Patent ID: 8802140

Claim:
A method of reducing loss of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in a modifying plant ethylene response formulation to be applied to at least one target plant comprising the steps of: a) mixing or suspending 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at least partially encapsulated with at least one encapsulant, in at least one solvent, to form a 1-MCP control release particle mixture, b) mixing or suspending the particle mixture with from 0.001 weight percent to 10 weight percent of an aqueous colloidal hydrogel medium comprising a hydrocolloid, or a combination of a polyol medium comprising polyol and the aqueous colloidal hydrogel medium, wherein the particle mixture is dispersed or mixed in said medium to form a particle mixture medium, c) forming a 1-MCP control release liquid formulation from the particle mixture medium in a continuous stirred tank system, and d) immediately applying the 1-MCP control release formulation, within or less than 1 hour of formulation formation, onto the at least one target plant, wherein less than 80% by weight gaseous or volatile 1-MCP is released into a headspace of an airtight chamber from the 1-MCP controlled release liquid formulation comprising said hydrogel, or polyol/hydrogel particle mixture medium.