AU630806B2

AU630806B2 - Liquid fertilizer incorporating deposit lime and methods for use

Info

Publication number: AU630806B2
Application number: AU76014/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Herbert Roy Bubb; Ivan Bubb; Neil Bubb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-11-19
Filing date: 1991-04-29
Publication date: 1992-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-29
Also published as: AU7601491A

Description

Patents Act COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: L( Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: APPLICAN 'S REF.: CAP OF PK 3403 Name(s) of Applicant(s): HER3ERT ROY BUBB, IVAN BUBB, NEIL BUBB Address(es) of Applicant(s): 58 O'Neills Road LAKES ENTRANCE VIC 3909 Actual Inventor(s): w 0 a- Address for Service is: rrrnlt 4Z-cifi nt;mn for thP inventinn pntitlped PHILLIPS, ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 oU'l "Liquid Fertilizer Incorporating Deposit Lime and Methods for Use" er--r+ e fllowing statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to -2- The present invention relates to liquid fertilizer compositions which include deposit lime and the use of such compositions for fertilization.

Superphosphate is commonly used as a fertilizer.

Superphosphate is formed by treating insoluble calcium phosphate, Ca 3 (P0 4 2 with concentrated sulfuric acid to give calcium hydrogen phosphate, Ca(H 2 P0 4 2 which is soluble in water and is an effective fertilizer. The dry product consists of the soluble calcium salt together with calcium sulfate and sulfates of other metals present in the raw material and is known as "superphosphate" Bone is also used as a fertilizer. Bone consists essentially of phosphate complexes, including calcium phosphates. Use of phosphates as fertilizer has a number of disadvantages. Use of S phosphates results in the soil becoming acidic. Once the pH Sof soil is lowered to below approximately 5, worms, bacteria, microorganisms and other organisms can no longer survive.

SWhen this occurs the fertility of the soil is reduced and it S becomes difficult to grow crops. Once microorganisms and :I bacteria in the soil die, old root systems which are present in the soil do not decompose and as described above the fertility of the soil is reduced. The availability of t nutrients, including trace elements, is affected by the degree of soil acidity or alkalinity. A pH range of 1 °approximately 6.0 7.0 is believed to be the most efficient SpH for nutrient uptake by plants.

Use of calcium phosphate as a fertilizer has the further disadvantage in that it adversely effects the supply of trace elements to plants. The uptake of both iron and zinc by plants is reduced in the presence of excess phosphate.

As an alternative to superphosphate, farmers have spread lime both in the form of deposit lime and rock lime, on Lhe soil. This process also has a number of disadvantages. Rock lime is very caustic or alkaline, and kills bacteria and microorganisms in the soil. This again causes the soil to lose its fertility. The calcium present in the lime is also not readily available to plants. Farmers must rely on rain and the natural processes of nature to break up and dissolve the lime and accordingly it may take up to seven years before the soil shows any improvement.

DMW/1858U I f

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~1 i 1 -3- It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages.

Accordingly the present invention provides a liquid fertilizer composition comprising deposit lime; and a suitable carrier liquid.

The term "deposit lime" refers to lime which is composed of shell, coral etc which is found in cliffs, along rivers and creek beds etc and other places where such lime may have been deposited.

The term "rock lime" refers to lime which is found in rocks, usually in hills, for example marble.

Although suspensions of rock lime in water are known, they are used as an industrial alkali and in the preparation of mortar. They are not suitable for upo as a fertilizer as they are too alkaline. It has surprisingly been found that deposit lime is not as caustic as rock lime and can be used to fertilize such crops as potatoes, vegetables, flowers etc without burning the crop. If rock lime is applied to the soil it may have an adverse effect on cattle grazing thereon due to the caustic nature of the lime. However it has been found that cattle may graze on pastures on which the fertilizer of the present invention has been used.

The carrier liquid is preferably water. The carrier liquid may be any suitable liquid. Any suitable ratio of deposit lime in the carrier liquid may be used. A ratio of approximately 20:1 to 1:1000 may be used. When the carrier liquid is water it has been found that a suitable ratio is approximately ikg lime:l litre water.

It has been found that with the above ratio, 8 litres of the fertilizer composition of the present invention is suitably applied to approximately 1 acre of crop, however more or less than this may be used. It has been found that approximately 8 litres of a fertilizer composition comprising the above ratio is equivalent to approximatcly 1 tonne of deposit lime. Accordingly, a further advantage of the present invention is that transport costs are reduced. It has been found that approximrately 1 truck load of fertilizer composition comprising the above ratio is equivalent to DMW/18.58U 6,.

approximately 5 trucks of bulk lime.

It has been found that by applying approximately 161 of a composition having the above ratio, per acre the pH of the soil was increased from approximately 4.5 to approximately 7 in one year. As previously described, this increases the fertility of the soil by promoting the growth of bacteria and other organisms such as worms.

The deposit lime is partly solubilized and partly suspended in the carrier liquid.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacture of a liquid fertilizer composition comprising: obtaining a sample of deposit lime; adding a suitable carrier liquid; and mixing the deposit lime and the carrier liquid.

The deposit lime may be broken up before the carrier liquid is W'ded to it. The deposit lime may be broken up by use of a tommall. The carrier liquid may be added to the S deposit lime and they may be agitated together, breaking up the deposit lime in the process. The deposit lime may be filtered for example using water prior to adding the carrier liquid. It is preferred that the deposit lime and the carrier liquid are blended together in a hiigh speed mixer.

The deposit lime is preferably graded to obtain fine particles of lime in the final composition. The mixture may be passed through a series of ranks which grade the deposit j lime to the required particle size.

Trace elements such as copper, zinc, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and sulphur are found in deposit lime. Such trace elements are essential for the healthy growth of many plants. Further trace elements may also be added to the fertilizer composition of the present itvention.

Accordingly in a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a liquid fertilizer composition comprising: deposit lime; a suitable carrier liquid; and one or more trace elements.

In a preferred embodiment, c&lcium oxide (CaO) is DMW/1858U added to the fertilizer composition of the present invention. The addition of calcium oxide assists in breaking up small particles of deposit lime. The addition of calcium oxide also renders the fertilizer composition of the present invention in the form of a gel.

Therefore according to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a liquid fertilizer composition comprising: deposit lime; a suitable carrier liquid; and calcium oxide.

Any suitable ratio of calcium oxide to carrier liquid may be used. For example a ratio of .:10 to 1:10000 may be used. It has been found that a suitable ratio is o approximately 1:100 calcium oxide to liquid by volume. A oo0 further advantage of the addition of calcium oxide is that QoC1Ob S the formation of a gel prevents the separation of the deposit oo ooo lime from the carrier liquid into separate layers. A homogenous mixture is therefore formed which does not require o remixing before use.

In a preferred embodiment copper is added to the composition. The copper may be added in any suitable form, such as copper sulphate. It has been found that the ooo b composition of the present invention, including copper is Bo suitable for reducing or killing algae in water supplies such as dams. The composition may be added to the water supply by any suitable means, for example by spraying from an aircraft.

000ooo0 According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of fertilizing plants oOC which comprises administering to a plant an effective 00 0 fertilizing amount of a liquid fertilizer composition Scomprising deposit lime and a suitable carrier liquid.

The fertilizer composition of the present invention may be administered by any suitable means. In a preferred embodiment it is sprayed onto crops. It may be sprayed for example by a boom sprayer or by plane.

It has further surprisingly been found that cattle which graze on crops which have been fertilized with the fertilizer composition of the present invention have reduced numbers of problems with calving. Cattle which graze on DMW/1858U -6crops which have not been fertilized with the fertilizer composition of the present invention have hard, tough, large bones. They often encounter difficulties in calving because the bones constituting the pelvis do not readily move.

Cattle which graze on crops which have been fertilized with j the fertilizer composition of the present invention have fewer problems in calving as it has been found that their bones are thinner, stronger and more flexible. It is thought that the bones absorb the calcium which is provided by the deposit lime contained in the fertilizer composition of the present invention.

Therefore according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing calving problems in cattle which comprises applying the fertilizer composition of the present invention to a pasture and grazing the cattle thereon.

As previously described, trace elements are found in deposit lime. Cattle scour and sheep scour is caused due to a lack of the trace element magnesium and also potash, cobalt and boron. If the fertilizer composition of the present invention is applied to a pasture, trace elements are absorbed into the crop. The incidence of cattle scour and sheep scour is therefore reduced or eliminated in cattle and sheep which graze upon pastures which have been fertilized with the fertilizer composition of the present invention.

Milk fever in cattle is due to a calcium deficiency. If the fertilizer composition of the present invention is applied to a pasture on which the cattle graze, the incidence of milk fever in cattle will be reduced or eliminated.

a A further use of the fertilizer composition of the present invention is in the area of hydroponics. It has been found, that when plants are being grown in a hydroponic environment, acids accumulate in the water. The addition of the fertilizer composition of the present invention increases the pH of the water.

It has further surprisingly been found that the fertilizer composition of the present invention kills unwanted fungus growths on the leaves of crops. Such fungi, for example are blight which effects wheat, barley and DMW/1858U l~a~ ew~ -CI-~P S~ -7potatoes.

The fertilizer composition of the present invention may also be used to treat salinity affected land. Therefore according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for the treatment of salinity affected land which comprises applying the fertilizer composition of the present invention to said land.

It is preferred that the land is ploughed prior to the addition of the fertilizer composition. It is further preferred that drains are placed at suitable intervals on the land. It is postulated that the fertilizer composition of the present invention complexes with the salt in the soil and places the salt into a form which can be absorbed by plants and crops. The salt is therefore absorbed into the root system of the plant. It has been found that properties with salt levels of up to 2 000 ppm can be successfully treated with the fertilizer composition of the present invention.

The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying examples. It should be understood, however, that the description following is illustrative only and should not be taken in any way as a restrictic on the generality of the invention described above.

Example 1 In Tables 1 to 8 are analyses of representative samples of deposit lime which have been conducted at various laboratories.

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DMW/1858U Table 1 Total Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Copper Zinc S Iron Manganese Sulphar Chloride Boron SMolybdenum ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm 0.1 0.05 1.5 1.9 35.00 0.20 220 34 23000 100 0.3 0.01 72 2.5 SGS Quantum Method No.

1.0354 1.045 1.050 1.063 1.080 1.020 1.080 1.080 1.080 1.080 1.067 1.018 1.010 1.080 4 t 4 I 64 DMW/1858U -9- Table 2 TOTAL CARBONATES 85.27% NEUTRALIZING VALUE 85.45% ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS (ELEMENTAL) SCalcium 33.72% Magnesium 0.28% CONVENTIONAL OXIDE EQUIVALANT 47.66% Calcium Oxide 47.2 Magnesium Oxide 0.46% SEPARATE CARBONATES Calcium Carbonates 84.30% Magnesium Carboiates 0.97% Moisture (105 C for 4 hours) Loss on Ignition (800 c IMPURITIES (PER CENT) Potassium 0.01% Sodium (Na) 0.02% SIron (Fe) 0.58% Aluminium (Al) 0.37% TRACE ELEMENTS P.P.M.

Copper (Cu) 0 Szinc (Zn) 0 K Manganese (Mn) 0 Molybdenum (Mo) 0 DMW/1858U Table 3 ALL RESULTS ARE EXPRESSED Element: Potassium Calcium Magnesium Sodium Iron Aluminium Manganese Copper Zinc AS PER CENT.

(K)

(Ca) (Mg) (Na) (Fe) (Al) (Mn) (Cu) (Zn) 0.0004 1.50 0.057 0.0013 0.0198 <0.00001 <0.00001 0.00039 <0.00020 4644 *6 4 8 448 4 4 4* 488 0 448 4444 4 4 44 4 44 4 4 4 4 44 RESULTS EXPRESSED AS OXIDES Calcium Oxide (CaO) Magnesium Cxide (MgO) 2.1 0.09 RESULTS EXPRESSED AS CARBONATES Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO 3 3.75 0.197 TOTAL CARBONATES (Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate) 3.947% NEUTRALIZING VALUE 3.9836% DMW/1858U rr*~i i-i ir~ll ~aar~m~~ius rC~*l -11- Table 4 ALL RESULTS ARE EXPRESSED Element: Potassium Calcium Magnesium Sodium Iron Aluminium Manganese Copper Zinc AS PER CENT.

(K)

(Ca) (Mg) (Na) (Fe) (Al) (Mn) (Cu) (Zn) 0.0004 0.04 0.0013 0.0012 0.00003 <0.00001 <0.00001 <0.00001 <0,00001 <0.00001 o o Q 0 o o 0 00 00 0 0400 000004 e *a a 9 09 4 0 44 RESULTS EXPRESSED AS OXIDES Calcium Oxide (CaO) Magnesium Oxide (MgO) 0.056 0.002 RESULTS EXPRESSED AS Calcium Carbonate Magnesium Carbonate

CARBONATES

(CaCO 3 (MgCO 3 0.1 0.004 TOTAL CARBONATES (Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate) 0.104% NEUTRALIZING VALUE 0.1047% DMW/1858U -12- Table TOTAL CARBONATES 84.47% NEUTRALIZING VALUE 84.60% ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS (ELEMENTAL) Calcium 33.50% Magnesium 0.21% CONVENTIONAL OXIDE EQUIVALANT 47.24% Calcium Oxide 46.90 Magnesium Oxide 0.34% SEPARATE CARBONATES *144 Calcium Carbonates 83.75% Magnesium Carbonates 0.72% Moj ure (105 C for 4 hours) 12.28% Loss on Ignition (800 c 0.00% IMPURITIES (PER CENT) Potassium *1.02% Sodium (Na) 0.02% Iron (Fe) 2.82% SAluminium (Al) 0.34% TRACE ELEMENTS P.P.M.

Copper (Cu) 4444 Zinc (Zn) 29 Manganese (Mn) 112 Molybdenum (Mo) 2 DMW/1858U _I1_1_ ~l~qC_ -13- Table 6 4 44* t 44.4 4a *445 *44 444, 444* 4 14 4 4* 4 4 4 Total Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Copper Zinc Iron Manganese Sulphar Chloride Boron Molybdenum ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm 0.1 0.05 1.5 1.9 35.00 0.20 220 34 23000 100 0.3 0.01 72 2.5 SGS Quantum Method No.

1.,354 1.04J 1.050 1.063 1.080 1.020 1.080 1.080 1.080 1.080 1.067 1.018 1.010 1.080 Total Calcium Calcium oxide by calc from Ca Calcium carbonate by calc from Ca Total Magnesium by XRF Magnesium oxide by calc from Mg Magnesium carbonate by calc from Mg Neutralizing Value 29.7 41.6 74.2 0.7 1.2 91.7 DMW/] 58U -14- Table 7 Total Calcium 32.7 Calcium oxide by calc from Ca 45.8 Calcium carbonate by calc from Ca 81.7 Total Magnesium by XRF 0.3 Magnesium oxide by calc from Mg Magnesium carbonate by calc from Mg 1.1 Neutralizing Value 99.4 1 4 0 ij DMW/1858U

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Table 8 TOTAL CARBONATES 82.88% NEUTRALIZING VALUE 83.08% ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS (ELEMENTAL) 44$1 '4 .4 '4I L 4 I Calcium 32.72% Magnesium 0.31% CONVENTIONAL OXIDE EQUIVALANT 46.32% Calcium O-ide 45.81 Magnesium Oxide 0.51% SEPARATE CARBONATES Calcium Carbonate 81.8% Magnesium Carbonate 1.08% Moisture (105 C for 4 hours) 13.7% Loss on Ignition (800 c IMPURITIES (PER CENT) Potassium 0.05% Sodium (Na) 0.03% Iron (Fe) 0.95% Aluminium (Al) 0.12% TRACE ELEMENTS P.P.M.

Copper (Cu) 2 ppm Manganese (Mn) 11.3 ppm Molybdenum (Mo) ppm Zinc (Zn) 2 ppm Cobalt (Co) ppm CALCIUM ON DRY BASIS MAGNESIUM ON DRY BASIS 38.81% 0.37% DMW/1858U I Example 2 -16j-l In Table 9 there is an analysis of a sample of the fertilizer composition of the present invention which was conducted by the Department of Agriculture.

Table 9 Equivalent Calcium Oxide Equivalent Calcium Carbonate Equivalent Magnesium Oxide Equivalent Magnesium Carbonate tG 0 0l f I Total Calcium Total Magnesium 17.7 w/v 53.2 w/w 31.6 w/v 95.0 w/w 0.2 w/v 0.7 w/w 0.5 w/v w/w 12.6 w/v 38.0 w/w 0.15 w/v 0.45 w/w 91.7 350 99.99 w/v 99.99 w/w 70.2% w/w Neutralizing value Materials passed through Micronetr size Water content Example 3 The following example illustrates the effectiveness of the composition of the present invention in adjusting the pH of soil.

Twenty parts of soil to one part of water were mixed in a high speed mixer. The pH was measured and found to be approximately 4.

To the above sample was added one part of the composition of Example 2 and the resulting sample mixed. The pH was meausred and found to be approximately DMW/1858U B~i~;;Plrrrrra~ia~Bn~'~rrrZ_~_'---* n~

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P -17- Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the compositions and methods previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

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1 rl DMW/1858U

Claims

2. A method of preparing a liquid fertilizer composition comprising: obtaining a sample of deposit lime; breaking the deposit :Lime down to fine particles by a hiqh speed grinder to obtair a paste of deposit lime; adding a suitable carrier liquid to said paste; mixing said paste with the carrier liquid increasking alkalinity to stop deposit lime from settling and to obtain a suspension of deposit lime; grading and filtering the said suspension of deposit lime to obtain a series of grades of lime which remain in suspension; mixing the grades of lime in suspension to o obtain a liquid fertilizer composition. S 3. A liquid fertilizer composition prepared by the method according to claim 2.
4. A composition according to claim 1 or 3 wherein the ratio of lime to carrier liquid is approximately 1:1 wt:vol. A composition according to claim i, or 3 or 4 wherein said carrier liquid is water.
6. A composition according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 5 further comprising calcium oxide in a sufficient amount to create a gel.
7. A composition according to claim 6 wherein the ratio of calcium oxide to carrier liquid is approximately 1:100 wt:vol. 39 ~i~lorrcrere_~P~-asrn~Cpe;y-P-P--~l----~ -19-
8. A composition according to any one of claims i, or 3 to 7 further comprising one or more added trace elements.
9. A composition according to claim 8 wherein said trace elements are calcium and/or copper. A method of fertilizing plants which comprises administering to a plant an effective fertilizing amount of a liquid fertilizer composition according to any one of claims i, or 3 to 9.
11. A method of improving bone growth in cattle which comprises applying the fertilizer composition according to any one of claims i, or 3 to 9 to a pasture and grazing the cattle thereon.
12. A method of reducing calving problems in cattle which comprises applying the fertilizer composition according to any one of claims i, or 3 to 9 to a pasture and grazing the cattle thereon.
13. A method of treatment or prevention of disease in S sheep or cattle which comprises applying the fertilizer composition according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 9 to a pasture and grazing the cattle thereon. o
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the disease to I be treated or prevented is selected from cattle scour, sheep scour and milk fever in cattle. 3 A method of increasing the pH of a hydroponic growth medium which comprises adding the fertilizer composition v" according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 9 to the growth medium.
16. A method of controlling or eliminating unwanted fungus growths of crops which comprises administering to -he crop an effective amount of a composition according to any one 39 of claims i, or 3 to 9.
17. blight. A method according to claim 16 wherein the fungus is
18. A method of treatment of salinity affected land which comprises applying an effective amount of a composition according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 9 to said land..
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein sail land is ploughed prior to the application of the composition. A method according to claim 18 or claim 19 wherein drains are placed at suitable intervals in said land.
21. A method of reducing or killing algae in a water supply which comprises adding the composition according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 9 to said water supply.
22. A composition according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. DATED: 15 July 1992 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK 4L Attorneys for: HERBERT ROY BUBB, IVAN BUBB and NEIL BUBB 7083j