DE102017006922A1 - Water-storing layer system to support sowing and planting as well as moisturizing the root zone - Google Patents

Abstract

Due to the scarcity of water and to prevent salinisation, the few available water in arid regions must be used very efficiently. The present invention makes a contribution to this. The combination of natural bricks and / or construction waste in grain sizes of 2 to 32 mm (chippings) or 32 to 64 mm (gravel) with hydrogel-forming substances makes the water of the chippings or gravel layer saved. By the solution according to the invention the waterway is only possible from the water-storing layer in the root zone but not vice versa. Since the interruption of Kapillaraufstiegs evaporation is limited, the use of water is very efficient.

Description

State of the art

Due to the scarcity of water and to prevent salinisation, the few available water in arid regions must be used very efficiently. For this purpose different possibilities are used.

superabsorbent

One way to improve water retention in the soil is through superabsorbers incorporated into the soil. Superabsorbents and their use in agriculture have long been known.

A superabsorbent is a water-containing but water-insoluble polymer whose molecules are chemically, e.g. By covalent or ionic bonds, or physically, e.g. B. by looping the polymer chains are linked to a three-dimensional network. By incorporating hydrophilic polymer components they swell in water with a considerable increase in volume, without losing their material cohesion.

Has proven itself u.a. the use of acrylate-based superabsorbents of the HiProAqua type, which were used as hydrogel formers in our examples.

The use of superabsorbents in agriculture promises enormous potential for future use, as water is often the limited resource in many parts of the world.

Numerous variants of acrylate-based superabsorbents are described. The tendency of superabsorbents to caking after moist storage may be after WO2002034384 A2 be reduced by the fact that the polymer is coated with a nonionic surfactant and optionally with a Lewis acid.

The water absorption capacity can after DE 102007056264 A1 be improved by the incorporation of carbohydrate-based structures.

By DE 102011010329 A1 A soil adjuvant is proposed in which superabsorbents are mixed with digestates and / or polymeric hybrid materials.

In DE 102005021221 A1 describes a superabsorbent of homopolymeric or copolymeric crosslinked polyacrylates containing polymer bound ground minerals as fiber.

All proposed technical teachings for the use of superabsorbents in agriculture have in common that the superabsorbents are distributed in the floor space. As a result, they are impaired in their effectiveness by the salt content of the soil and additionally by introduced fertilizers.

Restriction of use due to the salt content of the soil

Due to their mechanism of action, all proposed superabsorbents are highly dependent on salinity in their environment.

Each soil contains a large number of cations and anions. The cations are dominated by Na ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ and Mg ²⁺ , in the case of the anions Cl ^- and SO ₄ ^2- . These are supplemented by smaller amounts of the cation K ⁺ and the anions HCO ₃ ^- , CO ₃ ^2- and NO ₃ ^- . Primary soil salinization is the result of a natural soil formation process. Since in arid and semi-arid areas the potential evaporation is higher than the actual amount of precipitation, there is an upward movement of water in the soil. The transported up water evaporates, the dissolved salt remains in the soil. This leads to an accumulation of salts in the upper soil layers. These salts are only partially washed out in arid regions by the characteristically low precipitation amounts. Irrigation measures increase this natural salinisation process.

From the mechanism of action of the superabsorbers, it is understandable why salinisation has a very unfavorable effect on their water storage capacity.

In the solid state, polyacrylates clump together and thereby assume a relatively compact state. In the presence of water, the carboxyl group is deprotonated or Na + cleaved off. The polymer now has a large number of carboxylate groups in close proximity in a small space. As the negatively charged groups repel, the molecule stretches to maximize the distance of the carboxyl groups from each other. The polymer occupies a larger space in this stretched form. Water enters and is bound via hydrogen bonds in hydration shells. The polymer swells and forms a hydrogel, which can store much water due to the high affinity of the carboxylate groups to water. This separates sodium ions from the water-insoluble polymer. In this case, an osmotic pressure is built up, which drives water into the polyacrylate network. This osmotic pressure decreases sharply in salified soils. Superabsorbers are therefore of limited use in already salinated soils or in soils where salinization is to be feared as a result of irrigation.

Limitation of infiltration by hydrophobized sands

As in DE 4325692 described, can be produced with silicone-modified sands an artificial soil structure, which has water-repellent properties. In DE102009022516A1 describes a water-repellent sand that can be prepared in a simple manner, using small amounts of silanizing agent. By such hydrophobized sands a barrier layer is formed, which prevents seepage of water supplied by irrigation.

The water above the barrier layer can rise and evaporate to the ground surface due to evapotranspiration and concomitant capillary forces. This promotes salinisation. On the other hand, such a spear layer with overlying water that can not seep, prevents sufficient ventilation of the underlying under the barrier soil.

By DE102009022516A1 the use of hydrophobic sand in agriculture is described. When used in arid areas, it may be useful in many cases, first remove one or more layers of the surface to be treated and then deploy the water-repellent sand. Finally, it is advantageously possible to cover the discharged, treated sand with one or more soil layers again. In this way, one can advantageously avoid the erosion of the treated sand by wind or water.

zeolites

Zeolites from natural deposits contain zeolitically bound water, which can contribute to moisture regulation in the soil. For plant growth, potassium is needed alongside other major nutrients such as sodium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Zeolites are naturally potassium-rich and are therefore used successfully worldwide as potassium depot fertilizer. Due to the ion exchange capacity towards cations, it is possible to introduce about 12 g of NH4 ⁺ / K ⁺ / Mg ⁺ into the soil per kilogram of zeolite. Particularly important when used as a fertilizer are the contents of natural zeolites of magnesium and micro or trace elements such as iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron and molybdenum.

In DP 10 2010 045 078.2 it is described to partially replace polyacrylates in soil improvers with zeolites and to use them in combination with thiocyanates for soil improvement.

For the coating of seeds, it is necessary to convert zeolites with a grain size> 20 microns in a suspension. The preparation of a water-rich stable suspension with broken zeolite grains> 20 microns is not possible. The dispersion of crushed or ground zeolite rocks with a particle size> 20 μm with water leads to agglomerates or sediments which are unsuitable for the encasing or incrustation of the seeds.

Refraction of pore continuity

A prerequisite for water absorption by plant roots is a continuous network of pores of sufficient size in the root zone.

Pores with an equivalent pore diameter of less than 0.2 μm (fine pores) hold water so firmly by adhesion forces that the plant roots can not remove it.

For plants, especially water, which is stored in the middle pores, significant because they can absorb water from these pores by the suction power of the roots. Central pores are cavities with an equivalent pore diameter between 0.2 and 10 microns. With average pores of 3-10 microns, the soil water is easily movable and easily available to plants, with mean pores of 0.2-3 microns, the soil water is difficult to move and difficult plant availability.

Central pores are also the most significant pores for the capillary ascent and thus for the evaporation and the salinity associated therewith. Both under natural rainfall and artificial irrigation, the evaporation of water from the soil associated with capillary rise is one of the most important loss trajectories.

Soil pores with an equivalent pore diameter between 10 and 50 μm (fine coarse pores) can no longer hold the water capillary and lead to a slow infiltration into the underlying layer. With a diameter of more than 50 μm (wide coarse pores and macropores), water flows quickly into the underlying layer.

The infiltration of the root zone into the ground is, in addition to the evaporation, another significant loss path of the soil water.

Methods of achieving efficient water utilization through a water storage layer with controllable reversible change in pore size have not been previously known.

Subject of the present invention

The present invention is the promotion of water storage in agricultural or horticultural areas used while limiting the salinization, preferably in arid areas. However, the invention is not limited to arid areas.

The object of the present invention is to provide a technology for effective water use. The losses due to both evaporation and percolation are to be limited by the present invention.

This object is achieved according to the independent claims and explained in more detail below.

1. a) bei einer Ansaat
   1. A gewachsener Naturboden mit überwiegend Mittelporen zwischen 0,2 bis 50 µm (Wurzelzone, die die Pflanzenwurzeln mit Wasser und Nährstoffen versorgt)
   2. B verdichtungsstabile wasserspeichernde Schicht von vorzugsweise 1 bis 6 cm mit sich in Abhängigkeit von der Wassersättigung verändernden Porengröße (0,2 bis > 50 µm)
   3. C wasseraufnehmende Auftragsschicht für Samen, wobei besonders bevorzugt ist, die Samen in eine wasseraufnehmende Schicht einzubetten
   4. D Deckschicht
   und
2. b) bei einer Pflanzung
   • A gewachsener Naturboden mit überwiegend Mittelporen zwischen 0,2 bis 50 µm (Wurzelzone, die die Pflanzenwurzeln mit Wasser und Nährstoffen versorgt)
   • B verdichtungsstabile wasserspeichernde Schicht von vorzugsweise 1 bis 6 cm mit sich in Abhängigkeit von der Wassersättigung verändernden Porengröße (0,2 bis > 50 µm)
   • D Deckschicht,
   wobei die verdichtungsstabile wasserspeichernde Schicht B dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass Hydrogele aus gelbildenden Pflanzenbestandteilen, modifizierten pflanzlichen Rohstoffen und/oder synthetischen Polymeren in mineralische Trägermaterialien mit einem hohen Kantkornanteil eingebettet werden, und die wasseraufnehmende Samenauftragsschicht C aus zwei oder mehr verbundenen polymeren Naturmineralen besteht, aus denen
   1. a) Granalien hergestellt werden, in die die Samen, vorzugsweise Samen mit geringem Tausendkomgewicht oder Mischungen aus Samen mehrerer Spezies, eingebettet werden, oder
   2. b) mit denen die Samen umhüllt werden.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a water-storing layer system, characterized by the layer sequence

1. a) at a sowing
   1. A grown natural soil with predominantly center pores between 0.2 to 50 μm (root zone, which supplies the plant roots with water and nutrients)
   2. B compression-stable water-storing layer of preferably 1 to 6 cm with pore size that changes as a function of the water saturation (0.2 to> 50 μm)
   3. C water-receptive coating layer for seeds, wherein it is particularly preferred to embed the seeds in a water-absorbing layer
   4. D topcoat
   and
2. b) at a planting
   • A grown natural soil with predominantly center pores between 0.2 to 50 μm (root zone, which supplies the plant roots with water and nutrients)
   • B compression-stable water-storing layer of preferably 1 to 6 cm with pore size that changes as a function of the water saturation (0.2 to> 50 μm)
   • D covering layer,
   wherein the compression-stable water-storing layer B is characterized in that hydrogels are embedded from gel-forming plant constituents, modified vegetable raw materials and / or synthetic polymers in mineral carrier materials with a high proportion of edible lead, and the water-receptive seed coat layer C consists of two or more combined polymeric natural minerals from which
   1. (a) granules are prepared in which the seeds, preferably seeds of low thousandweight or mixtures of seeds of several species, are embedded, or
   2. b) with which the seeds are wrapped.

Explanations to claim 1

Of central importance in a layer system according to claim 1 is the water-absorbing layer B, which is characterized in that the receiving support materials of amorphous rocks and / or polymeric natural minerals and / or crushed rocks selected from the group of flints, zeolites, the Glaukonite consisting of pumice stones, and / or crushed gravel and / or mineral demolition materials, preferably concrete or broken bricks, or mixtures of said rocks and / or products having a particle size of 0.1 mm and 70 mm, preferably with materials A grain size of 2 to 64 mm (gravel and / or grit) are used with as close as possible Komband.

In contrast to the application of the hydrogels according to known technical teachings by fine distribution in the soil, the influence of their salts on water storage is strongly restricted in the layer B, since the contact with soil layers, which can give off electrolytes, is greatly reduced in the compact layer.

Through the layer B, the pore continuity of the soil is broken. On the one hand, layer B prevents capillary rise, on the other hand, infiltration can be controlled so that the root zone is sufficiently irrigated, but the infiltration of water not taken up by the plant root is restricted from root zone A into the ground.

After sowing, after germination of the germinating seeds, they grow from the layer C through the water-storing, but nutrient-poor layer B into the layer A, where they are supplied with nutrients.

When planting most of the roots should be placed in the layer A, the layer B should be placed approximately at the level of the root neck, that is in the border zone between root and shoot axis.

Controllable pore size and, at the same time, compaction stability are achieved in layer B by embedding the hydrogels in stable carrier materials with a high proportion of edible grains.

The combination of natural bricks and / or construction waste in grain sizes of 2 to 32 mm (chippings) or 32 to 64 mm (crushed stone) with hydrogel-forming substances, the water is stored in the gravel or gravel layer. At full water saturation, the hydrogels largely fill the pore volume.

Water is released from this layer both to the underlying layer A (root zone) and to the overlying layer (C or D). With increasing dryness, the hydrogels shrink, so that initially fine and medium pores and finally coarse and macro pores arise, through which a sufficient ventilation and irrigation of the root zone A is ensured.

In the case of seeding, in particular seeds with a low thousandweight are embedded in a layer C according to the invention. In layer C conflicting requirements - ensuring the water needed for the swelling while avoiding waterlogging and good air supply - must be met. For germination, the seed must absorb moisture and swell.

In a seed, it is therefore according to the invention, in the layer C to embed the seeds in granules of two or more polymeric natural minerals, which absorb the water required for this from the layer B, although the porosity continuity between the layer B and C is interrupted.

It is possible to coat the seeds with polymeric natural minerals prior to sowing or to incorporate them into granules of polymeric natural minerals. Without embedding there is a risk, especially for seeds with low thousand-kernel weight, that seeds will sink into layer B where they are prevented from germinating by the exclusion of air and lazy due to excess water. The embedding the seeds in granules from suitable germination-promoting natural minerals is therefore an important aspect of the solution according to the invention.

Explanations to Claim 2

The person skilled in the art can select the materials suitable for the respective culture from the large number of possible carrier materials. Regional availability is also an important factor. It is therefore advantageous that a wide variety of possible carriers can be used for this task.

To claim 3

When sowing under arid climatic conditions, the seed application layer C, which is arranged in a layer system according to claim 1 above the layer B, must be given special consideration. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, this layer is characterized in that the water-absorbing minerals bridging the pore break consist of a composite zeolite which is formed by the fact that zeolites are mixed in a suspension of magnesium silicates, magnesium lithium silicates and / or magnesium Aluminum silicates and carbonates and other additives preferably animal meals and other organic and inorganic plant nutrients is incorporated.

Explanations to Claim 3

By simply mixing the zeolite grains with other polymeric natural minerals, the required composite structure can not be achieved. For the coating of the seeds or for the production of seeds receiving granules, the zeolites with a grain size preferably 80-100 microns must be converted into a suspension. The dispersion of crushed or ground zeolite rocks with a particle size> 20 μm with water leads to agglomerates or sediments which are unsuitable for the encasing or incrustation of the seeds.

From the polymeric natural products and carbonates described in the claim, a suspension is prepared. Surprisingly, this suspension can be used to prepare a zeolite composite material suitable for coating. The magnesium ions contained in the suspension produce coordinative bonds that are much stronger than van der Waals forces or hydrogen bonds and that stabilize the composite.

For the production of the zeolite composite materials suitable for the encrustation of the seeds, the equivalent radii of the primary particle size distribution of the zeolites should be 10-100 μm, preferably 80-100 μm. The primary grain size distribution of the clay minerals is chosen so that the equivalent radii of the clay minerals to the equivalent radii of the zeolites in the ratio 1: 80 to 1: 120, preferably in the ratio 1: 100.

The procedure of claim 3 makes it possible to produce zeolite composite materials with a zeolite content of more than 10% by weight but less than 70% by weight of zeolite, based on the total product.

For the intended application as a seed coating agent an adjustable degree of hardness adjustment is important. In the zeolite composite materials, variation of the granulation conditions can be used to vary the degree of hardness. A variation of the degree of hardness is achieved by admixing calcium minerals.

An adjustable for different seeds hardness grade setting of the coating is not known from the known technical teachings.

To claim 4

The water-storing layer system according to claim 1, characterized in that during the sowing, the layers B and C is placed under the cover layer D by an injection process, can be implemented technically on a large scale.

Explanations to Claim 4

Injection methods for the introduction of liquid fertilizers have long been known and are used for in-plant fertilization for years. The technology developed for this purpose can be transferred to the incorporation of layers B and C.

To claim 5

The water-storing layer system according to claim 1 is characterized in that in a sensor-based irrigation, on the one hand the ratio gellant to grit or gravel and on the other hand, the irrigation interval and the irrigation amount are matched to each other, that in the root zone optimal for the particular culture moisture is adjusted ,

Explanation to claim 5

The irrigation necessary in arid areas can be achieved both by above-ground droplets irrigation and by underwater irrigation.

When planted with above-ground droplets irrigation, the water seeps through the cover layer D and the initially open macro and coarse pores of layer B in the root zone A and is held there by capillary forces and is available for the supply of the plants. In continuation of the water supply, additional water is stored in the layer B by hydrogel formation. This will close the pores. The water supply can be adjusted sensor controlled at this time.

Because the pore system of the root layer A, which is embossed by means pores, does not find any connection to the coarse pore system of the layer B, water from the root layer can not evaporate and therefore also can not contribute to salinization. The water of layer A is available exclusively for plant growth.

By the solution according to the invention, therefore, the waterway only from the layer B in the layer A is possible but not vice versa. Since evaporation is limited, water use is very efficient.

When the water supply is interrupted, the water stored in the layer B is gradually released to the layers A. The hydrogel shrinks. By embedding the gel in materials with a high proportion of edible grains with a grain size of 2 to 64 mm (chippings or gravel), the layer thickness of the layer B is maintained even when the gel shrinks and compacting stability is achieved. As the layer thickness is maintained, shrinkage of the gel again forms coarse and macropores, which ensure the supply of oxygen to the root zone.

Advantageously, the water supply can be controlled by sensors. Sensor-controlled systems shut off the water supply when Root Layer A reaches the optimal moisture level for root growth. If the intake of water by the plants falls below the optimum humidity range, a renewed supply of water is necessary. At this time, coarse and macro pores have again formed in the layer B due to shrinkage, which, upon renewed supply of water, allow the water to infiltrate into the root zone. By varying the ratio of hydrogel to chippings or gravel pore formation can be regulated. The hydrogel formation limits the infiltration into the root zone by closing the pores to the extent necessary for the plant supply. Together with a sensor-based interval irrigation, the optimum moisture in the root zone can be set for each plant culture.

If underfloor irrigation is envisaged, the pipe system, either porous or slotted, should be laid below layer B. As with above-ground irrigation, the waterway is only possible from layer B to layer A, but not vice versa. Since evaporation is restricted, underwater irrigation makes water use very efficient.

When planting in arid areas, this technology can greatly reduce the amount of irrigation required.

In the case of surface droplet irrigation of the seeds, the water from the top layer passes into the layer C. It is important here that excess water is rapidly taken up by the layer B. Therefore, water absorption and storage of layers B and C must be coordinated. This can be done on the one hand by varying the ratio of hydrogel to chippings or gravel in the layer B and on the other hand by adjusting the composition of the zeolite composite material selected for the incrustation (according to the invention are a variation of the zeolite content, an addition of protein meals and / or curing) ,

In combination with a sensor-based interval irrigation, the optimum moisture for germination in layer C can be set for each sowing.

After rooting, the roots quickly permeate the low-nutrient layer B and are supplied with water and nutrients in layer A as described at planting.

To claim 6

When planting in arid areas, the layer sequence according to the invention can be realized in a particularly advantageous manner in rotting containers.

Explanations to Claim 6

• • Die Größe der Schicht A kann exakt an den zu erwartenden Wurzelraum der Pflanze angepasst werden.
• • Die Primärversorgung mit Nährstoffen kann in der Schicht A an die Bedürfnisse der Pflanze angepasst werden
• • Für die Ausbildung eines Mikroökosystems in den Containern wichtige Mikroorganismen können bei der Vorbereitung der Container eingebracht werden.
• • Die Belüftung erfolgt über die Grob- und Makroporen der Schicht B. Erforderlichenfalls kann über das der Wasserversorgung dienende Röhrensystem Luft in die Container gepumpt werden
• • Die Wassernutzung ist besonders effizient, da
  • ◯ Eine Versickerung weitgehend vermieden wird
  • ◯ Die Evaporation durch den Porenbruch über der Wurzelzone sowie bei entsprechender Feuchtigkeit durch das Hydrogel eingeschränkt wird
  • ◯ Die Transpiration eingeschränkt wird, wenn an aride Klimazonen angepasste Pflanzen ausgewählt werden
  • ◯ Eine zusätzliche Wasserspeicherung durch die von den eingearbeiteten Mikroorganismen durch Biofilmbildung an den Wurzeln erfolgt
  • ◯ Insbesondere bei Baumpflanzungen in den Containern der Bereich zwischen den Containern entweder nicht mit Wasser versorgt wird oder nach agroforstwirtschaftlichem Konzept für die Bepflanzung mit krautigem Unterbewuchs genutzt wird.

This variant of the solution according to the invention offers the following advantages:

• • The size of the layer A can be adapted exactly to the expected root space of the plant.
• • The primary nutrient supply in Layer A can be tailored to the needs of the plant
• • For the formation of a micro-ecosystem in the containers important microorganisms can be introduced during the preparation of the containers.
• • Ventilation takes place via the coarse and macro pores of layer B. If necessary, air can be pumped into the containers via the pipe system serving the water supply
• • The use of water is particularly efficient because
  • ◯ Leakage is largely avoided
  • ◯ Evaporation is restricted by the pore breakage above the root zone and, if the hydrogel is moisturized, by the hydrogel
  • ◯ Transpiration is restricted when plants adapted to arid climates are selected
  • ◯ An additional water storage by the of the incorporated microorganisms by biofilm formation at the roots takes place
  • ◯ Particularly in the case of tree plantings in the containers, the area between the containers is either not supplied with water or, according to the agroforestry concept, is used for planting with herbaceous undergrowth.

Particular advantages are achieved when the containers are planted with crop-supplying cultures suitable for arid climates. Suitable are u.a. Azadirachta species, Argania species, Boswellia species, Commiphora species, Melaleuca species, Ziziphus spina-christi, Feioja sellowiana, Elaeis guineensis, Hibiscus species or Tamarix species.

To claim 7th

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the carrier materials in the water-absorbing layer B are rendered hydrophobic in a layer system according to claim 1 prior to combination with hydrogels.

Explanations to claim 7

By hydrophobing the gravel or chippings used as carrier material in the layer B, the release of electrolytes from the carrier material to the hydrogel can be largely prevented.

A hydrophobing also has another advantage. Although mineral waste is authorized as a cultural material, there may be a risk of leaching of undesirable substances into the soil. This danger is avoided by the hydrophobing. Therefore, the application possibilities for mineral waste are extended by the hydrophobic treatment.

The hydrophobing can be carried out by known methods. In contrast to known technical processes, in which a substantial or even complete prevention of water permeability is desired by the hydrophobicized layer, in the process according to the invention, the water permeability through the layer B is retained even after hydrophobicization of the support materials. The water permeability is reversibly influenced by swelling and shrinkage of the hydrogels incorporated in combination with the hydrophobized carrier materials.

With sufficient moisture in the layer B, no difference in the water storage between non-hydrophobized and hydrophobized support materials can be seen.

However, it has surprisingly been found that the water retention capacity in layer B is enhanced by the hydrophobization of the support materials with advanced shrinkage of the hydrogels. Even with long-lasting drought, a residual water content is still stored in the hydrophobized carrier material.

The invention will be explained below with reference to some examples, without claiming to be exhaustive.

example 1

Influence of dissolved salts on water retention in HiProAqua gel

Method: In each case 1 g of HiProAqua is suspended in a fine-mesh sieve in demineralised water (osmosis water, hereinafter referred to as ultrapure water) on the other hand in Greifswalder tap water. Voluntary water intake is determined. Subsequently, the sieve is dried at 50 ° C until the absorbed water was completely released. Subsequently, both sieves were hung again in ultrapure water or tap water. Voluntary water uptake and water loss on drying were redetermined.

Result: The voluntary water absorption per g HiProAqua for ultrapure water is 100 g and is already reduced to 80 g with tap water ( 1 ). When dried at 50 ° C, the water is released more slowly in the hydrogel prepared with ultrapure water than in the hydrogel prepared with tap water.

Example 2

Influence of fertilizers on water storage by HiProAqua

Trial 1:

Methodology: 1 g of HiProAqua is mixed with 100 ml ultrapure water in a beaker.

Result: A solid hydrogel forms, which can be stored at room temperature for more than 30 days.

Trial 2:

Method: 1 g of HiProAqua is mixed in a beaker with 100 ml of a ready-to-use fertilizer solution prepared according to the instructions of the manufacturer (Jiffy seed fertilizer, Romberg)

Result: Hydrogel formation is severely limited. It forms no storable gel

Trial 3:

Method: 1 g HiProAqua is mixed in a beaker with 100 ml of a ready-to-fertilizer solution prepared according to the instructions of the manufacturer (lawn fertilizer, CMI)

Result: Hydrogel formation is severely limited.

Trial 4:

Method: Fertilizers (Jiffy, lawn fertilizer) are stirred into the already formed 1% hydrogel according to Example 2, Experiment 1.

Result: The hydrogel is destroyed within a short time for the most part. Over the gel residue forms a layer of unbound water.

Example 3

Influence of soil on water storage in HiProAqua

Method: 1% hydrogel from HiProAqua in ultrapure water according to Example 1, Experiment 1 is in a ratio of 1: 1 with soil (lawn soil, Hanseatic Environment GmbH) mixed and stored for 24 h at room temperature.

Result: The hydrogel is partially degraded. Released water can be poured off after 24 h. After 48 h no further dehydration is observed.

Control: Hydrogel without strawberry mixture is completely stable after 24 h and 48 h and for a long time beyond that.

Example 4

Preparation of the zeolite composite material as a suspension

Methodology: Zeolite powder and carbonate powder can not be stably suspended in ultrapure water. The following composition and sequence of the constituents listed make it possible to produce a stable suspension. In a stirrer, the following ingredients are introduced successively while the stirrer is running and stirred gently: 60 ml ultrapure water 25 g mixed clay clay powder 10 g zeolite powder 5 g carbonate powder

Result: The procedure described makes it possible to produce a new composite zeolite from natural phyllosilicates, natural hydrated aluminosilicates, natural hydrated alkali-alkaline-earth aluminosilicates and natural calcium carbonates and quartz, which is suitable for the encrustation of seeds.

Chemical composition

in 100 g of a suspension of the composite zeolite prepared in this way are contained: Total solids 60-80 g Si calculated as Si ₂ O ₃ 42-56 g Al calculated as Al ₂ O ₃ 9-11 g Ca calculated as CaO 5-10 g Mg calculated as MgO 0.1-1 g Na calculated as Na ₂ O 1 -5 g K is calculated as K ₂ O 0,1-1g

Example 5

Zeolite composite material as a dry powder

Method: The suspension according to Example 4 is gently dried at temperatures <50 ° C in thin layers in an air-dried laboratory dehydrator (Food Dehydrator) and then ground with a laboratory disk mill (shot mill) to powder.

Result: The zeolite composite material can be provided in powder form for various applications

Example 6

Preparation of the zeolite composite material in the form of granules

For various applications, the use of the zeolite composite in the form of granules is advantageous. These can be made as follows.

Method: Suspension according to example 4 is granulated with a powder mixture of the same composition of the solid constituents, prepared according to example 5, in a granulator according to technically usual methods.

Result: The zeolite composite material can be provided in the form of granules for various applications. Grain size and grain size distribution of the granules can be adapted to different tasks by selecting the granulation conditions.

Example 7

Combination of the zeolite composite with HiProAqua and with protein flours

Production of HiProAquaPur 1:

Methodology: 100 g of composite material according to example 5 are intensively homogenized with 100 g HiproAqua with the multi-purpose mixer (type: Eigenbau Prinzip EIRICH).

Production of HiProAquaPurPlus:

Methodology: 100 g of the composite material according to Example 5 are intensively homogenized with 100 g of protein meal of category 1 (Fa. Jean Schaap GmbH) and 1 g of HiProAqua with the multi-purpose mixer (Type: Eigenbau Principle EIRICH).

Result: The zeolite composite material according to Example 5 can be combined in dried form with HiProAqua to the new product HiProAquaPur 1 and with HiProAqua and protein flour to the product HiProAquaPlus.

Example 8

Water storage by the product HiProAquaPlus in comparison to HiProAqua as well as to HiproAquaPur 1

Method: In each case 1 g of HiProAqua, 1 g of HiproAquaPur 1, prepared according to Example 7 and HiProAquaPlus prepared according to Example 7 are suspended in ultrapure water in ultrapure sieve. The voluntary water intake was determined. Subsequently, the sieve is dried at 50 ° C until the absorbed water was completely released. Subsequently, both sieves were hung again in ultrapure water. The water loss on drying was determined by weighing.

Result: Surprisingly, HiProAquaPlus can absorb more water than HiproAquaPur1 ( 2 ). The water is stored by HiProAquaPlus over a longer period ( 3 ).

Example 9

Water loss at room temperature in a 3-Schlcht system suitable for plants

Methodology: The following layer sequence is realized in a vessel that can be closed down with a tap.

Layer A: 50 g of soil moist soil (Hanseatic Environment GmbH), layer B: 20 g of 1% hydrogel from HiProAqua in 20 g of zeolite split, layer D: 20 g of soil moist soil (Hanseatic Environment GmbH) were in a glass for 3 days dried at room temperature.

Result: In 3 days, 2.6 + 0.4 of the amount of water originally contained in the layer system has evaporated.

Example 10

Water loss at 60 ° C in a suitable for plants 3-layer system without and with interval irrigation

Method: Same as example 9, but drying in an air-dried laboratory dehydrator at 60 ° C.

Result: After 14 h, about 40% of the amount of water originally contained in the layer system has evaporated ( 4 ). The water losses can be compensated by voluntary water absorption with a water supply from below at intervals ( 5 ).

Example 11

Water storage in a 4-layer system suitable for seeding

Methodology: The following layer sequence is realized in a vessel that can be closed down with a tap.

Layer A: 50 g soil moisture Lawn (Toom)

Layer B: 35 g hydrogel consisting of ultrapure water with 1% HiproAqua embedded in gravel of zeolite rocks with a grain size of 2 to 64 mm.

Layer C: 15 g of granules from the zeolite composite material prepared according to Example 5 with encrusted grass seeds

Layer D: 3g topcoat

When the tap is closed, ultrapure water is filled from above

On the first day of the experiment, the system was poured with 100 ml ultrapure water. After 2 hours, un-stored water is drained by opening the tap. Of these, 55 ml have passed through and 45 ml have been stored.

On the 7th day of the experiment, grass growth began. After a shoot growth of 3 cm was reached, the grass was shortened 3 times a week to this length.

On the 12th day of the experiment, 75 ml ultrapure water was poured, of which 65 ml were stored.

On the 32nd day of the experiment, 75 ml ultrapure water was poured, of which 65 ml were stored.

On the 40th day of the experiment was terminated. Until that time, the grass showed no welk appearances.

Example 12

Water storage in 4-layer system with variation of layer B thickness

Methodology: as in Example 11. The thickness of the ballast layer B was 1, 2 and 3 cm, respectively.

The loss of water during air drying is determined by weighing

To determine the biomass, the grass was mowed and dried every 3 days.

Result:

Water is stored in the 4-layer system, at 1 cm thickness of layer B was 63 g, at 2 cm layer thickness 72 g and at 3 cm layer thickness 79 g of water were stored (Table 1). Tab. 1 Selected results from example 12 Thickness of the layer B 1 cm 2 cm 3 cm Stored water 63 g 72 g 79 g Still stored water after 13 days based on the amount consumed 24% 29% 31% Time until the absorbed water is completely released (time average) 15 d 17 d 19 d Number of watering cycles in 45 working days 7 6 5 Formed biomass (dry weight) 1.53 1.47 1.58

After drying for 13 days at room temperature, 24% were stored at 1 cm layer thickness, 29% at 2 cm layer thickness and 31% at 3 cm layer thickness. When water is re-introduced at this time, water uptake and release is reversible and can continue for many cycles ( 6 )

The layer B was easily grown through even with a layer thickness of 3 cm. The biomass yield during the 45-day test period at the thickness of layer B of 1 cm was 1.53 g (dry weight), at 2 cm layer thickness 1.47 g and at 3 cm layer thickness 1.58 g.

Example 13

Water storage in a 4-layer system with modified biopolymers as hydrogel former

Methodology: Same as example 12, but with 20 g carboxy methylcellulose instead of HiProAqua

Result: Biopolymers can also be used as gelling agents.

Example 14

Water storage in a 4-shift system with graded amounts of HiProAqua gel

Method: as in Example 12. Layer B contained in experiment 1: 35 g of zeolite grit and 17.5 g of hydrogel, in experiment 2: 70 g of zeolite grit and 35 g of hydrogel and in experiment 3: 105 g of zeolite grit and 52.5 g hydrogel.

Result: The time until the stored water was largely released, was an average of 21 days and could not be significantly extended by the larger amounts of hydrogel.

Example 15

Water storage in a 4-layer system with concrete breakage as carrier material in layer B

Methodology as Example 12. In this experiment, layer B contained grit (5-10 mm) of crushed concrete instead of the zeolite.

Result: Split from mineral wastes is suitable for the construction of layer B. The combination of grit and HiProAqua reversibly absorbs water and releases it again ( 7 ).

The seed germinated already after 4 d and thus 2 d earlier than in the zeolite used in Example 13

Example 16

Water consumption in the case of interval irrigation in the three-layer system suitable for plantations according to Example 10 with hydrophobized grit as support material in layer B.

Methodology: same as Example 10. The chippings were rendered hydrophobic prior to combination with HiProAqua with the commercial product siloxane (MEGA) according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

Result: The initial intake of water was the same as the voluntary intake of water during tests and controls. In the following three irrigated intervals with water supply from below, 73.1 + 2.6 g of water were recorded in the controls and only 47.4 + 0.76 g of water after hydrophobing. Since correspondingly less water has evaporated, the moisture stored in the system was comparable in experiments and controls ( 8th ). The water consumption was thus lowered by the hydrophobing to 64%.

Example 17

Water storage in a 4-layer system with hydrophobized grit as support material in layer B

Methodology: The following layer sequence is realized in a vessel that can be closed down with a tap.
Layer A: 20 g of lawn soil (Hanseatische Umwelt GmbH)
Layer B: 20 g HiProAquagel (1% tig) and 20 hydrophobized zeolite grit
The control used was zeolite grit without hydrophobization
Layer C: 20 g of encrusted seed granules prepared according to Example 5
Layer D: 20 g of lawn soil (Hanseatische Umwelt GmbH)

To simulate underfloor irrigation, the system was irrigated for 30 min with 80 ml ultrapure water. Of the offered 80 ml, 27.5 ml were taken in the hydrophobized grit and 28 ml in the controls.

The drying was carried out in a 60 ° C heated air stream, which was passed through the system.

Result: With the chosen ratio of grit to hydrogel a water migration through the 4 layers is possible. The hydrophobization slows down the release of water ( 9 )

Example 17

Water storage in hydrophobized grit with an excess of hydrogel in layer B

Methodology: As in Example 16, but layer B used 20 g of split and 30 g of hydrogel.

Result: Due to the excess of the hydrogel, the pores in layer B are almost completely closed. Under these conditions, the water movement from the layer A in the upper layers is largely suppressed. The moisture is completely retained in the layer A, which manifests itself in that after 10 h drying at 60 ° C at a renewed supply of water from below no water is absorbed. Under these conditions, there is no difference between hydrophobicized and non-hydrophobicized Zeolites recognizable. The drying takes place in the upper layers C and D ( 10 ). Only when a shrinkage of the hydrogel occurs during the continuation of the drying, again is a water movement through the 4-layer system.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2002034384 A2 [0006]
• DE 102007056264 A1 [0007]
• DE 102011010329 A1 [0008]
• DE 102005021221 A1 [0009]
• DE 4325692 [0015]
• DE 102009022516 A1 [0015, 0017]

Claims (7)

Water-storing layer system, characterized by the sequence of layers a) in a seed A grown natural soil predominantly with mean pores between 0.2 to 50 microns (root zone, which provides the plant roots with water and nutrients) B compression-stable water-storing layer of preferably 1 to 6 cm in with Depending on the water saturation changing pore size (0.2 to> 50 microns) C water-absorbent coating layer for seeds, it being particularly preferred to embed the seeds in this water-absorbing layer D top layer and b) in a planting A grown natural soil predominantly with center pores between 0, 2 to 50 microns (root zone, which provides the plant roots with water and nutrients) B compression-stable water-storing layer of preferably 1 to 6 cm with depending on the water saturation changing pore size (0.2 to> 50 microns) D top layer, wherein the compression-stable water-storing layer B dadu characterized in that hydrogels of gel-forming plant constituents, modified vegetable raw materials and / or synthetic polymers are embedded in mineral carrier materials with a high proportion of edible lead, and the water-absorbent seed layer C consists of two or more connected polymeric natural minerals, from which a) granules are produced, in which the seeds, preferably seeds of low thousand-kernel weight or mixtures of seeds of several species, are embedded, or b) with which the seeds are wrapped. Water-absorbing layer B in a layer system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the receiving support materials of amorphous rocks and / or polymeric natural minerals and / or crushed rocks selected from the group of flints, zeolites, glauconites, pumice, and / or crushed gravel and / or mineral demolition materials , preferably concrete or broken brick, or mixtures of said rocks and / or products with a particle size of 0.1 mm and 70 mm, preferably with a particle size of 2 to 64 mm (gravel and / or grit) with possible used in a narrow grain belt. Seed application layer C in a layer system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the layer C is placed over the layer B and bridges the pore fracture, and that the water-absorbent mineral composite consists of a zeolite composite material obtained by dispersing zeolites with a suspension of clay minerals selected from the group of mixed-layer , Magnesium silicates, magnesium lithium silicates and / or magnesium aluminum silicates, and carbonates and other additives preferably animal meals and other organic and inorganic plant nutrients is obtained. Water-storing layer system after Claim 1 , characterized in that during sowing, the layers B and C are placed under the cover layer D by an injection process. Water-storing layer system after Claim 1 , characterized in that in a sensor-assisted irrigation on the one hand, the ratio of gelling agent to grit or crushed stone and on the other hand, the irrigation interval and the irrigation amount are matched to one another, that in the root zone optimal for the respective culture moisture is adjusted. Water-storing layer system after Claim 1 , characterized in that the layer sequence is realized in containers of decomposable material Water-absorbing layer B in a layer system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the carrier materials are hydrophobic prior to combination with hydrogels.

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