Iron (III) Oxide Containing Soil-Binding Composition

Abstract

The invention relates to compositions for retaining soil moisture and improving plant growth in dry soils, which, together with one or more moisture retaining materials and wetting agents, comprises iron(III)oxides and optionally potassium metabisulfite [borken (HU), E224] as potentiating agent. The iron(III)oxides preferably are microparticulate. The composition suitably comprises iron(III)oxides and potassium metabisulfite as potentiating agent. Other aspects of the invention relate to binding the moisture content of soils, as well as compositions for use in enhancing the efficacy of soil retaining compositions.

1 . A composition comprising microparticles of iron (III) oxide and one or more moisture retaining materials and/or wetting agents. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , comprising microparticles of iron III oxide of 50 micrometer or less. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1  further comprising potassium metabisulfite. 
     
     
         4 . A method for retaining soil moisture and/or improving plant growth wherein said method comprises applying to soil a composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the composition comprises potassium metabisulfite. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the composition comprises microparticles of iron (III) oxide of 50 micrometer or less. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 3 , which further comprises, as moisture retaining material, molasses, calcium lactate and sorbitol and, as a wetting agent, Tween 20. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 7 , which comprises: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Molasses 
                   10 to 50 weight %  
                 
                     
                   Calcium lactate 
                   0.5 to 5 weight % 
                 
                     
                   Sorbitol 
                    5 to 30 weight % 
                 
                     
                   Tween 20 
                   0.5 to 5 weight % 
                 
                     
                   Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4   
                   0.1 to 0.5 weight %   
                 
                     
                   Potassium metabisulfite 
                   0.05 to 0.5 weight %   
                 
                     
                   Water 
                   19.5 weight to 84 weight %. 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         9 . The method, according to  claim 4 , wherein the composition further comprises, as moisture retaining material, molasses, calcium lactate and sorbitol and, as a wetting agent, Tween 20. 
     
     
         10 . The method, according to  claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Molasses 
                   10 to 50 weight %  
                 
                     
                   Calcium lactate 
                   0.5 to 5 weight % 
                 
                     
                   Sorbitol 
                    5 to 30 weight % 
                 
                     
                   Tween 20 
                   0.5 to 5 weight % 
                 
                     
                   Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4   
                   0.1 to 0.5 weight %   
                 
                     
                   Potassium metabisulfite 
                   0.05 to 0.5 weight %   
                 
                     
                   Water 
                   19.5 weight to 84 weight %.