In situ treatment of seed in furrow

Abstract

Methods, systems, and kits are provided for in situ seed treatment with liquid crop benefit compositions at planting in furrow.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for in situ treatment of a seed being planted in a furrow, comprising: directly applying a foamed liquid agricultural formulation onto a seed as it is being dropped into the soil in a furrow, in an amount sufficient to provide at least one crop benefit effect to the seed during planting, wherein the liquid agricultural formulation comprises:
 an agriculturally active ingredient selected from the group consisting of insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, fertilizers, plant growth regulators, plant growth promoters, biological agents, and combinations thereof;   a foaming agent in an amount of about 0.1% to about 50% by weight based on the total liquid agricultural formulation;   a foam stabilizer in an amount of about 0.1% to about 15% by weight based on the total liquid agricultural formulation; and   from 0% to about 45% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the liquid agricultural formulation.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium C 14-16  olefin sulfonate, lauramine oxide, decylamine oxide, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate, and mixtures of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the foam stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of glycerine, carrageenan, xanthan gum, guar gum, gum Arabic, gum tragacanth, poly(ethylene oxide), alginin, sodium alginate, and mixtures of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of covering the treated seed with soil after being dropped into said furrow, in the same operation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient comprises bifenthrin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient is a biological agent. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of neonicotinoid insecticides, bifenthrin, biofungicides, and combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the formulation is an aqueous composition in the form of a microemulsion, an oil-in-water concentrated emulsion, a suspension, a suspension concentrate, an emulsifiable concentrate, or a microencapsulate that further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, dispersants, surfactants, wetting agents, preservatives, adjuvants, biocides and lubricants. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the foamed liquid agricultural formulation is applied during seed planting at an effective rate of about 1 gallon/acre or less. 
     
     
         22 . A system for in situ treatment of a seed with a liquid formulation comprising at least one agriculturally active ingredient during release of a seed from a mechanical planter into a furrow, comprising:
 a reservoir containing said formulation, coupled to an applicator;   a seed chamber;   at least one conduit coupling the applicator associated with the reservoir to the seed chamber;   wherein the seed is released from the seed chamber into the conduit and then treated with the formulation by the applicator as the seed passes into the furrow.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of neonicotinoid insecticides, bifenthrin, biofungicides, and combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient is a biological agent. 
     
     
         25 . A system for dispensing a foamable liquid agricultural formulation, comprising:
 a mechanical planter capable of dispensing the formulation as a foam comprising:   a foam mixing chamber configured to receive a foamable formulation and a compressible fluid carrier, the foamable formulation comprising at least one agriculturally active ingredient, at least one foaming agent, and at least one foam stabilizer;   a foaming medium positioned within the foam mixing chamber such that the compressed fluid drives the formulation through the foaming medium to a foam outlet;   at least one conduit associated with the foam outlet, the conduit configured to deliver foamed formulation created in the foam mixing chamber to a delivery orifice; and   the delivery orifice further directed to a furrow;   wherein delivery of the foamed formulation into the furrow during or after a seed is planted in the furrow provides an amount of foam sufficient to produce at least one crop benefit effect to the seed.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein an effective amount of the foamed formulation is delivered into the furrow at an effective rate of about 1 gallon/acre or less. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient is present in the liquid agricultural formulation in the form of a suspension concentrate that is stable over a time period of about 1-2 years. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the agriculturally active ingredient is a biological agent. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the foamable formulation has a viscosity of at least 10 cps and is delivered to the furrow as a foamed formulation at a rate of about 0.75 lbs a.i./acre. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the foamed formulation has an expansion factor of at least about 25. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the foamed formulation has an expansion factor of up to about 50 or greater.