Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05D—INORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C; FERTILISERS PRODUCING CARBON DIOXIDE
  • C05D9/00—Other inorganic fertilisers
  • C05D9/02—Other inorganic fertilisers containing trace elements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a solid micronutrient fertilizer composition comprising micronutrients in the form of metal salts together with at least one water-soluble nitrate, to a method for preparing the micronutrient fertilizer composition, and to a method for fertilizing crops using the micronutrient fertilizer composition.
• Standard macronutrient fertilizers e.g. nitrogenous fertilizers or N-P-K fertilizers, often lack a number of the essential micronutri ⁇ ents, although this may not present any acute, readily apparent problem, since most soils contain a certain reserve of these micro ⁇ nutrients. However, if the soil is not replenished with these micro ⁇ nutrients, the result in the long run will be a depletion of the micronutrients and therefore a reduced yield. It is therefore neces- sary to provide the essential micronutrients on a regular basis in order to sustain optimum plant growth and maximum yields.
• a micronutrient fertilizer composition should fulfill the following criteria in order to secure the best effect and optimum plant growth:
• One aspect of the invention relates to a micronutrient fertilizer composition in the form of dry aggregate bodies, the fertilizer composition being adapted to be mixed with a macronutrient fertilizer composition, each aggregate body comprising salts of at least 2 metals selected from the group consisting of Cu in an amount of 300- 15,000 g per 100 kg of the composition, exclusive of any binder, Mn in an amount of 150-8000 g per 100 kg of the composition, exclusive of any binder, Zn in an amount of 50-4000 g per 100 kg of the com- position, exclusive of any binder, Co in an amount of 1-200 g per 100 kg of the composition, exclusive of any binder, and Mo in an amount of 5-500 g per 100 kg of the composition, exclusive of any binder, as well as at least one water-soluble nitrate which is not in the form of a salt of the above-mentioned metals, the ratio between micronutrients and macronutrients in the micronutrient fertilizer composition being substantially above the ratio in which the micro ⁇ nutrients and macronutrients
• a second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for preparing a micronutrient fertilizer composition in the form of dry aggregate bodies which are adapted to be mixed with a macronutrient fertilizer composition, the method comprising dry mixing without any substantial addition of water salts of at least 2 metals selected from the group consisting of Cu, Mn, Zn, Co and Mo as well as at least one water-soluble nitrate which is not in the form of a salt of said metals, said salts and said nitrate being in the form of pow ⁇ ders, the ratio between said micronutrients and said macronutrients being substantially above the ratio in which said micronutrients and said macronutrients are required by crop plants, to obtain an in ⁇ timately mixed micronutrient mixture, and mixing the resulting micro- nutrient mixture with a binder to obtain said micronutrient fertili ⁇ zer composition in the form of dry aggregate bodies.
• a third aspect of the invention relates to a solid fertilizer mixture comprising, as a first component, the above solid micronutrient fertilizer composition, and as a second component, a solid macro ⁇ nutrient fertilizer composition comprising at least N, P and/or K.
• a fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for fertilizing crops, the method comprising applying to the crops or to the soil the above fertilizer mixture or the above micronutrient fertilizer com ⁇ position.
• the micronutrient fertilizer composition according to the invention fulfills all of the above-mentioned criteria, i.e. it contains sever- al or all of the essential micronutrients in a form which ensures effective absorption by the plants, it is easily applied at the desired time together with, e.g., standard commercial nitrogenous or N-P-K fertilizers, and it is formulated from micronutrient-containing compounds which are relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, as shown below in the Examples, the value of the novel micronutrient fertili ⁇ zer composition has been proven by significantly increased yields in field trials over several years.
• micronutrient fertilizer composition and "fertilizer composition of the invention” refer to the above-mentioned composi ⁇ tion comprising micronutrients in the form of metal salts together with at least one water-soluble nitrate. It is clear that the compo ⁇ sition will also contain nitrogen, and it will typically also contain a certain amount of various macronutrients, but the ratio of micro- nutrients to macronutrients in the fertilizer composition will be substantially higher than the ratio in which the nutrients in ques ⁇ tion are required by crop plants.
• the micronutrient fertilizer com ⁇ position of the invention is, in other words, not designed to be used alone as the sole fertilizer for a crop, but rather together with, e.g., a commercial macronutrient fertilizer.
• micro ⁇ nutrients are by definition those nutrients which are required in only very small amounts, and these amounts lie within certain ranges which are known by persons skilled in the art.
• macro- and micronutrients are typically required in the following- mounts (per hectare per year) :
• the term "the ratio between micronutrients and macro ⁇ nutrients in the micronutrient fertilizer composition being substan- tially above the ratio in which the micronutrients and macronutrients in question are required by crop plants” refers to the fact that the ratio between the micronutrients and macronutrients in the composi ⁇ tion is typically at least twice the ratio in which the micronutri ⁇ ents and macronutrients in question are required by the plants, more typically at least 10 times this ratio, more typically at least 20 times this ratio, more typically at least 50 times this ratio, such as at least 100 times this ratio, as will be evident from the above amounts and from that which is described herein with reference to the individual micronutrients as well as from the examples.
• fertilizer composition in certain cases may be applied alone, it is particularly adapted to be used as a supplement to standard macronutrient fertilizers, for example N-P-K fertilizers or nitrogenous fertilizers, since these fertilizers typically are not designed to provide essential micronutrients.
• standard macronutrient fertilizers for example N-P-K fertilizers or nitrogenous fertilizers, since these fertilizers typically are not designed to provide essential micronutrients.
• micronutrient fertilizer composition refers to a standard fertilizer composition adapted mainly for providing one or more of the important macronutrients, in particular N, P and/or K.
• Such fertilizers for example commercial N-P-K fertilizers or nitrogenous fertilizers, are applied in relatively large amounts to crop plants or soil in order to satisfy the plants' requirements for the major nutrients.
• these fertilizers often lack a number of the essential micronutrients, or the micronutrients may be present in a form which does not allow absorption in sufficient quantities by the plants.
• water-soluble nitrate refers to a nitrate which is readily soluble in water.
• the water-soluble nitrates used in the context of the present invention will furthermore be those which are agriculturally acceptable.
• the water-soluble nitrate may be an alkali or alkaline earth metal nitrate, e.g. sodium ni ⁇ trate, potassium nitrate or calcium nitrate, or ammonium nitrate.
• the fertilizer composition of the invention may of course contain two or more of such water-soluble nitrates as well as water-soluble nitrates other than the above-mentioned, for example calcium ammonium nitrate.
• the fertilizer composition of the invention comprises salts of at least 2 metals selected from the group consist ⁇ ing of Cu, Mn, Zn, Co and Mo.
• the fertilizer composition will typically comprise salts of at least 3 of the me ⁇ tals, more typically salts of at least 4 of the metals.
• a particular ⁇ ly preferred fertilizer composition is one which comprises salts of all 5 metals.
• micronutrients In addition to the above-mentioned micronutrients, it may be desir ⁇ able to incorporate certain other important micronutrients into the fertilizer composition of the invention. These include B, Fe, Cl, Na, and I, and perhaps Se, Rb, Ag, Ti and V. In particular, It may be desirable to include a boron-containing salt and/or an iron salt in the fertilizer composition, as both of these elements are essential micronutrients which may be lacking in certain cases. It may further be of interest to incorporate into the fertilizer composition certain elements which are not believed to be essential micronutrients for the majority of plant species, but which are essential for humans and animals, e.g. selenium.
• micronutrient fertilizer composition may vary considerably according to such factors as the type of soil, the crop being grown, the climate and the particular mixture of micronutrients desired based on these and other factors. Therefore, it is difficult to provide general guidelines as to speci ⁇ fic amounts of different nutrients which will be present in the fertilizer composition in all cases. However, the following amounts (calculated on the basis of the weight of the nutrient element (atom) in question) are provided as a general non-limiting guideline as to amounts which are believed to be suitable for a wide variety of soils, crops and climates.
• the amount of Cu will typically be about 300-15,000 g, more typically about 1000-8000 g, such ' as about 2000-5000 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer composition, exclusive of any binder.
• the amount of Mn will typically be about 150-8000 g, more typically about 500-3000 g, such as about 1000- 2000 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer composition, exclusive of any binder-.
• the amount of Zn will typi ⁇ cally be about 50-4000 g, more typically about 150-2500 g, such as about 300-1500 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer composi-_ tion, exclusive of any binder.
• the amount of Mo will typically be about 5-500 g, more typically about 10-300 g, such as about 20-150 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer composi ⁇ tion, exclusive of any binder.
• the amount of Co will typically be about 1-200 g, more typically about 5-100 g, such as about 10-50 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer composi ⁇ tion, exclusive of any binder.
• the amount of B when a boron-containing compound is present in the fertilizer composition of the invention, the amount of B will typi- cally be about 100-7000 g, more typically about 500-4000 g, such as about 1000-2000 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer compo ⁇ sition, exclusive of any binder.
• the amount of Fe when an Iron compound is present in the fertilizer composition of the invention, the amount of Fe will typically be about 100-6000 g, more typically about 500-3500 g, such as about 750-1750 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer composition, exclusive of any binder.
• a suitable amount of N (calculated as pure N) in the form of one or more water soluble nitrates will be about 500-25,000 g, typi ⁇ cally about 1000-15,000 g, such as about 2000-10,000 g, per 100 kg of the micronutrient fertilizer composition, exclusive of any binder.
• the amount of the micronutrient fertilizer composition to be applied to the soil or to the plants must be chosen according to the quantities of the various nutrients in the fertilizer composition, taking into consideration that while the micronutrients are essential in small quantities for optimum growth, they may also be damaging or even toxic to the plants if applied in excessive amounts.
• the micronutrient fertilizer composition will in addition to a number of micronutrients also contain certain macro ⁇ nutrients. One of these is obviously N, since the fertilizer composi- tion comprises at least one water-soluble nitrate.
• the fertilizer composition will typically contain one or more of the macronutrients S, P, Mg, Ca and K, for example in the form of diam- monium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate and/or magnesium sulfate.
• the metal salts of the fertilizer composition of the invention will typically comprise sulfates, nitrates and/or oxides. The metal salts may also be in the form of halogenides (e.g.
• copper may be present in the fertilizer composition in the form of, e.g., copper oxychloride
• molybdenum may be present in the form of, e.g. , ammonium molybdate or sodium molybdate.
• one or more of the metal salts will often be a sul ⁇ fate, since sulfate salts of a number of the above-mentioned metals are relatively inexpensive, and since it has been shown that the desired results may be achieved by the use of such sulfates.
• a preferred fertilizer composition according to the present invention comprises at least copper sulfate or copper oxychloride, manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate.
• the fertilizer composition of the invention furthermore advantageous ⁇ ly comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of iron (II) sulfate, Solubor® (soluble sodium borate, Na 2 B30 ⁇ 3-4 ⁇ 0) , borax, ammonium molybdate, sodium molybdate and cobalt sulfate.
• iron (II) sulfate soluble sodium borate, Na 2 B30 ⁇ 3-4 ⁇ 0
• borax soluble sodium borate, Na 2 B30 ⁇ 3-4 ⁇ 0
• ammonium molybdate sodium molybdate
• cobalt sulfate cobalt sulfate
• micronutrient fertilizer compositions according to the invention may be prepared by a method comprising dry mixing without any substantial addition of water salts of at least 2 metals selected from the group consisting of Cu, Mn, Zn, Co and Mo as well as at least one water-soluble nitrate which is not in the form of a salt of said metals, said salts and said nitrate being in the form of powders, the ratio between said micronutrients and said macronutri ⁇ ents being substantially above the ratio in which said micronutrients and said macronutrients are required by crop plants, to obtain a micronutrient mixture, and mixing the resulting micronutrient mixture with a binder to obtain said micronutrient fertilizer composition in the form of dry aggregate bodies.
• mixing without any substantial addition of water refers to the fact the mixing of the metal salts and the nitrate is carried out using a dry process.
• this amount will generally be quite limited, so that the metal salts and nitrate will not be processed as, e.g., solutions or pastes.
• powders refers to the fact that the metal salts and the nitrate are substantially in the form of powders containing discrete fine dry particles of the materials in question. This term is also meant to include, e.g., materials having a somewhat grainy consisten ⁇ cy.
• the micronutrient mixture having a powdery consistency is allowed to stand, prior to mixing with the binder, until its consistency has changed from a dry, powdery consistency to a moist, sandy consistency and until the individual particles of said mixture have acquired a crystalline or crystal-like appearance. It has thus been found that the beneficial effect of the micronutrient fertilizer composition is improved if the powdery mixture is allowed to stand for a period of time prior to mixing with the binder. This time period Is preferably at least about 2 weeks, more preferably at least about 4 weeks, most preferably at least about 6 weeks.
• the hygroscopic salts of the mixture absorb moisture from the air, whereby the mixture acquires the above-mentioned moist, sandy consistency and crystalline appearance, thereby making it easier to process than a powdery mixture. It has been found that after a period of about 6 weeks or more at ambient temperature and humidity, the micronutrient mixture, which was originally in the form of a powder, generally has acquired the desired crystalline appear ⁇ ance and a consistency resembling that of slightly moist sand.
• the micronutrient mixture having a powdery consistency in addition to or as an alternative to being allowed to stand prior to mixing with the binder, may be moistened with water and subsequently mixed so as to distribute the water uniformly throughout the mixture, thereby achieving the desired moist consistency.
• the salts and nitrate used for preparing the micronutrient mixture will typically be sieved and/or ground as necessary before mixing and/or after mixing.
• micronutrients which are applied to crop plants or to the soil, it is necessary for the micronutrients to be in a form which is easily absorbed by the plants. This in turn means that the micronutrients must be readi- ly soluble in water. This may seem to be relatively straightforward in principle, but in practice difficulties are presented by, among other things, the fact that the desired readily soluble metal salts are hygroscopic and therefore are difficult to formulate in a form which is easily applied to the plants or soil. On the other hand, formulations of the micronutrients which are easily applied, e.g. using lime, may suffer from the disadvantage of being less soluble and therefore less available to the plants.
• the novel micronutrient fertilizer composition of the invention is at the same time both easy to apply and readily soluble in water and therefore readily absorbed by plants.
• the formulation of the metal salts and the water-soluble nitrate together with a binder allows the fertilizer composition to be brought into the form of aggregate bodies, e.g. pellets or granules, which are easily applied together with standard commercial fertilizers.
• aggregate bodies e.g. pellets or granules
• the micronutrient ions will be dissolved along with the nitrate ions, and the soil water will there ⁇ fore contain a relatively homogeneous mixture of, among other things, the micronutrient ions and nitrate ions. It is believed that the presence of the nitrate ions results in the micronutrients being in a form which is more readily accessible to the plants, perhaps by virtue of a reduced tendency to be adsorbed by soil particles, there ⁇ by ensuring a better absorption of the micronutrients. It is well- known that nitrate ions are readily absorbed by plants, and it has been shown during the testing of the fertilizer composition of the invention that the use of a greater amount of the water-soluble nitrate in the composition results in an increased yield.
• the formulation of the metal salts and the water- soluble nitrate together with a binder allows the fertilizer composi ⁇ tion to be brought into a form which is easily applied together with standard commercial fertilizers and which also is readily soluble in water.
• Any agriculturally acceptable material which is capable of binding the metal salts and the water-soluble nitrate together and which allows the metal salts and nitrate to be dissolved in water may be employed.
• the binder is preferably an agriculturally accep- table water-soluble organic binder, e.g. a plant product or a natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic polymer.
• binders are those selected from the group consisting of plant pro ⁇ ducts such as wheat bran, wheat flour or sawdust; polysaccharides and polysaccharide derivatives such as starches, starch derivatives (e.g. Sta-Rx® 1500, Emdex® and Explotab®) , celluloses, microcrystal- line cellulose, cellulose derivatives, alginates, lactose, mannitol or sorbitol; proteins such as gelatins; gums such as acacia; and synthetic polymers such as polyethylene glycols (e.g. polyethylene glycol 4000 or 6000) or polyvinyl pyrrolidone.
• Another possible binder is calcium monohydrogen phosphate. It may furthermore be advantageous in certain cases to use a combination of binders.
• the ratio between the amount of binder and the amount of the nutrient compounds (i.e. the metal salts and water-soluble nitrate(s) as well as any other nutrient compounds present) in the fertilizer composi- tion of the invention will of course vary according to the nature of the particular binder used, e.g. according to such factors as its binding ability and specific gravity, but it will generally be desir ⁇ able that the amount of the binder is kept to a minimum so as to keep the weight and bulk of the fertilizer composition to a minimum.
• aggregate bodies refers to the fact that the fertilizer composition is in the form of individual units, each of which com ⁇ prises the metal salts mixed with or in contact with the water-solu ⁇ ble nitrate.
• the aggregate bodies may, for example, be in the form of pellets, granules and/or beads, or they may be in prilled form.
• the metal salts and the water-soluble nitrate are according to the pres- ent invention preferably intimately mixed within each individual aggregate body, whereby each aggregate body comprises a substantially homogeneous mixture containing particles of the metal salts and particles of the water-soluble nitrate(s).
• particles refers to particles which may have various sizes and shapes, for example, but not limited to, crystalline particles, granular par ⁇ ticles, powder or dust particles, etc.
• the individual aggregate bodies in which the metal salts and the water-soluble nitrate are intimately mixed may also be coated with any desired substance.
• substantially all of the aggregate bodies will have at least one dimension of at least about 0.5 mm, and substantially all of the aggregate bodies will often have at least one dimension of at least about 1 mm.
• substantially all of the aggregate bodies will typically have at least one dimension of at least about 3 mm.
• the choice of the form and size of the individual aggregate bodies will depend upon such factors as the particular nutrient compounds and binders used as well as the form and size of the individual units of the macronutrient fertilizer with which the micronutrient ferti- lizer composition of the invention is to be applied. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the size, shape and specific gravity of the aggregate bodies must be chosen so that the aggregate bodies of the micronutrient fertilizer composition are compatible with the individual units of any macronutrient fertilizer composition it is to be applied with, in order to ensure that a relatively homogeneous distribution of the micro- and macronutrient fertilizer compositions, respectively, may be obtained.
• the aggregate bodies of the micronutrient fertilizer composition may be prepared using methods known in the art for the preparation of fertilizer compositions.
• the composition may be prepared by first thoroughly mixing all of the micronutrient compounds and the water-soluble nitrate. The micro ⁇ nutrient-containing mixture is then mixed with the binder and, if necessary, with a limited amount of water or another liquid. Pellets may then formed from this mixture, e.g. using a standard pelleting machine for feed pellets. Essentially the same procedure may be followed for the preparation of, e.g., granules, with the exception that a machine for the preparation of granules is used instead of a pelleting machine.
• other types of aggregate bodies for example coated aggregate bodies, may be prepared by methods known in the art.
• another aspect of the invention relates to a solid fertilizer mixture comprising, as a first component, the above solid micronutrient fertilizer composition, and as a second compo- nent, a solid macronutrient fertilizer composition comprising at least N, P and/or K.
• the macronutrient fertilizer component of the fertilizer mixture will typically be a standard commercial fertilizer, in particular a nitro ⁇ genous or N-P-K fertilizer.
• Such fertilizers typically comprise nitrogen in the form of urea, nitrate and/or ammonium, as well as varying amounts of P, K, Ca, Mg and/or S.
• the macronutrient fertilizer component of the fertilizer mixture may also be an organic fertilizer.
• the micronutrient ferti- lizer composition of the invention may be applied to the soil or crops together with, e.g., standard commercial nitrogenous or N-P-K fertilizers. Therefore, it is desirable that the fertilizer mixture comprising the micronutrient fertilizer component and the macronutrient fertilizer component be formulated so as to allow for a uniform distribution of the micronutrient-containing component and the macronutrient-containing component upon application of the ferti ⁇ lizer to a crop or soil. This is achieved in practice by ensuring that the two components have a physical form, i.e. shape, size and specific gravity, which is compatible with each other.
• the individual units of the two components need not necessarily have exactly the same shape, size or specific gravity, but they should be formulated so that an approximately equal distribution of the two components of the mixture in the field may be achieved.
• the individual units of the components of the fertilizer mixture will therefore typically be in the form of pellets, granules and/or beads and/or in prilled form.
• micronutrient fertilizer composition of the invention may in certain cases be applied alone, but will typically be applied together with a macronutrient fertilizer, i.e. in the form of the above fertilizer mixture.
• the present invention thus relates to a method for fertilizing crops using the above fertilizer mixture or the above micronutrient fertilizer composition.
• the amount of the micronutrient fertilizer compo ⁇ nent in the fertilizer mixture, or the amount of the micronutrient fertilizer composition, in the case of the micronutrient fertilizer composition being applied alone, which is to be applied to the soil in which crops are growing or are to be grown or which is to be applied to the plants must be chosen according to the quantities of the various nutrients in the fertilizer composition.
• the proper amount to be applied will be able to be determined in each particular case by a person skilled in the art. It is preferred that the micro ⁇ nutrient-containing fertilizer composition or the micronutrient fertilizer composition is applied relatively early in relation to the crop in question, as this has been shown to provide the best result.
• the micronutrient fertilizer component in the fertilizer mixture, or the micronutrient fertilizer composition will be applied to the crops or to the soil In an amount of about 1-100 kg/ha, exclusive of any binder.
• the micronutrient ferti- lizer component in the fertilizer mixture, or the micronutrient fertilizer composition is applied to the crops or to the soil in an amount of about 5-60 kg/ha, more typically in an amount of about 10- 40 kg/ha, exclusive of any binder.
• a loam soil It has been found that good results were obtained using an amount of about 10-35 kg/ha, and in particular In an amount of about 15-30 kg/ha.
• a micronutrient fertilizer composition in the form of pellets com- prising the following components was prepared:
• the composition was prepared by first thoroughly mixing all of the above ingredients manually using a shovel, after which the mixture, which had a dry, powdery consistency, was allowed to stand at ambient temperature and relative humidity for a period of about 1 1/2 months.
• the micronutrient-containing mixture which then had a moist, sandy consistency, with the individual particles having a crystalline appearance (as seen under a magnifying glass), was then mixed with about 2 parts (by weight) wheat bran as a binder to about 13 parts (by weight) of the mixture.
• Pellets were then formed from this mix ⁇ ture using a standard pelleting machine for feed pellets. Steam was used during pressing in order to ensure the cohesiveness of the components of the pellets.
• the resulting pellets had a diameter of about 3.5 mm and a typical length of about 5-10 mm.
• a micronutrient fertilizer composition was prepared as in Example 1.
• the composition comprised the following components:
• the nutrient content of the composition was as follows:
• a micronutrient fertilizer composition was prepared as in Example 1.
• the composition comprised the following components:
• the nutrient content of the composition was as follows:
• a micronutrient fertilizer composition may be prepared as in Example 1 using the following components:
• Such a composition comprises the following nutrients in the following amounts:
• micronutrient fertilizer compositions were applied for several seasons in varying amounts to wheat grown in 100 m ⁇ test plots (4x25 m) in a loam soil.
• the compositions applied were those of Example 2 (1987) and Example 3 (1988, 1989, and 1990). They were applied in amounts of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 kg/ha (exclusive of the binder) .
• micronutrient fertilizer compositions were applied along with standard fertilizer compositions containing N, P, K and Mg as de- scribed below, with plots fertilized with the standard fertilizer compositions but without the micronutrient fertilizer compositions serving as control plots.
• nitrogenous fertilizer was applied in an amount of 300 kg N per hectare, 270 kg in the form of urea (46% N) and 30 kg as calcium ammonium nitrate (27.6% N) .
• nitrogenous fertilizer was applied in the form of urea (270 kg N per hectare) and calcium nitrate (15% N, 30 kg/ha). The relatively large amount of nitrogen was applied in order to ensure that nitrogen was not the limiting factor for the growth of the plants.
• the nitrogenous fertilizers were typically applied in 3 portions in February, May and June, respectively, with the calcium ammonium nitrate or calcium nitrate being applied in June.
• the micronutrient fertilizer compositions were applied in February together with the first portion of urea.
• the crops were furthermore fertilized with 9 kg P/ha, 27 kg K/ha and 4 kg Mg/ha, the P, K and Mg being applied in February along with the micronutrient fertilizer composition and the first portion of nitrogen.
• the time required for application of the micronutrient fertilizer composition together with the first portion of nitrogenous fertilizer was not significantly increased as compared to application of the nitrogenous fertilizer alone, since the micronutrient fertilizer composition in the form of pellets could be readily mixed and distri ⁇ minded with the nitrogenous fertilizer.
• the average yield in the control plots was 94.09 hkg/ha, 97.06 hkg/ha, 103.22 hkg/ha and 111.32 hkg/ha, respectively, for 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990, which gives an average of 101.42 hkg/ha for the four years.
• Example 3 Winter wheat fertilized with the micronutrient fertilizer composition of Example 3 was analyzed for its content of a number of different nutrients. The results were compared with those of winter wheat which was grown under the same conditions, but which were not fertilized with the micronutrient fertilizer composition.
• the wheat crop was fertilized with 230 kg N/ha, of which about 60 kg/ha was applied in February (i.e. at the beginning of the growth season) along with 9 kg P/ha, 27 kg K/ha and 20 kg/ha of the micro ⁇ nutrient fertilizer composition, the remainder of the N being applied at the end of April.
• the wheat which was fertilized with the micro ⁇ nutrient fertilizer composition of the invention contained an in- creased amount of a number of different nutrients.
• a substantially increased amount of nitrogen was absorbed as compared to the control crop.
• this is an advantage from an environmental point of view, since the increased absorption of nitrogen will tend to reduce the amount of nitrate which may be leached out of the soil, thereby helping to reduce nitrate pollution of the ground water.
• micronutrient fertilizer composition of the invention as compared to certain other commercial micronutri ⁇ ent-containing fertilizers was shown in field trials using winter wheat.
• micronutrient fertilizer treatments were employed:
• the average yield for the untreated plots was 94.8 hkg/ha.
• micronutrient fertilizer composition according to the invention provided a substantial yield increase not only compared to the untreated control, but also com ⁇ pared to the other micronutrient fertilizers tested.
• the micronutri ⁇ ent fertilizer composition of the invention (“ ⁇ llings ⁇ e Mikro") was the only micronutrient fertilizer tested which gave a statistically significant yield increase (95% level) compared to the control treat ⁇ ment.

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