Seed pillow for overcoming the limiting factors controlling rangeland reseeding success

摘要

The disclosure provides compositions and methods to improve seeding success. In an exemplary embodiment the compositions and methods disclosed herein are used to improve seeding success in rangeland areas. However, the compositions and methods are useful to improve seeding success in any environment where seeding is difficult. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a “seed pillow”, a multifunctional seed treatment that mitigates the limiting factors controlling seedling establishment. In one embodiment, the seed pillow comprises a pillow-shaped agglomeration of absorbent earth materials and other additives, with seeds attached within a concave well on the underneath side of the pillow. To increase the probability that the seeds will be covered by the pillow, soil and tackifier are placed with the seeds for increased weight on the seed side of the pillow, and to glue the pillow to the soil. The shape of the pillow is also designed to improve coverage by having a flat bottom and convex top. Upon wetting, the pillow material melts over the seeds, thus providing seed coverage and enhanced conditions for seed germination and growth.

主权项

1. A pillow-shaped multifunctional seed treatment that facilitates seedling establishment, said pillow-shaped multifunctional seed treatment comprising:
(i) one or more absorbent filler materials; (ii) a binder; (iii) soil or sand or a combination of soil and sand, and (iv) seeds, wherein,
said pillow-shaped multifunctional seed treatment has a top cover layer and a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer is a single layer, and wherein
said bottom layer of said pillow shaped multifunctional seed treatment is heavier than said top cover layer, and said bottom layer contains said seeds and said soil, wherein
locating the said seeds and said soil or said sand or said combination of soil and sand in said bottom layer of said pillow-shaped multifunctional seed treatment increases a probability that after broadcasting, said pillow-shaped multifunctional seed treatment lands upright with said seeds and said soil or said sand or said combination of soil and sand on the ground instead of said top cover layer on the ground, and wherein
said top cover layer is comprised primarily of said one or more absorbent filler materials that cover saids seed upon planting to facilitate seed germination and plant growth.