GB1558579A

GB1558579A - Compositions for use as fertilizers and their production

Info

Publication number: GB1558579A
Application number: GB4942177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Rhone Poulenc Industries SA
Current assignee: Rhone Poulenc Industries SA
Priority date: 1976-11-29
Filing date: 1977-11-28
Publication date: 1980-01-03
Also published as: IE46053B1; GR62405B; IE46053L; PT67332B; IT1090594B; ES464531A1; FR2372130B1; FR2372130A1; BE861277A; PT67332A

Description

(54) COMPOSITIONS FOR USE AS FERTILIZERS AND THEIR PRODUCTION (71) We, RHONE-POULENC INDUSTRIES, a French body corporate, of 22, avenue Montaigne, 75 Paris (8), France, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The juvenile stage of the life of a plant is that period which corresponds to the implantation of the root system and during which nutrition is ensured by the first roots, which only extend into a very limited space. Further development of the roots is dependent on their finding the indispensable mineral elements in sit. It is particularly important for the plantlet to be constantly enriched with phosphate ions.The roots then extend out into a wider area, where the possibilities of finding mineral elements are increased. A normally fertile soil, if necessary treated with a well distributed basic fertiliser, is sufficient for an already developed root system, but the first period is critical from the standpoint of mineral nutrients. Moreover the risks can be further increased by unfavourable physical conditions such as temperature, ventilation and moisture. Thus, for example, the assimilation of phosphorous is slowed down and even completely stopped by a low temperature. Thus, the juvenile stage is a critical period due to the possible interaction of three factors, viz.

insufficient roots, poor soil and poor physical conditions.

Fertilizers that are applied locally in the juvenile stage are known: these supply phosphate and ammonium ions as nutrient elements. The technique of applying such fertilizers, which are also known as "starter" fertilizers, has been used in France since the 1950s following research carried out by Purdue University, U. S. A. on applying fertilizers to maize (cf. Ohlrogge A. and Kinch D. M. "Progress on Agricultural Research", p. 21, Purdue Experiment Station, Lafayette, Indiana 1950). At the time these scientists defined the conditions of effectiveness of nitrogenous phosphate fertilizers and their assimilation by maize roots (Ohlrogge A. J. "Some soil-root-plant relationships", Soil Science T. 93, I, 30-38, 1962). This type of fertilizer is applied by means of equipment permitting its location within reach of the first rootlets.It is applied at the earliest after the first cultural dressing and at the latest on the first rootlets sprouting.

The results, which are visible on harvesting and particularly when climatic conditions are difficult, are shown by the crop being more forward and often by an increase in the harvested weight. Thus, nitrogenous phosphate fertilisers are applied in particulate or liquid form, examples of these fertilisers being monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate (d.a.p.), ammonium magnesium phosphate and ammonium polyphosphates, as well as mixtures thereof, and in general manner complex compositions containing nitrogen and phosphorus salts.

It is known that the root must overcome competition relative to colloids, clays and humus in the soil, notably with respect to the phosphate ion, and the function of the ammonium ion is to accelerate the absorption of the phosphate ion by the plantlet.

We have carried out research that confirms the importance of supplying ammonium and phosphate ions in the juvenile stage, particularly in complementary form with respect to normal N P K- fertilisers, with which it is often combined. This research also demonstrated the function of the magnesium ion in certain cases (cf. article "Influence de la fertilisation starter localisée sur la teneur en elements mineraux de la feuìlle de mais et la recolte" (Influence of local starter fertilization on the content of mineral elements of the maize leaf and the crop yield) by P. Gautier and A. Langlet, Academic d'Agriculture de France, Meeting on 7.1.1970, papaer presented by M. Coic).

Moreover, recent research has revealed that soil-plant competition also exists with respect to other ions, particularly those ions that are generally little available at root level in the soil. The result of this research has been to determine the compositions able to supply all the elements necessary during the juvenile stage.

In addition, basic fertilizers are known which contain various elements that can be added to the basic elements N, P, K, for example sodium, magnesium, calcium, copper and iron, which form the subject matter of French Patent Application No. 2,057,086, as well as ammonium molybdenate which forms the subject matter of French Patent Application No.

2,253,001. Such compositions are generally intended to correct by curative doses an existing or foreseeable soil insufficiency.

No complete fertilizer compositions exist that can be locally applied to the plant, thereby ensuring an optimum development thereof while causing no risk of toxicity during the juvenile stage.

The invention provides complete compositions suitable for placement, i.e. local fertilizer application, during the juvenile stage containing mainly the elements nitrogen and phosphorus and also the micro-nutrients Cu and Zn in the following quantities: 0.02 to 0.06% of copper by weight and 0.07 to 0.2% of zinc by weight, based on the total composition. Preferably the nitrogen and phosphorous are in the form of ammonium phosphate. Preferably also, the relative quantities of the elements Cu and Zn are such that the Cu:Zn weight ratio is from 0.1:1 to 0.8:1.

The invention also provides such compositions containing also at least one of the following micro-nutrients: boron, manganese, molybdenum, iron and cobalt. In this case the preferred quantity by weight of each of the micro-nutrients just mentioned is from 0.001 to 2% of the total composition.

The compositions may also contain magnesium in a quantity not exceeding 12% by weight of the total composition.

In general, the elements are chosen in the form of oxides or salts such as sulphate, phosphate, molybdate, or borate, or in chelate form. Micro-nutrients are preferably chosen in the chelate form. The magnesium is advantageously chosen in the form of a salt such as magnesium sulphate, potassium magnesium double sulphate, ammonium magnesium phosphate or magnesium hydroxide.

The invention compositions may also contain, in addition to the above-mentioned elements, at least one of the potassium or sulphate ions in a quantity not exceeding 15% by weight of the total composition.

In general the nitrogen and phosphorus elements are chosen in a random conventional form, whereby ammonium phosphate is preferably chosen in the form of an orthophosphate in which the N:P ratio is approximately 2:1.

It is advantageous to choose part of the nitrogen and phosphorus elements in the form of ammonium magnesium phosphate.

Thus, four types of compositions according to the invention are given hereinafter in exemplified form in a table.

For each example the first column gives the minimum and maximum quantities of the various elements expressed in conventional units % by weight of the total. The quantities of micro-nutrients are expressed by weight in pure metal or in some cases as specific oxides e.g., B2 Q or Mo 03. The figures in parentheses indicate the preferred quantity expressed in the same way.

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 First type Second type Third type N 18 17 - 19 12 - 14 9 - 11 P2O5 48 48 - 51 42 - 44 32 - 34 MgO - 10 - 12 8 - 9 K2O - 12 - 13 SO4 1 - 2 1 - 2 12 - 15 B2O3 0.06 - 0.18 (0.113) 0.06 - 0.18 (0.113) 0.06 - 0.18 (0.075) MoO3 0.008 - 0.016 (0.012) 0.008 - 0.016 (0.012) 0.008 - 0.016 (0.008) Mn 0.04 - 0.1 (0.06) 0.04 - 0.1 (0.06) 0.04 - 0.1 (0.04) Cu 0.06 0.02 - 0.06 (0.04) 0.02 - 0.06 (0.04) 0.02 - 0.06 (0.03) Zn 0.2 0.07 - 0.02 (0.12) 0.07 - 0.2 (0.12) 0.07 - 0.2 (0.08) Co 0.001 - 0.005 (0.002) 0.001 - 0.005 (0.002) 0.001 0.005 Fe 0.5 - 1.2 0.5 - 1.2 0.3 - 0.8 Also in accordance with the present invention, the novel compositions are prepared by intimately mixing the compounds (salts or oxides) or the chosen micro-nitrients in the indicated proportions and incorporating the optionally ground mixture in to the ammonium phosphate during one of the stages of its preparation formed by a known method. Thus, the mixture of the chose salts may be incorporated into the ammonium phosphate diammonium phosphate e.g. during the wet granulation stage. Alternatively, the chosen salts may be incorporated into a phosphoric acid solution, after which the solution obtained undergoes ammoniation up to an N:P ratio of approximately 2:1 and a substantially homogeneous composition product is collected.Preference is given to concentrated phosphoric acid and it is advantageous to incorporate the salts into the acid which at the end of concentration has a temperature of approximately 50"C and a P2O5 content between 40 and 52%. The acid is optionally clarified by a known method. Preferably a wet route phosphoric acid is used. In general such an acid has a non-negligible content of iron in phosphate form and account is taken of the presence of this iron when calculating the compositions containing said element.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the water content of the ammoniated solution is reduced and the product is obtained in the form of granules, which are obtained with a substantially homogeneous composition. For example, granules are obtained of which 95% have a diameter betwee 2 and 4 mm. The compositions according to the invention are locally applied to the planting hole or furrow or to the sowing line. The quantity applied is generally regulated at 100 to 200 kg/hectare.

A series of tests is carried out in pots and in the open.

For each test a comparison is made with a control in which the same soil is only given a uniform basic fertiliser and a comparison is also made with a fertilizer preferably composed of diammonium phosphate (d.a.p.), which has the content N:P:K 18:48:0 and which is applied in the juvenile stage.

Example 3 The dry material weight is measured by harvesting, drying and weighing whole maize plants. Six leaves are removed and the weight in grams for three plants is noted. The test programme is a standard barycentric coordinate programme consisting of four repetitions for each of the treatments. Locally applied fertilizers containing respectively compositions (b) and (c) are compared with a control (a) only containing d.a.p.

(b) d.a.p. 100 kg ammonium molybdate 5.15 g boric acid 154 g Mn S04.4H2 0 214 g Cu S04.6H2 0 25.6 g Zn S04.7H2 0 107 g Iron sequestrene 1000 g Mg S04 (kieserite) 4.5 kg (c) same composition as (d) except that kieserite is replaced by: monopotassium phosphate 20kg ammonium sulphate 37.6 kg dry material (a) 6.06 (b) 6.70 (c) 6.55 Example 4 The dry material weight is measured on tomatoes in the same way as in the preceding example but leaf-sampling takes place opposite the first bunch of tomatoes.

The locally applied fertilizers (a), (d) and (e) respectively contain control (a) d.a.p. only (d) d.a.p. 100 kg ammonium molybdate 15 g boric acid 200 g Mn S04.4 H20 250 g Cu S04.5 H20 150 g Zn S04.7 H20 500 g Co S04.5 H20 5 g (E( SAME COMPOSITION AS (d) per 100 kg of d.a.p. except for a supplementary quantity of 50 kg of double sulphate of magnesium and potassium.

dry material 1975 (a) 7.54 (d) 11.16 (e) 11.14 Example 5 The weight of the first ripe fruit picked from tomatoes growing in Bouches du Rh6ne, France, in 1975 was determined on batches which has received fertilizers (d) and (e).

Weight of first tomatoes picked in kg/stem (a) 0.545 (d) 0.587 (e) 0.772 The results are more significant with respect to the first tomatoes picked, which is a sign of the crop being forward.

Example 6 The action on the weight of the tomatoes picked was measured. The weight of the total tomatoes picked in kg/stem was noted on tomatoes grown in the open in 1975 (Example 5), (a), (b), (c) and (e) receiving the same fertilizers as previously.

Weight on picking 1974 1975 (a) 1.94 (a) 2.34 (b) 2.10 (d) 2.77 (c) 2.08 (e) 2.41 Example 7 The weight in grams per pot was noted relative to melons cultivated in pots. The fertilizers applied were as previously (a), (b) and (c).

Weight in grams (a) 440.3 (b) 452.3 (c) 452.5 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A composition mainly containing nitrogen and phosphorus in the form of an ammonium phosphate, the composition being in solid particulate form suitable for placement in the juvenile stage of plants and also containing the micro-nutrients copper and zinc in quantities by weight 0.02 to 0.06% of copper by weight and 0.07 to 0.2% of zinc by weight, based on the total composition.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, in which the ammonium phosphate is such that the atomic ratio N:P is approximately 2:1.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the relative quantities of the elements Cu and Zn are chosen in such a way that the weight ratio Cu:Zn is in the range 0.1:1 to 0.8:1.

4. A composition as claimed in any preceding claim that also contains at least one of the micro-nutrients boron, manganese, molybdenum, iron and cobalt.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 4, in which the quantity by weight of each of the micro-nutrients specified in claim 4 is in the range 0.001 to 2%, based on the total composition.

6. A composition as claimed in any preceding claim that contains magnesium in a quantity not exceeding 12% by weight based on the total composition.

7. A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elements are in the form of oxides or salts or in chelate form.

8. A composition as claimed in claim 7, in which the salts are sulphate, phosphate, molybdate or borate.

9. A composition as claimed in any preceding claim that also contains potassium and/or sulphate ions in a quantity by weight below 15%, based on the total composition.

10. A composition as claimed in claim 1 containing, as a percentage of the total weight, 17 to 19 of N, 48 to 51 of P2O5, 1 to 2 of 504 0.06 to 0.18 of By03, 0.008 to 0.016 of Mo03, 0.04 to 0.1 of Mn, 0.02 to 0.06 of Cu, 0.07 to 0.2 of Zn, 0.001 to .005 of Co and 0.5 to 1.2 of Fe.

11. A composition as claimed in claim 1 containing, as a percentage of the total weight, 12 to 14 of N, 42to44ofP2O5m 10 to 12 of MgO, 1 to 2 of S04, 0.06 to 0.18 of B203, 0.008 to 0.016 of MoO3, 0.04 to 0.1 of Mn, 0.02 to 0.06 of Cu, 0.007 to 0.2 of Zn, 0.001 to 0.005 of Co and 0.5 to 1.2 of Fe.

12. A composition as claimed in claim 1 containing, as a percentage of the total weight, 9 to 11 of N, 32 to 34 of P205, 8 to 9 of MgO, l2to 13 of K20, 12 to 15 of S04, 0.06 to 0.18 of B203, 0.008 to 0.016 of MoO3, 0.04 to 0.1 of Mn. 0.02 to 0.06 of Cu, 0.07 to 0.2 of Zn, 0.01 to 0.005 of Co and 0.3 to 0.8 of Fe.

13. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in granular form.

14. A method of preparing a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising intimately mixing the compounds of the chosen micro-nutrients and incorporating the mixture obtained into an ammonium phosphate during a stage in its preparation.

15. A method of preparing a composition as claimed in claim 13 in which the mixture of micro-nutrients is incorporated in the ammonium phosphate during the granulation stage, while the ammonium phosphate is moist.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14, in which the mixture of the compounds of the micro-nutrients is incorporated into a phosphoric acid solution, the thus obtained solution undergoes ammoniation to an N:P ratio of approximately 2:1 and a substantially homogeneous composition is obtained by removing the water from the solution.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, in which the water content of the ammoniated solution is decreased and the product is obtained in the form of granules, which have a substantially homogeneous composition.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, in which approximately 95% of the granules obtained have a diameter in the range 2 to 4 mm.

19. A composition as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described in Example 1 or 2.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Example 7 The weight in grams per pot was noted relative to melons cultivated in pots. The fertilizers applied were as previously (a), (b) and (c). Weight in grams (a) 440.3 (b) 452.3 (c) 452.5 WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A composition mainly containing nitrogen and phosphorus in the form of an ammonium phosphate, the composition being in solid particulate form suitable for placement in the juvenile stage of plants and also containing the micro-nutrients copper and zinc in quantities by weight 0.02 to 0.06% of copper by weight and 0.07 to 0.2% of zinc by weight, based on the total composition.