Oxygen-Releasing Fertilizer To Improve Plant Growth - University of ...

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Oxygen-Releasing Fertilizer
To Improve Plant Growth
Invention
The University of Florida is seeking companies interested in commercializing a
novel product that can be used to reduce plant stress caused by waterlogging.
Lack of soil oxygen, or hypoxia, is an environmental challenge that can negatively
impact seed germination and seedling growth. Hypoxia commonly occurs when
soil becomes flooded, often leading to acute oxygen deprivation of plant roots by
saturating pores in the soil. Currently, there is no product available that can be used
to reduce the negative effects of hypoxia due to waterlogged soil. However, this
discovery provides a means to infuse the soil with an oxygen source that promotes
plant survival and growth. Furthermore, this technology can be used to apply an
oxygen-releasing fertilizer as a seed coating, providing a controlled release of oxygen
as the seed germinates and develops.
Application
u Improved seed germination and plant growth
Advantages
u Provides oxygenation to flooded crops,
enabling plant survival and growth in
unfavorable conditions
u Facilitates plant growth in environments
with low soil oxygen, increasing crop yield
under unfavorable conditions
u Provides for a controlled release of oxygen,
maximizing seed germination and crop production
u Utilizes inexpensive inorganic compounds,
minimizing cost, while maximizing yields
“This discovery provides means to infuse
the soil with an oxygen source that promotes
plant survivial and growth.”
Technology
This technology functions by providing compositions, in either liquid or solid
form, that release bioavailable oxygen into the soil to relieve hypoxic stresses. The
inventors have identified various oxidizing agents that can be used to control the
rate of oxygen released from the composition. These compositions can be applied
to the soil or added to irrigation water or other aqueous growth solutions. Studies
have demonstrated that these compositions relieve hypoxic stress and also stimulate
plant growth and may improve crop yield. The components of this oxygenreleasing
fertilizer are relatively inexpensive inorganic compounds.

Oxygen-Releasing Fertilizer
To Improve Plant Growth
The inventors
Dr. Yuncong Li is an associate professor at the Soil and Water Science Department at
the University of Florida. He was recently awarded a UF Research Foundation Professorship.
Dr. Li’s research includes practices to improve nutrient use efficiency, plant
nutrition and water quality, nutrient cycling in calcareous soils, impacts of agriculture
on south Florida’s natural ecosystems, and water quality monitoring, assessment and
remediation. He is a well published expert in his field, having written dozens of journal
articles and book chapters on the related subjects. Dr. Li received his Ph.D. in Environmental
Soil Sciences from University of Maryland in 1993.
Dr. Guodong Liu is a post doctoral associate at the University of Florida. Dr. Liu’s
research includes crop stress physiology, soil science, and environmental science. He
has written dozens of journal articles and book chapters on efficient utilization of nitrogen
phosphorus, potassium by potato, wheat, and rice. He has held one patent and two
pending except Slow-release oxygen fertilizer. Dr. Liu received his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology
and Genetics from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing,
China, 1993. He is a research professor at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
and joined the University of Florida in 2004.
contact
John Byatt
University of Florida
Office of Technology Licensing
352/392-4979 u e-mail: jbyatt@ufl.edu
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Reference UF #11880 Patent pending www.otl.ufl.edu