FR2625995A1 - METHOD FOR REVITALIZING FORESTS BY THE USE OF A FERTILIZER BASED ON A MUSHROOM BIOMASS - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a process for revitalizing forests by the use of a fertilizer based on a mushroom biomass.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a pro-

  yielded from forest revitalization by the use of a fertilizer based on a biomass of a fungus. This

  process is basically used for the revitalization-

  conifers, in particular fir and spruces which, following poor exploitation and / or

  environmental problems have lost their vitality.

  Significant parts of our forests have lost their vitality due to monoculture, grazed wood, the use of dead leaves and coniferous needles as litter for animals and, in recent decades, mainly of

  makes use of harmful materials. By the ex-

  "forest dieback" pressure means everything

which harms their vitality.

  There are many causes of forest dieback. We have not yet managed to scientifically prove that a certain harmful substance or a particular form of exploitation is the cause.

  unique. The climate is also often cited (drying

  resse, gel etc ...) as a determining factor. The heavy rainfall of the current year has in fact

  brought a slight improvement in the condition of the coni-

  fathers. The use of nitrates has a strong influence.

  Thus, up to 50 kg / ha of nitrates have been measured on poorly exposed surfaces, which results in a poor balance of nutrients in the

  ground. A surplus of nitrogen ultimately leads to a mobi-

  lization of all the remaining nutrients and therefore, depending on the location, sooner or later depletion of the various nutrients. The theory of the lack of magnesium is incontestable, an improvement

  which could have been obtained in all cases by fertilization

  tion. Another essential cause of the decline of the forest is the increased acidification of its soil which undoubtedly results from the use of sulfur and nitrates. This causes increased elimination of calcium, magnesium and potassium. In addition, the living conditions of bacteria and fungi

soil are aggravated.

  Oxidizing agents are also considered to be harmful substances. Although it has so far not been possible to fully prove this, there is every reason to believe that ozone contributes to

poor state of the forest.

  Recently, biological and epidemiological factors are increasingly taken into account. The accumulation of raw humus leads to the conclusion that the activity of microorganisms and

  micro-fauna. It follows an interruption of the circulation

  lation of nutrients and lack of

  nutrients is further exacerbated by the elimination of

  nation by runoff.

  A forest can be healthy and alive only in the absence of harmful materials and when the soil contains all the nutritive substances in sufficient quantity. In addition, a dynamic soil flora is necessary for nutrients to be metabolized. The symbiosis between mushrooms

  mycorrhic and plant roots is essential-

the for forest trees.

  Due to the positive results obtained on spruces in pot tests with a fertilizer

  base of a mushroom biomass (reforestation test-

  ment) we had the idea to use this product for the revitalization of coniferous cultures, in particular of fir trees and sick spruces. The fact that the fertilizer at. based on a mushroom biomass stimulates microorganisms and micro-fauna, left

  hope for a good action on the forest ecosystem.

  For decades, the mycelium (biomass of the fungus) of the Penicillium chrysogenum strain producing penicillin has been used as a feed additive for animals. This product is considered

  as a suitable food additive, but products

  particular properties higher than those of competing products (based on protein), were not observed. Mycelium has, for example, the following composition: Dry substance 95% Organic substances at least 70% Combined organic nitrogen 5.5%

P205 1.5%

K20 3.5%

  CaO 5.0% MgO 1.5% trace elements and vitamins This analysis is typical for a product which is supplemented with potassium and magnesium. The corresponding values of K20 and MgO of the natural product are 1.2% and 0.25%. These analytical values are naturally subject to normal variations for organic fertilizers. This mushroom biomass, composed of the mycelium of a Penicillium strain and supplemented with potassium and magnesium sulphate, has already proven itself on soils presenting problems due to erosion by water and / or wind . By regular use of such a fertilizer, according to the process described in the Austrian patent 381,927, it is possible to obtain a durable plant cover of these su! S, pal -.empe ski slopes at high altitude. Such a fertilizer is particularly suitable for the vine. Not only does it cause an increase in yield, but above all

  improves the quality of the grapes and the health of the vines.

  By promoting the activity of micro-organizations

  mes, we also simultaneously improve the formation of humus and the physical properties of the soil, nitrogen being released by mineralization only as a secondary process. The action of nitrogen is largely a function of the needs of the plants. A temporary excess of nitrogen, as happens with water-soluble mineral fertilizers, is not to be feared. In some cases, the use of a fertilizer based on a mushroom biomass even makes it possible, using microorganisms, to temporarily fix the nitrogen naturally present in the soil. These properties are an important prerequisite for use as a forest fertilizer. Only a product that stimulates the appearance of natural nutrients, can in the long term have

desired effects.

  The following tests make it possible to determine the analysis criteria which are necessary for an appropriate fertilizer in forestry: Microbiological examination: Total quantity of germs 22,500 / g including 1000 Salmonella bacilli in 5 x 20 g not

detectable

  Sulfite reducing clostridia below 1000 / g The results of the microbiological examinations give no indication that the product is not

  hygienically acceptable.

  Determination of penicillin by the agar diffusion test

Bacillus stearo- test organism

  thermophilus Detection limit 0.02 pg / g Result Penicillin sensitive to Penicillinase

not detectable.

  Essential elements Water content% 4.4 Organic substances% SS 79.6 N (Kjeldahl)% SS 6.23 SS - dry substance Mineral composition

P205% SS 1.8

K20% SS 4.4

  Mg% SS 1.2 Ca% SS 3.7 Fe mg / kg SS 420 Mn mg / kg SS 26 Cu mg / kg SS 17 Zn mg / kg SS 61 Co mg / kg SS 5.7 B total content mg / kg SS 8.4 Mo mg / kg SS 0.63 Heavy metal content Ni mg / kg SS 10 Cr mg / kg SS 7.3 Pb mg / kg SS 13 Cd mg / kg SS U, ú Hg mg / kg SS 0.011 Plant tolerance From the plant tolerance test carried out with watercress, it appears that a fertilizer based on a biomass of fungus and mixed up to an amount of 1% & a substrate (standard mixture), does not cause any damage to plants. The C / N ratio is about 7.5. The results of the analysis illustrate

  ecological acceptability and high content of ele

  essential elements. The results of tolerance tests with plants show that an excess of fertilization is almost impossible. The nutrient ratios are similar to those of the surface layer covering the forest floor (consisting mainly of dead leaves and conifer needles), except that the concentration

  individual nutrient is superior.

  Trace elements and vitamins are particularly important for soil flora and for root development. Due to the narrow C / N ratio, mineralization and therefore the release of organic nutrients is faster than in the surface stratum. It is therefore to be expected that by the use of a fertilizer based on a mushroom biomass, the nutrients attached to the surface layer are

  also recirculated at least in part.

  The following test highlights the advantageous effect obtained with a biomass-based fertilizer

mushroom.

Example

  The test was carried out at Lech, Arlberg, at 1650 m above sea level, on a limestone pass, in grazed wood at pu! Lutiou meyoille (bottling area), with a quantity of fertilizer 400 kg / ha mineral (12% nitrogen, 12% phosphorus in P205 form, 17% potassium in K20 form and 2% Mg in MgO form), and fertilizer based on a biomass of

1000 kg / ha mushroom.

  Table 1: Visual evaluation of trees tested

_---- _ Bio-based fertilizers

camDiCnoU mass--

  Control Mineral fertilizer Biosol Test-F Area 5 Annual growth 1.7 1.5 1.7 0.83 Crown condition 2.0 1.3 1.7 0.15 Needle loss 2.3 1.3 1, 8 0.13 Area 6 Annual growth 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.01 Crown condition 2, 0 1.6 1.2 0.05 Needle loss 2.3 1.8 1.2 0, 05 F - Probability of error test Comments

  Annual growth 1 ... well developed, 2 ...

weakly developed, 3 ...

  null State of the crown scale from 1 (not damaged) leaf to 5 (decay) Needle loss in tenths (for example 2 means 10 to% needle loss) Table 2: Increase in the area of projection of the crown leaf Corrected mean values (in cm2)

iNo - Fertilizers.

  Ioanté riitngrai Biomass Average Area 5 0.199 0.245 0.256 0.233 Area 6 0.251 0.267 0.345 0.288 Average 0.225 0.256 0.301 The relative increase obtained with the mineral fertilizer corresponds to approximately 14%, that

  obtained with Biosol R fertilizer is approximately 24%.

  Surprisingly, there is already a clear effect in the first year. While the indications for area 5 due to location inequalities are not statistically safe, the clear results for area 6 are already statistically significant. The state of health has already improved by about 50% during the first year of use. Thanks to the organic fixation, the nutritive substances of the fertilizer based on a mushroom biomass are released the first year between 2/3 and 3/4, but the action surprisingly is more important compared to that of mineral fertilizer. This is well illustrated by the growth of the projection area (34% instead of 14%). Preparation of Biosol d:

  Biosol) is a byproduct of [ermenta-

  tion of penicillin. The usual raw materials of

  fermentation such as soy flour, saccharo-

  se, lactose, trace elements and vitamins, are agitated in water, sterilized and inoculated with the strain of Penicillium chrysogenum. During the

  fermentation, the nutrients are transformed

  biomass. At harvest time, the wet biomass is separated from the liquid phase by filtration

  containing the penicillin and it is dried at a temperature

  ture between 130 and 1500C for 4 to 6 hours.

  The dried mushroom biomass is enriched with 10% potassium and magnesium sulfate fertilizer

  (Patentkali) and is placed in bags after granulation-

  tion in the form of ready-to-use fertilizer.

  Composition: Biosol & consists of the following elements: Water content (%) 4.4 Organic substances (%) SS 79.6 N (Kjeldahl)% SS 6.23

P205% SS 1.8

K20% SS 4.4

  Mg% SS 1.2 Ca% SS 3.7 Fe mg / kg SS 420.00 Mn mg / kg SS 26.00 Cu mg / kg SS 17.00 Zn mg / kg SS 61.00 Co mg / kg SS 5 .7 B total content mg / kg SS 8.4 Mo mg / kg SS 0.63

Claims (4)

  1. A forest revitalization process, characterized in that a fertilizer based on a mushroom biomass.   2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mushroom biomass is   mycelium of the Penicillium chrysogenum strain.   3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fertilizer comprises up to approximately 90% of dry mycelium and up to approximately 10% of   potassium and magnesium sulfate.   4. A method according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the quantity   of fertilizer per year per hectare is between 1000 kg and 3000 kg.