received by the International Bureau on 19 February 2015 (19.02.2015)

We Claim:

1. An anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units maybe substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, at least about 90 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof, said repeat units being randomly located along the polymer, 116 said polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of any of (I) non- carboxylate olefin repeat units, (ii) ether repeat units, and (iii) non-sulfonated monocarboxylic repeat units.

2. The polymer of claim 1, wherein at least about 96 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

3. The polymer of claim 2, wherein the repeat units consist essentially of repeat units selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

4. The polymer of claim 1, wherein said polymer is substantially free of ester groups.

5. The polymer of claim 1, wherein said polymer is substantially free of noncarboxylate olefins.

6. The polymer of claim 1 , said polymer having one type B repeat unit, one type C repeat unit, and two different type G repeat units.

7. The polymer of claim 6, said polymer being a tetrapolymer, said one type B repeat unit is derived from maleic acid, said one type C repeat unit is derived from itaconic acid, and two type G repeat units are respectively derived from methallylsulfonic acid and allylsulfonic acid.

8. The polymer of claim 7, said type B repeat unit being present at a level of from about 35-55 mole percent, said type C repeat unit being present at a level of from about 20- 55 mole percent, said type G repeat unit derived from methallylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-25 mole percent, and said type G repeat unit derived from allylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-25 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent.

9. The polymer of claim 1 , said polymer having two different type B repeat units, one type C repeat unit, and one type G repeat unit.

10. The polymer of claim 1 , said polymer having at least one repeat unit not selected from the group consisting of type B, type C, and type G repeat units.

11. The polymer of claim 1, the total amount of type B repeat units in said polymer is from about 1 -70 mole percent, the total amount of type C repeat units in said polymer is from about 1-80 mole percent, and the total amount of type G repeat units in said polymer is 117 from about 0.1-65 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent.

12. The polymer of claim 11, the total amount of type B repeat units in said polymer is from about 20-65 mole percent, the total amount of type C repeat units in said polymer is from about 15-75 mole percent, and the total amount of type G repeat units in said polymer is from about 1-35 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent.

13. The polymer of claim 1 , said polymer having a molecular weight of from about 800-50,000.

14, The polymer of claim 13, said molecular weight being from about 1000-

5000.

15. The polymer of claim 1, said polymer being in a free acid form.

16. The polymer of claim 1, said polymer being in partial or complete salt form, including one or more salt-forming cations bound with the polymer.

17. The polymer of claim 16, said salt- forming cation selected from the group consisting of cations of metals, amines, micronutrients, and mixtures thereof.

18. The polymer of claim 17, said metal cations selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal cations.

19. The polymer of claim 1, in combination with another anionic polymer including maleic and itaconic repeat units.

20. A polymer-containing formulation comprising a polymer of claim 1 in combination with one or more other ingredients, selected from the group consisting of boric acid, boron-containing compounds, boric compound solvents, alcohols, diols, polyols, organic acids, polyvinyl alcohols, dyes, and mixtures thereof. 118

21. A method of synthesizing a polymer containing dicarboxylate and sulfonate repeat units comprising the steps of:

forming an aqueous dispersion containing dicarboxylate and sulfonate repeat unit monomers,

said dicarboxylate repeat unit monomers selected from the group consisting of type B repeat unit monomers, type C repeat unit monomers, and mixtures thereof, said type B repeat unit monomers selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat unit monomers may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said type C repeat unit monomers selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat unit monomers may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said sulfonate repeat unit monomers selected from the group consisting of type G repeat unit monomers,

said type G repeat unit monomers selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat unit monomers may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat unit monomers have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof; 119 heating said dispersion to an elevated temperature of from about 50-125°C and adding a vanadium compound to the dispersion; and

thereafter adding a free radical initiator comprising at least about 95% by weight hydrogen peroxide to the dispersion, and causing the monomers within the dispersion to polymerize in an oxygen-containing environment until at least about

90% by weight of the monomers have been converted to said polymer.

22. The method of claim 21, including the step of adding said vanadium compound to said dispersion after said heating step.

23. The method of claim 21, including the step of adding said free radical initiator over a period of from about 30 minutes - 24 hours while maintaining the dispersion at said elevated temperature.

24. The method of claim 21, said free radical initiator consisting essentially of hydrogen peroxide.

25. The method of claim 21, said dispersion being with the exclusion of substantial amounts of dissolved iron species and sulfate salts.

26. The method of claim 21, said polymerization being carried out in an ambient air environment.

27. The method of claim 21, said polymerization being carried out until at least about 98% by weight of said monomers have been converted to said polymer.

28. The method of claim 21 , said monomers comprising maleic monomers, itaconic monomers, allylsulfonate monomers, and methallylsulfonate monomers.

29. The method of claim 21, said vanadium compound being vanadium oxysulfate.

30. The method of claim 21 , including the step of converting said polymer to a partial or complete salt.

31. The method of claim 21 , said type B repeat unit monomers being present at a level of less than 50 mole percent.

32. The method of claim 21, said repeat units being randomly dispersed throughout said polymer.

33. A method of synthesizing a polymer containing dicarboxylate and sulfonate repeat units comprising the steps of: 120 forming an aqueous dispersion containing dicarboxylate and sulfonate monomers; heating said dispersion to an elevated temperature of from about 50-125 °C and adding a vanadium compound to the dispersion; and

thereafter adding a free radical initiator comprising at least about 95% by weight hydrogen peroxide to the dispersion, and causing the monomers within the dispersion to polymerize in an oxygen-containing environment until at least about 90% by weight of the monomers have been converted to said polymer.

34. The method of claim 33, including the step of adding said vanadium compound to said dispersion after said heating step.

35. The method of claim 33, including the step of adding said free radical initiator over a period of from about 30 minutes - 24 hours while maintaining the dispersion at said elevated temperature.

36. The method of claim 33, said free radical initiator consisting essentially of hydrogen peroxide.

37. The method of claim 33, said dispersion being with the exclusion of substantial amounts of dissolved iron species and sulfate salts.

38. The method of claim 33, said polymerization being carried out in an ambient air environment.

39. The method of claim 33, said polymerization being carried out until at least about 98% by weight of said monomers have been converted to said polymer.

40. The method of claim 33, said monomers comprising maleic monomers, itaconic monomers, allylsulfonate monomers, and methallylsulfonate monomers.

41. The method of claim 33, said vanadium compound being vanadium oxysulfate.

42. The method of claim 33, including the step of converting said polymer to a partial or complete salt. 121

43. An agricultural product comprising fertilizer and a polymer mixed with the fertilizer, said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units maybe substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said anionic polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of non-carboxylate olefins and/or ethers. 122

44. The product of claim 43, said fertilizer being solid fertilizer, said polymer applied to said fertilizer as a liquid dispersion.

45. The product of claim 43 , said fertilizer being in liquid form, said polymer mixed with said liquid fertilizer.

46. The product of claim 43, said fertilizer being in granular form.

47. The product of claim 43, said fertilizer selected from the group consisting of starter fertilizers, phosphate-based fertilizers, fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, manganese, copper, or molybdenum materials.

48. The product of claim 47, said fertilizer being urea.

49. The product of claim 43, said fertilizer being in solid form, said polymer being applied to the surface of said fertilizer.

50. The product of claim 49, said polymer being present at a level of from about 0.001-20 g per 100 g of said fertilizer.

51. The product of claim 43 , said polymer being in combination with another anionic polymer including maleic and itaconic repeat units.

52. An agricultural product comprising fertilizer and a polymer mixed with the fertilizer,

said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

53. The agricultural product of claim 52, said polymer being a tetrapolymer and having maleic and itaconic repeat units, and two different sulfonate repeat units.

54. A method of fertilizing soil comprising the step of applying the product of claim 43 to the soil.

55. A method of fertilizing soil comprising the step of applying the product of claim 52 to the soil.

56. A fertilizer product for foliar application comprising fertilizer, a polyanionic polymer including at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, 123 said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonic repeat unit, with an amount of micronutrient.

57. The fertilizer product of claim 56, including an amount of a fertilizer different than said micronutrient.

58. The fertilizer product of claim 56, said micronutrient being bound or complexed with said polymer.

59. A method comprising the step of applying to plants, the leaves of plants, the seeds of plants, or the earth adjacent plants, an effective amount of a polymer, said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain,

said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially 124 free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units maybe substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said anionic polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of non-carboxylate olefins and/or ethers.

60. The method of claim 59, including the step of combining said anionic polymer with a fertilizer.

61. The method of claim 60, said fertilizer being in liquid form, said polymer mixed with said liquid fertilizer.

62. The method of claim 60, said fertilizer being in granular form.

63. The method of claim 60, said fertilizer selected from the group consisting of phosphate-based fertilizers, fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, manganese, copper, or molybdenum materials.

64. The method of claim 60, said fertilizer being in solid form, said polymer mixed with said fertilizer.

65. The method of claim 64, said fertilizer being in solid form, said polymer being applied to the surface of said fertilizer.

66. The method of claim 60, said polymer being present at a level of from about 0.001-20 g per 100 g of said fertilizer.

67. A method comprising the step of applying to plants, the seeds of plants, or the earth adjacent plants, an effective amount of a polymer,

said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

68. The method of claim 67, said polymer being a tetrapolymer and having maleic and itaconic repeat units, and two different sulfonate repeat units.

69. The product of claim 43, said polymer being in acid form, or as a partial or complete salt.

70. A product comprising a pesticide and a polymer, said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units maybe substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said anionic polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of non-carboxylate olefins and/or ethers.

71. The product of claim 70, said pesticide selected from the group consisting of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and nematocides.

72. The product of claim 70, said product being in solid form.

73. The product of claim 70, said product being in liquid or aerosol form. 74. The product of claim 70, said polymer in combination with another polymer including maleic and itaconic repeat units.

75. The product of claim 70, said polymer being in acid form, or as a partial or complete salt. 76. A product comprising a pesticide and a polymer, said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

77. A composition comprising a polymer mixed with glyphosate and micronutrients, said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

78. The composition of claim 77, said polymer being in combination with another anionic polymer including maleic and itaconic repeat units.

79. The composition of claim 77, said micronutrients being complexed with said polymer.

80. The composition of claim 77, said polymer being in acid form, or as a partial or complete salt. 81. A pesticidal method comprising the step of applying the product of claim7 to soil, hard surfaces, or the leaves of plants. 127

82. A product comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of gypsum, one or more members of the Kieserite Group, potassium magnesium sulfate, elemental sulfur, and mixtures thereof, and a polymer, said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said anionic polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of non-carboxylate olefins and/or ethers. 128

83. The product of claim 82, said compound being gypsum.

84. The product of claim 82, said polymer being present at a level of from about 0.01-10% w/w, where the total weight of the polymer and said compound is taken as 100% by weight.

85. The product of claim 84, said level being from about 0.05-2% w/w.

86. The product of claim 82, at least 80 mole percent of said polymer repeat units contains at least one anionic group.

87. The product of claim 82, said polymer having from about 1 -70 mole percent of said type B repeat units, from about 15-75 mole percent of said type C repeat units, and from about 0.1-65 mole percent of said type G repeat units.

88. The product of claim 82, the total abundance of said type B, C, and G repeat units being at least about 90 mole percent.

89. The product of claim 82, said polymer having a molecular weight from about 800-50,000.

90. A product comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of gypsum, one or more members of the Kieserite Group, potassium magnesium sulfate, elemental sulfur, and mixtures thereof, and a polymer, said polymer being an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

91. The products of claims 82 or 90 in combination with another anionic polymer containing maleic and itaconic repeat units.

92. A method of fertilizing soil comprising the step of applying the products of claims 82 or 90 to soil.

129

93. A liquid or solutionized fertilizer product including a fertilizer in aqueous dispersion, and a polyanionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonic repeat unit, and an amount of an alpha-hydroxy acid formulation.

94. The fertilizer product of claim 93, said fertilizer comprising solutionized gypsum.

95. The fertilizer product of claim 93, said fertilizer product having a pH of from about 4-7.

96. The fertilizer product of claim 93, including an amount of polyvinyl alcohol.

97. The fertilizer product of claim 93, said fertilizer comprising UAN.

98. The fertilizer product of claim 93 , said alpha-hydroxy acids being saturated and essentially free of double bonds and carbon ring structures.

99. The fertilizer product of claim 98, said alpha-hydroxy acids selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid, glyceric acid, and dihydroxypropanedioic acid, and mixtures thereof.

100. The fertilizer product of claim 93, said product containing from about 10- 45% w/w of said polymer, from about 3-60% w/w of said alpha-hydroxy acid, with the balance being solvent.

101. The fertilizer product of claim 93, said polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

102. The fertilizer product of claim 101, said polymer comprising at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, 130 said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, at least about 90 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof, said repeat units being randomly located along the polymer,

said polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of any of (i) non-carboxylate olefin repeat units, (ii) ether repeat units, and (iii) non-sulfonated monocarboxylic repeat units.

103. The fertilizer product of claim 93, including an amount of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) therein.

104. The fertilizer product of claim 103, said PVA being present of a level of from about 0.1-10% w/w.

105. The fertilizer product of claim 103, including apluralityofdifferentPVAs.

106. The fertilizer product of claim 103, said PVA having a hydrolysis level of at least about 97 mole percent.

107. The fertilizer product of claim 93, including another polymer including maleic and itaconic repeat units. 131

108. The fertilizer product of claim 93, said product being an aqueous dispersion having a pH of from about 0.5-3.

109. A method of fertilizing soil comprising the step of applying the fertilizer product of claim 93 to soil.

132

110. A potassium product comprising at least partially water soluble potassium- containing solids having thereon the dried residue of an aqueous additive comprising a polymer salt containing a plurality of anionic repeat units including maleic and itaconic repeat units, with substantially all of the salt-forming cations of the polymer salt being alkali metal cations, said aqueous additive having a pH of from about 0.1-4.

111. The product of claim 110, said pH being about 1.

112. The product of claim 110, said polymer being present on the surface of said potassium-containing solids at a level of from about 0.001-10% by weight, based upon the total weight of the product taken as 100% by weight.

113. The product of claim 110, said aqueous additive further comprising a carboxymethyl cellulose salt.

114. The product of claim 110, said polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

115. The product of claim 114, said polymer having at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, 133 said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, at least about 90 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof, said repeat units being randomly located along the polymer,

said polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of any of (I) non-carboxylate olefin repeat units, (ii) ether repeat units, and (iii) non-sulfonated monocarboxylic repeat units.

116. The product of claim 115, wherein at least about 96 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

117. The product of claim 116, wherein the repeat units consist essentially of repeat units selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

118. The product of claim 115, wherein said polymer is substantially free of ester groups.

119. The product of claim 115, wherein said polymer is substantially free of noncarboxylate olefins.

120. The product of claim 115, said polymer having one type B repeat unit, one type C repeat unit, and two different type G repeat units.

121. The product of claim 115, said polymer being a tetrapolymer, said one type B repeat unit is derived from maleic acid, said one type C repeat unit is derived from itaconic acid, and two type G repeat units are respectively derived from methallylsulfonic acid and allylsulfonic acid. 134

122. The product of claim 110, said potassium-containing solids comprising potassium chloride.

123. A method of fertilizing soil comprising the step of applying the product of claim 110 onto soil.

124. A potassium product comprising at least partially water soluble potassium- containing solids having thereon the dried residue of an aqueous additive comprising a polymer including at least four repeat units distributed along the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

125. The product of claim 124, said polymer being a partial or complete salt of an alkali metal.

126. The product of claim 124, said polymer initially applied to said solids as an aqueous dispersion followed by drying thereof, so that the polymer is in the form of a dried residue.

127. The product of claim 126, said aqueous dispersion having a pH of from about 0.5-3.

135

128. A seed product comprising an agricultural seed coated with a polymer composition, said polymer composition including an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said anionic polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of non-carboxylate olefins and/or ethers. 136

129. The seed product of claim 128, said polymer composition being present at a level of from about 0.001-10% by weight, based upon the total weight of the coated seed product.

130. The seed product of claim 128, said polymer being in combination with another anionic polymer including maleic and itaconic repeat units.

131. The seed product of claim 128, wherein at least about 96 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B , C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

132. The seed product of claim 131, wherein the repeat units consist essentially of repeat units selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

133. The seed product of claim 128, wherein said polymer is substantially free of ester groups.

134. The seed product of claim 128, wherein said polymer is substantially free of noncarboxylate olefins.

135. The seed product of claim 128, said polymer having one type B repeat unit, one type C repeat unit, and two different type G repeat units.

136. The seed product of claim 128, said polymer being a tetrapolymer, said one type B repeat unit is derived from maleic acid, said one type C repeat unit is derived from itaconic acid, and two type G repeat units are respectively derived from methallylsulfonic acid and allylsulfonic acid.

137. The seed product of claim 136, said type B repeat unit being present at a level of from about 35-50 mole percent, said type C repeat unit being present at a level of from about 20-55 mole percent, said type G repeat unit derived from methallylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-25 mole percent, and said type G repeat unit derived from allylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-20 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent.

138. The seed product of claim 128, said polymer being in acid form.

139. The seed product of claim 128, said polymer being a partial or complete salt of micronutrient metals.

140. The seed product of claim 139, said micronutrient metals selected from the group consisting of Zn, Mn, B, Fe, Mo, Cu, and mixtures thereof. 137

141. The seed product of claim 128, said polymer being initially applied to said seed as an aqueous composition having a pH of from about 5-7.

142. The seed product of claim 141, said pH being from about 5-7.

143. A seed product comprising an agricultural seed coated with a polymer composition, said polymer composition including an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

138

144. A method of reducing atmospheric ammonia by applying a polymer composition in an area subject to evolution of ammonia, said polymer composition including an anionic polymer comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

145. The method of claim 144, said area being a livestock or poultry confinement facility including a manure collection zone, upright walls forming an enclosure, and a roof substantially covering the zone.

146. The method of claim 145, including the step of applying the polymer composition directly to the manure within the collection zone.

147. The method of claim 145, said polymer being applied at a level of from about 0.005-3 gallons per ton of manure.

148. The method of claim 144, said polymer being in aqueous dispersion and having a pH of from about 1-5.

149. The method of claim 144, including another polymer in combination with said anionic polymer and including maleic and itaconic repeat units.

150. The method of claim 144, said polymer being a partial or complete salt.

151. The method of claim 150, said polymer being a calcium or ammonium partial salt.

152. The method of claim 144, said polymer composition comprising a first polymer in the form of a partial salt of calcium, and a second polymer in the form of a partial salt of ammonium.

153. The method of claim 144, said area being a pet litter.

154. The method of claim 144, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, 139 said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, at least about 90 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof, said repeat units being randomly located along the polymer,

said polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of any of (I) non-carboxylate olefin repeat units, (ii) ether repeat units, and (iii) non-sulfonated monocarboxylic repeat units.

155. The method of claim 154, wherein at least about 96 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

156. The method of claim 155, wherein the repeat units consist essentially of repeat units selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

157. The method of claim 154, wherein said polymer is substantially free of ester groups. 140

158. The method of claim 154, wherein said polymer is substantially free of noncarboxylate olefins.

159. The method of claim 154, said polymer having one type B repeat unit, one type C repeat unit, and two different type G repeat units.

160. The method of claim 159, said polymer being a tetrapolymer, said one type

B repeat unit is derived from maleic acid, said one type C repeat unit is derived from itaconic acid, and two type G repeat units are respectively derived from methallylsulfonic acid and allylsulfonic acid.

161. The method of claim 160, said type B repeat unit being present at a level of from about 35-50 mole percent, said type C repeat unit being present at a level of from about

20-55 mole percent, said type G repeat unit derived from methallylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-25 mole percent, and said type G repeat unit derived from allylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-20 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent.

162. A composition operable to reduce atmosphere ammonia by application of the composition to an area subject to evolution of ammonia, said composition comprising: a first polymer composition comprising a first anionic polymer having at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit, said first anionic polymer being in the form of a partial or complete salt of calcium; and a second polymer composition comprising a second anionic polymer having maleic and itaconic repeat units along the length of the polymer chain, said second anionic polymer being a partial or complete salt of ammonium.

163. The composition of claim 162, said second anionic polymer having at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

164. The composition of claim 162, said first and second polymer compositions being in the form of respective aqueous dispersions. 141

165. An improved animal feed comprising quantities of feed ingredients normally fed to the animal, and an amount of a feed amendment including a partial or complete polymer salt, said amount of said amendment sufficient to reduce volatilized ammonia derived from the excrement of the animal fed the improved animal feed, as compared with the volatilized ammonia of an animal fed an identical feed, without said amendment.

166. The feed of claim 165, said polymer salt comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

167. The feed of claim 166, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt- forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units maybe substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight 142 or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, at least about 90 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof, said repeat units being randomly located along the polymer,

said polymer salt containing no more than about 10 mole percent of any of (i) non- carboxylate olefin repeat units, (ii) ether repeat units, and (iii) non-sulfonated monocarboxylic repeat units.

168. The feed of claim 167, wherein at least about 96 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B , C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

169. The feed of claim 168, wherein the repeat units consist essentially of repeat units selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

170. The feed of claim 167, wherein said polymer salt is substantially free of ester groups.

171. The feed of claim 167, wherein said polymer salt is substantially free of noncarboxylate olefins.

172. The feed of claim 167, said polymer salt having one type B repeat unit, one type C repeat unit, and two different type G repeat units.

173. The feed of claim 172, said polymer salt being a tetrapolymer, said one type B repeat unit is derived from maleic acid, said one type C repeat unit is derived from itaconic acid, and two type G repeat units are respectively derived from methallylsulfonic acid and allylsulfonic acid.

174. The feed of claim 173, said type B repeat unit being present at a level of from about 35-50 mole percent, said type C repeat unit being present at a level of from about 20- 55 mole percent, said type G repeat unit derived from methallylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-25 mole percent, and said type G repeat unit derived from allylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-20 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent. 143

175. The feed of claim 165, including another different polymer comprising maleic and itaconic repeat units.

176. The feed of claim 175, said different polymer being a partial salt.

177. The feed of claim 165 , said polymer salt being an aqueous dispersion and having a pH of from about 1-5.

178. The feed of claim 165, comprising two separate polymer salts, one polymer salt being a partial salt of calcium, and the other polymer salt being a partial salt of ammonium.

179. A method of reducing volatilized ammonia derived from the excrement of animals, comprising the step of administering to the animals a feed in accordance with claim 165.

180. The method of claim 179, said amendment being administered by adding the amendment to the feed consumed by the animals.

181. An improved animal water comprising a mixture of water and a partial or complete polymer salt, said polymer salt being in an amount sufficient to reduce volatilized ammonia derived from the excrement of the animal fed the improved animal water, as compared with the volatilized ammonia of an animal fed an identical water, without said amendment.

182. The water of claim 181, said polymer salt comprising at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat unit.

183. The water of claim 182 , said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and 144 any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units may be substituted with one or more C 1 -C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, at least about 90 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof, said repeat units being randomly located along the polymer,

said polymer salt containing no more than about 10 mole percent of any of (I) non- carboxylate olefin repeat units, (ii) ether repeat units, and (iii) non-sulfonated monocarboxylic repeat units.

184. The water of claim 183, wherein at least about 96 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

185. The water of claim 184, wherein the repeat units consist essentially of repeat units selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

186. The water of claim 185, wherein said polymer salt is substantially free of ester groups.

187. The water of claim 185, wherein said polymer salt is substantially free of noncarboxylate olefins. 145

188. The water of claim 185, said polymer salt having one type B repeat unit, one type C repeat unit, and two different type G repeat units.

189. The water of claim 188, said polymer salt being a tetrapolymer, said one type B repeat unit is derived from maleic acid, said one type C repeat unit is derived from itaconic acid, and two type G repeat units are respectively derived from methallylsulfonic acid and allylsulfonic acid.

190. The water of claim 189, said type B repeat unit being present at a level of from about 35-50 mole percent, said type C repeat unit being present at a level of from about 20- 55 mole percent, said type G repeat unit derived from methallylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-25 mole percent, and said type G repeat unit derived from allylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-20 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent.

191. The water of claim 181, said polymer salt being a partial salt.

192. The water of claim 181, said polymer salt being an aqueous dispersion and having a pH of from about 1-5.

193. The water of claim 181, comprising two separate polymer salts, one polymer salt being a partial salt of calcium, and the other polymer salt being a partial salt of ammonium.

146

194. A method of inhibiting a soil condition selected from the group consisting of nitrification processes, phosphate fixation processes, urease activities, and combinations thereof, comprising the step of applying to soil an effective amount of an anionic polymer including at least four repeat units distributed along the length of the polymer chain, said repeat units including at least one each of a maleic, itaconic, and sulfonate repeat units.

195. The method of claim 194, said polymer being in combination with another anionic polymer including maleic and itaconic repeat units.

196. The method of claim 194, said at least four repeat units including at least one each of type B, type C, and type G repeat units,

said type B repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted and unsubstituted monomers of maleic acid and/or anhydride, fumaric acid and/or anhydride, mesaconic acid and/or anhydride, mixtures of the foregoing, and any isomers, esters, acid chlorides, and partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, wherein type B repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, said type C repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, and any isomers, esters, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the type C repeat units may be substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo atoms, and wherein the salts have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof,

said type G repeat units selected from the group consisting of repeat units derived from substituted or unsubstituted sulfonated monomers possessing at least one carbon- carbon double bond and at least one sulfonate group and which are substantially free of aromatic rings and amide groups, and any isomers, and the partial or complete salts of any of the foregoing, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein type G repeat units maybe substituted with one or more C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups substantially free of ring structures and halo 147 atoms, and wherein the salts of the type G repeat units have salt-forming cations selected from the group consisting of metals, amines, and mixtures thereof, at least about 90 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof, said repeat units being randomly located along the polymer,

said polymer containing no more than about 10 mole percent of any of (I) non- carboxylate olefin repeat units, (ii) ether repeat units, and (iii) non-sulfonated monocarboxylic repeat units.

197. The method of claim 196, wherein at least about 96 mole percent of the repeat units therein are selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

198. The method of claim 197, wherein the repeat units consist essentially of repeat units selected from the group consisting of type B, C, and G repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

199. The method of claim 196, wherein said polymer is substantially free of ester groups.

200. The method of claim 196, wherein said polymer is substantially free of noncarboxylate olefins.

201. The method of claim 196, said polymer having one type B repeat unit, one type C repeat unit, and two different type G repeat units.

202. The method of claim 201, said polymer being a tetrapolymer, said one type B repeat unit is derived from maleic acid, said one type C repeat unit is derived from itaconic acid, and two type G repeat units are respectively derived from methallylsulfonic acid and allylsulfonic acid.

203. The method of claim 202, said type B repeat unit being present at a level of from about 35-50 mole percent, said type C repeat unit being present at a level of from about 20-55 mole percent, said type G repeat unit derived from methallylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-25 mole percent, and said type G repeat unit derived from allylsulfonic acid being present at a level of from about 1-20 mole percent, where the total amount of all of the repeat units in the polymer is taken as 100 mole percent.

204. The method of claim 194, wherein said anionic polymer is mixed with an ammoniacal solid, liquid, or gaseous fertilizer. 148

205. The method of claim 200, said fertilizer being a solid fertilizer, said polymer being applied to the surface of the fertilizer as an aqueous dispersion followed by drying, so that the polymer is present on the solid fertilizer as a dried residue

206. The method of claim 205, said polymer being applied at a level of from about 0.01-10% by weight, based upon the total weight of the polymer/fertilizer product taken as 100% by weight.

207. The method of claim 204, said fertilizer being an aqueous liquid fertilizer, said polymer being added thereto with mixing.

208. The method of claim 194, said polymer being in aqueous dispersion and having a pH of up to about 3.