Importance

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Abstract

The inclusion of certain organic hydroxy acids, most notably citric acid, in the iron sulfate formulations of at least one prior art hydrophilic polymer delivery system followed by drying and crushing the product into particles has been found to significantly improve the efficiency and ease of application of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils for periods exceeding one year. The dried particles most preferably may be selectively metered into soil in or near the seed row as a band application at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. The dry band absorbs soil moisture to provide a unique environment which restricts contact of soluble iron fertilizers with the soil and provides for complexation of iron in the formulation with organic hydroxy acids also contained in the formulation, thereby minimizing the extent of chemical reactions with the soil that reduce the availability of the applied iron to plant roots. A unique characteristic of the invention is the maintenance of iron in water soluble plant available form in soil outside the particles or band. Thus, root penetration and proliferation into and around the band also is greater than in the soil matrix, resulting in greater uptake efficiency of applied iron. The ease of precise application to soil, coupled with significantly enhanced crop response and utilization of iron contained in the product, offer considerable advantage over existing iron source fertilizer materials.

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First Claim