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WO2002037947A1 - Method of use of phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam as a potting media ingredient, soil amendment, or soil substitute - Google Patents

Method of use of phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam as a potting media ingredient, soil amendment, or soil substitute Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002037947A1
WO2002037947A1 PCT/US2000/041761 US0041761W WO0237947A1 WO 2002037947 A1 WO2002037947 A1 WO 2002037947A1 US 0041761 W US0041761 W US 0041761W WO 0237947 A1 WO0237947 A1 WO 0237947A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
soil
pine bark
composition
ingredients comprises
foam
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2000/041761
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French (fr)
Inventor
Walter Lee Daniels
Michel Andre Beck
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Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc
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Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc
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Application filed by Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc filed Critical Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc
Priority to PCT/US2000/041761 priority Critical patent/WO2002037947A1/en
Priority to AU2001229203A priority patent/AU2001229203A1/en
Publication of WO2002037947A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002037947A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F11/00—Other organic fertilisers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/10—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing inorganic material
    • A01G24/12—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing inorganic material containing soil minerals
    • A01G24/15—Calcined rock, e.g. perlite, vermiculite or clay aggregates
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/20—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material
    • A01G24/28—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material containing peat, moss or sphagnum
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/30—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing synthetic organic compounds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
    • A01G24/40—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor characterised by their structure
    • A01G24/48—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor characterised by their structure containing foam or presenting a foam structure
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
    • C05C3/00—Fertilisers containing other salts of ammonia or ammonia itself, e.g. gas liquor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05C—NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS
    • C05C9/00—Fertilisers containing urea or urea compounds
    • C05C9/02—Fertilisers containing urea or urea compounds containing urea-formaldehyde condensates
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05D—INORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C; FERTILISERS PRODUCING CARBON DIOXIDE
    • C05D3/00—Calcareous fertilisers
    • C05D3/02—Calcareous fertilisers from limestone, calcium carbonate, calcium hydrate, slaked lime, calcium oxide, waste calcium products
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05D—INORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C; FERTILISERS PRODUCING CARBON DIOXIDE
    • C05D9/00—Other inorganic fertilisers

Definitions

  • PMU foam is white and within approximately ten minutes of manufacture has a consistency similar to firm shaving cream.
  • PMU foam suitable for the present invention has a weight of approximately between 0.040 and 0.049 g/cm measured at a time between approximately five and ten minutes after the foam is produced.
  • the dry weight of PMU foam after curing is between approximately 8 and 25 g/dm 3 .
  • Foam manufactured at this density exhibits a volume shrinkage of between approximately 20% and 28% of original uncured volume. Generally, pieces of foam with a volume greater than 25 dm 3 do not remain cohesive, but break into smaller pieces of between 2.5 cm 3 and 7.5 cm 3 after curing and drying is complete.
  • the curing process continues as blocks of PMU foam are dried using ambient air.
  • PMU foam has a physical strength suitable for cutting or shredding.
  • Blocks of PMU foam with volumes of approximately between 10 cm 3 and 100 cm 3 become fully cured approximately between 10 and 20 hours when exposed to air at a temperature approximately between 20° C and 30° C having approximately between 70% and 80% humidity. Curing time diminishes as air temperature increases or air humidity decreases or the volume of blocks of PMU foam is reduced.
  • cured PMU foam has a pH approximately between 2.3 and 2J with an acidity of 0.38 to 0.40 meq HJg dry foam.
  • the rate of water absorption for PMU foam is dependent on the particle or block size. Smaller particles or blocks of PMU foam absorb water faster than larger particles or blocks relative to the total water absorption capacity of a particular particle or block.
  • pure PMU foam holds more water than native materials, while simultaneously maintaining air-filled porosity sufficient for the root-zone aeration of living plants.
  • FIG. 11 shows a larger biomass yield for three varieties of plants grown in pure PMU foam as compared with the same varieties grown in soil without the addition of any PMU foam. The conclusion is that the addition of water to plants grown in pure foam does not diminish the root zone aeration requirements of those plants.
  • FIG. 9 demonstrates that water absorption and water holding capacity of PMU foam is enhanced by the use of a wetting agent. In one embodiment, the brand of wetting agent is AquaGro 2000G.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a larger free nitrogen content of PMU foam compared to a smaller exchangeable nitrogen content.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates this by showing that the extraction of exchangeable nitrogen in the form of ammonium (NH 4 J or nitrate (N0 3 " ) leaves a low concentration of free nitrogen available to plants based on overall foam volume.
  • ammonium NH 4 J or nitrate (N0 3 " ) leaves a low concentration of free nitrogen available to plants based on overall foam volume.
  • the complex forms of nitrogen contained in PMU foam serve as slow-release source of nitrogen for plants. This nitrogen release is due to further chemical and biological breakdown of the PMU foam structure during environmental exposure. Since nitrate levels in PMU foam are consistently low, the nitrogen form that results from the breakdown of PMU foam is primarily ammonium.
  • FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 illustrate this by showing a variable ammonium concentration over time in a PMU foam mixture.
  • ammonium concentration is temperature dependent with higher concentrations present during periods when the mean temperature is elevated, the rate of the chemical and biological breakdown of PMU foam is temperature dependent as well.
  • PMU foam used a soil ingredient contributes to a well-aerated root zone while maintaining a large volume of plant available water.
  • PMU foam may be used as a component in potting media where retention of plant-available water by the foam serves to reduce the frequency for required watering and delay the onset of drought stress in plants.
  • FIG. 6 shows that a higher percentage of available water (AW) remains in potting media containing PMU foam as compared to other available potting media.
  • FIG. 5 shows that incorporating PMU foam into potting media delays the onset of drought stress. The level of drought stress for plants is determined by measuring the relative extent of leaf wilting and applying a rating scale between 0 and 5 where 0 indicates no stress and 5 indicates that a plant may not recover from wilting.
  • FIG. 10 shows that potting media containing PMU foam produce a drought stress rating for plants equal to or better than potting media containing commercially available polymer gels designed to aid with water retention.
  • the present invention discloses a method of using PMU foam as a constituent in potting soil. This is achieved by sub-dividing larger cured PMU foam pieces into smaller pieces, treating the smaller PMU foam pieces with a wetting agent and mixing the treated smaller PMU foam pieces with soil, other soil amendments, potting media, other constituents, or other combinations thereof.
  • PMU foam pieces larger than 10 cm 3 are unsuitable as a soil mixture constituent
  • larger PMU foam pieces may be sub-divided into smaller PMU foam pieces by using conventional shredding methods known to those skilled in the art.
  • a Troy Built 15 HP shredder may be used to obtain smaller PMU foam pieces, each PMU foam piece having a relatively uniform dimension and each PMU foam piece having a volume of approximately 1 cm 3 or less.
  • a conventional shredder may be used to obtain smaller PMU foam pieces, which are then passed through a one-quarter inch sieve used to collect PMU foam pieces having a dimension no larger than one-quarter inch.
  • PMU foam should be shredded before it dries completely and while it retains plasticity.
  • Shredding foam that remains partially "wet” reduces the amount of dust created during the shredding process.
  • PMU foam is shredded within twenty-four (24) hours of manufacture.
  • the pH of pure PMU foam may be adjusted with the application of a liming agent by applying 10 ml of a 0.039 MKOH solution per g air-dry foam.
  • shredded PMU foam should be used within two weeks of manufacture. Otherwise, the PMU foam should be stored dry at a temperature of less than 35° C and out of direct sunlight, which reduces the rate of degradation of the PMU foam. Furthermore, PMU foam should be compacted as little as possible prior to use because any volume loss of the PMU foam due to compaction results in reduced aeration pore space and a reduced ability to hold water.
  • PMU foam may be used as an ingredient with other constituents to produce potting mixtures having a final PMU foam volume of between 10% and 100% of total potting mixture volume.
  • Mixing may be accomplished by using a commercial tub, rotary, or pug mill type mixer.
  • the constituents of the potting mix are added to the selected apparatus and mechanically mixed until a homogeneous blend is achieved.
  • the process of mixing shredded PMU foam should not be prolonged in order to minimize any reduction of the desired size of the foam particles.
  • PMU foam incorporated as part of a potting mix is neutralized by adding approximately 40 grams of agricultural lime having 100% calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) per cubic foot of shredded PMU foam.
  • CCE calcium carbonate equivalence
  • Liming agents may include CaC0 3 , CAOH, or NH 4 OH.
  • shredded PMU foam particles neutralized with agricultural lime and treated with a wetting agent, having a relatively uniform dimension of between approximately one-quarter inch and one inch are uniformly mixed with varying percentages of shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite to achieve a PMU foam volume of between approximately 10% and approximately 60% of total potting soil mixture volume depending upon the desired amount of water retained by the PMU foam constituent.
  • PMU foam volume is approximately 40% of total potting soil mixture volume.
  • PMU foam volume is approximately 50% of total potting soil mixture volume.
  • any one or more of the recited constituents may be omitted from the resulting potting soil mixture.
  • PMU foam particles neutralized with agricultural lime and treated with a wetting agent, are uniformly mixed with approximately 10% perlite by volume and approximately 50% peat moss by volume using a standard industrial rotary tub mixer to achieve a PMU foam volume of approximately 40% of total mixture volume.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the physical properties of this mixture, which provides more plant-available water than comparable mixtures with similar physical properties.
  • the present invention discloses a method of using PMU foam as a soil amendment. In one embodiment, this is achieved by mixing a constituent resin with a phosphoric acid catalyst and wetting agent within the pressurized exit stream of a spray nozzle to create sprayed PMU foam.
  • a suitable apparatus for creating sprayed PMU foam is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,239. The resultant sprayed PMU foam is directed toward existing terrain so that the terrain is covered by the sprayed PMU foam. After sprayed PMU foam is applied, it is allowed to cure in ambient air.
  • the sprayed PMU foam is integrated with the existing terrain using conventional garden and fann implements that include, but are not limited to, shovels, picks, rakes, hoes, hand mixers, roto-tillers, tractors, and plows. For those applications requiring 100% PMU foam, no mixing with existing soil is required.
  • sprayed PMU foam may be applied to existing soil in different patterns including incorporation at a various soil depths or layering on the soil surface.
  • cured and cut or shredded foam is applied to existing terrain and integrated using methods similar to those used for sprayed PMU foam.
  • cured and cut or shredded PMU foam may be applied to existing soil in different patterns including incorporation at a various soil depths or layering on the soil surface.
  • FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate the beneficial effects of incorporating PMU foam into existing soil for turf establishment.
  • Sprayed, cut, or shredded PMU foam may be applied to one or more terrain locations with each terrain location having an area between 1 ft 2 and 20 mile 2 , a preferred area between 50 ft 2 and 10,000 ft 2 , and a more preferred area between 500 ft 2 and 5,000 ft 2 .
  • Sprayed PMU foam may be applied over a terrain location to achieve varying depths between 0 inches and 24 inches, a preferred depth between 0.5 inches and 12 inches, and a more preferred depth between 1 inch and 6 inches. Furthermore, there is no requirement that a range of depths be maintained throughout any one particular terrain location since the requirements for PMU foam may vary within that terrain location.
  • sprayed PMU foam is applied to a terrain location, it is allowed to cure by air-drying for a time period between 30 minutes and 2 days. In one embodiment, sprayed PMU foam is allowed to cure for 2 hours. In one embodiment, after sprayed PMU foam is cured, it is neutralized with a KOH solution. In a second embodiment, sprayed PMU foam is not neutralized after it is cured. Next, sprayed, cut, or shredded PMU foam is incorporated into underlying terrain by rototilling or similar method. Conventional planting methods, such as broadcast seeding or hydraulic mulching, may be used to establish growing plants.
  • FIG 7 and FIG 8 illustrate the improved establishment of fine turfgrass at two different locations.
  • the existing terrain was natural soil; and, at a second site in Orlando, Virginia, the existing terrain was disturbed and filled roadway soil.
  • the early establishment and growth phases between approximately 1 month and approximately 4 months after planting showed more terrain coverage by turfgrass than achieved by planting solely in existing terrain.
  • the fine turfgrass planted in terrain with integrated sprayed PMU foam had higher germination rates, faster plant establishment, and more uniform stands of turf as compared to standard establishment techniques.
  • the incorporation of PMU foam into existing soil improved plant establishment and growth.
  • the present invention discloses a method of using PMU foam as a soil substitute. This is achieved by mixing a constituent resin with a phosphoric acid catalyst and wetting agent within the pressurized exit stream of a spray nozzle to create sprayed PMU foam. The resultant sprayed PMU foam is directed toward existing terrain so that the terrain is covered by the sprayed PMU foam. Once applied to a terrain location, PMU foam is allowed to cure by air-drying for a time period between 30 minutes and 2 days. In one embodiment, PMU foam is allowed to cure for 2 hours. In one embodiment, after the PMU foam is cured, it is neutralized with a KOH solution. In a second embodiment, the PMU foam is not neutralized after it is cured. Once cured, grass seeds or seedlings may be planted in the PMU foam layer by conventional means such as broadcast seeding, hydraulic mulching, or applying straw mulch and fertilizer.
  • Sprayed PMU foam may be applied to one or more terrain locations with each terrain location having an area between 1 ft 2 and 20 mile 2 , a preferred area between 50 ft 2 and 10,000 ft 2 , and a more preferred area between 500 ft 2 and 5,000 ft 2 .
  • Sprayed PMU foam may be applied over a terrain location to achieve varying depths between 0 inches and 24 inches, a preferred depth between 0.5 inches and 12 inches, and a more preferred depth between 4 inches and 6 inches. Furthermore, there is no requirement that a range of depths be maintained throughout any one particular terrain location since the requirements for sprayed PMU foam may vary within that terrain location.
  • FIG. 1 is a table of the chemical properties of PMU foam.
  • FIG. 2 is a table showing the amount of nitrogen in PMU foam extractable in KC1.
  • FIG. 3 is a graph of nitrate release by potting media with and without PMU foam during laboratory incubation at 20° C.
  • FIG. 4 is a graph of ammonium release patterns of PMU foam, a PMU foam potting mixture, and commercial potting media during laboratory incubation at 20° C with weekly leaching,
  • FIG. 5 is a table showing the effect of potting media containing PMU foam in delaying the onset of drought stress in tomato plants.
  • FIG. 6 is a table of physical property parameters of a PMU foam potting mixture and comparable commercial media.
  • FIG. 7 is a table showing turf establishment with different scenarios of PMU foam applications.
  • FIG. 8 is a table showing the effect of PMU foam and tillage on the establishment of turfgrass.
  • FIG. 9 is a table showing the effect of a wetting agent on water absorption by PMU foam.
  • FIG. 10 is a table showing various potting media and polymer gel effects on delaying drought symptoms in tomato plants.
  • FIG. 11 is a series of three graphs showing the effect of soil/foam ratio and liming of foam material on plant biomass yield.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is a method of use of phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer (PMU) foam as a potting media ingredient, soil amendment or soil substitute. PMU foam is capable of retaining a large volume of plant-available water while simultaneously maitaining a well-aerated root zone and providing a source of gradually released plant-available nitrogen. The foam may be (1) used as a substitute ingredient for native peat or other constituents in potting media, (2) incorporated into existing soil as an amendment to improve water retention, facilitate root aeration, and serve as a fertilizer, or (3) applied as a growth medium in hostile environments or over toxic soil to serve as a temporary soil layer for establishing plant cover, or used simultaneously to achieve any combination of these purposes.

Description

METHOD OF USE OF PHENOL METHYLENE INTERCONNECTED UREA TER-POLYMER FOAM AS A POTTING MEDIA INGREDIENT, SOIL AMENDMENT,
OR SOIL SUBSTITUTE
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Bulk PMU foam is white and within approximately ten minutes of manufacture has a consistency similar to firm shaving cream. PMU foam suitable for the present invention has a weight of approximately between 0.040 and 0.049 g/cm measured at a time between approximately five and ten minutes after the foam is produced. The dry weight of PMU foam after curing is between approximately 8 and 25 g/dm3. Foam manufactured at this density exhibits a volume shrinkage of between approximately 20% and 28% of original uncured volume. Generally, pieces of foam with a volume greater than 25 dm3 do not remain cohesive, but break into smaller pieces of between 2.5 cm3 and 7.5 cm3 after curing and drying is complete. The curing process continues as blocks of PMU foam are dried using ambient air. Once dry, PMU foam has a physical strength suitable for cutting or shredding. Blocks of PMU foam with volumes of approximately between 10 cm3 and 100 cm3 become fully cured approximately between 10 and 20 hours when exposed to air at a temperature approximately between 20° C and 30° C having approximately between 70% and 80% humidity. Curing time diminishes as air temperature increases or air humidity decreases or the volume of blocks of PMU foam is reduced. In addition, cured PMU foam has a pH approximately between 2.3 and 2J with an acidity of 0.38 to 0.40 meq HJg dry foam.
The rate of water absorption for PMU foam is dependent on the particle or block size. Smaller particles or blocks of PMU foam absorb water faster than larger particles or blocks relative to the total water absorption capacity of a particular particle or block. In addition, pure PMU foam holds more water than native materials, while simultaneously maintaining air-filled porosity sufficient for the root-zone aeration of living plants. FIG. 11 shows a larger biomass yield for three varieties of plants grown in pure PMU foam as compared with the same varieties grown in soil without the addition of any PMU foam. The conclusion is that the addition of water to plants grown in pure foam does not diminish the root zone aeration requirements of those plants. Further, FIG. 9 demonstrates that water absorption and water holding capacity of PMU foam is enhanced by the use of a wetting agent. In one embodiment, the brand of wetting agent is AquaGro 2000G.
PMU foam slowly degrades into constituents that provide an extended release pattern for plant-available nitrogen. The forms of nitrogen in PMU foam are free nitrogen, which can be extracted by water, exchangeable nitrogen, which is retained by ionic bonding and can be extracted by 0.02 M KC1, and various chemically complex forms of nitrogen, which are mineralized to exchangeable nitrogen and free nitrogen forms over time by microbial activity. FIG. 1 illustrates a larger free nitrogen content of PMU foam compared to a smaller exchangeable nitrogen content. With the first drenching or leaching, a significant amount free nitrogen is removed from PMU foam leaving little reserve free nitrogen for continued plant growth. FIG. 3 illustrates this by showing that the extraction of exchangeable nitrogen in the form of ammonium (NH4J or nitrate (N03 ") leaves a low concentration of free nitrogen available to plants based on overall foam volume. However, under normal conditions, the complex forms of nitrogen contained in PMU foam serve as slow-release source of nitrogen for plants. This nitrogen release is due to further chemical and biological breakdown of the PMU foam structure during environmental exposure. Since nitrate levels in PMU foam are consistently low, the nitrogen form that results from the breakdown of PMU foam is primarily ammonium. FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 illustrate this by showing a variable ammonium concentration over time in a PMU foam mixture. In addition, since ammonium concentration is temperature dependent with higher concentrations present during periods when the mean temperature is elevated, the rate of the chemical and biological breakdown of PMU foam is temperature dependent as well.
Furthermore, PMU foam used a soil ingredient contributes to a well-aerated root zone while maintaining a large volume of plant available water. PMU foam may be used as a component in potting media where retention of plant-available water by the foam serves to reduce the frequency for required watering and delay the onset of drought stress in plants. FIG. 6 shows that a higher percentage of available water (AW) remains in potting media containing PMU foam as compared to other available potting media. In addition, FIG. 5 shows that incorporating PMU foam into potting media delays the onset of drought stress. The level of drought stress for plants is determined by measuring the relative extent of leaf wilting and applying a rating scale between 0 and 5 where 0 indicates no stress and 5 indicates that a plant may not recover from wilting. The drought stress rating for potting media with PMU foam remained slight 60 hours after watering. On the other hand, drought stress ratings for comparable potting media without PMU foam were moderate to severe when measured at the same point in time after watering. Furthermore, FIG. 10 shows that potting media containing PMU foam produce a drought stress rating for plants equal to or better than potting media containing commercially available polymer gels designed to aid with water retention.
The present invention discloses a method of using PMU foam as a constituent in potting soil. This is achieved by sub-dividing larger cured PMU foam pieces into smaller pieces, treating the smaller PMU foam pieces with a wetting agent and mixing the treated smaller PMU foam pieces with soil, other soil amendments, potting media, other constituents, or other combinations thereof.
Since PMU foam pieces larger than 10 cm3 are unsuitable as a soil mixture constituent, larger PMU foam pieces may be sub-divided into smaller PMU foam pieces by using conventional shredding methods known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, a Troy Built 15 HP shredder may be used to obtain smaller PMU foam pieces, each PMU foam piece having a relatively uniform dimension and each PMU foam piece having a volume of approximately 1 cm3 or less. In a second embodiment, a conventional shredder may be used to obtain smaller PMU foam pieces, which are then passed through a one-quarter inch sieve used to collect PMU foam pieces having a dimension no larger than one-quarter inch. PMU foam should be shredded before it dries completely and while it retains plasticity. Shredding foam that remains partially "wet" reduces the amount of dust created during the shredding process. In one embodiment, PMU foam is shredded within twenty-four (24) hours of manufacture. Additionally, the pH of pure PMU foam may be adjusted with the application of a liming agent by applying 10 ml of a 0.039 MKOH solution per g air-dry foam.
Once shredding is complete, shredded PMU foam should be used within two weeks of manufacture. Otherwise, the PMU foam should be stored dry at a temperature of less than 35° C and out of direct sunlight, which reduces the rate of degradation of the PMU foam. Furthermore, PMU foam should be compacted as little as possible prior to use because any volume loss of the PMU foam due to compaction results in reduced aeration pore space and a reduced ability to hold water.
Once shredded, PMU foam may be used as an ingredient with other constituents to produce potting mixtures having a final PMU foam volume of between 10% and 100% of total potting mixture volume. Mixing may be accomplished by using a commercial tub, rotary, or pug mill type mixer. The constituents of the potting mix are added to the selected apparatus and mechanically mixed until a homogeneous blend is achieved. The process of mixing shredded PMU foam should not be prolonged in order to minimize any reduction of the desired size of the foam particles. In one embodiment, PMU foam incorporated as part of a potting mix is neutralized by adding approximately 40 grams of agricultural lime having 100% calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) per cubic foot of shredded PMU foam. The application of agricultural lime occurs during blending of the potting mix. Liming agents may include CaC03, CAOH, or NH4OH. Once the pH is adjusted, the resultant potting mixture has a pH of approximately 7.
In one embodiment, shredded PMU foam particles, neutralized with agricultural lime and treated with a wetting agent, having a relatively uniform dimension of between approximately one-quarter inch and one inch are uniformly mixed with varying percentages of shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite to achieve a PMU foam volume of between approximately 10% and approximately 60% of total potting soil mixture volume depending upon the desired amount of water retained by the PMU foam constituent. In one embodiment, PMU foam volume is approximately 40% of total potting soil mixture volume. In a second embodiment, PMU foam volume is approximately 50% of total potting soil mixture volume. In subsequent embodiments, any one or more of the recited constituents may be omitted from the resulting potting soil mixture.
In a second embodiment, PMU foam particles, neutralized with agricultural lime and treated with a wetting agent, are uniformly mixed with approximately 10% perlite by volume and approximately 50% peat moss by volume using a standard industrial rotary tub mixer to achieve a PMU foam volume of approximately 40% of total mixture volume. FIG. 6 illustrates the physical properties of this mixture, which provides more plant-available water than comparable mixtures with similar physical properties.
The present invention discloses a method of using PMU foam as a soil amendment. In one embodiment, this is achieved by mixing a constituent resin with a phosphoric acid catalyst and wetting agent within the pressurized exit stream of a spray nozzle to create sprayed PMU foam. A suitable apparatus for creating sprayed PMU foam is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,239. The resultant sprayed PMU foam is directed toward existing terrain so that the terrain is covered by the sprayed PMU foam. After sprayed PMU foam is applied, it is allowed to cure in ambient air. Once cured, the sprayed PMU foam is integrated with the existing terrain using conventional garden and fann implements that include, but are not limited to, shovels, picks, rakes, hoes, hand mixers, roto-tillers, tractors, and plows. For those applications requiring 100% PMU foam, no mixing with existing soil is required. In addition, sprayed PMU foam may be applied to existing soil in different patterns including incorporation at a various soil depths or layering on the soil surface. In a second embodiment, cured and cut or shredded foam is applied to existing terrain and integrated using methods similar to those used for sprayed PMU foam. As with sprayed PMU foam, cured and cut or shredded PMU foam may be applied to existing soil in different patterns including incorporation at a various soil depths or layering on the soil surface. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate the beneficial effects of incorporating PMU foam into existing soil for turf establishment.
Sprayed, cut, or shredded PMU foam, may be applied to one or more terrain locations with each terrain location having an area between 1 ft2 and 20 mile2, a preferred area between 50 ft2 and 10,000 ft2, and a more preferred area between 500 ft2 and 5,000 ft2. Sprayed PMU foam may be applied over a terrain location to achieve varying depths between 0 inches and 24 inches, a preferred depth between 0.5 inches and 12 inches, and a more preferred depth between 1 inch and 6 inches. Furthermore, there is no requirement that a range of depths be maintained throughout any one particular terrain location since the requirements for PMU foam may vary within that terrain location. If sprayed PMU foam is applied to a terrain location, it is allowed to cure by air-drying for a time period between 30 minutes and 2 days. In one embodiment, sprayed PMU foam is allowed to cure for 2 hours. In one embodiment, after sprayed PMU foam is cured, it is neutralized with a KOH solution. In a second embodiment, sprayed PMU foam is not neutralized after it is cured. Next, sprayed, cut, or shredded PMU foam is incorporated into underlying terrain by rototilling or similar method. Conventional planting methods, such as broadcast seeding or hydraulic mulching, may be used to establish growing plants.
FIG 7 and FIG 8 illustrate the improved establishment of fine turfgrass at two different locations. At one site in Blacksburg, Virginia, the existing terrain was natural soil; and, at a second site in Petersburg, Virginia, the existing terrain was disturbed and filled roadway soil. The early establishment and growth phases between approximately 1 month and approximately 4 months after planting showed more terrain coverage by turfgrass than achieved by planting solely in existing terrain. In addition, the fine turfgrass planted in terrain with integrated sprayed PMU foam had higher germination rates, faster plant establishment, and more uniform stands of turf as compared to standard establishment techniques. For each of the measured parameters, including percent coverage, clipping weight, and plant height, the incorporation of PMU foam into existing soil improved plant establishment and growth.
The present invention discloses a method of using PMU foam as a soil substitute. This is achieved by mixing a constituent resin with a phosphoric acid catalyst and wetting agent within the pressurized exit stream of a spray nozzle to create sprayed PMU foam. The resultant sprayed PMU foam is directed toward existing terrain so that the terrain is covered by the sprayed PMU foam. Once applied to a terrain location, PMU foam is allowed to cure by air-drying for a time period between 30 minutes and 2 days. In one embodiment, PMU foam is allowed to cure for 2 hours. In one embodiment, after the PMU foam is cured, it is neutralized with a KOH solution. In a second embodiment, the PMU foam is not neutralized after it is cured. Once cured, grass seeds or seedlings may be planted in the PMU foam layer by conventional means such as broadcast seeding, hydraulic mulching, or applying straw mulch and fertilizer.
Sprayed PMU foam may be applied to one or more terrain locations with each terrain location having an area between 1 ft2 and 20 mile2, a preferred area between 50 ft2 and 10,000 ft2, and a more preferred area between 500 ft2 and 5,000 ft2. Sprayed PMU foam may be applied over a terrain location to achieve varying depths between 0 inches and 24 inches, a preferred depth between 0.5 inches and 12 inches, and a more preferred depth between 4 inches and 6 inches. Furthermore, there is no requirement that a range of depths be maintained throughout any one particular terrain location since the requirements for sprayed PMU foam may vary within that terrain location.
While the present invention has been particularly described, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following figures are referred to in the Description of the Invention:
FIG. 1 is a table of the chemical properties of PMU foam.
FIG. 2 is a table showing the amount of nitrogen in PMU foam extractable in KC1.
FIG. 3 is a graph of nitrate release by potting media with and without PMU foam during laboratory incubation at 20° C.
FIG. 4 is a graph of ammonium release patterns of PMU foam, a PMU foam potting mixture, and commercial potting media during laboratory incubation at 20° C with weekly leaching,
FIG. 5 is a table showing the effect of potting media containing PMU foam in delaying the onset of drought stress in tomato plants.
FIG. 6 is a table of physical property parameters of a PMU foam potting mixture and comparable commercial media.
FIG. 7 is a table showing turf establishment with different scenarios of PMU foam applications.
FIG. 8 is a table showing the effect of PMU foam and tillage on the establishment of turfgrass.
FIG. 9 is a table showing the effect of a wetting agent on water absorption by PMU foam.
FIG. 10 is a table showing various potting media and polymer gel effects on delaying drought symptoms in tomato plants.
FIG. 11 is a series of three graphs showing the effect of soil/foam ratio and liming of foam material on plant biomass yield.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A method of manufacturing potting soil comprising the steps of: shredding phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam; and mixing said foam with a second soil ingredient.
2. A method as in claim 1 in which said second soil ingredient is sphagnum peat moss.
3. A method as in claim 1 in which said second soil ingredient is perlite.
4. A method as in claim 1 in which said second soil ingredient is shredded pine bark.
5. A method as in claim 1 in which said second soil ingredient is composted pine bark.
6. A method as in claim 1 in which said second soil ingredient is vermiculite.
7. A method of manufacturing potting soil comprising the steps of: shredding phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam; applying an acid- neutralizing ingredient to said foam; and mixing said foam with a second soil ingredient.
8. A method as in claim 7 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is agricultural lime.
9. A method as in claim 8 in which said second soil ingredient is sphagnum peat moss.
10. A method as in claim 8 in which said second soil ingredient is perlite.
11. A method as in claim 8 in which said second soil ingredient is shredded pine bark.
12. A method as in claim 8 in which said second soil ingredient is composted pine bark.
13. A method as in claim 8 in which said second soil ingredient is vermiculite.
14. A method as in claim 7 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is calcium carbonate.
15. A method as in claim 14 in which said second soil ingredient is sphagnum peat moss.
16. A method as in claim 14 in which said second soil ingredient is perlite.
17. A method as in claim 14 in which said second soil ingredient is shredded pine bark.
18. A method as in claim 14 in which said second soil ingredient is composted pine bark.
19. A method as in claim 14 in which said second soil ingredient is vermiculite.
20. A method as in claim 7 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is calcium hydroxide.
21. A method as in claim 20 in which said second soil ingredient is sphagnum peat moss.
22. A method as in claim 20 in which said second soil ingredient is perlite.
23. A method as in claim 20 in which said second soil ingredient is shredded pine bark.
24. A method as in claim 20 in which said second soil ingredient is composted pine bark.
25. A method as in claim 20 in which said second soil ingredient is vermiculite.
26. A method as in claim 7 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is ammonium hydroxide.'
27. A method as in claim 26 in which said second soil ingredient is sphagnum peat moss.
28. A method as in claim 26 in which said second soil ingredient is perlite.
29. A method as in claim 26 in which said second soil ingredient is shredded pine bark.
30. A method as in claim 26 in which said second soil ingredient is composted pine bark.
31. A method as in claim 26 in which said second soil ingredient is vermiculite.
32. A method of manufacturing potting soil comprising the steps of: shredding phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam; applying an acid- neutralizing ingredient to said foam; and mixing said foam with a composition of soil ingredients.
33. A method as in claim 32 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is agricultural lime.
34. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and perlite.
35. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and shredded pine bark.
36. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
37. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
38. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and shredded pine bark.
39. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
40. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
41. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and composted pine bark.
42. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
43. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
44. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and shredded pine bark.
45. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
46. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
47. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and composted pine bark.
48. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
49. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and vermiculite.
50. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
51. A method as in claim 33 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
52. A method as in claim 32 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is calcium carbonate.
53. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and perlite.
54. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and shredded pine bark.
55. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
56. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
57. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and shredded pine bark.
58. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
59. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
60. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and composted pine bark.
61. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
62. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
63. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and shredded pine bark.
64. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
65. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
66. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and composted pine bark.
67. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
68. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and vermiculite.
69. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
70. A method as in claim 52 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
71. A method as in claim 32 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is calcium hydroxide.
72. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and perlite.
73. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and shredded pine bark.
74. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
75. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
76. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and shredded pine bark.
77. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
78. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
79. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and composted pine bark.
80. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
81. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
82. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and shredded pine bark.
83. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
84. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
85. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and composted pine bark.
86. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
87. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and vermiculite.
88. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
89. A method as in claim 71 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
90. A method as in claim 32 in which said acid-neutralizing ingredient is ammonium hydroxide.
91. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and perlite.
92. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and shredded pine bark.
93. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
94. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
95. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and shredded pine bark.
96. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
97. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
98. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and composted pine bark.
99. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
100. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
101. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and shredded pine bark.
102. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
103. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
104. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and composted pine bark.
105. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, composted pine bark, and venniculite.
106. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and vermiculite.
107. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
108. A method as in claim 90 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
109. A potting soil comprising phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam and a second soil ingredient.
110. A potting soil as in claim 109 in which said second soil ingredient is sphagnum peat moss.
111. A potting soil as in claim 109 in which said second soil ingredient is perlite.
112. A potting soil as in claim 109 in which said second soil ingredient is shredded pine bark.
113. A potting soil as in claim 109 in which said second soil ingredient is composted pine bark.
114. A potting soil as in claim 109 in which said second soil ingredient is vermiculite.
115. A potting soil comprising acid-neutralized phenol methylene interconnected urea ter- polymer foam and a second soil ingredient.
116. A potting soil as in claim 115 in which said second soil ingredient is sphagnum peat moss.
117. A potting soil as in claim 115 in which said second soil ingredient is perlite.
118. A potting soil as in claim 115 in which said second soil ingredient is shredded pine bark.
119. A potting soil as in claim 115 in which said second soil ingredient is composted pine bark.
120. A potting soil as in claim 115 in which said second soil ingredient is vermiculite.
121. A potting soil comprising phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam and a composition of soil ingredients.
122. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and perlite.
123. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and shredded pine bark.
124. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
125. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
126. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and shredded pine bark.
127. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
128. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
129. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and composted pine bark.
130. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
131. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
132. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and shredded pine bark.
133. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
134. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
135. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and composted pine bark.
136. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
137. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and vermiculite.
138. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
139. A potting soil as in claim 121 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
140. A potting soil comprising acid-neutralized phenol methylene interconnected urea ter- polymer foam and a composition of soil ingredients.
141. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and perlite.
142. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and shredded pine bark.
143. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
144. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
145. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and shredded pine bark.
146. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
147. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
148. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and composted pine bark.
149. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
150. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
151. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and shredded pine bark.
152. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, and composted pine bark.
153. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, shredded pine bark, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
154. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and composted pine bark.
155. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
156. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises perlite and vermiculite.
157. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, and vermiculite.
158. A potting soil as in claim 140 in which said composition of soil ingredients comprises sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite.
159. A method of using phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam as a soil amendment comprising the steps of: spraying said foam onto existing terrain; allowing said foam to chemically cure; and, incorporating said foam into said existing terrain.
160. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least one inch.
161. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twelve inches.
162. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twenty-four inches.
163. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of between four and six inches.
164. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after one hour.
165. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after twelve hours.
166. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after twenty-four hours.
167. A method as in claim 159, wherein said step of incorporating said foam into said existing terrain is accomplished by rototilling.
168. A method of using chemically cured phenol methylene interconnected urea ter- polymer foam as a soil amendment comprising the steps of: shredding said foam; applying said foam onto existing terrain; and, incorporating said foam into existing terrain.
169. A method as in claim 168, wherein said step of shredding said foam is complete upon said foam particles having a relatively uniform dimension of between approximately one- quarter inch and one inch.
170. A method as in claim 168, wherein said step of applying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least one inch.
171. A method as in claim 168, wherein said step of applying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twelve inches.
172. A method as in claim 168, wherein said step of applying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twenty-four inches.
173. A method as in claim 168, wherein said step of applying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of between four and six inches.
174. A method as in claim 168, wherein said step of incorporating said foam into said existing terrain is accomplished by rototilling.
175. A method of using phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam as a soil substitute comprising the steps of: spraying said foam onto existing terrain; allowing said foam to chemically cure; and, planting seeds in said chemically-cured foam.
176. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least one inch.
177. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twelve inches.
178. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twenty-four inches.
179. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of between four and six inches.
180. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after one hour.
181. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after twelve hours.
182. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after twenty-four hours.
183. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of planting seeds is accomplished by broadcast seeding.
184. A method as in claim 175, wherein said step of planting seeds is accomplished by hydraulic mulching.
185. A method of using phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam as a soil substitute comprising the steps of: spraying said foam onto existing terrain; allowing said foam to chemically cure; applying a chemical liming agent; and, planting seeds in said chemically-cured and limed foam.
186. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least one inch.
187. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twelve inches.
188. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of at least twenty-four inches.
189. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of spraying said foam onto existing terrain is complete upon said foam reaching a depth of between four and six inches.
190. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after one hour.
191. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after twelve hours.
192. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of allowing said foam to chemically cure is complete after twenty-four hours.
193. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of applying a chemical liming agent is accomplished using calcium carbonate.
194. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of applying a chemical liming agent is accomplished using calcium hydroxide.
195. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of applying a chemical liming agent is accomplished using ammonium hydroxide.
196. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of planting seeds is accomplished by broadcast seeding.
197. A method as in claim 185, wherein said step of planting seeds is accomplished by hydraulic mulching.
PCT/US2000/041761 2000-11-02 2000-11-02 Method of use of phenol methylene interconnected urea ter-polymer foam as a potting media ingredient, soil amendment, or soil substitute Ceased WO2002037947A1 (en)

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FR2964009A1 (en) * 2010-08-24 2012-03-02 Ah Koon Andre Thien Method for producing e.g. mat of sod utilized for maintaining ground of gardens, involves incorporating seeds or rhizomes of sod, nitrogen source and polymer grains with water retaining, non phyto-poison and slightly biodegradable
CN103988721A (en) * 2014-05-22 2014-08-20 丽水市林业科学研究院 Artificial cultivation multipurpose matrix for polygonatum cyrtonema and preparation method for artificial cultivation multipurpose matrix
CN104355925A (en) * 2014-09-29 2015-02-18 江苏省中国科学院植物研究所 Novel material for improvement of soil for planting blueberries and use method of novel material
CN105111015A (en) * 2015-08-14 2015-12-02 淮南市家合源大棚蔬菜种植农民专业合作社 Straw composting method
CN105613233A (en) * 2015-12-21 2016-06-01 天津百利种苗培育有限公司 Fruit tree seedling breeding substrate
CN105638301A (en) * 2016-01-18 2016-06-08 安徽飞天农用生物科技有限公司 Seedling culturing matrix with straw fermentation matter as main raw material and preparation method of seedling culturing matrix
CN113016565A (en) * 2021-03-08 2021-06-25 广州甘蔗糖业研究所湛江甘蔗研究中心 Matrix for potted planting of south medicine

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2964009A1 (en) * 2010-08-24 2012-03-02 Ah Koon Andre Thien Method for producing e.g. mat of sod utilized for maintaining ground of gardens, involves incorporating seeds or rhizomes of sod, nitrogen source and polymer grains with water retaining, non phyto-poison and slightly biodegradable
CN103988721A (en) * 2014-05-22 2014-08-20 丽水市林业科学研究院 Artificial cultivation multipurpose matrix for polygonatum cyrtonema and preparation method for artificial cultivation multipurpose matrix
CN104355925A (en) * 2014-09-29 2015-02-18 江苏省中国科学院植物研究所 Novel material for improvement of soil for planting blueberries and use method of novel material
CN105111015A (en) * 2015-08-14 2015-12-02 淮南市家合源大棚蔬菜种植农民专业合作社 Straw composting method
CN105613233A (en) * 2015-12-21 2016-06-01 天津百利种苗培育有限公司 Fruit tree seedling breeding substrate
CN105638301A (en) * 2016-01-18 2016-06-08 安徽飞天农用生物科技有限公司 Seedling culturing matrix with straw fermentation matter as main raw material and preparation method of seedling culturing matrix
CN113016565A (en) * 2021-03-08 2021-06-25 广州甘蔗糖业研究所湛江甘蔗研究中心 Matrix for potted planting of south medicine

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