RU2798873C2 - Processed plant growth media that has increased water retention - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: treated plant growth medium comprises (A) a plant growth medium and (B) a water-retaining composition disposed on the medium. The plant growth medium contains: A. medium (A) for plant growth; and B. a water-retaining composition located on the medium (A) containing the following: (1) an alcohol alkoxylate with the structure:

where R is a C₃-C₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is 0 to 40 and (m+y) is at least 1, (2) water, (3) a surfactant selected from the group of sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than alcohol alkoxylate (1), copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, alkyl polyglycosides and combinations thereof, and (4) a hygroscopic substance selected from the group of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin, triacetin, and combinations thereof, wherein the medium (A) is selected from peat, potting soil and soil. A method is provided for treating a plant growth medium (A) to increase water retention, the method comprises the step of applying a water-retaining composition to the medium (A) to form a medium, wherein the medium (A) is selected from peat, potting soil and soil; peat moss, which has increased moisture retention.

EFFECT: inventions make it possible to provide an effective water-retaining composition that improves the ability of the medium to absorb and retain water both during initial wetting and during subsequent wetting, and reduces losses as a result of surface water runoff.

23 cl, 2 tbl, 22 ex

Description

Field of invention

The present invention generally relates to a treated plant growth medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a treated medium that has increased moisture retention and includes a water-retaining composition that includes an alcohol alkoxylate, water, a specific surfactant and a specific humectant.

State of the art

The hydrophobicity of various plant growth media has long been recognized as an obstacle to effective wetting of the media and retention of water in the media. Slow wetting and water retention results in inefficient use of water, which can result in water running off the treated area into ditches, streams, lakes and/or city water treatment systems. Slow wetting of the plant growth medium and poor retention can lead to over-watering to compensate for slow retention, which is a waste of a valuable and in some regions scarce natural resource.

Surfactants are widely used as wetting agents in the peat moss industry, Moses et al. (US 3458953) describe the addition of an alcohol ethoxylate, more specifically trimethylheptanol ethoxylates, to water to improve wetting and water retention when applied to soil. This method results in improved soil water retention from 54% water retention to 65-81% water retention, which is 20-50% higher than control water without the described alcohol ethoxylate. Templeton (US 5867937) describes the use of EO-PO polymers and silica to reduce the hydrophobicity of peat moss, bark and mineral wool in soilless mixtures used for plant growth, resulting in easier, faster and more uniform watering of such mixtures without plant injury. EO-PO polymers and alcohol alkoxylates were applied to the composted bark at 250 to 1000 ppm (0.025% to 0.10%). A 200 cc sample of treated bark was ^then treated with 200 ml of water and the amount of water remaining on the bark was determined to be 65 to 105 ml of water retained per 200 cc ^of bark, or 0.325 ml of water to 0.525 ml of water retained per 1 cm ³ of the treated bark. Another prior art describes water-swellable peat pellets comprising peat moss, a pH adjusting agent, a wetting agent, and an optional processing aid, with a preferred bulk density of about 300 to about 600 kg/m ³ , where the wetting agent may be a non-ionic surfactant. active substances such as copolymerized alkane oxides. Another prior art (US 9038311 B2) describes a peat moss composition that has improved water retention, hydrophilicity and/or anti-leaching properties, comprising one or more polysaccharides, for example, guars and/or guar derivatives. Peat treated with a combination of alcohol ethoxylate and guar, a polysaccharide, increased the water holding capacity (moisture retention) of peat to 1.10 g water/g peat. However, these references are directed to wetting by sequential application of chemicals and do not have a residual, lasting effect after the first wetting.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, effective and cost-effective water retention composition that improves the ability of a medium to absorb and retain water during both initial wetting and subsequent wettings and reduces runoff water loss.

The essence of the invention

The present application provides a treated plant growth medium that has increased water retention. The treated medium includes (A) a plant growth medium and (B) a water-retaining composition placed on the medium. The water-retaining composition itself essentially consists of (1) an alcohol alkoxylate, (2) water, (3) a surfactant, and (4) a humectant. Alcohol alkoxylate (1) has the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is 0 to 40, and (m+y) is at least 1. The surfactant (3) is selected from sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than (1), ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, alkyl polyglycosides, and their combinations. The hygroscopic substance (4) is selected from propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin and triacetin, and combinations thereof. Moreover, the treated media has a moisture retention of 100 grams of water per 100 grams of treated media to 400 grams of water per 100 grams of treated media.

One aspect of the present invention is a treated plant growth medium comprising:

A. plant growth medium; And

B. water-retaining composition located on the environment (A), containing;

(1) an alcohol alkoxylate having the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is from 0 to 40, and (m+y) is at least 1,

(2) water,

(3) a surfactant selected from sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than alcohol alkoxylate (1), ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, alkyl polyglycosides, and combinations thereof, and

(4) a hygroscopic agent selected from propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin, and triacetin, and combinations thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention is a treated plant growth medium comprising:

A. plant growth media; And

B. water-retaining composition located on the specified environment, consisting of;

(1) an alcohol alkoxylate having the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is from 0 to 40, and (m+y) is at least 1,

(2) water,

(3) a surfactant selected from sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than those specified in (1), ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, alkyl polyglycosides, and combinations thereof, and

(4) a hygroscopic agent selected from propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin, and triacetin, and combinations thereof.

Detailed description of the present invention

The present invention provides a treated plant growth medium that has improved water retention. The treated medium includes, or essentially consists of, a plant growth medium (eg, nutrient medium) and a water-retaining composition disposed on the medium. Alternatively, the treated medium may be or consist of a medium and a water-retaining composition disposed on the medium. The medium is "treated" in that it includes a water-retaining composition disposed thereon. In other words, the environment is treated with a water-retaining composition. The terminology "essentially consists of" describes various embodiments of the present invention where the treated medium may be free of one or more components or chemicals that are not the medium or composition. Non-limiting examples of such components or chemicals include one or more of proteins, polysaccharides, guars, surfactants other than those described below as part of the composition, humectants other than those described below as part of the composition, additives, other than those described below as part of the composition, solvents other than water, ethoxylated alcohols that are not propoxylated, alkylphenol alkoxylates and/or combinations thereof, and the like. The term "free from" describes the amount of one or more of the above excluded compounds, which is less than 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, 0.005, or 0.001 wt. percent based on wt. percent in the total treated environment. Alternatively, the term "free from" may describe that the amount of one or more of the above excluded compounds is less than 0.001 wt. percent, is undetectable, or is zero wt. percent.

The treated media has a moisture retention of 100 to 400, 125 to 375, 150 to 350, 175 to 325, 200 to 300, 225 to 275, 225 to 250, or 250 to 275, 275 to 300, 300 to 325 grams of water per 100 grams of treated medium compared to a control medium that is free of the water-retaining composition. The term "control environment" is defined as the environment in which the water-retaining composition (B) is not added. These results are evident in the initial wetting as well as subsequent rewetting even without the presence of added alcohol alkoxylates in subsequent washes. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

The processed environment is useful for both commercial and private applications. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the treated medium is used to reduce surface runoff and/or improve the ability of the medium to absorb and retain water. For example, when the treated medium is further defined as treated peat (or peat moss), the composition helps the rather hydrophobic peat absorb water. This can improve growing conditions.

Wednesday (A):

The medium may be any known in the art for plant growth. The medium can be further defined as peat (also known as peat moss), soil, soil, etc. The term "peat moss" usually refers to a large, absorbent moss (genus Sphagnum, family Sphagnaceae) that grows in dense masses on waterlogged ground where the lower parts slowly decay to form peat deposits. Peat moss is widely used in horticulture, especially for packing plants and for compost. Natural peat moss includes nutrients that are beneficial to plant growth and maintenance, but are well known to be hydrophobic and hard to wet when dry. Alternatively, the medium may include (or be described as) coconut fiber (which includes dried fibers from plant material), vermiculite, and/or perlite. The environment can be described as soil, which can be coarse soil (eg sand and gravel), fine soil (eg silt and clay) and/or highly organic soil. The soil may have varying amounts of sand, gravel, silt and clay and may have high or low plasticity as understood in the field of soil engineering. The soil may include minerals, gas, loam, clay, silt, sand, organic peat, organic matter, humus, and mixtures thereof.

The medium may include potting soil. "Pot soil" is defined as soil added to pots, which can be coarse soil (eg sand and gravel), fine soil (eg silt and clay), highly organic soil. The potting soil may have varying amounts of sand, gravel, silt and clay and may have high or low plasticity as understood in the field of soil engineering. The soil may contain minerals, gas, loam, clay, silt, sand, organic peat, organic matter, humus, and mixtures thereof.

Water retention composition (B):

Returning to the water-retaining composition, it can be placed on the medium in any amount. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the composition is located on the medium in an amount of from 0.02 to 0.5, from 0.03 to 0.35 or from 0.04 to 0.30 wt. parts of the composition per 100 wt. parts of the environment. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

The composition itself comprises (or essentially consists of) (1) an alcohol alkoxylate, (2) water, (3) a surfactant, and (4) a humectant. Alternatively, the composition may be (or consist of) components (1)-(4) described above. The term "essentially consists of" describes various embodiments of the present invention in which the composition does not contain one or more components or chemicals that are none of the components (1)-(4) described above. Non-limiting examples of such components and chemicals include one or more of proteins, polysaccharides, guars, surfactants other than those described as (3), humectants other than those described as (4), additives, other than those described below, solvents other than water, ethoxylated alcohols which are not propoxylated, alkylphenol alkoxylates, combinations thereof, and the like. The term "free from" can describe amounts of one or more of the above excluded compounds, less than 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, 0.005, or 0.001 wt. percent based on wt. percent in the total composition. Alternatively, the term "free from" may describe that the amount of one or more of the above excluded compounds is less than 0.001 wt. percent, is undetectable, or is zero wt. percent. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

(1) Alcohol alkoxylate:

The alcohol alkoxylate (1) is believed to improve the moisture retention of the medium by increasing the adhesion of the surfactant to the medium and/or allowing the surfactant to remain in the medium for a longer period of time on the medium. Alcohol alkoxylate has the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is 0 to 40, and (m+y) is at least 1. The numbers m, n, y, and z are the average number of EO or PO monomers added. It is well known in the field of alkoxylation that the addition of EO or PO results in a distribution of oligomers centered around the middle. According to various embodiments of the present invention, R has 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 carbon atoms in a linear aliphatic carbon chain or in a branched aliphatic carbon chain . According to other embodiments of the present invention, R has 3 to 10, 3 to 8, 3 to 6, 8 to 17, 8 to 15, 8 to 12, 8 to 10, 10 to 17, 10 up to 15, 10 to 13, 12 to 17 or 12 to 15 carbon atoms in a linear aliphatic carbon chain or in a branched aliphatic carbon chain. Moreover, all isomers of the above compounds are thus expressly covered for use in the present invention. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, m is any number between and including 0 and 20, or any number described for y below. For example, m can be any value from 1 to 20, 2 to 18, 4 to 16, 6 to 14, 8 to 12, 10 to 12, 2 to 6, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. According to other embodiments of the present invention, y may have the same value as m or may have a different value. Like m, y can be any value between and including 0 to 20, and can be chosen independently of m. According to various embodiments of the present invention, y is 2 to 14, 4 to 12, 6 to 10, or 6 to 8. The sum of (m+y) is at least 1 (i.e., 1 or more ), so that the alkoxylated alcohol has at least some degree of ethoxylation. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sum of m and y (m+y) is in the range of 1 to 30. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sum of m and y (m+y) is in the range of 1 to 20. According to various non-limiting embodiments, of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the above-mentioned values are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

In other embodiments of the present invention, n is from 1 to 40 and can be any value between and including 1 to 40 such that the alkoxylated alcohol has at least some degree of propoxylation. According to various embodiments of the present invention, n may be any of the numbers described above with respect to m or y. Alternatively, n may be 5 to 40, 10 to 35, 15 to 30, 20 to 25, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. According to other embodiments of the present invention, z is from 0 to 40 and can be any value between and including 0 to 40. For example, z can be any of the numbers described above with respect to m, n, or y. According to various embodiments of the present invention, z is 5 to 40, 10 to 35, 15 to 30, 20 to 25, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. According to one embodiment of the present invention, m is 0, n is 3, y is 14, and z is 17. In another embodiment of the present invention, m is 6, n is 5, y is 3, and z is 0. According to another embodiment, m is 12, n is 35, y is 0, and z is 0. According to another embodiment of the present invention, m is 5, n is 2, y is 0, and z is 0. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the above values are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

The alcohol alkoxylate may be present in the composition in any amount. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the alcohol alkoxylate is present in an amount of 20 to 35, 20 to 30, 20 to 25, 25 to 35, or 25 to 30 wt. percent based on the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the alcohol alkoxylate is present in an amount of 5 to 35 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

(2) Water:

Returning to water, water can be of any type and can be potable or non-potable, distilled or non-distilled, can be water suitable for agriculture, etc. Water may be present in the composition in any amount. According to various embodiments of the present invention, water is present in an amount of 5 to 60, 15 to 55, 15 to 35, 20 to 50, 25 to 45, 30 to 40 or 35 to 40 wt. percent based on the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water is present in an amount of 5 to 60 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

(3) Surfactant:

The surfactant (3) can also be described as a surface wetting agent and is believed to affect the surface tension of the medium. For example, a surfactant can help the alcohol alkoxylate attach to the medium. In addition, the surfactant can reduce the hydrophobicity of the medium so that water retention is increased. The surfactant is selected from sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than (1) alcohol alkoxylate, block and reverse type block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, alkyl polyglycosides, and combinations thereof. It should be appreciated that according to various embodiments of the present invention, the medium and/or composition may alternatively be free of one or more of sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than alcohol alkoxylates (1), ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, alkyl polyglycosides and combinations thereof, as long as the composition includes at least one of them. The term "free from" may have the same meaning as described above.

Suitable non-limiting examples of sulfosuccinates include the free acid and its corresponding sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and ammonium salts and combinations thereof. Suitable non-limiting examples of alkyl sulfosuccinates include dioctyl sulfosuccinate salts, disodium laureth (3 or 2) sulfosuccinate, alkyl PEG sulfosuccinates, alkyldiphenyl oxide disulfonate salts, and combinations thereof. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant is dioctylsulfosuccinate. Suitable non-limiting examples of alcohol ethoxylates other than the alcohol alkoxylate (1) include a linear and branched alcohol with an alkyl chain of 3 to 18 carbon atoms and an ethoxylation degree of 2 to 40. Suitable non-limiting examples of alcohol ethoxylates are commercially available under the trade names ^Lutensol® XP 30, ^{Lutensol® XP} 50, ^Lutensol® XP ⁷⁰ , ^Lutensol® XP 79 ^{, Lutensol®} XP 80, Lutensol® XP 89, Lutensol® XP 90, Lutensol® XP 100, Lutensol® ^A65N , ^Lutensol® A9N, ^Lutensol® A12N, Lutensol ^® AT 25, Lutensol ^® TDA 6, Lutensol ^® TDA 9, Lutensol ^® TDA 10, Lutensol ^® TO 5, Lutensol ^® TO 12, Lutensol ® TO 79, Lutensol ^® TO 8, Agnique ^{® 9} OC 3, Agnique ^® 9 OC 5 , NP 6, NP 9, NP 12, and combinations thereof. Suitable non-limiting examples of block copolymers and block copolymers of the reverse type of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are commercially available under the trade names ^Pluronic® L31, Pluronic® ^L35 , ^Pluronic® L43, ^Pluronic® L61, ^Pluronic® L62, ^Pluronic® L64, ^Pluronic® P65, ^Pluronic® F68, Pluronic ^® F77, Pluronic ^® L81, Pluronic ® P84, Pluronic ^® L92, Pluronic ® F98, Pluronic ^® L101, Pluronic ^® P103 ^{, Pluronic ® P104} , Pluronic ^® P105, Pluronic ^® F108 ^{, Pluronic ® L121} , Pluronic ^® P123, ^Pluronic® F127, ^Pluronic® 10R5, Pluronic® ^17R2 , Pluronic® 17R4, ^Pluronic® 25R2, ^Pluronic® 25R4, ^Pluronic® 31R1, ^and combinations thereof. Suitable non-limiting examples of alkyl polyglycosides include an alkyl polyglycoside of a C ₈ -C ₁₆ alcohol or combinations of such alcohols. According to other embodiments of the present invention, an alkyl polyglycoside is also defined as an alkyl polyglycoside of a C ₁₀ -C ₁₆ alcohol or a combination of such alcohols. According to other embodiments of the present invention, an alkyl polyglycoside is also defined as an alkyl polyglycoside of a C ₈ -C ₁₆ alcohol or a combination of such alcohols. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the alkyl polyglycoside includes a C ₈ -C ₁₀ alcohol alkyl polyglycoside, a C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alcohol alkyl polyglycoside, a C ₈ -C ₁₆ alcohol alkyl polyglycoside, a C ₉ -C ₁₁ alcohol alkyl polyglycoside, or combinations thereof.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the alkyl polyglycoside has the formula R'OG _y where R' is a C ₆ -C ₁₈ linear or branched alkyl alcohol group, G is a glycoside, and y is an average degree of polymerization, where y is a number greater than 0 and up to 3. In this formula, R ^' represents a C ₆ -C ₁₈ linear or branched alkyl alcohol group. However, R ^' may have any number or range of numbers from 8 to 18 relative to the number of carbon atoms. According to various embodiments of the present invention, R ^' is C ₈ -C ₁₆ , C ₈ -C ₁₄ , C ₈ -C ₁₂ , C ₈ -C ₁₀ , C ₁₀ -C ₁₈ , C ₁₀ -C ₁₆ , C ₁₀ -C ₁₄ , C ₁₀ -C ₁₂ , C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ , C ₁₂ - C ₁₆ , C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ , C ₁₄ -C ₁₈ , C ₁₄ -C ₁₈ , or C ₁₆ -C ₁₈ , linear or branched alkyl group . Moreover, G is a glycoside. A glycoside may be a molecule where a sugar is linked to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. More specifically, the glycoside may be a sugar group that, through its anomeric carbon, is linked to another group through a glycosidic bond. Glycosides can be linked by an O- (O-glycoside), N- (glycosylamine), S- (thioglycoside), or C- (C-glycoside) glycosidic bond. A glycoside may alternatively be described as a "glycosyl compound". In some embodiments of the present invention, the sugar is associated with a non-sugar compound, thus excluding polysaccharides. In such embodiments, the sugar group may be described as a glycone and the non-sugar group as an aglycone. The glycone can be a single sugar group (monosaccharide) or multiple sugar groups (oligosaccharide). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sugar or glycone group is or is based on glucose. In addition, y represents the average degree of polymerization and is a number greater than 0 and up to 3 (ie, 0 < y ≤ 3), or any value or range of values in between. For example, according to various embodiments of the present invention, y is 1.1 to 2, 1.2 to 1.9, 1.3 to 1.8, 1.4 to 1.7, 1.5 to 1.6, 1.2 to 1.7, etc. All values and ranges of value, including and between the above values, are thus expressly covered by various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkyl polyglycosides are commercially available under the tradenames ^Agnique® PG 264, ^Agnique® PG 8105, ^Agnique® PG 8107, ^Agnique® PG 9116 and ^Agnique® PG 8166, and combinations thereof.

The surfactant may be present in the composition in any amount. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the surfactant is present in an amount of 20 to 65, 20 to 55, 20 to 45, 20 to 40, 20 to 35, 20 to 25, 25 to 55, 25 up to 45, from 25 to 40, from 30 to 35, from 30 to 40, from 30 to 45 or from 40 to 45, wt. percent based on the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant is present in an amount of from 1 to 50 wt. percent based on wt. percent in the total water-retaining composition. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

(4) Hygroscopic substance:

The hygroscopic substance (4) can also be described as an agent that helps the alcohol alkoxylate to attach to the medium. Moreover, the surfactant can increase the moisture retention of the medium.

The humectant is selected from propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin and triacetin, and combinations thereof. it should be borne in mind that according to various embodiments of the present invention, the medium and/or composition may alternatively be free of one or more of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin and triacetin, and combinations thereof, as long as the composition includes at least one of them. The term "free from" may have the same meaning as described above.

Suitable non-limiting examples of polyethylene glycol include polyethylene glycol with a number average molecular weight of from about 200 to about 4,500 Daltons. For example, the polyethylene glycol may have a number average weight of 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, or 4500 Daltons, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of polypropylene glycol include polypropylene glycol with a number average molecular weight of from about 200 to about 4500 Daltons. For example, the polyethylene glycol may have a number average weight of 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, or 4500 Daltons, and combinations thereof. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the humectant is propylene glycol and glycerin. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the humectant is propylene glycol. According to another embodiment, the humectant is glycerol.

The humectant may be present in the composition in any amount. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the humectant is present in an amount of 5 to 15, 5 to 10, or 10 to 15 wt. percent based on the total weight of the composition. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hygroscopic substance is present in an amount of from 1 to 20 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention also provides a treated peat moss that has increased moisture retention and comprises (or consists essentially of) peat moss and a water retention composition located on the peat moss and comprising (consisting essentially of or consisting of) an alcohol alkoxylate, water, alkyl sulfosuccinate, and a combination of propylene glycol and glycerin. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the water retention composition is present in an amount of 0.02 to 0.5 wt. percent based on the total mass of peat moss. In addition, the treated peat moss has a water retention of 100 to 400 grams of water per 100 grams of treated peat moss compared to control peat moss that is free of the water-retaining composition.

Environment Processing Method:

The present invention also provides a method for treating a medium to improve water retention. The method includes the step of applying the composition to a medium to form a treated medium. The application step may be defined as spraying, pouring, dipping, etc. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of applying water to the treated medium, drying the treated medium to 30% by weight of water based on the weight of the treated medium, and reapplying water after the drying step so that the treated medium has a water retention of 100 to 400, from 100 to 350, 125 to 325, 150 to 300, 175 to 275, 200 to 250 or 225 to 250, 275 to 300, 300 to 325 grams of water per 100 grams of treated medium versus control medium which is free of the water-retaining composition. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention. According to various embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the above amounts may vary by ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10%.

The following describes specific embodiments of the present invention:

1. A treated plant growth medium comprising:

A. plant growth medium; And

B. water-retaining composition located on the specified environment, containing;

(1) an alcohol alkoxylate having the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is from 0 to 40, and (m+y) is at least 1,

(2) water,

(3) a surfactant selected from the group of sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than those specified in (1), ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, alkyl polyglycosides, and combinations thereof, and

(4) a hygroscopic substance selected from the group of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin, triacetin, and combinations thereof.

2. The treated medium according to embodiment 1, consisting of the medium (A) and the water-retaining composition (B).

3. The treated environment according to embodiment 1 or 2, where m is 0 to 5, n is 0 to 5, y is 10 to 20, z is 10 to 20, and (m+y) is at least 1.

4. Processed environment according to embodiment 1 or 2, where m is 0 to 8, n is 2 to 8, y is 0 to 5, z is 0 to 5, and (m+y) is at least 1.

5. The treated environment according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein m is 10 to 20, n is 30 to 40, y is 0 to 5, z is 0 to 5, and (m+y) is is at least 1.

6. Treated media according to any one of embodiments 1-6, having a water retention of 100 to 400 grams of water per 100 grams of treated media after wetting compared to a control media that is free of the water-retaining composition (B).

7. Treated environment according to any of embodiments 1-6, where the alcohol alkoxylate (1) is present in an amount of from 5 to 35 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B).

8. Treated environment according to any of the embodiments 1-7, where the alcohol alkoxylate (1) is present in an amount of from 20 to 35 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B).

9. The treated medium according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the surfactant (3) is dioctylsulfosuccinate.

10. Treated environment according to any of the embodiments 1-9, where the surfactant (3) is present in an amount of from 20 to 65 wt. percent based on wt. percent in total water-retaining composition (B).

11. Treated environment according to any of embodiments 1-10, where the surfactant is present in an amount of from 20 to 55 wt. percent based on wt. percent in total water-retaining composition (B).

12. The treated medium according to any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the humectant (4) is propylene glycol.

13. The treated medium according to any one of embodiments 1-11 wherein the humectant (4) is glycerol.

14. The treated medium according to any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the humectant (4) is a combination of propylene glycol and glycerin.

15. Treated environment according to any of the embodiments 1-14, where the specified hygroscopic substance (4) is present in an amount of from 1 to 20 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B).

16. Treated environment according to any of the embodiments 1-14, where the hygroscopic substance (4) is present in an amount of from 5 to 15 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B).

17. Treated environment according to any of embodiments 1-16, where the specified water is present in an amount of from 5 to 60 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B).

18. Treated environment according to any of embodiments 1-16, where the specified water is present in an amount of from 15 to 35 wt. percent based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B).

19. The treated medium according to any one of embodiments 1-18, wherein the water retention composition (B) consists of an alcohol alkoxylate (1), water, a surfactant (3) and a humectant (4).

20. The treated environment according to embodiment 19, where the water-retaining composition (B) is present in an amount of from 0.02 to 0.5 wt. percent based on the total weight of the treated medium.

21. Medium (A) according to any one of embodiments 1-20 wherein medium (A) is selected from the group of soil containing minerals, gas, loam, clay, silt, sand, organic peat, organic matter, humus, potting soil, and mixtures thereof .

22. A method of treating plant growth medium (A) to increase water retention, the method comprising the step of applying a water-retaining composition (B) as defined in any of Embodiments 1-21 to medium (A) to form a treated medium.

23. The method of Embodiment 22, wherein the treated medium has a water retention of 100 to 400 grams of water per 100 grams of treated medium compared to a control medium that is free of the water-retaining composition.

24. The method of Embodiment 22, further comprising the steps of:

applying water to the treated medium;

drying the treated medium to at least 30% by weight of water based on the weight of the treated medium; And

reapplying water to the treated medium after the drying step.

25. Treated peat moss containing:

A. peat moss; And

B. water-retaining composition, located on the specified peat moss, containing;

(1) an alcohol alkoxylate having the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is from 0 to 40, and (m+y) is at least 1,

(2) water,

(3) alkyl sulfosuccinate, and

(4) a combination of propylene glycol and glycerin,

where the specified water-retaining composition is present in an amount of from 0.02 to 0.5 wt. percent based on the total mass of the specified peat moss.

26. The treated peat moss of Embodiment 25, wherein the treated peat moss has a water retention of 100 to 400 grams of water per 100 grams of treated peat moss, compared to a control peat moss that is free of the water-retaining composition.

Examples

A series of water retention compositions (Compositions 1-11) and treated plant growth media (Treatment Media 1-11) were prepared as follows. Treated media 1-11 were treated with formulations 1-11, respectively. 100% water was also used to prepare the raw medium.

Peat moss was dried to a moisture content of <10% in a conventional laboratory oven set at 30-45°C or higher. Moisture content of peat moss was determined using a moisture balance (Sartorius MSA 150 or equivalent moisture balance) using about 2 g of dried peat moss. Six hundred grams of dried peat moss was added to a Kitchen Aid® mixer running at the lowest speed. For compositions 1-8, 40 grams of the water retention composition 1-8, respectively, was sprayed onto the peat moss using a spray gun for less than two minutes while the peat moss was agitated. After all of the water-retaining composition had been applied to the peat moss, the peat moss was allowed to mix for an additional two minutes before stopping to clean the sides and remove wet peat adhering to the walls of the mixing bowl. The mixture was then stirred for one additional minute at the previous speed to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

The treated peat moss was distributed equally among 12 containers such as flower pots 4 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. Each pot was placed over a pre-tared 500 ml beaker so that all of the runoff went into the beaker. Three hundred grams of water was slowly added to each pot so that the water level was constantly above the peat. After the water stopped dripping, approximately 30 seconds after the last drop, a 500 ml beaker was weighed. Moisture retention was calculated from the difference between 300 g of added water and the mass of water collected and expressed as the ratio of the mass of water retained on peat moss to the mass of peat moss. Moisture retention was expressed as g water/g peat moss.

The treated composition can be tested for persistent wetting action after addition of the water-retaining composition. After the first wetting, the peat moss was removed from the pots, spread evenly over the tray and allowed to dry at room temperature until the moisture content was about 30% as determined by a Sartorius MSA 150 moisture balance (or equivalent). The treated peat moss was distributed between containers, typically flower pots 4 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep, such that compositions 1-8 each contained 50 grams of treated composition and compositions 9-11 each contained 75 grams of treated composition. Each pot was placed over a pre-tared 500 ml beaker so that all of the runoff went into the beaker. Three hundred grams of water was slowly added to each pot so that the water level was constantly above the peat. After the water stopped dripping, approximately 30 seconds after the last drop, a 500 ml beaker was weighed. Moisture retention was calculated from the difference between 300 g of added water and the mass of water collected and expressed as the ratio of the mass of water retained on peat moss to the mass of peat moss. The moisture retention was expressed as g water/g peat moss and was referred to as the moisture retention after the second wetting. This process can be repeated several times to determine the appropriate moisture retention after the third wetting, moisture retention after the fourth wetting, and so on. The data associated with these assessments is shown in Table 1 and Table 2 below.

Table 1

Water Composition 1 Composition 2 Composition 3 Composition 4 % % % % % Water 100 24 24 24 24 Surfactant 1 38 38 38 38 Surfactant 2 26 Surfactant 3 hygroscopic substance 12 12 12 12 Alcohol alkoxylate 1 26 Alcohol alkoxylate 2 26 Alcohol alkoxylate 3 26 Alcohol alkoxylate 4 Alcohol alkoxylate 5

Table 1 (continued)

Composition 5 Composition 6 Composition 7 Composition 8 % % % % Water 24 24 24 24 Surfactant 1 38 38 38 38 Surfactant 2 Surfactant 3 6.5 13 hygroscopic substance 12 12 12 12 Alcohol alkoxylate 1 Alcohol alkoxylate 2 13 Alcohol alkoxylate 3 19.5 Alcohol alkoxylate 4 26 Alcohol alkoxylate 5 26

Table 1 (continued)

Raw environment Processed environment 1 Processed environment 2 Processed environment 3 Processed environment 4 Moisture retention (g water/g peat) grams grams grams grams grams Initial moisture retention 0.18 2.68 2.88 2.92 2.32 Moisture retention after the second wetting 0.18 1.36 1.18 1.08 1.26 Moisture retention after the third wetting 0.18 1.3 1.38 1.06 1.5 Moisture retention increase(%) % % % % % Initial moisture retention --- 1389 1500 1522 1189 Moisture retention after the second wetting --- 656 556 500 600 Moisture retention after the third wetting --- 622 667 489 733

Table 1 (continued)

Processed environment 5 Processed environment 6 Processed environment 7 Processed environment 8 Moisture retention (g water/g peat) grams grams grams grams Initial moisture retention 2.24 2.22 2.56 2.48 Moisture retention after the second wetting 0.74 0.56 2.34 2.8 Moisture retention after the third wetting 0.52 0.60 1.92 2.34 Moisture retention increase(%) % % % % Initial moisture retention 1144 133 1322 1278 Moisture retention after the second wetting 311 211 1200 1456 Moisture retention after the third wetting 189 278 967 1200

table 2

Composition 9 Composition 10 Composition 11 % % % Water 7 6.7 7 Surfactant 1 52.5 50 52.5 hygroscopic substance 10.5 10 10.5 Alcohol alkoxylate 1 thirty Alcohol alkoxylate 2 33.3 EO/PO block copolymer thirty

Table 2 (continued)

Processed environment 9 Processed environment 10 Processed environment 11 Moisture retention (g water/g peat) grams grams grams Initial moisture retention 2.60 2.64 2.33 Moisture retention after the second wetting 1.79 1.76 2.27 Moisture retention after the third wetting 1.80 2.31 2.13 Moisture retention increase(%) % % % Initial moisture retention 1344 1367 1194 Moisture retention after the second wetting 894 878 1161 Moisture retention after the third wetting 900 1183 1083

Surfactant 1 is dioctylsulfosuccinate. Surfactant 2 is a branched C10 alcohol with an average of 8 EO units. Surfactant 3 is Pluronic L62, an EO-PO block copolymer. The hygroscopic substance is propylene glycol.

Alcohol alkoxylates have the formula:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is from 0 to 40, and (m+y) is at least 1,

The alkoxylate of alcohol 1 has the above formula, where R is a branched C10 Guerbet alcohol, m is 0-5, y is 10-20, n is 1-5, z is 10-20, and (m+y) represents 10-25.

Alcohol alkoxylate 2 has the above formula, where R is C10 branched Guerbet alcohol, m is 0-8, y is 0-5, n is 2-8, z is 0-5, and (m+y) represents 1-13.

Alcohol alkoxylate 3 has the above formula, where R is C4, m is 10-20, y is 0-5, n is 30-40, z is 0-5, and (m+y) is 10 -25.

Alcohol alkoxylate 4 has the above formula, where R is C10 branched Guerbet alcohol, m is 0-8, y is 0-5, n is 2-8, z is 0-5, and (m+y) represents 1-13.

Alcohol alkoxylate 5 has the above formula, where R is C13-C15 linear and branched, m is 0-8, y is 0-5, n is 2-8, z is 0-5, and (m+ y) is 1-13.

The data show that peat treated with various compositions 1-11 retains more water than untreated peat after initial water treatment. In addition, peat treated with various compositions 1-11 retains more water than untreated peat after rewetting the peat two additional times compared to untreated peat. Peat treated with Compositions 7-8 further exhibits significantly higher water retention than untreated peat or peat treated with Compositions 1-6 after rewetting the peat two additional times.

All combinations of the above embodiments of the present invention throughout the description of the present invention are included in their entirety in one or more non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, even if such disclosure is not described verbatim in one paragraph or section above. In other words, an explicitly contemplated embodiment of the present invention may include any one or more of the elements described above, selected and combined from any part of the description of the present invention. According to various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, all values and ranges of values between and including the values mentioned above are expressly covered by the present invention.

One or more of the values described above may vary by ± 5%, ± 10%, ± 15%, ± 20%, ± 25%, etc., as long as the deviation remains within the scope of the present invention. Unexpected results can be obtained from each member of the Markush group, independently of all other members. Each member may be taken alone or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent and dependent claims, both singly and multiple dependent, are specifically contemplated in this application. The description is illustrative, including words of description and not limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above provisions, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described in this application.

It should also be understood that any ranges and subranges referred to in the description of the various embodiments of the present invention, independently and collectively, fall within the scope of the appended claims, and, as is understood, describe and cover all ranges, including integer and/or fractional values in them, even if such values are not explicitly stated here. One of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine that the listed ranges and subranges sufficiently describe and provide various embodiments of the present invention, and such ranges and subranges can be further divided into appropriate halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, etc. By way of example only, the range "from 0.1 to 0.9" may be further limited to the lower third, i. e. from 0.1 to 0.3, the middle third, i.e. from 0.4 to 0.6 and the upper third, i.e. 0.7 to 0.9, which individually and collectively are within the scope of the appended claims and may be referred to individually and/or collectively and provide adequate support for particular embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, with respect to an expression that defines or modifies a range, such as "at least", "more than", "less", "no more than", etc., it should be understood that such an expression includes sub-ranges and/or upper or lower limit. As another example, the range of "at least 10" itself includes a subrange of at least 10 to 35, a subrange of at least 10 to 25, a subrange of 25 to 35, and so on. and each subrange is referred to individually and/or collectively and provides adequate support for specific embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims. Finally, a single number within the disclosed range may be referred to and provides an appropriate basis for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the range "1 to 9" includes various single integers, such as 3, as well as single numbers that include a decimal point (or fraction), such as 4.1, which can be referenced and provide appropriate support for specific embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (44)

1. A plant growth medium comprising: A. medium (A) for plant growth; And B. water-retaining composition located on the medium (A), containing: (1) an alcohol alkoxylate having the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is from 0 to 40 and (m+y) is at least 1, (2) water, (3) a surfactant selected from the group of sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alcohol ethoxylates other than alcohol alkoxylate (1), ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, alkyl polyglycosides, and combinations thereof, and (4) a hygroscopic substance selected from the group of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, lactic acid, diacetin, triacetin, and combinations thereof, wherein medium (A) is selected from peat, soil and soil. 2. Medium according to claim 1, consisting of a medium (A) and a water-retaining composition (B). 3. The medium of claim 1 wherein m is 0 to 5, n is 0 to 5, y is 10 to 20, z is 10 to 20, and (m+y) is at least measure 1. 4. The medium of claim 1 wherein m is 0 to 8, n is 2 to 8, y is 0 to 5, z is 0 to 5, and (m+y) is at least measure 1. 5. The medium of claim 1, wherein m is 10 to 20, n is 30-40, y is 0 to 5, z is 0 to 5, and (m+y) is at least 1. 6. Medium according to claim 1, having a moisture retention of 100 to 400 g of water per 100 g of medium after wetting. 7. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol alkoxylate (1) is present in an amount of 5 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B). 8. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol alkoxylate (1) is present in an amount of 20 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B). 9. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant (3) is dioctylsulfosuccinate. 10. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant (3) is present in an amount of 20 to 65 wt.% based on wt.% in the total water-retaining composition (B). 11. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant (3) is present in an amount of 20 to 55 wt.% based on wt.% in the total water-retaining composition (B). 12. Medium according to claim 1, where the hygroscopic substance (4) is propylene glycol, glycerin and mixtures thereof. 13. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the humectant (4) is present in an amount of 1 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B). 14. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the humectant (4) is present in an amount of 5 to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B). 15. A medium according to claim 1, wherein water is present in an amount of 5 to 60% by weight based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B). 16. A medium according to claim 1, wherein water is present in an amount of 15 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-retaining composition (B). 17. Medium according to claim 1, wherein the water-retaining composition (B) consists of an alcohol alkoxylate (1), water, a surfactant (3) and a humectant (4). 18. A medium according to claim 1, wherein the water-retaining composition is present in an amount of 0.02 to 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the medium. 19. Medium according to any one of paragraphs. 1-18, wherein the medium (A) is selected from the group of soil containing minerals, gas, loam, clay, silt, sand, organic peat, organic matter, humus, potting soil and mixtures thereof. 20. A method of treating plant growth medium (A) to increase water retention, the method comprising the step of applying a water-retaining composition as defined in any one of paragraphs. 1-18 on medium (A) to form a medium, medium (A) being selected from peat, soil and soil. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the medium has a water retention of 100 to 400 g of water per 100 g of medium. 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: applying water to the medium; drying the medium to at least 30 wt.% water based on the mass of the medium; And reapplying water to the medium after the drying step. 23. Peat moss, which has an increased moisture retention, containing: A. peat moss (A); And B. water-retaining composition, located on peat moss, containing: (1) an alcohol alkoxylate having the structure:

where R is a C ₃ -C ₁₇ straight or branched aliphatic carbon chain, EO is ethylene oxide, m is 0 to 20, y is 0 to 20, PO is propylene oxide, n is 1 to 40, z is from 0 to 40 and (m+y) is at least 1, (2) water, (3) alkyl sulfosuccinate, and (4) a combination of propylene glycol and glycerin, where the water-retaining composition is present in an amount of from 0.02 to 0.5 wt.% based on the total weight of peat moss.