The present invention provides a high solids mineral slurry having long term stability and a method for producing the same. Specifically, the present invention provides a talc slurry having a solids content of up to 65% and a stability against sedimentation for up to 100 days. The talc slurry of the present invention comprises a phyllosilicate mineral, a chelating agent and multivalent ions, wherein the slurry has a pH of between about 10.2 and about 11.8.

This invention relates generally to crop protection compositions and methods for making and using the compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to crop protection compositions utilizing talc and one or more additives providing for improved aqueous suspension of the talc and methods for making such compositions. The present invention also discloses horticultural substrates coated with a crop protective composition utilizing talc and one or more additives providing for improved aqueous suspension of the talc.

This invention provides phyllosilicates and polyfunctional dispersants which can be manipulated to selectively control the viscosity of phyllosilicate slurries. The polyfunctional dispersants used in the present invention, which include at least three functional groups, increase the dispersion and exfoliation of phyllosilicates in polymers and, when used in conjunction with phyllosilicate slurries, significantly reduce the viscosity of slurries having high concentrations of phyllosilicates. The functional groups of the polyfunctional dispersants are capable of associating with multivalent metal cations and low molecular weight organic polymers, which can be manipulated to substantially increase or decrease the viscosity of the slurry in a concentration dependent manner. The polyfunctional dispersants of the present invention can also impart desirable properties on the phyllosilicate dispersions including corrosion inhibition and enhanced exfoliation of the phyllosilicate platelets.