FR2694284A1 - Agent promoting revegetation or revegetation of denuded inorganic soils and process using said agent. - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is an agent which promotes the revegetation or revegetation of bare inorganic soils, characterized in that it consists of the soluble materials obtained during the starch processing of potatoes, wheat and corn, as well as their mixtures.

Description

AGENT FOR PROMOTING VEGETATION OR RE-VEGETATION

  BARE INORGANIC SOILS AND METHOD

IMPLEMENTING SAID AGENT

  The subject of the invention is an agent which promotes revegetation or revegetation of bare inorganic soils. It also relates to a process of revegetation or revegetation of bare inorganic soils, putting

using said agent.

  Forest fires are an increasingly serious scourge in Mediterranean countries. For example, around 20,000 to 60,000 hectares are burned each year in France. Not only is the vegetation destroyed, but the soil that supports it is unstructured Very little vegetation can resume on such ground and in

  besides certain plant species cannot grow back there.

  These burnt soils seriously disturb the environment.

  ment of man The latter therefore feels the need to inter-

  come to reconstruct a plant landscape as quickly as possible

  appearing more pleasant and less stressful.

  This need also appears on land such as mine heaps, dunes or certain sandy soils, certain clay soils or land covered with extraction soil obtained for example during tunnel boring, or even embankments.

  for railways or highways.

  In order to allow revegetation or revegetation

  lisation, natural or artificial, of these lands commonly described as "bare inorganic soils", various

  compounds have already been proposed and used.

  Obviously, and in the first place, we thought of using conventional fertilizers such as NPK fertilizers and urea Unfortunately, these products are expensive and have a very limited effectiveness, because they are very soluble and are not "fixed" on the ground A very

  small proportion can thus be assimilated by the plant.

  At the same time, they cause pollution of the groundwater. It has also been proposed to use sludge composts from urban treatment plants. Unfortunately, these composts are too compact and cannot be used.

  effectively for revegetation or revegetation.

  In any case, their performance is also too limited. So we are still looking at the present time for an agent allowing revegetation or revegetation of bare inorganic soils which has good efficacy and which is at the same time inexpensive and easy to apply. However, after much research, the Applicant Company has found that the use of soluble materials obtained during the starch treatment of potatoes, wheat and corn makes it possible to respond to

this need.

  And the agent favoring the revegetation or revegetation of bare inorganic soils is therefore characterized by the fact that it is constituted by the soluble materials obtained during the starch processing of the

  potato, wheat and corn, as well as their mixtures.

  The term “soluble materials” obtained during the treatment in corn starch manufacture means the quenching water of the maize, having undergone during this quenching operation a fermentation more or less marked by lactic bacteria.

  We can advantageously refer to the description

  tion of the quenching waters as well as the corn quenching processes which is given for example in the chapter entitled "Starch" by R L Whistler and J R Daniel or in the patent

  French FR 2 464 298 belonging to the applicant Company.

  These corn steep waters generally appear

  ment in the form of concentrated solutions at around 50%

dry matter.

  The soluble potato materials are obtained after grinding the potato and separation of the pulp and starch. They may or may not contain the protein materials coagulable by heat or by acid, depending on whether or not they are These soluble potato materials, also sometimes called red water or water from vegetation occur

  usually in the form of concentrated solutions

  both a dry matter of 55 to 60%.

  The soluble wheat materials are obtained after treatment of the wheat in wet starch manufacture and separation of the bran, starch and gluten. They are also present in the form of concentrated solutions, of a dry matter.

  between about 25% and 60%.

  Corn soluble matter, potato soluble matter and wheat soluble matter have

  many common features.

  In particular, they have a high content of protein materials (expressed as nitrogen content x 6.25). This content is in fact between 10% to 60%,

  and more generally between 12% and 50% on dry materials.

  These soluble materials are also characterized by a content of free amino acids of between 1% and

  10%, more generally between 1.4% and 8.5%.

  They can also have a relatively high content of organic acids (especially lactic acid) since this content can range from 1% to 35% and more generally between 1.5% to 30% Corn steep water has in particular a high content of lactic acid, generally between 20%

and 30%.

  The soluble maize, wheat and potato materials also have a calcination residue content of between 8% and 37%, more generally between 10% and 35%. These calcination residues include in particular: potassium ion, present in an amount of 1% to%, and more generally from 1% to 18%, the phosphorus ion, present in a proportion of 0.2% to 6%, and more generally from 0.3% to 4.5%, the magnesium ion, present in an amount of 0.1%

  2.5% and more generally from 0.1% to 2%.

  The different contents given above are

  expressed by weight relative to the dry matter.

  Preferably the agent for revegetation or revegetation of bare inorganic soils in accordance with

  the invention comes in the form of concentrated solutions

  of dry matter between 35% and 85%,

  preferably between 40% and 75% by weight.

  The agent according to the invention can then be sprayed as it is, or previously diluted. Another possibility however consists in using the soluble materials of potato, wheat and corn in the form of atomized powders, in mixture with d other agents such as proteinaceous materials or organic or mineral fertilizers. The agents according to the invention are sprayed or added to the areas to be treated in an amount

  between 50 and 500 kg of nitrogen per hectare, preferably

  between 80 and 300 kg of nitrogen per hectare The frequency

  application is variable and depends in particular on the conditions

  Climatic conditions Preferably, however, the agent according to the invention is added or sprayed on the ground to be treated in one to five applications per year and preferably

  in two or three applications per year.

  The use of agents in accordance with the invention allows, compared to conventional fertilizers, a saving in nitrogen and phosphorus and on the other hand allows a strong

  reduction of pollution of groundwater.

  Without wishing to be bound by theory, it may be thought that the soluble materials of potato, wheat and corn undergo progressive ammonification and nitration, the ammonia and the nitrates thus formed being themselves gradually absorbed or assimilated by Plants Similarly, the phosphorus present in the soluble potato, wheat and corn materials used in accordance with the invention being essentially organic in nature, it must be mineralized before its use by plants. This mineralization is progressive and allows better use of agents

by plants.

  The invention can be better understood using the example which follows, given by way of illustration and does not

  therefore having no limiting character.

EXAMPLE

  This example was carried out on a burnt ground of the

South of France.

  Study plots, i.e. a plot

  witness and a test plot, had an area of approx.

  ron 100 m 2 and the limits of these plots were material-

  read in the field using paint marks

deposited on boulders.

  The agent tested consisted of the soluble of

  potato, 54.7% dry matter Their composition

  tion, expressed both relative to the commercial product as such and relative to the dry matter of said product,

  is shown in Table I below.

TABLE I

  COMPOSITION OF POTATO SOLUBLES

  On matter On dry matter Dry matter Protein matter N x 6.25 Ammonia nitrogen Amino nitrogen Reducing power expressed as glucose Glucose Fructose Sucrose Lactic acid Residue & calcination Potassium (K) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Sodium (Na) Iron (Fe) Phosphorus (P) Chloride (Cl) Sulfate (SO 4) Total lipids 54.7 17.5 0.50 0.83 3.1%%%%% mg / kg% mg / kg%%%% 32.0 0.91 1.5, 7 not detected

1.4 2.55

2.0 3.65

1.0 1.80

17.4 31.8

8.3 15.2

320,585

0.42 0.80

0.60 1.1

310

0.61 1.1

2.52 4.6

1.45 2.65

0.35 0.64

  A first spreading was carried out in June with a solution of potato solubles concentrated to 25% dry matter, the amount used being

  2.5 kg / m 2 at 54.7% DM or 5.5 kg / m 2 at 25% DM.

  A second spreading was carried out five months later, in November, with a solution of a concentration equal to 25%, the quantity spread also being 2.5

  kg / m 2 at 54.7% DM or 5.5 kg / m 2 at 25% DM.

  The study of the behavior of certain plant species was then carried out in the different plots. Samples of soil in the control plots and in the treated plots were taken at two depths: a depth of 0 to 5 cm, and a depth of 15 to 25 cm: in order to quantify the contents in assimilable nitrogen (N 03-, NH 4 +), exchangeable potassium, and assimilable phosphorus, and finally on the other hand to carry out the following microbiological analyzes: * enumeration of microorganisms total microflora, actinomycetes, filamentous fungi and yeasts, microflora cellulolytic

  * measurement of soil respiratory activity.

  The results obtained can be summarized as follows: Behavior of plants Measurements concerning the growth in thickness and in length of terminal and vertical branches of Kerm oaks were carried out between the first spreading and the first abundant rains in the fall. Growth in length of the terminal shoots. and vertical took place

  during the summer Statistically it was slightly higher

  higher on the treated plot compared to the control plot. The other species remained in a frozen state during the summer, because of the drought existing at that time. However, it should be noted that at the end of December, the herbaceous species, notably the branching brachypod, benefited from a very clear regreening in the plot

  treated in relation to the control plot.

  2 Assimilable nutritive mineral elements (N, PK) Table II below presents the concentrations determined before the first spreading and about four and a half months after the latter.

TABLE II

  Examination of this table prompts the following remarks

  after: a) Surface horizon = level 1 (0-5 cm) NO 3: compared to the levels recorded in June, the values were multiplied by a factor of 1.64 in the control and 8.48 in the treated plot using the agent according to the invention; thus during the autumn period, there was activation of nitration; this was more marked in the plot treated using

potato soluble.

  NH 4 +: an increase in ammonification took place in the two plots (the increase factor is

HORIZON LOT PARCELLE TREATED

SUPERFICIAL

JUNE NOVEMBER JUNE NOVEMBER

  Pppm 25 24.6 40 27.3 K me / kg 7.6 5.4 5.7 37.4 NH 4 ppm 3.8 23.1 3.6 21.4 NO 3ppm 5.3 8.7 4, 0 33.1

HORIZON

DEEP

  Pppm 16 7.6 12 30.4 K * m / kg 6.5 7.1 25.6 17.9 NH 4 * ppm 5.5 14.3 3 32.2 NO 3ppm 2.7 7.8 4, 19.1 of 6.2 for the witness and 5.9 for the other); this result would tend to show that ammonification is indifferent to the contribution of agents in accordance with the invention and that it is essentially activated by climatic conditions of the type which have affected the autumn period (rain,

mild temperatures).

  K +: if the difference is small and not significant between the values measured on the control plot between June and November (7.7 and 5.4 me / kg), it is, on the contrary, very marked in the treated plot (5, 7 and

37.4 me / kg).

  Assimilable phosphorus: the remark concerning potassium also applies to phosphorus; in the

  treated plot, the values thus go from 40 to 273 ppm.

  In summary, the contribution of agents on the ground

  my invention was reflected in the first 5 cm

  very soil by: activation of nitration

  increased levels of exchangeable potassium

geable and in assimilable phosphorus.

  b) Deep horizon = Level 2 (-15 to -25 cm) N 03: an increase, from June to November, in the nitrate content affects the two plots; however, this increase is more marked in the treated plot (increase factor of 4.3) than in the control plot

  (o the increase factor is only 2.9).

  NH 4 *: as for nitrates, the content of NH 4 + ions undergoes an increase in November compared to the initial state of June; the growth factor is

  2.6 in the control and 10.7 in the treated plot.

  K + exchangeable: if in the control the content varies little, on the other hand it shows a significant fall in the spreading zone, phenomenon which has not yet

Explain.

  Assimilable phosphorus: following the climatic conditions of the beginning of autumn, the soil seems to have undergone a depletion of assimilable P in depth within the control plot while the phenomenon is reversed in

the treated area.

  In summary, between 15 and 25 cm deep, the soil underwent: much more intense nitration and ammonification in the treated plot than in the control plot, an increase in assimilable phosphorus, continued

  spreading using the agent according to the invention.

  The simultaneous consideration of the two levels of sampling leads to the following remarks: the nitratation and the ammonification were more important due to the climatic conditions (rain,

  temperatures still mild) at all levels considered

  res, more particularly at the surface level for the first phenomenon and in the deep horizon for the second within the treated plot; at least part of the potassium supplied seems to have been retained on the surface; phosphorus concentrations drop from 40 to 273 ppm at the surface and from 12 to 30 ppm at depth after the application of fertilizers; despite the abundant rains of autumn (around

  250 mm), potassium and phosphorus were not massive-

deeply trained.

  Thus, overall, the contribution of agent in accordance with the invention resulted in the appearance of better conditions of mineral nutrition. The pronounced greening of herbaceous plants, more particularly branching brachypod, observed during December, is in agreement with the

previous remarks.

  30 Microbiological analysis Table III below presents the results of the counts of the different types of microorganisms

  sought in soil samples taken.

TABLE III

Level 1 Level 2

PNT PT PNT PT

  June 10 o 10 610 108 2 106 2 106 Total microflora November 17 108 16 107 16 108 15 108 June 35 105 72 104 11 103 64 103 Mushrooms November 130 102 18 104 O 44 105 June 83 104 14 105 43 104 55 103 Actinomycetes November 90 104 64 104 31 104 86 106 June 450 15 102 400 115 Cellulolytics November 250 14 105 1600 11 105 PNT = plot not treated with the agent according to the invention

  PT = parcel treated after the June sample.

  The variations observed in the results presented

  ted in Table II indicate that the addition of agent according to the invention had no significant effect on the

  total microflora if not a seasonal effect

  both by a numerical increase between the months of June

and November.

  However, interesting differences can be noted: as regards mushrooms, their number decreases clearly between June and November in the untreated plot while it remains on the surface of the ground and increases to level 2, it that is to say on the deep horizon, in the treated plot, with regard to actinomycetes, their number increases very sharply at level 2 in the treated plot, finally with regard to the cellulolytic microorganism, their number increases of several powers of 10 in the two levels of the plot

  treated, thereby highlighting significant stimulation

  aunt of cellulolysis by the agent according to the invention.

  Table IV below presents the distribution of the different species of fungi present in the

  soil samples taken in June and November.

TABLE IV

Level 1 Level 2

PIT PT PNT PT

J N J N J N J N

  II Penicillium sp + + + + Trichoderma sp + + + Aspergillus sp + + Cephalosporium sp + + Cladosporium Sp + + Isaria + + Mycelium sterile + P purpurescens + + Alternaria alter + nata Arthrinium sp + Coelomycete + Unknown + Fusarium sp + Yeast + Mucoral + Penicillium glabrum + + P monoverticillium +

Penicillium spinu-

  losum + Penicillium varia + + + + bile Periconia microspi + nosa Phoma sp + Syncephalastrum sp + Trichoderma polys + porum Trichoderma viridae + This table shows that the intake of potato soluble causes disappearance within the dominant fungal microflora of several species especially at level 1, as well as the appearance of new species at level 2 The treatment therefore modifies the specific diversity of this microflora. -1 In summary, the addition of agent according to the invention in June caused an activation of the cycles of the material, activation which is manifested by the increase: of ammonification and nitratation, of the assimilable phosphate content, due either to

  increased phosphatase activities of microorganisms

  nisms, or the dissolution of tricalcium phosphate caused by the acidification resulting from the metabolism of

  organic matter provided by the fertilizer.

  This activation is accompanied by an increase in exchangeable potassium and corresponds to modifications of the microbial communities, in particular of the communities of

  fungi, actinomycetes and celluloly microflora

  tick It must therefore have an influence on growth

Plant.

  The agent according to the invention therefore has a stimulating effect on the treated soils, this effect having repercussions on

plant growth.

Claims (12)

  1 Agent favoring revegetation or revegetation-   talisation of bare inorganic soils, characterized in that it consists of the soluble materials obtained during the starch processing of the potato,   wheat and corn, as well as their mixtures.   2 Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that it has, the percentages being expressed by weight relative to the dry matter: a protein content of between and 60%, and more generally between 12 and 50%, a content of free amino acids between 1 and 10%, and more generally between 1.4% and 8.5%, a content of residues on calcination between 8 and 37%, and more generally between 10 and%.   3 Agent according to either of the claims   1 and 2, characterized in that it has: a potassium ion content of between 1% and 20%, and more generally between 1% and 18%, a phosphorus ion content of between 0.2% and 6% and more generally between 0.3 and 4.5%, a magnesium ion content of between 0.1%   and 2.5% and more generally between 0.1% and 2%.   4 Agent according to any one of claims   1 to 3, characterized in that it has a content of   organic acids between 1 and 35%, and more generally between 1.5% and 30%.   Agent according to any of the claims   1 to 4, characterized in that it is in the form of a concentrated solution of a dry matter of between 35% and 85%, preferably between 40% and 75% by weight.   6 Agent according to any one of claims   1 to 4, characterized in that it is in the form of an atomized powder, optionally mixed with other agents such as protein materials or organic or mineral fertilizers.   7 Revegetation or revegetation process for bare inorganic soils, characterized in that an agent is applied to the areas to be treated   any one of claims 1 to 6.   8 Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the amount of agent applied is between and 500 kgs of nitrogen per hectare, preferably between 80 and 300 kgs per hectare.