Patent Description:
The agricultural industry is a large and robust industry worldwide. To meet worldwide demand for agricultural products, producers utilize numerous methods to maximize production in agricultural crops. For example, one technique includes removing unwanted growth (i.e. soil cultivation) around the base of crops to enhance growth and production. Typically, this is accomplished with the application of herbicide around the base of most crops.

Although there are effective herbicides, there are several drawbacks to their use. Firstly, the adaptation of herbicide resistant "super weeds" has reduced the effectiveness of many herbicides. Secondly, herbicides cannot be applied toward organic fields or directly over non-GMO crops. Thirdly, the application of herbicides may weaken the crop's natural defense, and application to crops prior to harvest may result in crop damage when contacted by spray drift or when absorbed from the soil by the plant's root system.

Another technique is implementation of a robust fertilization program. Although fertilization programs do enhance growth of crops, they can be costly to implement and maintain. Moreover, herbicides cannot be applied toward organic fields or directly over non-GMO crops.

Yet another technique is a robust insecticide program. Of course, this programs provides benefits from evasive insects that harm the crop. Another benefit is the insecticide program may help prevent infection of the crop from disease, such as fungus and bacterial infections.

One example disease is citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) or yellow dragon disease. Citrus greening disease is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world because there is currently no cure. The disease has devastated millions of acres of citrus crops throughout the United States and abroad. Citrus greening disease is spread by a disease-infected insect, the Asian citrus psyllid. The infected insect spreads the disease as it feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees. Citrus greening disease is further spread by moving infected plants and plant materials.

The disease has affected the entire United States citrus industry, and has been reported in <NUM> nations worldwide. Infected citrus trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter, unsuitable for sale as fresh fruit or for juice. Most infected trees die within a few years and have few productive years, if any.

Citrus greening disease is typically managed using insecticides to control the psyllid population. Evidence shows that reducing psyllid populations via insecticide application not only slows the rate of citrus greening disease spread but also reduces severity of the disease once established.

Young trees that produce multiple flushes throughout the year are at greater risk of greening infection than mature trees because of the attraction of adult psyllids to the new flush. Even without the disease, young trees need to be protected for about four years from psyllids and leaf miners to grow optimally. In some approaches, soil-applied systemic insecticides provide long lasting control of psyllids, but the chemicals may be environmentally harmful.

In other approaches, tree covers that enclose a tree to prevent insect infiltration are deployed. These tree cover approaches, however, may suffer from one or more drawbacks. The tree cover may rest its weight against the tree, which can damage foliage and branches of young trees. In some approaches, the tree covers may have a Skelton-like framework that prevents the cover from resting against the foliage, but the framework may provide for a more complicated install. <CIT> discloses a slow release deer and rodent outdoor deterrent device which includes: a) a waterproof hollow housing having a top and a bottom, a top wick orifice and a bottom wick; b) a wick externally extending from outside the hollow housing top, through the top wick orifice and into the hollow housing, through the bottom wick orifice and externally below the hollow housing bottom; c) a teabag containing dried repellant that is activated by water contact. The teabag acts as a two way filter to permit water to enter the teabag and permit a water-dissolved repellant brew to exit the teabag, the teabag being inside the housing in contact with the wick. The device is placed outdoors proximate vegetation to be protected and releases repellent when wetted by rain or watering.

The invention provides a repellent device according to claim <NUM> and a method for making a repellent delivery device according to claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and base <NUM> reference numerals are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a repellent delivery device according to the present disclosure is now described. The repellent delivery device illustratively includes a body comprising a glycerin soap material. As shown, the body may comprise a rectangular box shape with rounded corners (<FIG> and <FIG>), or a sphere shape (<FIG> & <FIG>). Of course, these are merely exemplary, and other shapes are envisioned, such as a bar shape, a cube shape, a block shape, a stick shape, and a pellet shape. In some embodiments, the body can comprise an encapsulation layer around a trunk of the plant.

The body includes at least one insecticide, and at least one insect repellant. In particular, the glycerin soap material comprises solid glycerin. As will be appreciated, the body may be formed by first heating solid glycerin and causing it to enter a liquid state. While in the liquid state, the at least one insecticide and the at least one insect repellant are mixed into the liquid glycerin. The combined glycerin, at least one insecticide, and at least one insect repellant liquid is then formed into the desired body shape, and cooled back into a solid state.

The repellant delivery device illustratively includes a support structure coupled between the body and the trunk of a plant. The support structure may include a twisty tie, and a zip tie. In other embodiments, the support structure may comprise other physical couplings to the trunk of the plant. For example, in the embodiments of <FIG>, the support structure comprises a bag with a sting tie. The bag comprises a mesh fabric configured to permit deliver of the at least one insecticide and the at least one insect repellant therethrough.

The body is configured to slow release the at least one insecticide and the at least one insect repellant into a root ball of the plant using ambient moisture. In other words, the ambient moisture condenses on the body and wicks the at least one insecticide and the at least one insect repellant from the body. Also, since the body is exposed to the external environment, precipitation also aids this wicking process that slowly wicking the body into the root ball of the plant.

In the following, a discussion of varying optional features for inclusion in the repellent delivery device are now described.

A device for field release of volatile repellents against Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri is disclosed herein. Several known plant-derived, on-host volatiles are known to affect ACP behavior by reducing host acceptance by this insect when deployed on or around citrus. An effective release device for such potentially useful repellants is necessary in order for such chemicals to be potentially useful for direct management of this pest. Repellent formulations have been shown to reduce ACP populations in citrus over short durations. An effective release device that places these repellents into the grove atmosphere for prolonged periods may serve as a new tool for reducing populations of this pathogen vector and thus help improve HLB management. Effective repellent formulations may serve as useful replacements or supplements for sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides, reducing the selection pressure for development of insecticide resistance and reducing impact of indiscriminate insecticide sprays on populations of ACP natural enemies. Formulations and deployment strategies of repellents may reduce ACP populations in commercial groves and the spread of the HLB pathogen when integrated into a comprehensive HLB management program.

One of the purposes of this present disclosure is to develop and document a field management strategy that significantly reduces both the infestation rates of ACP and necessity of broad spectrum insecticide application. HLB has spread rapidly throughout citrus groves in Florida since its initial discovery in <NUM>, in large part due to the highly mobile nature of adult ACP, its primary vector. Because ACP is the key driver of disease spread, much effort has been spent on developing control tactics for the vector.

The majority of ACP management programs rely heavily on the use of insecticides, applications of which are timed to coincide with periods when researchers expect the greatest mortality of ACP nymphs and/or adults. Control of ACP in Florida can require up to <NUM> insecticidal applications per year (Qureshi et al. , <NUM>), which is not a viable long-term management option. Due to a combination of factors including heavy chemical management, several insecticide-resistant ACP populations have been documented in Florida (Tiwari et al. <NUM>, Kanga et al. <NUM>, Chen and Stelinski <NUM>). Growers need more tools at hand to enable them to adopt financially and environmentally sustainable management options.

One such option may be use of repellents to reduce ACP colonization of citrus plants. Previous research has yielded promising results for the use of olfactory repellents for ACP in laboratory, and even field settings to a limited extent (Mann et al. <NUM>, <NUM>, Onagbola et al. <NUM>, Kuhns et al. <NUM>, Hall et al. <NUM>, Seo et al. Despite these promising results, successful long-term implementation in a field setting has not yet been achieved as previously tested delivery mechanisms were found to be sub-optimal in terms of both repellant delivery duration (Onagbola et al. <NUM>) and cost ($<NUM>/device or $<NUM>/tree) (Kuhns et al.

For a repellant device to be integrated into a management program, it needs to be practical in terms of duration, cost, and efficacy in reducing ACP populations or impeding ACP colonization of commercial citrus trees. Also, a requirement of a practical repellent release device would be year-round efficacy against ACP given their year-round activity, with peak movement during spring and summer (Hall and Hentz <NUM>, Lewi-Rosenblum et al.

The repellant delivery device disclosed herein may be capable of achieving the above-described goals. All repellents were chosen based on a review of relevant literature by this team. Based on their promising preliminary results, Applicant believes that this device holds potential as a useful tool for management of ACP. In visiting a reset field in late June where these repellant delivery devices had been deployed <NUM> weeks previously, (random deployment of <NUM> potential repellent odors at the field edge), Applicant scouted for ACP and was unable to find eggs, nymphs, or adults until the <NUM>th row into the test field from the edge and found only low number of ACP present. In a neighboring control block, infestation was apparent in all rows. Applicant visited again at <NUM> weeks post-device deployment and found a total of <NUM> ACP nymphs in the <NUM>th row of trees from the edge with consistent infestation in the control field.

All potential repellants will be tested in a series of semi-controlled settling assays in outdoor cages (<NUM><NUM>; Bioquip Cat No. 1406B) at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. Caged pots with similar-aged flush will be used in combination with the delivery devices, which have been impregnated with odors of interest.

Using a combination of research groves (<NUM>-<NUM> locations), which will receive no additional insecticidal inputs for psyllid management, and <NUM> grower sites, which will receive chemical management upon grower discretion, Applicant will determine the distance of repellence (number of rows from device deployment), and the duration for which these repellents are effective. Based on previous observations, Applicant plans to replace devices every <NUM> weeks, which will both enable deployment of fresh repellent and rotation of odors from plot to plot. If devices show strong repellency at <NUM> weeks, this anticipated time frame will be adjusted to enable capture of full duration of efficacy. These tests will be performed in a randomized complete block design, ideally with one side of the plot design comprising a field edge because ACP are known to colonize grove edges at highest population densities.

Applicant will determine the best manner in which to deploy repellent delivery devices for use in commercial groves. Anticipated field deployment strategies include (<NUM>) edge-only deployment whereby <NUM>-<NUM> edge rows will receive devices, (<NUM>) every-tree deployment, where each tree received one device, (<NUM>) clumped pockets, where pockets of <NUM>-<NUM> neighboring trees receive devices and these clumps are spread throughout a grove, (<NUM>) every-other-row deployment, (<NUM>) no device negative control, and (<NUM>) pyrethroid insecticide (zeta-cypyrmethryn at <NUM> oz/acre) spray as a grower standard positive control. Applicant will test these designs in both young and mature groves.

Using the disclosed release device for ACP repellent deployment, Applicant will develop recommendations for using this new tool based on replicated and carefully conducted experiments with appropriate controls. Applicant expects that this repellent device will provide a low-cost option for growers to reduce reliance on frequent application of insecticides for ACP management. This can reduce the likelihood of the development and/or further increase of insecticide resistant populations and move ACP management towards a long-term integrated pest management framework.

Referring now to <FIG>, a repellent delivery device <NUM> according to the present disclosure is now described. As will be appreciated, the repellent delivery device <NUM> is to be coupled to a trunk <NUM> of a plant. It should be appreciated that the repellent delivery device <NUM> could also be coupled to fences, perimeter posts, plant stakes, etc. The repellent delivery device <NUM> illustratively comprises a body <NUM> comprising a hygroscopic base material, and at least one of an insecticide, and an insect repellant. The body <NUM> may also include other biological agents and fungicides. For example, the body <NUM> may include an insect mating disruption chemical. In some embodiments, the insect repellant is replaced with an insect chemical attractant.

The repellent delivery device <NUM> illustratively comprises a support structure <NUM> coupled between the body <NUM> and the trunk <NUM> of the plant. The body <NUM> is configured to release the at least one of the insecticide and the insect repellant into a root ball of the plant using ambient moisture.

As will be appreciated, when the body <NUM> is exposed to a humid environment, the body will attract and condense moisture thereon from the atmosphere. The hygroscopic nature of the body <NUM> will cause it to dissolve in the condensed moisture, and via gravity, the dissolved insecticide and insect repellant will be drawn down into the root ball of the tree.

In some embodiments, the hygroscopic base material may comprise a glycerin soap material. The hygroscopic base material may comprise other non-hygroscopic materials for enhancing the durability of the body <NUM>. The hygroscopic base material may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more of cellulose fibers (e.g., cotton and paper), sugar, caramel, honey, glycerol, ethanol, wood, methanol, sulfuric acid, fertilizer chemicals, salts (e.g., calcium chloride, bases like sodium hydroxide etc.).

The body <NUM> illustratively includes a sphere-shaped body. Of course, this shape is exemplary and other shapes are possible, such as the rectangle box-shaped body of the embodiments of <FIG> & <FIG>, an oval-shaped body, or a cube-shaped body.

In some embodiments, the support structure <NUM> is omitted to provide for a smaller form-factor. For example, the body <NUM> may be pellet-shaped for insertion into drip drains to prevent accumulation of organic growth with fungicides.

The insecticide may include one or more of zeta-cypyrmethryn, organochlorides, pyrethroids, organophosphates, neonicotinoids, ryanoids, carbamates, biologicals, natural insecticides (e.g. , such as nicotine, pyrethrum, & and neem extracts), inorganic insecticides, and organic insecticides (e.g. Allethrin Bifenthrin, Cyhalothrin, Lambda-cyhalothrin Cyfluthrin, Deltamethrin, Etofenprox, Fenvalerate, Permethrin, Phenothrin, Prallethrin, Resmethrin, Tetramethrin, Tralomethrin, & Transfluthrin), for example. The insect repellant may comprise one or more of an olfactory repellant, methyl anthranilate and other anthranilate-based insect repellents, benzaldehyde, DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), dimethyl carbate, dimethyl phthalate, icaridin, butopyronoxyl, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, metofluthrin, permethrin, SS220 ((<NUM>,<NUM>'S)-Methylpiperidinyl-<NUM>-cyclohexen- <NUM>-carboxamide), tricyclodecenyl allyl ether, beautyberry (Callicarpa) leaves, bog myrtle (Myrica Gale), catnip oil whose active compound is nepetalactone, citronella oil, essential oil of the lemon eucalyptus (corymbia citriodora) and its active compound p-menthane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol (PMD), neem oil, lemongrass, tea tree oil from the leaves of melaleuca alternifolia, and tobacco.

More specifically, the support structure <NUM> illustratively comprises a loop <NUM>. The loop <NUM> illustratively includes having a proximal end <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>. The support structure <NUM> illustratively includes a closeable connector <NUM> coupled to the distal end <NUM> of the loop <NUM> and configured to permit the loop to be wrapped around the trunk <NUM> of the plant.

In some embodiments the support structure <NUM> comprises a cable tie fastener. In these embodiments, the loop <NUM> comprises the flexible tape section, and the closeable connector <NUM> comprises the pawl in a head section for receiving the flexible tape section. In other embodiments, the support structure <NUM> comprises a twist tie device, a wire based hook device, or a generic fastener.

Referring now to <FIG> and a flowchart <NUM> therein, a method for making the repellent delivery device <NUM> is now described, which starts at Block <NUM>. The method comprises forming a body <NUM> comprising a hygroscopic base material, and at least one of an insecticide, and an insect repellant at Block <NUM>. The method illustratively comprises coupling at least one support structure <NUM> to the body <NUM> at Block <NUM>. The at least one support structure <NUM> is to be coupled to a trunk <NUM> of a plant. The body <NUM> is configured to release the at least one of the insecticide and the insect repellant into a root ball of the plant using ambient moisture.

In some embodiments, the step of forming the body <NUM> comprises generating a fluid comprising the hygroscopic base material, and the at least one of the insecticide, and the insect repellant at Block <NUM>. The method includes pouring the fluid into a mold comprising a plurality of body-shaped recesses at Block <NUM>, cooling the fluid to a solid state at Block <NUM>, and removing a plurality of bodies <NUM> from the plurality of body-shaped recesses at Block <NUM>. Of course, since these steps are exemplary and indicative on potential method for forming a large number of the repellent delivery devices <NUM>, these steps are shown as dashed.

Referring now additionally to <FIG>, another embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM> is now described. In this embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM>, those elements already discussed above with respect to <FIG> & <FIG> are incremented by <NUM> and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this repellent delivery device <NUM> illustratively includes the body <NUM> with a rectangle box-shaped body.

Referring now additionally to <FIG>, another embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM> is now described. In this embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM>, those elements already discussed above with respect to <FIG> & <FIG> are incremented by <NUM> and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this repellent delivery device <NUM> illustratively includes an additional support structure comprising a flexible container <NUM> with an opening <NUM>, and a closure <NUM> configured to close the opening. In some embodiments, the flexible container <NUM> comprises a mesh material.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the repellent delivery device <NUM> comprises an additional support structure, in some applications, the flexible container <NUM> is the only support structure and the loop <NUM> and closeable connector <NUM> are omitted (i.e. the support structure comprises the flexible container <NUM>). In these embodiments, the closeable connector <NUM> is configured to also attach to the trunk of the plant (e.g. the illustrated closure strap is tied to the trunk of the plant).

Referring now additionally to <FIG>, another embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM> is now described. In this embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM>, those elements already discussed above with respect to <FIG> & <FIG> are incremented by <NUM> and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this repellent delivery device <NUM> illustratively includes an additional support structure comprising a flexible container <NUM> with an opening <NUM>, and a closure <NUM> configured to close the opening. In some embodiments, the flexible container <NUM> comprises a mesh material. This repellent delivery device <NUM> illustratively includes the body <NUM> with a rectangle box-shaped body.

Referring now additionally to <FIG>, another embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM> is now described. In this embodiment of the repellent delivery device <NUM>, those elements already discussed above with respect to <FIG> & <FIG> are incremented by <NUM> and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this repellent delivery device <NUM> illustratively omits the support structure. The body <NUM> is illustratively pellet-shaped. Here, the body <NUM> is sized to fit into drain lines of air conditioning units, heat pump water heaters, or for any general purpose low volume drain line. The body <NUM> would include at least one of a fungicide, an algaecides, and an insecticide. Due to the low fluid volume in the drain line, the body <NUM> will be deposit the at least one of the fungicide, the algaecides, and the insecticide in the drain line.

In some embodiments, the support structure may comprise one or more feet extending outward from the body <NUM> to prevent the pellet from rolling down the drain pipe. In other words, the body <NUM> needs to remain in the upper portion of the drain line to be effective.

Claim 1:
A repellent delivery device (<NUM>), comprising:
an integrally molded body (<NUM>) comprising a hygroscopic base material, and at least one of an insecticide, and an insect repellant; and
at least one support structure (<NUM>) coupled between said integrally molded body and a trunk of a plant (<NUM>);
said integrally molded body configured to release the at least one of the insecticide and the insect repellant into a root ball of the plant using ambient moisture.