodium alginate and methylellulose is included in the ta-
 EMI11.6
 bleau for somparaisoSo

 <Desc / Clms Page number 12>

 
 EMI12.1
 T A BLE A U 1 10
 EMI12.2
 
<tb> Type <SEP> of <SEP> soil <SEP> Polymer <SEP> Concentration <SEP> of <SEP> Aeration factor <SEP>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> polymer <SEP> in <SEP>% <SEP> Proportion <SEP> of water <SEP> added
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 25% - <SEP> 37.5% - <SEP> 50% <SEP> - <SEP> 62.5 <SEP>% <SEP>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Limon <SEP> (lehm)

   <SEP> sa-
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> blonneux <SEP> alluvial <SEP> none <SEP> 0 <SEP> 83 <SEP> 55 <SEP> - <SEP> - <SEP>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Limon <SEP> (lehm) <SEP> va- <SEP>.
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> seux <SEP> from <SEP> Miami <SEP> nil <SEP> 0 <SEP> 105 <SEP> 90 <SEP> 35 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 106 <SEP> 86 <SEP> 45 <SEP> 14
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0,

  02 <SEP> 102 <SEP> 100 <SEP> 57 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
 
 EMI12.3
 Miami n '3 Os 1 119 113 81 42
 EMI12.4
 
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb> Miami <SEP> n <SEP> 4 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 110 <SEP> 104 <SEP> 78 <SEP> 46
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
 
 EMI12.5
 Miami # 5 ogi 116 111 63 -
 EMI12.6
 
<tb> Sandy silt <SEP>
<tb> alluvial <SEP> n <SEP> 6 <SEP> 1.0 <SEP> 66 <SEP> 64 <SEP> 42 <SEP> 30
<tb>
<tb> Sandy silt <SEP>
<tb> alluvial <SEP> n <SEP> 7 <SEP> 1.0 <SEP> 108 <SEP> 97 <SEP> 47 <SEP> 23
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb> Miami <SEP> n <SEP> 8 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 119 <SEP> 110 <SEP> 69 <SEP> 41
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb> Miami <SEP> n <SEP> 9 <SEP> 0,

  1 <SEP> 119 <SEP> 98 <SEP> 50 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
 
 EMI12.7
 Miami n 10 Ogl 120 104 36 -
 EMI12.8
 
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
 
 EMI12.9
 Miami nl> il 091 101 79 72 81
 EMI12.10
 
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> n <SEP> 12 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 115 <SEP> 99 <SEP> 65 <SEP> 36
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> n <SEP> 13 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 117 <SEP> 80 <SEP> 30
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> sandy <SEP> alginate <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> alluvial <SEP> sodium <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 118 <SEP> 85 <SEP> 28 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of <SEP> "Methocel
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> 50 <SEP> "<SEP> 0,

  1 <SEP> 116 <SEP> 96 <SEP> 65
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of <SEP> "Methocel
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> 1500 "<SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 126 <SEP> 102 <SEP> 61 <SEP> -
<tb>
 

 <Desc / Clms Page number 13>

 
 EMI13.1
 T to .B, L E 4 U I (continued)
 EMI13.2
 
<tb> Type <SEP> of <SEP> soil <SEP> Polymer <SEP> Concentration <SEP> of <SEP> Aeration factor <SEP>
<tb>
<tb> polymer <SEP> in <SEP>% <SEP> Proportion <SEP> of water <SEP> added
<tb>
 
 EMI13.3
 25% = 3795% -50% -62.5%, === ======= == - ======== =
 EMI13.4
 
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb> Miami <SEP> Compost <SEP> 3.0 <SEP> 99 <SEP> 85 <SEP> 34
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb> Miami <SEP> Compost <SEP> 1.0 <SEP> 82 <SEP> 79 <SEP> 20
<tb>
 
 EMI13.5
 Commercially available sodium alginate and methylcellulose "tethoce" ether,

   produced a moderate temporary improvement in the structure of the crumbs in the Warburgo assessment.However, when the crumbs were subjected to a slow and continuous infiltration of water, these soil crumbs disintegrated within three to fifteen days. The earths treated with polymer 1 and polymer 2 did not show any disintegration of the crumbs in 18 months.
A number of different soils have been treated with one of these copolymers to demonstrate that the effect is not limited to the types of soils listed in Table I. The effect of Polymer 2 on the aeration coefficient d a number of soils are shown in Table II.



   TABLE II.
 EMI13.6
 
<tb>



  Type <SEP> of <SEP> soil <SEP> Concentration <SEP> of '<SEP> Proportion <SEP> of water <SEP> added
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> polymer <SEP> in <SEP>% <SEP> 25% <SEP> - <SEP> 3795% <SEP> - <SEP> 50% <SEP> - = - <SEP> 62.5%
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Sandy silt <SEP>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> alluvial <SEP> (Ohio) <SEP> 0 <SEP> 83 <SEP> 55 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Sandy silt <SEP>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> alluvial <SEP> (Ohio) <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 128 <SEP> 92 <SEP> 66 <SEP> 40
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> (Ohio) <SEP> 0 <SEP> 105 <SEP> 90 <SEP> 35 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Miami <SEP> (Ohio) <SEP> 0,

  1 <SEP> 106 <SEP> 86 <SEP> 45 <SEP> 14
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Soil <SEP> gumbo <SEP> muddy
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> to <SEP> grain <SEP> end <SEP> (Illi-
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> nois) <SEP> 0 <SEP> 103 <SEP> 80 <SEP> 44 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Sol <SEP> gumbo <SEP> (Illinois) <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 123 <SEP> 113 <SEP> 66 <SEP> 32
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Clay <SEP> from <SEP> Paulding
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> (Ohio) <SEP> 0 <SEP> 94 <SEP> 92 <SEP> 64 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Clay <SEP> from <SEP> Paulding
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> (Ohio) <SEP> @ <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 105 <SEP> 102 <SEP> 85 <SEP> 57
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Grenada <SEP> (Tennessee) <SEP> 0 <SEP> 83 <SEP> 69 <SEP> 46
<tb>
 

 <Desc / Clms Page number 14>

 TABLE II (Continued)

   
 EMI14.1
 
<tb> Type <SEP> of <SEP> soil <SEP> Concentration <SEP> Proportion <SEP> of water <SEP> added
<tb>
<tb> of <SEP> polymer <SEP> in <SEP>% <SEP> 25% <SEP> - <SEP> 37.5% <SEP> - <SEP> 50% <SEP> - <SEP> 62, 5%
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb> Grenada <SEP> (Tennessee) - <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 99 <SEP> 103 <SEP> 99 <SEP> 76
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb> Memphis <SEP> (Tennessee) <SEP> 0 <SEP> 92 <SEP> 80 <SEP> 56 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Silt <SEP> muddy <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb> Memphis <SEP> (<SEP> Tennessee) <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 104 <SEP> 100 <SEP> 82 <SEP> 51
<tb>
 
The aeration coefficient measured with the Warburg apparatus should be as high as possible in the presence of the maximum water content.



  All soils become saturated with water if enough water is added, and untreated soils with 62.5 percent water added are saturated with water, preventing air access. When the soil is in this state, its aeration coefficient cannot be measured and it is indicated in the table by "-". Some soils are saturated by the addition of 50 percent water.



  As the water content increases? the aeration coefficient drops until the soil is '+ saturated with water' and the yeast growth stops.



    Example 3.



   The effect of polymers on the percentage of water resistant aggregates was determined by the following method. To 100 grams of Miami silt pulverized so as to pass through a 0.25 mm sieve, 30 cm3 of distilled water containing the appropriate proportion of the polymer was added. The earth was mixed well and pressed through a sieve. of 4 mm.



  After drying for at least two days in a warm room at low humidity, air at 50 ° C. was blown over the earth for ten minutes to complete the drying. Forty gram samples were placed on the upper sieve of a series of sieves, 0.84 mm, 0.42 mm and 0.25 mm arranged in order of decreasing mesh size o The sieves were lifted and lowered into the water a distance of 1.5 inches at the rate of thirty periods per minute for thirty minutes.

   At the end of this time, the sieves were lifted, they were allowed to drain, the earth was dried at 80 C and weighed. The results are reproduced in Table III, as for the percentage of water-resistant aggregates greater than 0, 25 mmo Miami silt without the addition of polymer gave almost no water resistant aggregates.



   TABLE 1110
Percentage of aggregates> 0925 mm water resistant.



   In Miami silt after treatment with polymers.
 EMI14.2
 
<tb>



  Polymer <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer <SEP> in <SEP> the <SEP>% <SEP> of aggregates
<tb> earth <SEP>> <SEP> 0.25 <SEP> mm
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Without <SEP> addition <SEP> of
<tb> polymer <SEP> 0 <SEP> the <SEP> 0 <SEP>
<tb>
 

 <Desc / Clms Page number 15>

 
 EMI15.1
 TAB LE A U III (continued I)
 EMI15.2
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer <SEP> in <SEP> the <SEP>% <SEP> of aggregates <SEP>> <SEP> 0.25 <SEP> mm.
<tb> earth
<tb>
 
 EMI15.3
 =================================================== ======= Polymer n 2 0.1 95e5
 EMI15.4
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> 90.7
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP>? <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 45.0
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 7.8
<tb>
 
 EMI15.5
 Polymer n 2 OeOO5 3.0 Polymer nO 3 Opi 933.8 Polymer n 3 0, or 7.3
 EMI15.6
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 4 <SEP> 0,

  1 <SEP> 79.3
<tb>
 
 EMI15.7
 Polymer n> 4 0.01 298 Polymer nO 5 0.1 90.5
 EMI15.8
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 5 <SEP> 0.901 <SEP> 4.0
<tb>
 
 EMI15.9
 Polymer no 6 Opi g98 Polymer no 6 o, oi 1.5
 EMI15.10
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 7 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 41.2
<tb>
 
 EMI15.11
 Polymer nO 7 0.901 o, 8
 EMI15.12
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 8 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 95.1
<tb>
 
 EMI15.13
 Polymer no.8 osol 38.5 Polymer no.8 o, oos 5.6
 EMI15.14
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 9 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 9398
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 9 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 1598
<tb>
 
 EMI15.15
 Polymer no 10 01 91.8 Polymer no 10 0, ol 13.3 Polymer no 11 o, 1 96.9 2 Polymer ng 11 0.901 8.7 Polymer no 12 091 78.0 Polymer no 12 001 3.7
 EMI15.16
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 13 <SEP> '<SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 95.7
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 13 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 1,

  0
<tb> Polymer <SEP> nO <SEP> 14 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 93.7
<tb>
 
 EMI15.17
 Polymer nlO 14 ogoi 26.5
 EMI15.18
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 15 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 94.0
<tb>
 
 EMI15.19
 Polymer no 15 0.01 24.8 Polymer no 16 0.1 98.90 Polymer no 16 0.01 31.8 Polymer no 17 0., l 9098
 EMI15.20
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 17 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 4498
<tb>
 
 EMI15.21
 Polymer ng 18 01 97.3

 <Desc / Clms Page number 16>

 T A B L E A U III (continued 2)
 EMI16.1
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer <SEP> in <SEP> the <SEP>% <SEP> of aggregates <SEP>> <SEP> 0.25 <SEP> mm.
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> earth
<tb>
 
 EMI16.2
 ----------------------------, --------------------- --------------- Polymer n 18 09 Ol 428 8
 EMI16.3
 
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 19 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 99.8
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 19 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 40,

  8
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 20 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 96.8
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 20 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 3.3
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 21 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 97.0
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 21 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 19.8
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 22 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 63.3
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 22 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 398
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 23 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 94.5
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 23 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 13.8
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 24 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 9590
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 24 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 30.3
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 25 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 96.6
<tb>
 
 EMI16.4
 Polymer nP 25 0.01 5 9 3
 EMI16.5
 
<tb> "Carbowax <SEP> 6000" <SEP> (oo) <SEP> 091 <SEP> 0.3
<tb>
<tb> "Carbowax <SEP> 6000" <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 0,

  3
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Ether <SEP> polyvinylmethyl-
<tb>
<tb> lique <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 0.3
<tb>
 
 EMI16.6
 Ether poit1ylméthy =
 EMI16.7
 
<tb> lique <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 0.3
<tb>
 
 EMI16.8
 "ûrea F orm" 0.1 0.4 "Urea-Form" 0901 z3 "MéthoGe1 50" os 1 15 9 "Méthoce1 50" 0.01 095 IliethOCe7. 1500 "or 1 1393" ethooel 1500 "0901 0.115
 EMI16.9
 
<tb> Alginate <SEP> of <SEP> sodium <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 41.3
<tb>
<tb> Alginate <SEP> of <SEP> sodium <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 0.3
<tb>
 (oo) Polyethylene oxide o Example 4.



   The moisture equivalent was determined by the Bouyou-cos method as described in "Soil Science" 40, 165-171 (1935).



   Soil samples treated with various polymers were passed through a two mm sieve in a dry state. Buchner funnels 5 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm deep were filled with soil up to the level of their opening and placed in a beaker of water where they were placed.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 17>

 left to soak for 24 hours. The funnel was then placed in a suction flask connected to a vacuum cleaner and left there for fifteen minutes after the free water had disappeared from the top of the earth. The moist soil was placed in a tared weighing bottle and the moisture content was determined by measuring the weight loss after heating to 105 ° C. All moisture equivalent determinations were made in duplicate.



   The wilt points of soil treated with various polymers were determined. by the method of Breazeale and Mc George as published in "Soil Science" 68, 371 - 374 (1949). Twenty to thirty grams of soil were placed like a jacket around the stem of a tomato plant by means of a glass tube three cm in diameter and five cm long. The ends were stoppered with stopper halves and sealed with a mixture of beeswax and paraffin.



  After a few weeks, roots appeared in the enclosed earth.



  The soil samples were left for another six to eight weeks to bring the soil to the point of withering; then they were removed and the moisture content determined. Doubles were determined in each case.



   TABLE IV.



   Effect of various polymers on moisture equivalent, -wilt point and moisture available to plants, in Miami muddy silt.
 EMI17.1
 



  Treatment% Polymer Equivalent Point of% increase
 EMI17.2
 
<tb> in <SEP> the <SEP> soil <SEP> of moisture <SEP> wilted- <SEP> of <SEP> 1-'humidity <SEP> dis-
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> sure <SEP> available <SEP> by <SEP> report
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> to the witness <SEP>.
<tb>
 
 EMI17.3
 c :::: I =========== CI \ O == ====== - o = J ==: ;;) = o ;;

  ) = - ===== IOCJ ==
 EMI17.4
 
<tb> Witness <SEP> 0 <SEP> 24.2 <SEP> 7.6
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> - <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 27.6 <SEP> 7.8 <SEP> 19.3
<tb>
<tb> same as <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> 27.6
<tb>
<tb> same <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 2490
<tb>
 
 EMI17.5
 Polymer ng 8 0.1) 1 2990 8.3 24., 7
 EMI17.6
 
<tb> idem <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> 26., 7
<tb>
<tb> same as <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 26.2
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP>? <SEP> 15 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 27.5 <SEP> 8.6 <SEP> 13.9
<tb> same as <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> 26.5
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> idem <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 25.1
<tb>
 
 EMI17.7
 Polymer n 19 0.1 2924 896 2593
 EMI17.8
 
<tb> idem <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> 29.7
<tb>
<tb> idem <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 26.9
<tb>
 
 EMI17.9
 ==== - ===== ac;: o === X =; = c :::: I ======================== ============= Example 5.



   Miami muddy silt was treated with various substances; the moisture content of each sample was brought to about 23 percent and about four English limbo from each sample were placed in a two-liter beaker o These bêchera were kept in a greenhouse

 <Desc / Clms Page number 18>

 and weighed daily or every other day to monitor the rate of evaporation of water from the surface. The results are shown in Table V.



   TABLE Vo
Effect of various substances on soil moisture lost by surface evaporation in 15 days
 EMI18.1
 
<tb> Treatment <SEP> Percentage <SEP> of <SEP> poly- <SEP> Percentage <SEP> of <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> reduction <SEP> of
<tb> mothers <SEP> added <SEP> to <SEP> the <SEP> humidity <SEP> ini- <SEP> evaporation <SEP> by
<tb> terreo <SEP> tiale <SEP> lost <SEP> in <SEP> report <SEP> to witness <SEP>
<tb> 15 <SEP> days.
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>



  Indicator <SEP> 0 <SEP> 40.7 <SEP> 0
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 1 <SEP> 0.01 <SEP> 27.1 <SEP> 33.4
<tb> same <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> 35.4 <SEP> 13.0
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 26s7 <SEP> 34.4
<tb> same <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> 33.0 <SEP> 17.4
<tb>
<tb> Mixture <SEP> or <SEP> parts
<tb> equal <SEP> of <SEP> "Methocel <SEP> 50" and <SEP> of <SEP> "Methocel <SEP> 1500". <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 35.7 <SEP> 12.3
<tb>
 Example 6.



   The effect of treating a forest soil of good structure with 0.1 percent vinyl methyl ether - sodium maleate was determined as follows. Thirty grams of soil crumbs were placed in a variant of the infusion apparatus described by Lees and Quastel, "Biochemical Journal" 803 = 815 (1946) and circulated with a solution of ammonium sulfate M. / 30 in a continuous circuit through the earth to keep it moist. Occasionally, a sample of the solution was taken and analyzed to titrate nitrate by a colorimetric method.



  Table VI shows the nitrate concentration found at various intervals.
T A B L E A U VI.



   Rate of nitrification in good forest soil, influenced by 0.1 percent vinyl methyl ether - sodium maleate.



   Concentration of NO3- (parts per million) at various time intervals
 EMI18.2
 
<tb> Soil <SEP> 0 <SEP> 2 <SEP> days <SEP> 5 <SEP> days <SEP> 9 <SEP> days <SEP> 13 <SEP> days
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Soil <SEP> of <SEP> fo-
<tb>
<tb> stop <SEP> (indicator) <SEP> 3 <SEP> 5 <SEP> 8 <SEP> 25 <SEP> 60
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Soil <SEP> of <SEP> fo-
<tb>
<tb> rêt <SEP> (treated) <SEP> 3 <SEP> 5 <SEP> 8 <SEP> 26 <SEP> 62
<tb>
 

 <Desc / Clms Page number 19>

 Example 7.



   The improvement in soil structure determined in the laboratory was confirmed by the improvement in seed germination and in the increased growth of plants in soil treated with water-soluble copolymers of maleic acid derivatives. Seven inch clay pots were filled with soil treated with various polymer preparations and placed in a greenhouse. Table VII shows the results produced on
 EMI19.1
 the germination percentage, the efficiency improvement coefficient and the size improvement coefficient when radish seeds were planted in pots of soil treated as above.

     The yield improvement, is based on the total yield of the pots and therefore reflects differences in germination as well as radish size. The improvement coefficient is based on the average weight of the radishes. Data for carrots grown in a similar series of treatments are shown in Table VIIIo
TABLE VII
Growing radish in Miami silt containing mud
 EMI19.2
 various preparations of polymers.
 EMI19.3
 
<tb>



  Treatment <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> germina- <SEP> Coefficient <SEP> Coefficient
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> added <SEP> <SEP> of improvement = <SEP> of improvement
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> tion <SEP> of the <SEP> meeting <SEP> of <SEP> the
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> dement <SEP> size
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Witness <SEP> 0 <SEP> 71
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 1 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 83 <SEP> 26 <SEP> 2.2
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> idem <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 88 <SEP> 2.7 <SEP> 2.2
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 88 <SEP> 4.8 <SEP> 3.8
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> idem <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 92 <SEP> 2.2 <SEP> 1,

  6
<tb>
 
T A B L E A U VIIIo Growing carrots in Miami mud silt containing various polymer preparations.
 EMI19.4
 
<tb>



  Treatment <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> germina- <SEP> Coefficient <SEP> Coefficient
<tb> added <SEP> your <SEP> of improvement <SEP> of improvement <SEP> of <SEP> ren- <SEP> tion <SEP> of <SEP> the
<tb> dement <SEP> size
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Witness <SEP> 0 <SEP> 33
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 1 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> 67 <SEP> 8.0 <SEP> 3.9
<tb> idem <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> 21 <SEP> 5.0 <SEP> 7.8
<tb>
 
 EMI19.5
 Polymer no 2 D1 46 8ex 5 gas
 EMI19.6
 
<tb> idem <SEP> 0902 <SEP> 58 <SEP> 6.6 <SEP> 3.7
<tb>
 
 EMI19.7
 do oammmm

 <Desc / Clms Page number 20>

 
The pronounced effect of improved soil structure on the percent of seeds that germinate is evident from Tables VII and VIII.



  Additional examples showing this effect are given in Table IX.



   TABLE IXo
Effect of soil treatment on germination percentage of carrots and beans in Miami silt.
 EMI20.1
 
<tb>



  Treatment <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer <SEP> Vegetable <SEP> Number <SEP> of <SEP> my- <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> sprouted added <SEP> cultivated <SEP> ticles <SEP> teaching- <SEP> nation
<tb> started & o
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Witness <SEP> 0 <SEP> carrots <SEP> 120 <SEP> 32
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> n <SEP> 1 <SEP> 0.05 <SEP> same as <SEP> 88 <SEP> 63
<tb>
<tb> Witness <SEP> 0 <SEP> Beans <SEP> 60 <SEP> 25
<tb>
<tb> Polymer <SEP> N <SEP> 1 <SEP> 0.1 <SEP> idem <SEP> 60 <SEP> 48
<tb> same <SEP> 0.02 <SEP> same <SEP> 60 <SEP> 47
<tb>
   Example 80
Culture experiments were done under uniform conditions using sodium alginate and methyl cellulose,

   that is to say, the polymers employed in the prior art to improve the structure of the solo. The following table shows the effect of the addition on the yields.
PAINTINGS.
 EMI20.2
 
<tb>



  Treatment <SEP> Yield <SEP> Coefficient <SEP> Average <SEP> weight <SEP> Coefficient
<tb> total <SEP> of improvement- <SEP> of <SEP> radish <SEP> of <SEP> improved- <SEP>
<tb> (in <SEP> grams) <SEP> tion <SEP> of <SEP> r- <SEP> (in <SEP> grams) <SEP> tion <SEP> of <SEP> yield <SEP> - < SEP> dement
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> None <SEP> 31 <SEP> - <SEP> 0.53
<tb>
<tb> Alginate <SEP> from
<tb> sodium <SEP> 19 <SEP> 0.6 <SEP> 0930 <SEP> 0.6
<tb>
<tb> Methylcellulose <SEP> 34 <SEP> 1.1 <SEP> 0.60 <SEP> 1.1
<tb>
 
These data and those in Tables VII and VIII clearly show that the polymers of maleic acid derivatives have very different effects on the soil structure than those of sodium alginate and methyl cellulose, which only produce an improvement. ne = gligeable in plant growth.

   



   The use of copolymers of maleic acid derivatives in combination with plant nutrients gives rise to an effect.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 21>

 Cooperative fet. The presence of the copolymers in the soil enables the plant to use the nutrients contained in the solo more efficiently. As fertilizers are ordinarily required periodically to maintain optimum fertility on a continuous basis The application of the copolymers of the derivatives of maleic acid in combination with fertilizers allows for less frequent application or smaller applications to maintain a uniform level of crop production.

   The proportions of maleic copolymers and fertilizer in the combined additional material depend to a large extent on the requirements of the intended crop, the nutrient content of the soil and its structure prior to treatment. In general, a soil which has not been previously treated may require additional material containing nutrients and maleic copolymer in amounts of the same order. For example, compositions useful for general purposes may contain from 10 to 90 percent bare mineral - tritives and 10 to 90 percent maleic copolymer o Compositions containing greater or lesser proportions of either component may be used for special purposes o
For example,\)

     a previously treated soil may only require a composition containing one to ten percent of the polymer and 90 to 99 percent of the nutrient, the low percentage of polymer being necessary to replace the small amounts lost by leaching. tion or filtration, by the destructive inaction of soil bacteria or for other similar reasons. Compositions of less than ten percent nutrient may find special application in extremely poor structural soil which has not been used, or has been used only occasionally, for a period of several years, and which may have relatively high nutrient content.



   Since ordinary organic fertilizers have only a low nutrient content and mainly serve to improve structure, i.e. a function performed more effectively by maleic co-polymers, the non-nutritive part of organic fertilizers is less essential. Accordingly, the practice preferably adopted according to the present invention involves the use of inorganic fertilizers which are high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and which may have low concentrations of the minerals. traces of which are necessary for plant growth. Fertilizers of this kind are mostly included in the major mineral nutrients, and can contain 15 to 50 percent of their weight as elemental nitrogen of P2O5 and K2O.

   Compositions useful for the treatment of soil and for general application are: 50 parts by weight of the monosodium salt of the copolymer in equi-molecular proportions of vinyl acetate and maleic diacid and 50 parts of inorganic mineral fertilizer 4 - 12 - 4.



  30 parts by weight of the semi-calcium salt of a copolymer of equimolecular proportions of vinyl acetate and maleic diacid and 70 parts of grease. mineral 6 - la - 4 (Vigoro)
When the metal ions (or 18 ammonium ion) of the polymer salt in themselves have fertilizing values, the mineral fertilizer employed in combination with the polymer need not contain the usual high proportion of this. Elemento If desired, one of the nutrients commonly found in mixed fertilizers can be omitted entirely when a large proportion of the salt of that element and the polymer is used. following are useful:

   70 parts by weight of the ammonium salt of the methyl vinyl ether copolymer

 <Desc / Clms Page number 22>

 that and maleic acid 10 parts of potassium sulfate and 20 parts of superphosphate.



  60 parts by weight of the monopotassium salt of a copolymer of equi-molecular proportions of styrene and maleic anhydride and 40 parts of inorganic fertilizer 6 - 12 - 2.



  40 parts by weight of the ammonium salt of a copolymer of maleic acid and isobutylene and 60 parts of an inorganic fertilizer 2 - 14 - 4. Although use in combination with inorganic mineral fertilizers is preferred over use with organic fertilizers are also feasible. Thus, the copolymers of derivatives of maleic acid can be applied to soils in combination with "Milorganite", urea, sewage or sewage sludge, soy flour, leguano la bone meal animal grain residues,

   dried blood and humuso
The following example shows the increased efficiency of nutrient uptake by plants growing in soil treated with mixtures of inorganic fertilizers and the copolymer of vinyl acetate and monosodium maleate. (Polymer # 1).



  Example 9.



   Radishes were planted in beds treated with each of the following fertilizers mineral 4 - 12 - 4, sphagnum and "urea-form", with and without polymer no 1. After fifteen days of growth, the radishes were harvested and weighed. following table indicates the extraordinary cooperative effect of polymer and conventional fertilizers
TABLE XI.



   Growing radish in soil containing polymer and nutrient fertilizers
 EMI22.1
 
<tb> Treatment <SEP> Yield <SEP> Coefficient <SEP> Average <SEP> weight <SEP> Coefficient
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> total <SEP> (in <SEP> of improvement- <SEP> of <SEP> radish <SEP> of improvement-
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> grams) <SEP> tion <SEP> of <SEP> ren- <SEP> (in <SEP> grams) <SEP> tion <SEP> of <SEP> weight
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> madly
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 0.02 <SEP>% <SEP> of fertilizer
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 4-12-4 <SEP> (o) <SEP> 19 <SEP> - <SEP> 0.35 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 002 <SEP>% <SEP> + <SEP> 002 <SEP>% <SEP>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> of <SEP> polymer <SEP> 1 <SEP> 69 <SEP> 3.6 <SEP> 1.918 <SEP> 3.0
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 1 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> sphagnum <SEP> 31 <SEP> - <SEP> 0,

  53
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 1 <SEP>% <SEP> + <SEP> 0.02 <SEP>% <SEP> of '
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> polymer <SEP> 1 <SEP> 75 <SEP> 2.4 <SEP> 1.29 <SEP> 2.4
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 0.01 <SEP> of urea-
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> form <SEP> (<SEP> 00) <SEP> 46 <SEP> - <SEP> 0.84 <SEP> -
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 0.01 <SEP>% <SEP> + <SEP> 0.02 <SEP>%
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> of <SEP> polymer <SEP> 1 <SEP> 118 <SEP> 2.6 <SEP> 1.90 <SEP> 2.3
<tb>
 () This corresponds to an application of 500 pounds per acreo (oo) Contains 37 percent nitrogeno

 <Desc / Clms Page number 23>

 Example 10
Radishes were planted in beds containing Miami silt treated with various organic fertilizers or manures and composted to one percent and polymers to 0,

  05 percent Table XII shows the effect of polymers used alone and the cooperative effect with inorganic fertilizer compounds compared to organic fertilizers and composts which contained many times as many nutrients.



   TABLE XII.



   Comparison of polymers and polymers plus minerals with one percent organic fertilizer and composts in Miami mud silt for radish growth
 EMI23.1
 
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Treatment <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> germina- <SEP> Coefficient <SEP> Coefficient
<tb>
<tb> tion <SEP> average <SEP> dam- <SEP> of improvement
<tb>
<tb> <SEP> improvement <SEP> of <SEP> output <SEP> (o)
<tb>
<tb> the <SEP> size <SEP> (o)
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> Witness <SEP> n <SEP> 1 <SEP> 83 <SEP> 0.93 <SEP> 0.84
<tb>
<tb> Witness <SEP> n <SEP> 2 <SEP> 90 <SEP> 1.07 <SEP> the <SEP> 16 <SEP>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 1 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> manure
<tb>
<tb> of <SEP> cow <SEP> dried <SEP> 61 <SEP> 2,3 <SEP> 1,

  6
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 1 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> "Milor-
<tb>
<tb> ganite <SEP> "<SEP> (a) <SEP> 49 <SEP> 0.64 <SEP> 0.34
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 1 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> compost
<tb>
<tb> of <SEP> Frazer <SEP> (b) <SEP> 88 <SEP> 1.0 <SEP> 1.0
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 1 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> peat <SEP> 83 <SEP> 1.1 <SEP> 1.0
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 1 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> compost <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb> <SEP> cocoa <SEP> <SEP> 83 <SEP> 1.1 <SEP> 1.1
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 0.05 <SEP>% <SEP> of the <SEP> poly-
<tb>
<tb> mother <SEP> n <SEP> 1 <SEP> 88 <SEP> 1.7 <SEP> 1.7
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 0.05 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> poly-
<tb>
<tb> mother <SEP> n <SEP> 1 <SEP> + <SEP>
<tb>
 
 EMI23.2
 9 5 d 9 engg a.
 EMI23.3
 
<tb>



  6-la-4 <SEP> 82 <SEP> 1.9 <SEP> 1.8
<tb>
<tb> 0.05 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer
<tb> n <SEP> 25 <SEP> 83 <SEP> 1.7 <SEP> 1.6
<tb>
<tb> 0.05 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> polymer
<tb> n <SEP> 25 <SEP> + <SEP> 0.05 <SEP>% <SEP> of fertilizer <SEP> 6-10-4 <SEP> 90 <SEP> 2.6 <SEP> 2 , 6
<tb>
 
 EMI23.4
 (a) Blackwater sludge produced by the City of Milwaukee9 Wisconsin. (b) Produced from trash or household refuse by Frazer Products, Inc.



  (o) All treatments are compared to the average of the controls.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 24>

 



  Example 11
Carrots were grown in a greenhouse bench in muddy Miami silt9 some of which had been treated with 0.05 percent Polymer # 1. Table XIII shows the pronounced effect of soil treatment on soil growth. carrots
TABLE XIII.



   Growing carrots in Miami mud silt containing Polymer # 1.
 EMI24.1
 
<tb>



  Treatment <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> ger- <SEP> Yield <SEP> Coefficient <SEP> Average <SEP> weight <SEP> Coefficient
<tb>
<tb> mination <SEP> total <SEP> (in <SEP> of improvementa- <SEP> of <SEP> carrots <SEP> of improvement =
<tb>
<tb> grams), <SEP> ration <SEP> of <SEP> ren- <SEP> (in <SEP> grams) <SEP> ration <SEP> of
<tb>
<tb> dement <SEP> weight
<tb>
 
 EMI24.2
 ==: - :: ClZlCIC..c.: Lt. ,:! ==: ==== ... = - == c: a:;: == a; ::: = l == ': -'-- === IZ' -... cI : I === c :::::: ICZ) <"==: OC: Z:;": I = - =
 EMI24.3
 
<tb> Witness <SEP> 72 <SEP> 181 <SEP> - <SEP> 3.1
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb> 0.05 <SEP>% <SEP> of <SEP> po-
<tb>
<tb> lymer <SEP> 68 <SEP> 543 <SEP> 3.0 <SEP> 8.6 <SEP> 2.8
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
<tb>
 Example 12
A sloping hillside that had little vegetation and had suffered heavy erosion was chosen.

   An area near the foot of the slope was leveled using gardening tools, leaving all gullies or ditches filled. Polymer # 14 in the form of a dry powder was spread over half the area at two pounds per 100 square feet and raked into the area. After one month, the gullies of the untreated section had reopened while no sign of erosion could be observed in the half treated with polymer no.14.



   In the structural formulas given on pages 2 and 3 and in claims 1, 9 and 11, n is a small integer indicative of the degree of polymerization.



   CLAIMS.

** ATTENTION ** end of DESC field can contain start of CLMS **.


    

Claims (1)

1. A surface stabilized sol in which is dispersed from 0.001 to 2.0 percent by weight of a copolymer having many periodic units of the following formula EMI24.4 in which X and Y are radicals selected from the group comprising EMI24.5 ... (} KjI -QNa, li2Vay m ONH4 '-QNRHy = ONR2H2' - = ONR3H, -om: 4S1 = NH2S1 <Desc / Clms Page number 25> -OR, -OCH2NY2, -OCH2CH2NR2, -NCH2CH2NR2, -NHR and -NR not more than one of the radicals X and Y not being OR; in which 2, Z ', Z "and Z' '' are radicals selected from the group -C6H5, -OCOCH3, -OCOH, -OR., -COOR, -COOH, -CH3, -OH, C1 and H, at least two of said radicals being hydrogen not more than one of said radicals not being from the group comprising -OCOCH3, -OCOH, -C6H5, -OH, -COOH, -OR and -COOR, all the radicals of group comprising Cl and CH3 being attached to the same carbon atom and R being an alkyl radical having, preferably, at most four carbon atoms; in which X and Y together can be -O-, and in which n is a number indicative of the degree of copolymerization 2. A stabilized soil surface according to claim 1 wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of a derivative of maleic acid selected from maleic acid, maleic anhydride, maleamic acid, maleic amide, ammonium salts, alkali salts. and alkaline earth metals of maleic acid, di (methylaminoethyl) maleate, di (N, N- dimethyl - ss - aminoethyl) s maleate and the various salts. 9 amides and aminoalkyl esters of semi-alkyl esters of maleic acid, the alkyl radicals of these derivatives preferably having a maximum of four carbon atoms; the surface of said sol also preferably containing one or more comonomers from the group consisting of styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, vinyl formate, vinyl alkyl ethers, alkyl acrylates, methacrylates al - coyliques, isobutylene and vinylidene chloride in which the alkyl radical preferably has at most four carbon atoms 3. A stabilized soil surface having dispersed from 0.001 to 2 percent by weight of a water soluble copolymer of a maleic acid derivative and another polymerizable monoolefinic compound. 4. A stabilized floor surface according to claim 3 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and a salt of maleic acid. 5. A stabilized ground surface according to claim 3. wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and a salt of maleic acid 60 A stabilized floor surface according to claim 3 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of ethyl vinyl ether and a salt of maleic acid. 7. A stabilized floor surface according to claim 3 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and acetic anhydri =. 80 A stabilized floor surface according to claim 3 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene and a salt of maleic acid. 90 A plant fertilizer composition comprising an inorganic plant nutrient and a water soluble copolymer having numerous periodic units of the following structure: <Desc / Clms Page number 26> EMI26.1 in which X and Y are radicals selected from the group comprising EMI26.2 -OK zone, 0i Cs ONH, 9 = ONRH, 3.9 2 29 ONR3Hg = ONR4 '- OR. \> NH2, = OCH2.9 = OCH2CH2NR2s -NGH2CH2NR2.9 -NHR and -NR no more than one of the radicals X and Y not being OR; wherein 9Z 'Z "and Z"' are radicals selected from the group = 06H59 = OCOCH39 -OCOH, -OR, -COOH, -C00R, -0Hp -CH3, Cl and hydrogens at least two of said radicals being from hydrogen, not more than one of said radicals not being chosen from the group comprising -0COCH39 -00OHj, -C6H5 'H, COOH9 -OR and = COOR9 all the radicals of the group comprising c1 and CH3 being attached to the same atom of carbon., and R being an alkyl radical having up to four carbon atoms; in which X and Y together may be -O-, and in which n is a number indicative of the degree of copolymerization 10. A fertilizer composition according to claim 9 wherein said water soluble copolymer is a copolymer of a derivative EMI26.3 maleic acid selected from maleic acid, maleic anhydride, malsamic acid9 1-maleic amide, alkaline and alkaline earth ammonium salts9 of maleic acid., di (methylaminoethyl) maleate., (N., N-dimethyl 8 -aminoethyl) e maleate and the various salts, amides and aminoalkyl esters of maleic acid half-alkyl esters, the alkyl radicals of these derivatives preferably having at most four carbon atoms; said composition also preferably containing one or more comonomers from the group consisting of styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, vinyl formate, vinyl ethers EMI26.4 alkyl, alkyl acrylates. 9 alkyl methacrylates of isobutylene or vinylidene chloride, in which the alkyl radical preferably has a maximum of four carbon atoms. 11. A method of modifying the structure of the soil which comprises the addition of a copolymer having many periodic units of the following structure: EMI26.5 in which X and Y are radicals selected from the group comprising EMI26.6 -OE, -0Nas -0fia, -oNH4 '-ûNRR3' -oNR2H2 -oNR3RjI = ONR4 -OH9 <Desc / Clms Page number 27> EMI27.1 = NH2.9 -ORD # OOH2NR2S1 - = OCH2CH2NR2.9 = NCH2CH2NR2 "'-NHR and = NR2.9 not more than one of the radicals X and Y being = OR; in which Zs Z'9 Z "and Z" 'are radicals selected from the group -o6H5' = OCOH9 = OCOCH3j) = OR.9 = GOOR.9 -00OH9 4H 3 H9 Cl and hydrogen, at least two of said radicals caux being hydrogen. \! not full of one of said radicals not being part of the group comprising -OCOCH 3- '-0COHs mOHg -G 6H59 = OR -COOH and -COOR, all radicals of the group consisting of C1 and CH3 being attached at the same carbon atom, R being an alkyl radical preferably having at most four carbon atoms; in which X and Y together may be -O-, and in which n is a number indicative of the degree of copolymerization 12. A method according to claim 11 which comprises adding to the sol a copolymer of a maleic acid derivative of the class. EMI27.2 including maleic acid, maleic anhydride, maleamic acid, maleic amide, ammonia, alkali and alkaline earth salts of maleic acid, di (methylaminoethyl) maleate. 9 di (N, N maleate) - dimethyl ss -aminoethylic) and the various salts ;, amides and aminoalkyl esters of semi-alkyl esters of maleic acid, the alkyl radicals of these derivatives preferably having at most four carbon atoms. carbon; and, preferably, the addition of one or more comonomers from the group comprising styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, EMI27.3 vinyl formate, alkyl vinyl ethers, alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates, isobutylene and vinylidene chloride, in which the alkyl radical preferably has at most four carbon atoms. 13o A method of modifying the structure of the soil which comprises the addition to the soil of a water-soluble copolymer of a derivative of 1-maleic acid and another polymerizable mono-olefinic compound. 14. A method according to claim 13 in which the copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and a salt of maleic acid. 15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and a salt of maleic acid. 16. A method according to claim 13 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of ethyl vinyl ether and a salt of maleic acid. 17. A method according to claim 13 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride. 18.A method according to claim 13 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene and a salt of maleic acid. 19. A surface stabilized soil essentially as described above 20. A fertilizer composition essentially as described above. 21. A method of improving the structure of the soil essentially as described above.