Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
r 2 n ~ 3 a~
TABLET FORMULATION TO DETER ANIMALS FROM EATING AND/OR
BROWSING ON TREE SEEDLINGS AND OTHER PLANT LIFE
This invention relates to a combination of chemicals and
compounds in a tablet form that will by systemic uptake
through the roots cause trees and plants to become bitter
and distasteful.
There are a number of m~mm~l s/bird in every forest. Many of
these animals are beneficial, assisting in the dispersal of
seeds and important fungi, devouring insects and
contributing to the recreational and economic value of the
forests. However, a number of these bird and m~mm~l species
inflict serious damage to both seedlings and more mature
trees. This damage takes the form of consumption and
uprooting of seedlings, gnawing and stripping of bark,
removal of foliage and clipping of twigs. Such damage can
delay forest maturation, alter species composition, cause
later deformation of adult trees, and in general drastically
increase the cost of forest planting and maintenance, while
decreasing the value of harvested lumber.
A number of techniques have been used to control or prevent
animal damage to forest plantations. The effectiveness of
any technique depended on:
~ How well it is applied.
~ How appropriate it is for the situation.
~ The availability of alternate food sources to the
damaging animal.
~ How desirable these alternate food sources are relative
to the trees being protected.
Damage may be prevented by excluding the offending animals
from the plantation. Fencing has been tried, but it is
expensive in materials and labour, and requires regular
inspection and maintenance. In some cases, the deer/elk can
jump over the fence itself.
~, ,.
~'
2 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~
Plastic mesh tubing has been used to protect seedlings from
damage by small animals. Velar tubing has been tested, with
leader (main shoot) placement, with some reduction of
damage. Browsing to lateral branches was not deterred.
In another test case, wax paper was clipped to the leader of
trees in an effort to discourage browsing. There was some
reduction in damage, but upon emergence from the wax paper,
the leader became vulnerable to browsing damage again.
Other test methods include the use of milk cartons placed
over the top of seedlings, and cardboard cylinders with moth
balls. Both trials were unsuccessful.
Sprayed liquid or dusted powder repellents have been used to
discourage animals from feeding/browsing on seedlings in the
past. However, effectiveness is limited due to low
residency and the washing effect of rainfall and dew.
Other ideas for decreased damage include the use of
alternate forage of a more suitable type. However, this
food stuff would have to be available all year round and
would greatly add to the cost of forest replanting programs.
Another animal that is causing serious concern are the
voles. Damage consists of barking and cambium injuries to
the stems, branches and roots of Douglas Fir, Western White
Pine and Cottonwood seedlings. Protection methods against
this pest consist mainly of wrapping the stems or trunks
with a variety of materials ranging from tin foil through
plastic and hardware mesh. These methods are all very
expensive.
All current research reports and publications indicate that
seedlings and more mature trees are not normally the
preferred food stuff. However, when forced by lack of more
suitable food, and population pressures, browsing and
gnawing animals will consume all or portions of many species
~; of seedling trees.
~ 2 ~ ~ O ~ 3 1~
In British Columbia alone, the amount of damage is estimated by
Forest management Organizations, to be anywhere between 30~-
100~ (Queen Charlottes) of total plantings. Protection and/or
replanting can nearly double the cost per seedling per
hectacre.
A method of decreasing this damage, the main object of the
present invention, involves the application of leach-resistant
tablets that slowly release browsing deterrents into the root
system of susceptible seedlings, plants and ornamental
shrubbery. This tablet can be applied during initial growth in
tree farms, or at the time of transplanting into the field.
Another object is to provide a tablet which is totally
biodegradable, non-phytotoxic and contains fertilizers that
promote seedling, plant or shrubbery growth in the first
crucial year of growth.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an anti-browsing tablet weighing at least one-half
gramme, for slowly feeding susceptible seedlings of at least
one of conifers, deciduous trees, shrubbery and ornamental
plants at least during the first crucial year of growth, and
consisting of a tableted intimate mixture of solid particles
comprising,
at least one browsing-deterrent substance, in an amount of
up to about 12.0~ by weight of the tablet, the effect of which
is to impart a bitter or unpleasant taste to the seedlings by
systemic uptake, and
a combination of N-P-K based fertilisers in an amount
sufficient for promotion of growth of a selected one of said
seedlings during at least said first year.
According to another aspect, this invention relates to a method
of controlling animal browsing/gnawing on seedlings of at least
one of deciduous trees, shrubbery and ornamental plants at
least during the first crucial year of growth, comprising
placing into the root zone at least one tablet of the present
invention at the time of planting or transplanting said
seedlings.
,.
3(a) F 2 ~ ~ O ~ ~
This invention further relates to a method of controlling
animal browsing/grazing specifically on conifer seedlings in
the greenhouse or as newly transplanted in a nursery or forest
plantation, comprising placing into the root zone, at least one
tablet of the present invention.
According to one aspect, the invention consists of a compound
such as the following:
-- --
CH3
NHCOCH2N+Et2CHPh COO
_ ~ C~3 _ ~
which is present at a concentration of from 8.0~ to 12.0~ by
weight of the tablet.
This compound when dry mixed with the proper binders,
lubricants, disintegrants and compressed into a table form; can
be applied to the root system of susceptible seedlings,
resulting in decreased browsing damage following tablet
disintegration and 3yst
"'/
4 ~ 2 0 0 0 6 3 ~ '
This substance is known to be the most bitter substance
available to man. It is currently used as a deterrent, in
toxic substances, to avoid accidental ingestion. This fact,
along with its total solubility in cold water, allows
systemic uptake and resulting bitter tasting foliage. At
the same time, this substance has a very low toxicity, as
seen by LDso (rat) of 584 mg/kg body weight.
Within the above class of deterrent compounds, other
compounds such as the Quaternary Salts of Organic Carboxylic
Anions with a Quaternary Organic Ammonium Cation of the
general formula:
(I)
CH3 ~ R1
NHCOCH2N R2
CH3
may be applied as stated herein earlier in a tablet form to
produce the desired bitter or unpleasant taste. Preferred
bitter substances are those quaternary organic carboxylates
represented by the general formula:
(II)
CH3 ~ R1
I NHCOCH2N R2
_ ~ CH3 \ R3 R4-COO
In the above formula:
~ Rl: represents a benzyl(phenyl-methyl) or chlorobenzyl
(chlorobenzyl methyl) radical, such as O or P
chlorobenzyl.
5 ~2U0~3 ~
~ R2/R3: represent alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon
atoms.
~ R4: represents a phenyl group or substituted phenyl
group.
The Quaternary Salts of cations of Formula I, such as
Formula II, wherein R2 and R3 represent ethyl groups, are
derived from diethylamino-2,6-dimethylacetanilide,
hereinafter called lignocaine. The preferred quaternary
carboxylates are those derived from lignocaine, especially
lignocaine benzyl benzoate and lignocaine chlorobenzyl
benzoate.
All of the above mentioned Quaternary Carboxylates, used in
the present invention have an extremely bitter taste which
is apparent in solution of very low concentrations. This
renders them particularly suitable for use as deterrents in
relation to this invention.
According to another aspect of this invention, a substance
such as C6HsSH (thiophenol) which when placed in a solution
with the other tablet ingredients of this invention, will
solubilize and cause the seedlings to have an odour that is
unattractive to browsing and gnawing animals, upon systemic
uptake through the presence of water.
Weak H+ bond
SH H-S----------H H
l + H2O I O
This family of compounds, incorporating the -SH thiol group
is noted for its average 100% recognition thresholds between
0.2 and 35 parts per billion air. Therefore according to
another aspect of this invention, the incorporation of the
., ~
6 ~ 3 ~
following compounds in various concentrations will produce
browsing deterrency, in a tablet form, with the proper
binders, lubricants and disintegrants:
COMPOUNDS 100~ ODOUR
CONCENTRATION
RECOGNITION
( CH3 ) 2CHCH2CH2SH O . 2 0 ppb
CH3SH 35 . O ppb
CH3CH2SH 2 . O ppb
CH3CH2CHSH 0.70 ppb
( CH3 ) 2CHSHO . 2 0 ppb
CH3CH2CH2CH2SHO . 8 0 ppb
(CH3) 2CHCH2SHO . 83 ppb
(CH3) 3CSHO . 81 ppb
C6HsCH3SH 2 . O ppb
According to another aspect of this invention, a substance
such as C20H32NO4S, may be placed along with the other
deterrents into the tablet formulation. Microbial breakdown
with moisture will give the treated seedlings a bitter,
burning taste to browsing, gnawing animals. The compound
resembles the basic hydrophobic head and hydrophilic tails
of all cell membranes:
/ CH3
CH2NHCO(CH2)gCH=CHCH
Compound B ¦ \ CH3
~ CH3
\~ OCH20=~
¦ CH3
OH
Basic uptake of this molecule across root membranes would
involve a bilayer "flip" or the use of specific porins via
facilitated diffusion.
~ ,J
3 ~
specific porin protein:
~/ C2oH32NO4s
O Q ~ Q 2 \ ,~ ~
// HYDROPHOBIC
~ HYDROPHILIC
Binding of C20H32NO4S onto Bilayer and Porin
~ 5~
2 Q~Q Q
)~
Momentary "flip" of membrane bilayer allowing C20H32NO4S to
enter
~ 2
o' ~
Hydrophobic/Hydrophobic interactions cause inward movement
of molecule ~
~G~ Q Q
G ~ ~, ov-o~ o~
r INSIDE
8 ~D 2 ~
Once inside the cell membrane, the molecule is transported
through xylem/phloem transport to all aspects of the
seedling foliage and structure.
According to the second object of the present invention, the
incorporation of specific fertilizers, are present to
increase the growth of transplanted seedlings during the
first crucial year of growth.
The present invention provides a long-lasting, slowly
soluble fertilizer composition 18-6-12, tableted with the
aid of a water-soluble binder, which dissolves readily when
water is applied, so that the tablet breaks up easily.
The 18-6-12 composition is available specifically for
conifers and for all other botanical applications. For
other than conifer, the basic fertilizer composition would
lnvolve:
~ by weight
UREA (45-0-0) 38.0
MURIATE OF POTASH (0-0-62) 19.30
TRIPLE PHOSPHATE (0-45-0) 13.30
BINDERS, DETERRENTS, ETC 29.4
TOTAL 100~
Since most conifers are unable to properly metabolize urea
as a nitrogen source, plus the increased growth of various
root rotting fungi on urea; the following 18-6-12 fertilizer
composition for conifers is used:
~ by weight
AMMONIUM NITRATE (34-0-0) 45-9
MURIATE OF POTASH (0-0-62) 19.3
DIAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE (21-53-0) 11.3
BINDERS, DETERRENTS ETC 23.5
TOTAL 100
-
9 ~ 3 ~
This combination of compounds produces a totally water-
soluble fertilizer composition that is available to the
seedlings almost immediately upon rainfall. For a longer
lasting fertilizer, the following would be used:
~ by weight
AMMONIUM NITRATE (34-0-0) 52.9
MURIATE OF POTASH (0-0-62) 19.3
TRIPLE SUPER PHOSPHATE (0-45-0) 13.3
10 BINDERS, DETERRENTS ETC 14.5
TOTAL 100~
According to another aspect of this invention, there is a
need for a lubrication ingredient to continually protect
from abrasive wear, the metal surfaces of the tableting
equipment that come in contact with the materials being
tableted, to facilitate the compression of the tablets, and
to enable proper extraction of the tablets from the dies in
which the tablets are formed. At the same time, this
material must not waterproof the tablet. The preferred
material here is talc.
The following examples show what can be done:
EXAMPLE 1
An anti-browsing/gnawing deterrent tablet of this invention
is made from the following components:
~ by weight
COMPOUND A DETERRENT 10.4
30 THIOPHENOL/SH-THIOL GROUP) 2.0
COMPOUND B C18 H22NO3 4.0
UREA (45-0-0) 38.0
MURIATE OF POTASH (0-0-62) 19.3
TRIPLE PHOSPHATE (0-45-0) 13.3
35 LACTOSE BINDER 10.0
TALC 2.0
MAGNESIUM STEARATE 1.0
TOTAL 100
lo '~ ~ ~ O O ~ 3 ~
The composition is thoroughly mixed dry and then is pelleted
dry into tablets, which may be from 1/2 gram to about 30
grams in size. The talc acts as a tablet lubricant during
manufacture, ensuring release from the tableting cavity
without acting to water proof the tablet.
The above formula is a scientifically balanced low-toxicity
plant fertilizer/deterrent tablet with long-lasting
characteristics that meet the problems of animal browsing on
deciduous trees, shrubbery and ornamental plants.
EXAMPLE 2
A tablet oriented specifically for conifer seedlings, for
greenhouse or transplantation into the field. Basically the
fertilizer compositions are totally water-soluble and
immediately available. They also play a role in anti-root
rot activity present in may susceptible conifer species.
This tablet is made of the following components:
% by weight
COMPOUND A DETERRENT 8.0
THIOL FAMILY COMPOUND 2.0
COMPOUND B DETERRENT 2.0
25 AMMONIUM NITRATE (34-0-0) 45.9
MURIATE OF POTASH (0-0-62) 19.3
DIAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE (21-53-0) 11.3
LACTOSE BINDER 8.5
TALC 2.0
30 MAGNESIUM STEARATE 1.0
TOTAL 100~
This mixture is used in the same manner as the formulation
in Example 1, and can be created to disintegrate faster
through the use of various calcium and sodium based
compounds that react with water.
" .
