Pesticide composition delivery vehicles

Abstract

Vehicles for delivery and release of pesticide compositions are provided. In one aspect, the delivery vehicle is a capsule configured to resist release of a pesticide composition before application of the capsule at a locus where pest control is desired. The capsule is further configured to degrade following application at the locus where pest control is desired to facilitate release of the pesticide composition. In one particular but non-limiting form, the capsule includes a shell wall including a relatively high Bloom strength gelatin material and a plasticizer material, and the pesticide composition includes a fumigant such as 1,3-dichloropropene. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the description and drawings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A capsule, comprising a shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition and including a gelatin having a Bloom strength in the range of 270 to 300 grams, wherein the pesticide composition includes 1,3-dichloropropene. 
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the shell wall further includes a plasticizer composition. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 2 , wherein the plasticizer composition includes a mixture of sorbitol and mannitol. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the pesticide composition further includes a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 4 , wherein the cross-linking agent is a dialdehyde. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein the dialdehyde is ethanedial. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule of  claim 4 , wherein the cross-linking agent is present in the range of 0.06% to 0.1% by weight based on total weight of the pesticide composition. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a protease enzyme. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule of  claim 8 , wherein the protease enzyme is selected from papain and bromelain. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a mixture of a protease enzyme and lactose. 
     
     
         11 . A capsule, comprising a shell wall formed by a gelatin composition including a gelatin having a Bloom strength in the range of 270 to 300 grams, the shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition including 1,3-dichloropropene, a fumed silica material and a dialdehyde cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 11 , wherein the fumed silica material is hydrophobic and aftertreated with dimethyldichlorosilane. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 11 , wherein the dialdehyde cross-linking agent is ethanedial. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 11 , wherein the gelatin composition includes a mixture of sorbitol, mannitol and sorbitol anhydrides. 
     
     
         15 . A process, comprising:
 providing a first composition including 1,3-dichloropropene;   providing a second composition including a gelatin having a Bloom strength in the range of 270 to 300 grams; and   encapsulating the first composition in the second composition using a rotary die apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the first composition further includes a fumed silica material and a glyoxal cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the second composition further includes a mixture of sorbitol, mannitol and sorbitol anhydrides. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 identifying a locus where pest control is desired; and   positioning one or more capsules at the locus, the capsules including a shell wall encapsulating 1,3-dichloropropene and including a gelatin having a Bloom strength in the range of 270 to 300 grams.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the positioning includes at least one of placing the one or more capsules on a surface of soil at the locus and burying the one or more capsules in the soil at the locus.