Polyaspartate Clathrate Gels for Turfgrass Management and Environmental Protection

The purpose of this SBIR phase I project is to demonstrate the utility of gelling particles made from cross-linked polyaspartate for controlled availability of both nutrients and pesticides in a turfgrass model system. Polyaspartate gelling materials: 1) fully biodegrade and have growth promoting degradation products, 2) can carry guest molecules within "clathrate "cages" of the polymer network when dry, releasing their guest molecules when hydrated, 3) readily absorb 20 to 100 times their weight in aqueous fluid, keeping water in contact with the plant. In the proposed studies, diammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate and 2 nematicides: avermectin and Ditera/TM/ will be loaded separately into the gelling materials. The release of the active agents will be characterized by chemical tests, soil leaching experiments and turfgrass bioassays. It is anticipated that novel biocompatible, clathrate gels will be widely used for promotion of plant growth and slow release of pesticides in a variety of agricultural settings.